May 27, 2018

Sunday May 27^th  Springs Hollow Relief Society

Lesson – Sister Louisa Joy

Ministering: No deadline, Do however best meets the need of your sister, whenever, DO IT! Get to know your sister.

Thoughts taken from Kathy Andersen given at the BYU Women’s conference“ This is our day. This is our time”.  As we prepare for the second coming of the Savior, we have to know what we have been asked to do by the prophet of our day, and then we have to have the faith and courage to do it.”

Our prophet President Nelson is our watchman on the tower.  He has given us direction: choose to do spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost; stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation;

Become in tune with the spirit. 

Sister Joy went on to give us ideas of how to love from a talk from Susan Gong.

1.      Jesus knows  our hearts , we need to listen with our hearts, feel the Holy Ghost

2.      Compassion, feel how they feel, understand one another

3.      Succor, bless one another

How do we do this?  Pray, look for the good in each other.  Some ideas taken from Sister Sharon Eubank and Sister Reyna Aburto:

We must change the culture in the church, do not compare our self with each other.  Do your best. Doing better isn’t always doing more.  If you do just one inspired thing each day you are doing what the Lord wants.

Hand out: quote by Lucy Mack Smith

"WE MUST Cherish one another, Watch over one another, Comfort  one another,

And Gain Instruction, that we may all sit down in Heaven Together."

Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

This past Sunday's lesson was given by Sister Tammy Ward.

     To begin the lesson off, Sister Ward asked the sisters to look at all of the empty seats that were in the Relief Society room.  She asked the sisters attending to pray in their hearts for those sisters that were missing.

     Sister Ward then told of a time when she was a child and she would attend church.  She would often cry because she felt sad when they would sing the songs about being eternal families in heaven.  Her family was not sealed and she thought she would be alone in heaven.  

     She then read the following quotes from Elder Renlund's talk:
     "When we gather our family histories and go to the temple on behalf of our ancestors, God fulfills promised blessings simultaneously on both sids of the veil."

     "As we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to "healing" blessings promised by prophets and apostles.  These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity and consequence in mortality.  This long list includes:

• Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
• Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives; 
• Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going; 
• Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts; 
• Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the lover of the Lord; 
• Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
• Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
• Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord's help, serve others; 
• Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and
• Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

     Sister Ward commented that our ancestors that were pioneers were strong and had endurance and stamina. 

     Sister Stringham said, If you are going to the temple it blesses both sides.

     Sister Ward then asked, "Do you have a loved one on the other side of the veil?  If you could, wouldn't you want to be a blessing to them?"

     Tammy then told of how she had been helping her mom clean out boxes that she had from Tammy's grandmother.  In the boxes they found some old VHS tapes.  When Tammy watched them, they had her grandmother's voice singing songs and telling stories.  What a blessing it was for Sister Ward to hear her grandmother many years after she had passed on.

     Sister Teri Garn said that we can put stories and songs from ourselves and others on Family Search.

     When you know about these blessings it helps us focus and want to do our temple and family history work more.  

     Elder Renlund said, "This is far more than an encouraged hobby, because the ordinances of salvation are necessary for all of God's children.  We are to identify our own ancestors who died with our receiving the ordinances of salvation.  We can perform the ordinances vicariously in temples, and our ancestors may choose to accept the ordinances.  We are also encouraged to help ward and stake members with their family names."

     One of the sister in our ward shared this testimony of family history work.  "As I've worked on family history my testimony of so many gospel principles has grown.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that families are forever, that God has a plan for us, and that He sends angels to guide and watch over us. 

     So many times as I am doing research and temple work I feel the presence of family members from beyond the veil.  They are so excited to have their work done, and many times I know they have offered assistance in finding the necessary records so their names can be taken to the temple.

     One experience that I hold dear to my heart is when I was going to the temple to do baptisms, confirmations and initiatory work with my little brother.  One of the names we were doing that day was my third great-grandfather's, Richard Cundall.  As I was driving to Ogden I had some church music playing and kept hearing, "Turn off your music."  I thought, "I'm on my way to the temple and church music helps me be more in-tune, why would I turn it off?"  The I heard it again, "Turn off your music."  As soon as I did I felt the most powerful feeling of the Spirit.  I knew my Grandfather Cundall was there with me.  Words cannot describe the feelings of the rest of that drive.  I was able to feel his words to me and was able to promise him that I would find the rest of his family and have their work completed.  I know if he and other members of my family were given the opportunity in this life to accept the gospel they would have, but since they didn't have the opportunity it is my blessing and obligation to make sure that work is performed for them now so they can progress in eternity.

     Yeas later, I received a priesthood blessing that told me that as I continued working on my family history that family from beyond the veil will watch over and protect my family and that at times I would be able to clearly recognize their protecting power.  I can testify that that has been the case in my life.  The veil has been quite thin at times and I have been able to recognize many things as direct blessings from doing family history.

     Know the promises given from the prophets and apostles about family history work are true.  I will never doubt the strength that has come into my life by participating in the great work of performing ordinances for our family members that they cannot perform for themselves."

     Sister Tammy Ward asked the sisters if any had experiences that they wanted to share:  

     Sister Kelbie Jackson shared that her grandmother was a convert.  She (Her grandmother) did her sisters work about 10 years ago and then her great-aunt's family also joined the church.  That same grandmother's brother died a couple of years ago and Kelbie's family had his work done.  They were praying about how to help this brother's family find the gospel.  One of the grandsons in this family had decided to go on a mission and he was called to serve where one of this brother's son's lived.  That uncle and several members of his family joined the church. 

     Tammy told of a man that she had been exchanging emails with who was a relative, but was not a member.  He sent her a book that was full of names that she found were related and that needed their work done. 

     Sister Ward said, "When you do this work, you will receive help from the other side,"

     Sister Norene Rawlins said in her family there is a line of Native Americans.  Someone in this line married a frenchman.  Sister Rawlins couldn't find anything on this man and the work had stalled.  Sister Rawlins and her family had moved to Colorado and while she was unpacking boxes she had the distinct feeling that she should go to the library.  She thought to herself, "Here I am unpacking and I am too busy to go to the library."  However, she did end up going to the library.  She didn't know what she was looking for and so just started looking at books.  The librarian came over to her and asked if she could help.  Sister Rawlins told her that she needed information on this man and called him by name.  The librarian told sister Rawlins that she was just reading about this man and then she gave her more information about him.  Sister Rawlins was blessed by following the promptings of the  Spirit.

     Sister Ward told of when she lived her senior year with her father and grandfather.  She came to love this grandfather very much.  He was not a member of the church.  Tammy went to the temple a couple of years ago to do an endowment session for her great-grandmother.  As she was sitting in the session the ordinance worker smiled at Tammy and kept doing so to the point that Tammy became uncomfortable.  After the session, the worker came over to Tammy and asked if she could feel the spirit of the woman whom she had done the work for.  Tammy said she could then distinctly feel her great-grandmother there with her.  This ordinance worker could see Tammy's great-grandmother.  Tammy then realized that it was her grandfather's birthday.  She hadn't realized the connection until later.

So how do we begin this work?

     Sister Lauralee Hansen said, "Because of a name that kept repeating in her family, she looked for others with that same name and began that way."

Those on the other side are truly watching over us.

     Sister Pat Allison said that you can use DNA kits to find family ties.

     Sister Cheri Smith told of when she was at a funeral of a relative that someone gave her a piece of paper with a phone number on it.  She was prompted to call that number and because of it some of her family history work began there.

     If you need help with your family history work, the people in our ward that are called and can help you are:

Brother Jeri Richards

Sister Teri Garn

Sister Lynda Garn

     We appreciate all of the time and effort our teachers take in preparing these lessons.  The Spirit that was felt in this lesson was wonderful and we hope that those that were unable to attend will soon be back with us as they are truly missed.  Thanks to everyone that commented and shared experiences.  

Teaching in the Home ~ a Joy and Sacred Responsibility

Anne Welling - Ministering:

     How do we go about ministering?  
     We want you to meet the needs of your sisters!  If they need a monthly visit or weekly visit, please visit the accordingly.  If they need a text or phone call, please do so.  But be sure to visit at times so that you can get to know your sisters.  As your sisters what their needs are, then see to those needs.  Pray and ask how you can fulfill their needs.  
     Pray about your partner and how you can serve and uplift them also.  As ministers we not only need to serve our sisters, but we need to be aware of our partner and their needs.
     Let your sisters know who you are!  Get to know your sisters so that if and when they have a need, you are the one that they would call on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     The lesson today was Teaching in the Home ~ A Joy and Sacred Responsibility by Devin G Durrant.  Sister Jamie Johnson was the teacher today.

     Sister Johnson showed the video "Just A Mom".  She talked about how our efforts as women matter.  No matter our role.  Women were made to be nurturers.  We are always to be grown g and improving, but we shouldn't beat ourselves up.  We should try to do the best we can.  

     Moving on to the lesson, Sister Johnson said that Elder Durrant had five points of teaching that he discussed in his talk.

#1)  Teaching in Family Home Evening:
     How can we teach during Family Home Evening and make it a fun activity where learning is key?

    Sister Kathy Pinborough said, "Make it fun.  Don't give up.  You are doing better than you think."

    It was discussed how even Elder Bednar's family struggled with the children commenting "He's breathing my air!" No family is exempt from the chaos of Family Home Evening.

    Sister Teri Garn said that the first of ever month they held a FHE with relatives.  Her children looked forward to it because they were able to be with cousins and create stronger relationships.

    Sister Bonnie Ashby told of how the Ashby family held a monthly prior to her marrying into the family and has continued to do that for the past 50 yrs. 

    Sister Annette Ellis said that her family enjoyed doing their son's scouting projects or studying the books, The First 100 Temples and Stories Behind the Hymns.  As their boys got older they worked on using Preach My Gospel.  

    Sister Johnson also reiterated that we "Not make it more complicated  than it needs to be."

    Sister Tammy Ward told of how when she was young her brothers used to give her a hard time as she organized and planned out as well as gave the FHE lessons in her family.  She said that this prepared her for her mentoring that she does not as she is no longer afraid of standing in front of people and giving her thoughts.  She also told of one time when her family made shields and had aluminum balls that they threw at each other that represented the fiery darts.  She said they had a really fun time and all of her children remember that FHE.  Her family also has at times done home canning borrowing the cannery machine that does #10 cans and when they are done they also do a can with spiritual experiences that they have had in the previous 6 months so they can read them later.

     Sister Johnson told of a time when her mother researched a family member and then for FHE she dressed up and acted like she was that person, telling her story.  Jamie really remembers that time and how it gave her an appreciation for her mother and for her relative.

     Annette Ellis also said that they did an annual budgeting lesson.  

     Sister Gregory told of a time when she was on her mission when they had perspective converts (Children) dress up and act out scripture stories so that they would understand them better.

     There are so many ideas for FHE and teaching our families.

#2)  Family Prayer Teaching
What are some ideas on how to teach through prayer?

     One of the sisters said that when we pray, we need to express how much we love our children in prayer and do it by their names.  Pray for individuals you know are having problems and trials.

     Sister Christina Smith said, "We need to point out things we are grateful for in our prayers and the things that people have done for us."

     Sister Tina Gregory said that when they have the opportunity to Skype with their missionaries, they always end their calls with a family prayer.  I thought that was an exceptional idea and one that I wish we had done.

     Sister Jamie told of how Katie Hess' family has a family motto that they say together after their family prayers.

#3)  On-Call Teaching
How do we prepare for on-call teaching?

     Sister Johnson talked about how we as parents and grandparents need to be ready at a moment notice to teach.

     Sister Christina told of a time when her children were in High School.  She said that she had gotten on her computer and found things that shouldn't have been there.  She went to the school and got one of her son's and took him for a ride, letting him know she was concerned.  She said that he opened up to her and she had a wonderful conversation and it helped deter further problems.

     Sister Glori commented that we need to pray to know and be prepared. 

     Sister Ashby said that we need to listen to our children when they are young to the things that are important to them.  Then when they are older there will trust us and know it is okay to talk to us when they are older.

     This lesson was so full of information that we weren't able to finish all of it and Sister Johnson encouraged all of us to go home and continue to read this talk.  By doing the things that are talked about in this lesson, we will be prepared to make our homes feel like heaven.

May RS Council Mtg - Ministering

To begin this meeting off, Sister Jessica White talked about the 3 talks that were given in the last General Conference on ministering given by President Nelson, Elder Holland and Sister Bingham. Then Sister Tammy Jensen was the discussion facilitator.

     President Nelson said, "We will implement a newer, holier, approach to caring for and ministering to others." 
     Sister Jean Bingham said, "What a better way to prepare to meet Him (our Savior) than striving to become like Him through lovingly ministering to one another!"  she continued, "Sometimes we think we have to do  something grand and heroic to "Count" as serving our neighbors.  Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects on others..."  "He (meaning our Savior again) also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed and forgave.  He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike and He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel.  Those "simple" acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today."

     Sister White pointed out that really, if we have been doing our visiting teaching like it was meant to be done, then nothing is really changing except for the reporting.  However, if we have not been doing our visiting teaching like it was meant, then we need to make great changes.  This new ministering will be regarded as visiting teaching on a Holier and Higher level.  We need to take care of our sisters and their needs.  We will do this through personal revelation that will lead us to who we can serve, and what their needs are.  Sister White also stated, "how fabulous is it when we have a partner that helps us to go do those visits! To help lift us and make us better at being what we need to be as we minister to those we are called to visit."  

     We will still have partnerships.  We will report to our Savior what we are doing and can ask Him to help us know what more we need to do to help those we are serving with and whom we are called to serve.

     For the ministering interviews that will be held this next Wednesday, on May 9th, the Relief Society presidency has asked that we:

• Come prepared by praying before hand whom it is that Heavenly Father needs us to serve or minister with.
• Also, pray about whom it is that you need to be serving.  Who can you help and what do you need to do to serve them.

     If we will pray about these prior to the interviews we can come to the interview with an idea of what the Lord's will is.  And His way is always better that what we think we should do, because He see's the bigger picture.

      Sister Tammy began the next part of our discussion on Ministering. . . . .

First she told us what the word ministering means in the dictionary.  

• It is a Chief Servant.
• An Agent.
• A high officer of state entrusted with the management of a division of governmental activities.
• To transact or manage given authority under another.
• An executive officer.
• One the king trusts to take care of everything.
• An Angel.
• A messenger of God.

     The verbs describing the word minister  would be:

• To supply the means to relieve.
• to functions a minister of. 
• to give aid or service.

     We can be as this word is described.  We can be a messenger of God or to some an angel by being the means to relieve burdens, to give aid to and or serve.

     Elder Holland expounded in his talk, "Brothers and sisters, we have a heaven-sent opportunity as an entire Church to demonstrate "pure religion . . . undefiled before God" - "to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light" and to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort," to minister  to the widows and the fatherless, the married and the single, the strong and the distraught, the downtrodden and the robust, the happy and the sad - in short, all of us, every one of us, because we all need to feel the warm hand of friendship and hear the firm declaration of faith.  However, Elder Holland said, "I warn you, a new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports won't make an ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold, new holier way."

     What does he mean in a bold, new holier way?  One sister suggested that it means, to change how we do things would be a new and bold way.

     How can we make these changes?  Sister Rawlins said, "sometimes we recognize a need that we could help with, but then we second guess ourselves.  We need to humble ourselves and move forward on those promptings."

     Sister Allen (Joann) said, "We need to ask for help that is out of our comfort zone." She told of how when she had the triplets she being an independent person wanted to do it without help, but she came to the realization that she really needed help and she couldn't do it all on her own.  She humbled herself and was willing to ask for help and she and her family were blessed by others that were willing to serve.

     Sister Glory talked about a sister that had cancer.  This sister had never needed help and was a pretty independent lady, but when she became ill, she had to ask for help to survive.  This sister really hadn't known the people in her apartment building prior to her getting ill, but after a short time she came to know those around her.  By their ministering and helping her she was able to get to know most of the people in her apartment building.  The sister called it independence with benefits (her new friends).

     Sister Jamie Johnson said, "We need to ask those we minister to how we can serve them, and then do what they need, not what we ourselves think they need."

     Sister Cheri Smith talked about listening to the Spirit and listening to promptings.  She talked about how we need to get out of our comfort zones and really serve.

     The question was asked, "Is there a time in your life when you have been ministered to that you would share."  (This question was given to Sister Christina Smith)  She answered that there were 3 times that she remembers that she would like to share.  

     The first was a time when her mother came to her home for a visit.  Sister Smith's mother told Christina that her front flower garden was really bad.  So Christina went out and was going to work on it one day, and her mother came out and put on her gloves and they worked together in making it look better.  Sister Smith's mother was willing to not just point out a problem, but she was then willing to help Sister Christina fix the problem. 

     The second time she remembered was when her visiting teachers saw her out raking up her leaves in the fall.  Christina's yard has some very big trees and so the leaves in the fall are abundant.  Her visiting teachers went and got their rakes and came back and helped her rake her leaves.  

     The third time she talked about was how whenever she goes anywhere with Annette Elllis, Sister Ellis will always talk with people.  She is fearless in talking to people.  This helps Sister Smith because Sister Ellis is so at ease in speaking with others - it helps Sister Smith come out of her shell, and that is a blessing to Christina.

     President Nelson said, "The Lord has made important adjustments in the way we care for each other.  Sisters and brothers - young and old - will serve one another in a new, holier way.  Elders quorum will be strengthened to bless the lives of men, women and children throughout the world.  

     Relief Society sisters will continue to minister in their unique and loving way, extending opportunities to younger sisters to join them. 

    

     A hallmark of the Lord's true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families.  Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did.  We will minister in His name, with His power and authority and with His loving-kindness.  

Let us go forward and minister in the Lord's way.