Sunday Lesson Recap - "Your Happily Ever After"

This week's lesson was from the Young Women General Meeting last March - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After."

Some highlights -

- We are in the middle of our own "fairy tale" in mortality - in every fairy tale, the main character has adversity to overcome before they can get to "happily ever after."

- We are writing our own story - we've got to decide where our happily ever after will take us.

- Delaini (who was giving the lesson) had a great list of counsel to help:
- Always try
- Plan ahead
- Use common sense
- Learn from your mistakes
- Face your challenges
- Believe in yourself
- Forget the small things
- Don't be so negative

- Adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise - we have the opportunity to develop depth of character through overcoming challenges.

- It is your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop.

- 2 Nephi 2: 11 - There must be an opposition in all things.

- Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8 - If we endure adversity well, we will be exalted on high.

- Stay true to what you know is right - the gift of eternal life comes through the understanding that we are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father.

Thanks to Delaini for giving such a great lesson!

Activities and Announcements

Wow - feels like I haven't been on here for a while (which is probably true...) But we have plenty of activities to announce, so here we go -

Family Home Evening - Monday at 7 pm at Melinda Steele's house in Oak City. We'll be having hot dogs and s'mores.

On Monday, October 11, the YSA group in Fillmore is having an apple-pressing activity at 5:00 with dinner at 6:00 pm. More details to follow.

This Friday, there will be a blood drive at the Palomar from 2:00 - 7:00 pm.

And don't forget - General Conference this weekend!

In case you missed it - you can listen to the General Relief Society Meeting from Saturday night here.

Sunday Lesson Recap : Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul

This week's lesson was a from talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from the May 2010 Ensign, "Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul". Here are the highlights:

- The difference between lust and love - Lust is selfish, secretive and only thinks in the short-term. Love is selfless, you feel good about showing it and can be eternal.

"True love we are absolutely giddy about." - Elder Holland

- Ways to avoid temptation -
1. Separate yourself from things, places and people that have a negative influence on you.
2. Get outside help if you need.
3. Develop self-control.
4. Replace lewd thoughts will good thoughts.
5. Be where the Spirit is.



Thanks to Becca for such a great lesson!

Announcements!

We haven't forgotten this blog! Sorry for the lull in posts, but here are this week's announcements -

- Sept. 18-19 (this Saturday and Sunday) is Stake Conference. Saturday at 7 pm is the Adult Session and the General Session will be at 10 am (both meetings will be at the new Stake Center by the hospital). You'll want to get there early because Elder Dallin H. Oaks will be presiding and it's sure to be a packed house.

- Sept. 25 is the General Relief Society Broadcast. Soup and salad will be served at 5:00 pm and the broadcast will start at 6:00 pm. This also will be held at the Stake Center.

- General Conference is October 2 and 3.

- There will also be a Blood Drive on Friday, October 1 from 2-7 pm at the Palomar.

Sunday Lesson Recap: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times

This week's lesson was from the "Gospel Principles" manual, chapter 16 "The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times." Here are some of the key points:

- There are six characteristics that point to the true church of Jesus Christ. These characteristics were present in Christ's day and they are present in ours -

1. Authority from God - God gives His servants the power to act in His name (the priesthood)
- Matthew 16:19

2. The Church Organization - Christ called twelve Apostles to lead and guide His church after His death. These Apostles were to teach the gospel to all the world and make sure the members were doing what God wanted them to do.
- Ephesians 2:20

3. Revelation - God will always guide His church through revelation. Revelation is the "rock" upon which the church is built (see Matthew 16:16-18)
- Individuals can also receive personal revelation. It is through revelation that truth is revealed to us and we receive our testimonies.

4. First Principles and Ordinances - Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost
- Ordinances require priesthood authority in order to be complete.

5. Ordinances Performed for the Dead - Everyone has a chance to receive the gospel, no matter when they lived.
- 1 Corinthians 15:29
- 1 Peter 3:18-20, 4:6
- Doctrine and Covenants 131:6

6. Spiritual Gifts - such as faith, prophecy and visions (there are others). Spiritual gifts are given to individuals according to their needs, capacity and assignments. They follow those that believe.

The Church was also organized in the Americas - after Christ was resurrected, He visited the Nephites in the Americas and gave them the same instructions and authority He gave His Apostles in Jerusalem. See 3 Nephi 11-28

Apostasy occurred when the people became too wicked and prideful. They disobeyed and even killed the Apostles and Prophets. The gospel became corrupted with incorrect doctrine. God took His authority from the earth in response to their wickedness. This Great Apostasy was foretold - Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:44-45

Thanks to Emily for this great lesson!

This Week's Announcements!

Hello everyone! This week is a little sparse on activities, but there's some fun stuff coming up!

- Institute is Wednesday at 7:00 pm at the Seminary building.

- There will be no FHE on Monday.

- Just as a heads up - stake conference will be September 18-19 and Elder Dallin H. Oaks will be presiding.

- Also - we as a Relief Society presidency are planning a Relief Society Retreat this fall. It is still in the planning stages, but it should be a ton of fun - we'll keep you posted.

Sunday Lesson Recap: Priesthood Organization

This week's lesson was from the Gospel Principles book, chapter 14 "Priesthood Organization." Some key points:

- The Church is governed by the priesthood. There are two kinds of priesthood - the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood.

- Offices in the Aaronic Priesthood are: Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Bishop. Offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood are Elder, High Priest, Patriarch, Seventy and Apostle.

- The priesthood brethren are divided into quorums, which are groups of priesthood holders holding the same office in the priesthood. Each quorum is led by a presidency.

- The priesthood is organized in this way so that priesthood holders are given opportunities to use their priesthood to serve individuals and families and strengthen the Church.

- The auxiliaries of the Church (Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Sunday School and Primary) are organized the same way as the priesthood holders are and under the direction of priesthood leaders.

- This organization is also a model for how our families should be governed: "Pray for Dad"

Thanks to Aubrey for giving such a wonderful lesson!