Through Honoring the Sabbath We can Become More Unified with Christ

Today's discussion was facilitated by Sister Louisa Joy ~

Sister Joy began the lesson by having 8 sisters come up and take a block that was part of the word REMEMBER.  Each sister was to remember when it was her turn where she placed her letter in the word when it was respelled.  This was a game of chance, because one of the sisters would win a prize if she placed her letter on the number with a gold dot on the back.  Then she read a part of the article that she based this lesson on.  It is in the February Ensign, Always Remember Him by President Eyring on pg 4.

Can you picture with me the prophet Moroni inscribing the final words of the Book of Mormon on the golden plates?  He was alone.  He had seen his nation, his people, and his family fall.  The lad was "one continual round" of war.  Yet he had hope, for he had seen our day! And of all the things he could have written, he invited us to remember.
President Spencer W. Kimball was fond of teaching that the most important word in the dictionary could be remember.  Because we have made covenants with God, he said, "our greatest need is to remember" them.  
You can find the world remember throughout the scriptures.

With each letter taken by the sisters, each was placed on the table.  With each letter Sister Joy would have us remember something about the Savior.  So with the first letter she asked us to Remember His mighty works.  What we thought about when we think about his works.  Here are some of the things that were talked about:

• His Atonement
• The Creation
• His leading the Children of Israel from bondage

She then asked, "How have you seen His mighty works in your life?  Here are some of the answers that were given:

• Gethsemane, how he gave his life for us.
• Our Children.
• One sister talked about how her husband fought and was saved in the war.
• Someone talked about His unconditional love.

The Second Remember letter was placed.  This was to remind us to Always Remember His teachings.  The question was asked, "What teachings do you think of or remember that He taught?

• Even when He was so tired from teaching, He let the children come to Him and He blessed them.
• He washed the disciples feet.  This Sister said, "He, the Savior of all mankind was serving and washed the feet of the disciples.  What kinds of service are we doing?"
• Another sister said she liked the scripture, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." She thought this was one of her favorite teachings.

The third letter was placed and it stood for Remembering His Loving Kindness.  What service of loving kindness have you see in your life or do you remember?

• How Christ always ministered to the One. 
• His blessing of the children.
• One sister said, "When you are at your lowest low, He will send help and comfort.  Whether that is in the form of a friend or just a feeling, He sends His love.
• When we've had a loss we can feel His Love and comfort.  It was mentioned how the sweet Garn family is suffering right now and how with all of the prayers that are being offered on their behalf that hopefully they are feeling the blessings of this.
• It was mentioned that throughout all the ages that He has reached out to His children because He loves them (us).  He has always tried to reach out to us and always will.
• The witness of the Holy Ghost is a sign of His loving kindness.

The fourth letter was placed and it stood for  Remembering the great price He paid.  Sister Joy read us a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants about this.  In the sacrament prayer the word ALWAYS is always before the word REMEMBER. 

• His great willingness to give His life because of His love for us was discussed.
• Sister Pinborough said, "The world would be a dismal place without His sacrifice."  If this was the end really what would be the point?  He gives us Hope.
• We need to ask for His help and forgiveness or it is all for naught.  We need to respect and have gratitude for what He has done.
• One sister summarized it this way ~ His whole spectrum (His whole life) was for our benefit.  We come to this earth to gain a body and be tested so that we can return (Our lives are about us).  But in contrast He came and gave His life and everything He does is for us.  We are asked to do so little in return.

The fifth letter was placed and stood for Remember the Resurrection.  Why are the words "He is not here for He has risen" so important?

• A sister told a story of a friend she had talked with just this week at work.  They were discussing what a wonderful blessing we have in a 24 hour day.  We are able to get up, go to work, enjoy our days, family etc.  But at the end of the day, we are able to go to bed and get up the next day and it is a new beginning.  Each day is new and a chance for doing better than we did the day before.
• We all have the opportunity for another chance if we repent.  We can do better.
• With the resurrection we also are given the knowledge of being with loved ones again.

The sixth letter was placed and stood for Remembering His Promises.  What are some promises He has given to us?

• If we live worthy we have the promise of having His Spirit to be with us.
• We are given promises in our patriarchal blessings if we live worthily.
• If we truly repent He will forget our sins.
• If we attend the Temple and live like we are supposed to we can have eternal families.
• We are promised Celestial Glory if we endure.  He gives us that Hope. 

The seventh letter was placed and stood for Remembering what we need to do better.  Sister Joy read from President Eyrings article, "The sacrament has its roots in the Old Testament practice of offering sacrifices which include a confession of sin.  We don't sacrifice animals anymore, but we can still give up our sins.  The scriptures call this a sacrifice of "a broken heart and a contrite spirit".  Come to the sacrament with a repentant heart.

The eighth letter was placed and stood for Remember your progress.  As you examine your life during the ordinance of the sacrament, I hope your thoughts center not only on things you have done wrong but also on things you have done right - moments when you have felt that Heavenly Father and the Savior were pleased with you.  You may even take a moment during the sacrament to ask God to help you see these things.  If you do, I promise you will feel something.  You will feel hope.

We need to remember to see the good.  Satan would have us feel like we aren't good enough or he would have us compare ourselves with others.  But we need to REMEMBER to see the good.

Always is a long time, and it implies a lot of focused effort.  You know from experience how hard it is to think conscious of one thing all of the time.  But no matter how well you keep your promise to always remember Him, He always remember you.

The Savior knows your challenges.  He knows what it is like to have the cares of life press upon you. He knows how urgently you need the blessing that comes from always remembering Him and obeying Him "that you may always have his Spirit to be with you".

So He welcomes you back to the sacrament table each week, once again offering you the chance to witness before Him that you will always remember Him.

Sister Joy compared this lesson to the game she started with.  She said, "this is not a game of chance as her game was.  He always remembers us."  We can trust that He is always there.  Satan will make us question His love for us.  But if we will reach out to our Savior, He will be there for us!

Value Beyond Measure

We can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth.

Today's discussion was lead by Sister Kelbie Jackson.  This discussion was based on a talk given by Sister Joy Jones the General Primary President.  This talk is in the November Ensign on page 13.  

Sister Jackson asked us to take out our journals and think of someone we know that is positive and that we feel knows of their individual worth.  Then she asked for some of the attributes of that person.  There were several responses, some of which were: They are bright, positive, kind, always spread joy, serve others, are always happy even though they have trials. 

Sister Jackson then quoted Sister Jones, "God is your Father.  He loves you.  He and your mother in heaven value you beyond any measure . . .   You are unique.  One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life.  Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual."

The question was posed, "Are there times when you have felt your Heavenly Father's love for you?"

Sister Stringham said, "When you become a mother you can feel some of what Heavenly Father feels towards His children, because of what we feel for our own children."  We all agreed that we are given times in our lives when we feel just a small portion of what Heavenly Father feels for us.  

Sister Rawlins said, "Even in the simplest things we can feel His love.  If we are going through hard times, we can feel peace and know of our worth to Him.  

Sister Jones in her talk said, "Let me point out the need to differentiate between two critical words: Worth and Worthiness.  They are not the same.  Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us.  Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth.  "God's love is infinite and it will endure forever."  

       "On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience.  If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less!"

Sister Jackson told of a time a year or so ago when she was really struggling with her self-worth, feelings of inadequacy, and a time of great trial for her.  She wondered if Heavenly Father loved her or even cared about her.  As she continued to do those things she needed to be doing, prayer, scripture study, etc.  She realized that she needed a change of heart and that she needed to use the atonement of our Savior.  The atonement isn't only for those that sin, but it is for everyone.  Sister Jackson told of how she was able to begin healing and she has felt Heavenly Father's love for her.  

Sister Welling told of when she was a caregiver to her parents and her mother-in-law.  How it was a very difficult time for her.  She was really struggling.  She went to the women's conference and that evening and was blessed by a talk given by Elder Eyring.  He gave a talk on being a caregiver.  Sister Welling felt that he was speaking directly to her.  She felt our Heavenly Father's love and knew He was aware of her, her struggles and where she was at in her life.

Sister Ashby talked about how when she had young children she also was a caregiver to her mother-in-law.  She told of how she and her mother-in-law didn't have a very good relationship and how hard it was for her to have to care for her.  However, as she cared for her mother-in-law, she was blessed to have some of those angry feelings in her heart begin to soften.  She began to feel like it was an opportunity to learn to love her mother-in-law.  Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be our very best.  He gives us opportunity to change.

Sister Jackson said, "Heavenly Father gives us trials to help us grow."

In Sister Jones talk she stated, "No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves?  I do.  It's an easy trap.  Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose.  Thinking small about ourselves does not serves us well."

Sister Jackson asked, "When is a time you have felt Heavenly Father let you know of your worth?"  It was discussed how when we have such experiences (when we feel His love) we need to be journaling them.  Sometimes when you are going through a trial, you can go back and read those and they help us feel our Heavenly Father's love all over again.  

Sister Lana Coombs said, "Heavenly Father blesses us with things He knows we will need.  She talked about last year when her job changed.  The job that she had done for several years was being done away with.  This new job was going to require her to start over planning and creating new things to teach.  It was going to be time consuming and hard.  She would need to put in long hours to get things ready for teaching a new subject.  However, through her preparation she was blessed.  In studying the subject matter it blessed her life.  It was what she was going to need personally in her life." She would be able to teach the students, but really this change was for her.  Even when some blessings feel hard and really don't feel like blessings, in the end they are for our benefit.  

Sister Jones said, "We may seldom, if ever receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth."

Another thing that was pointed out in this lesson was, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  We can stop comparing our worst to someone else's best.  "Comparison is the thief of joy."   We as sisters need to be kind to each other.  We need to put our best foot forward and be a friend to everyone.  We need to be the kind of sisters that we talked about at the beginning of the lesson.  Be that positive, happy, bright, person and Heavenly Father will bless you so that you feel and know your worth to Him.

Sister Jones said, "Sisters, because of what He did for us, "we are bound to him by loving ties."

As a side note, the day before Sister Jones gave this talk she and her family buried one of her sons.  He had been battling a long illness and had passed away just before this.  Sister Jones was still blessed to be able to give this talk.  She knows of her worth and it helped her give this talk during Women's Conference.  I know I for one feel very blessed by this talk and am grateful for Sister Jones loving guidance and example.  

A Yearning for Home

A Yearning for Home by Elder Uchtdorf, November Ensign, Pg 21

Elder Uchtdorf said, "Turn your soul toward the light.  Begin your own wonderful journey home."
Take time to ponder this and journal this week about how you are turning toward the light on your journey home.
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This weeks discussion was facilitated by Sister Jamie Johnson.  She told a story of when she was a young teenager and her family had been visiting Martin's Cove and Rocky Ridge and a few other church sites.  When they were at Rocky Ridge, her father was going to drive up and over the ridge.  At that time you could drive up and over the ridge and go out another way and that is what they had decided to do.  At the top they were going to have a family picnic.

At the beginning of the road up the ridge, there is a sign warning people to make sure that they have checked the weather reports and know what the weather was going to be.  Jamie's father and family looked around at the blue sky and decided to take the drive.  However, as they got toward the top of the ridge the winds began to pick up and clouds blew in.  As they got closer to the top it got worse and they went down the other side, but they couldn't find the road that took you out that way and her father decided that they would need to go back up the ridge and out the way they had come.  It had gotten darker and Jamie had to help her dad as they tried to miss big rocks and such going back up the ridge.

Jamie told of how before the trip started she had prayed that they would have a "pioneer-type" experience.  Well, as the trip continued Jamie had begun to pray and she said she never stopped praying while they were up on the ridge.  It was frightening.  As they were trying to find their way back down off the ridge, some distance up ahead they saw lights from another car.  When her father finally made it back down to that car he knew where they were and lead the other car out with their family as that family had been lost also.

Jamie likened this to how when we are having a hard time, Heavenly Father often helps us out by sending the light and others to help.  But they (Jamie's family) had to turn and follow the lights.  We also need to do this.  We need to turn towards the light of our Heavenly Father and once we find the light we know we can make it.

Jamie asked the question, "How have you tried to turn toward the light?"

Tammy Ward explained that keeping her home clean helps her feel closer to the Spirit.  She talked how she read how a house of order helps to keep the Spirit close.  When there is chaos and uncleanliness it is hard to have the Spirit near.  She is also trying as well as some of the other sisters to help teach this to their children.  You can feel the Spirit when things are clean.

Merlynn Kent talked about how when she is having a bad day or even a bad week, she turns on uplifting music.  It helps her feel closer to the Spirit.

Others stated how doing scripture study is helping them to have better days.  Sister Phipps talked about how last week it was mentioned that Sister Kent sends out a Monday message to her grandchildren.  Sister Phipps is going to try that and see how it works with her family.

It was so uplifting to listen to how the sisters are growing and learning from each other things that will help them to draw nearer to our Savior.  The Spirit was very strong in class.

Jamie asked what parts of Elder Uchtdorf's talk was a favorite to the sisters.   Sister Kathy Pinborough said she really liked the story of the dog.  It is below.

Nearly a century ago, a family from Oregon was vacationing in Indiana—over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) away—when they lost their beloved dog, Bobbie. The frantic family searched for the dog everywhere but to no avail. Bobbie could not be found.

Heartbroken, they made the trip home, each mile taking them farther away from their cherished pet.

Six months later, the family was stunned to find Bobbie on their doorstep in Oregon. “Mangy, scrawny, feet worn to the bone—[he] appeared to have walked the entire distance … by himself.” Bobbie’s story captured the imagination of people across the United States, and he became known as Bobbie the Wonder Dog.

Bobbie is not the only animal who has baffled scientists with an amazing sense of direction and instinct for home. Some monarch butterfly populations migrate 3,000 miles (4,800 km) each year to climes better suited for their survival. Leatherback turtles travel across the Pacific Ocean from Indonesia to the coasts of California. Humpback whales swim from the cold waters of the North and South Poles toward the equator and back. Perhaps even more incredibly, the arctic tern flies from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica and back every year, some 60,000 miles (97,000 km).

When scientists study this fascinating behavior, they ask questions such as “How do they know where to go?” and “How does each successive generation learn this behavior?”

When I read of this powerful instinct in animals, I can’t help but wonder, “Is it possible that human beings have a similar yearning—an inner guidance system, if you will—that draws them to their heavenly home?”

Calli Richards said her favorite part was when Elder Uchtdorf promised two things if we turn to the Lord:  1) That our lives will be better and 2) That God will use us to make someone else life better.

Calli then talked about how she and Brother (Ted) Richards had discussed this and she shared this analogy.  When we are working to be better it is like being a single bladed knife. We can do things that are asked of us, however when we are improving our lives to be more useful to the Lord, we become like a Swiss army knife.  We are blessed to be able to grow and do all sorts of things.  

Elder Uchtdorf in his talk said this, "On your journey back to Heavenly Father you will soon realize that this journey isn’t just about focusing on your own life. No, this path inevitably leads you to become a blessing in the lives of God’s other children—your brothers and sisters. And the interesting thing about the journey is that as you serve God, and as you care for and help your fellowmen, you will see great progress in your own life, in ways you could never imagine.

Perhaps you don’t consider yourself all that useful; perhaps you don’t consider yourself a blessing in somebody’s life. Often, when we look at ourselves, we see only our limitations and deficiencies. We might think we have to be “more” of something for God to use us—more intelligent, more wealthy, more charismatic, more talented, more spiritual. Blessings will come not so much because of your abilities but because of your choices. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes.

His work has always advanced on this important principle: “Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”

Jamie then played the song I Am A Child of God and she handed out a "love letter to each sister".  She had prayed about these and had typed up letters and no two were alike.  As we read these letters, it seemed like the Spirit was so strong and I can personally say that it felt like Heavenly Father was speaking personally to me.  (Thanks so much Jamie).  It is amazing to me how Heavenly Father knows each of us, our needs what we need to hear.  As these teachers prepare they are lead to do and say the things that we need to hear.

How does turning toward the light bless our lives even though we are going through hard times?  Elder Uchtdorf said, "This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust.  In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith.

No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest

Jamie told of how when she is having a bad day she will sometimes vacuum.  While she is vacuuming she is able to ponder and think about conference talks or scriptures they studied that morning.  It helps her turn her day around.  

Bonnie Clark said, "It is a choice to turn to the Light.  We can do things that will turn us back to the light when we are struggling.  We aren't always doing was would bring us close, but if we do the small simple things like scripture study and family prayer we will be able to keep closer to the Spirit, but it is a choice."

Jessica White said, "We are all different so we all will have different experiences.  The scriptures teach us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart." 

 I agree I think that we all need to know that everyone of us is going through different experiences and different trials.  One thing I have learned is that just because I am having a trial doesn't mean someone else's trial isn't as hard, because for them it is.  We need to remember to not judge.  We need to be there to hold someone's hand and help life them.  We need to not compare, but to be a true sister and friend.

Sister Lola Coombs told of how when she fell and broke her leg and laid on her kitchen floor for 16 hours before her family found her.  She prayed.  She was given the prompting that there were angels that would help her, but she needed to ask for their help.  So she prayed that she would have angels that would help her and specifically asked that it be her sweet husband that has passed away.  She said she never slept and she felt peace that everything would be okay.  When she was in the hospital it was decided that she needed to be flown down to SLC to a hospital for further treatment for her blood pressure.  Before she was flown she was given a blessing.  After the blessing she was told by one of the young men that blessed her that she had angels with her and that one of the angels was her husband and that he would be with her until her ordeal was over.  She felt his presence and was blessed.  What a wonderful testimony of the Love our Heavenly Father has for us!

At the end of the lesson, Sister Jamie Johnson challenged each of us to use our new journals.  She asked us to journal what talents we feel we have and how we can use these talents to help others.  She said, Heavenly Father will use you to help others. 

RS Council Sunday February 2018

Our RS Council this week was a continuation on how we as sisters cannily ourselves more with Christ on a personal basis.  Sister Kathy Pinborough was the facilitator leading the discussion.  She posed the questions, "How do you put Christ first in your life? and How can we as sisters find Christ in our lives?"  Sister Pinborough then mentioned how sharing our testimonies can uplift others.  She then read to us Alma 4: 11-15.  She then stated, "The Spirit of the Lord will not fail us if we keep the Spirit close."  I also believe this.  The Spirit was so strong in our Relief Society meeting.

Sister Pinborough's next question was, "What do you do to keep the Spirit close?"  Sister Freeze a new sister in the ward told of how she was a school teacher of Special-needs children and how she loved her job.  However, she and her husband were prompted that sister Freeze needed to make a career change.  She went back to school and got her degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.  She told of what a blessing it has been in her life as she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that has greatly affected her life.  But because she made the career change, she is able to work even on her bad days.  The Lord will lead us, but we need to follow His promptings to gain the blessings.

Sister Joan Richards said that reading the scriptures help us to keep the Spirit close.  Sister Michelle Ballard said that  listening to uplifting music helps to keep the Spirit close.  Then Sister Christina Smith reminded of the promises that President Nelson gave us about reading the scriptures in his last conference address.

Sister Pinborough then asked, "How can we share the scriptures with others?"  Taitha Neal talked about how Sister Kent sends out a Monday Message to her grandchildren.  Sister Terri Garn told of how she does Summer Scripture Seekers.  This is where her grandchildren dress up in costumes and re-enact the scripture stories.

Sister Calli Richards mentioned that President Monson asked us to prayerfully study the scriptures.  She talked about how Holden reminds their family to read their scriptures and then asks in his weekly email to them what they have learned that week in their scripture study.  So as a family they hold each other responsible for reading the scriptures through emails and it is also posted on a missionary blog.

Sister Anne Welling told how she sent out emails to her children asking questions pertaining to certain scriptures.  Some of their children answered those questions right away, but others kept the emails and are still working on the answers.  When the families are finished the are rewarded by being given a gift of the LDS Family Book of Mormon.

Sister Pinborough said, "Nothing goes to wast that you share with others that has to do with the Gospel."

One sister talked about sharing Family History stories and how that helps bring the Spirit and lets it testify of those things that are good and that are happening and have happened in our ancestors lives.

Sister Andrea Stringham told of how when she was not a member of the church she worked with a group of women that she became great friends with.  When these women found out she was becoming interested in the church, they gave her a Book of Mormon.  Sister Stringham asked these women to mark their favorite scripture and then sign it.  It is now a precious treasure to her and her family.  This is a great idea.  We should all be willing to write down our testimonies and give them to others or share them on social media.

Sister Pinborough's final question was, "Do we help lift others as we share the Gospel?"

It was discussed how the Friend and the other church magazines are a great way to share the Gospel.  This can help our children and other family members understand the scriptures.

Sister Phipps told of how when she first came to our ward how she didn't know that the Relief Society had set a goal for each sister to read the Book of Mormon, but told of how she really felt the power of the Spirit within our ward.  When we read the scriptures as an organization, others can feel the power of our testimonies when they come to visit.

During our Sacrament Meeting, sister Tammy Ward told the story of her family and how they studied the scriptures.  She old of how they would all read a few verses and then it would move around the circle.  Well, they weren't really paying attention and her husband, Brother Casey Ward didn't say anything, but he was the one that would begin the reading each time.  He had them read the same chapter 31 days before anyone caught on that they were reading the same thing over and over.  So sister Ward said during our RS discussion that we need to be present during scripture study.  Phones need to be put away and we need to pay attention to what is being read.

It was discussed that if you can't read the scriptures, you could try to listen to them and they will still be a blessing in your life.  A suggestion was made that as you listen you could carry around a notebook and you could write down promptings and inspiration that you receive as you listen.

Sisten Lana Coombs told of a friend that reads the Book of Mormon each month start to finish.  When is is talking with others, she quotes it without being aware that she is doing it because it is such a part of who she is.  What an amazing force for good we could be if we all did this and lifted others by just sharing it because it is naturally a part of us.

I so appreciated everyone that participated today and helped my testimony grow.  I believe that as we do these things we can all befitted and more unified with our Savior.