Fifth Sunday Combined Priesthood/Relief Society Meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
*Enrichment Night for putting together the Chemo Kits has been changed to August 7th @ 6 pm.  There will be a list of items for this kits on the side bar of this blog.  Please come and attend.  The material for the seat belt port pillows will be provided.  For those sisters that want to come and sew, please bring your sewing machine.  We will also need sisters to stuff and close these pillows, so come and visit.
*Ward Party August 14 @ 6 pm.  Details to come.
*Stake Family Night (Previously called Early Park Roundup) will be held at Peterson Park in Elwood on August 11 @ 6 pm.
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Today's combined Priesthood/Relief Society Meeting was based on President Nelson's talk given in General Conference; Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives.

Sister Christina Smith, Jil Cornaby, Patrick Johnson and Brent Pedersen were asked to talk about how this has had impact on their lives.  

Sister Smith talked about how she has used personal revelation in her ministering for the sisters she visits.  She talked about how she is often intimidated and has had to learn to overcome those feelings so that she can follow the Spirit and not worry if she is making a mistake or not.  She bore a beautiful testimony on how the Spirit will lead and direct us in ministering to others.  Christina talked about how we can grow into greater understanding and receiving more inspiration as we use it.

Sister Cornaby talked about what revelation is and how she often feels like she isn't sure if it is revelation or not, but she tries to err on the side of kindness and just does what she feels is what the Lord would have her do.  She also talked about how people receive revelation and inspiration in different ways.  To some it is a direct prompting, to others revelation comes line upon line, precept upon precept.  

Brother Patrick Johnson talked about the five things that President Nelson instructed us that we need to improve in to receive revelation.  These things are:  1)  Increase in purity, 2) Exact obedience,  3) Earnest seeking, 4) Daily feasting on the words of Christ in the  Book of Mormon, and 5) Regular time committed to temple and family history work.

He reiterated how our Prophet is pleading with us to increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation.  In President Nelson's talk, he said, "Let this Easter Sunday (Brother Johnson changed that to this fifth Sunday combined meeting) be a defining moment in your life.  Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly."

Brother Pedersen talked about how Heavenly Father cares about revealing to us even the smallest of things.  He told of going camping with the young men in the ward this week.  How when they began they invited the Lord to be with them and how we need to invited the Lord to be with us in all that we are doing.  At camp, one of the young men had been kayaking and his kayak began to sink.  He was able to make it to shore, however in doing so this young man lost his glasses.  The next day some of the leaders went back to the lake to try and find the glasses.  They began with a prayer inviting the Spirit to be with them as they undertook what they thought was an almost impossible situation.  Brother Pedersen was standing in the canoe and as they went across the lake to the point where this young man came ashore, they were able to look down and see the glasses in the water.  

Heavenly Father is so aware of us and our needs and he is so willing to help us, but we need to invite him to help us.

It was a wonderful meeting and gave everyone something to think about and ways in which to improve so that we can all become more open to receiving revelation from our Heavenly Father.  I would invite you to read this talk and pray about it to find ways that you can improve in receiving personal revelation.  Here is the link.

I hope you all have a beautiful week.

A Holier Approach to Ministering - Elder Neil L Andersen

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
*Enrichment Night for putting together the Chemo Kits has been changed to August 7th @ 6 pm.  There will be a list of items for this kits on the side bar of this blog.  Please come and attend.  The material for the seat belt port pillows will be provided.  For those sisters that want to come and sew, please bring your sewing machine.  We will also need sisters to stuff and close these pillows, so come and visit. 
*Temple Night is July 27th ~ the 5 or 7 pm sessions
*Stake Family Night (Previously called Early Park Roundup) will be held at Peterson Park in Elwood on August 11 @ 6 pm.
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Today's lesson was taken from a talk given by Elder Neil L. Andersen at a BYU Devotional and was taught by Sister Louisa Joy.

Sister Joy began her lesson by having a sister read the following thoughts:

• When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
• Love one another as I have loved you.
• Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.
• Succor the weak, lift up the hand which hangs down and strengthen the feeble knees.

She then read from Elder Andersen's talk: 

"Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister 

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."

". . . the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many."

We were then asked what effect these thoughts had on us.  One sister commented that if we truly did these things and lived like the Savior taught, we would be so much further ahead in our journeys here on earth.

Sister Joy said, "this is how the Savior served.  He always looked for the ones that were down-hearted and troubled." 

In Elder Andersen's talk the first point that was given and that Sister Joy wanted to highlight was:  We need to Remember the first commandment before we exercise the second commandment.

Elder Andersen said, "One came to the Savior and asked Him:  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." 

Sister Joy asked, "How can we do this in our ministering without coming across as being self-righteous or holier-than-thou?"  Some of the answers that were given were: 

• By being a true friend.  To do this we need to build these relationships and go beyond visiting in the way that we used to do.
• By being like the Savior.  To do this we need to know Him better.  We can know Him better through our scripture studies and prayer.  He will prompt us if we do this.

Elder Anderson said, "Your ability to bring a holier approach to loving your neighbor, to caring for and ministering to others, will rest upon how strongly you keep the first commandment." 

"There is a unique and supernal gift of ministering that can come from someone who loves God with all his or her heart; who is settled, grounded, steadfast, and immoveable in his or her faith in Jesus Christ and in the restored gospel; and who keeps the commandments with exactness."

Sister Joy had several pictures on a board:

She had sisters come up and choose which they would like and then they read what was on the backs of each picture.  On the back were different things that each sister or friend was struggling with they included:

• This sister used to attend the temple but now struggles to go.
• This friend is struggling with dressing modestly.
• This sister has become critical of the Prophet and church leaders and is openly critical of them.
• This friend is living a life that compromising her worthiness and needs to repent.
• This sister is discouraged and feels unloved even by Heavenly Father.
• You suspect that this friend has an addiction to porn.
• This sister has begun to use edgy language that isn't proper for a daughter of Heavenly Father to use.
• This friend has begun to go elsewhere instead of attending church on Sundays.
• This sister is dishonest in small things.
• This friend is using prescription drugs in an inappropriate way.
• This sister jokes about sacred things.
• This friend used to attend seminary and church, but she now is disinterested and disengaged in sacred things.

Sister Joy asked, "How we might help sisters and friends that face some of these everyday trials?

Sister Joy read the following statistic give in Elder Andersen's talk:  In 1975, the number of young adults (ages eighteen to twenty-four) with an affiliation with a religion was near 90 percent.  It is now at 66 percent.  A full third of young adults do not affiliate with any organized religion.  Young adults in the United States today pray with less frequency, believe less in God, believe less in the bible, and believe less in commandments."  

She then read a warning that was given in the talk: "Even though we are surrounded where faith flourishes, it is naive to believe that the trends of the world are not able to influence the very elect." 

A sister commented that it is a slippery slope and begins with the small things.  That we need to be diligent.

Sister Rawlins said, "It is okay to use the term friend when we speak of our sisters.  She also said that we need to remember to be in tune and find out where and what our sister's real problems are so that we can help with them. 

Sister Alsop also mentioned that we need to remember to look at ourselves.  We often talk about the problems that others might have, but do we see these in ourselves.  Sometimes it is good to look inward and fix our problems so that we are more able to assist others. 

Sister Dottie Garn said that we need to put ourselves in the other person's shoes.  Maybe we need to ask ourselves, why are they doing this; or why are they feeling that way.  We need to try to see things from their point-of-view.

Sister Anne Welling mentioned an article that she read in the Ensign a couple of months ago that was on listening.  She said in the article it said to listen, really listen and listen with love.  Don't say anything, just learn to listen.  That way we aren't focusing on what to say, but we are focusing on the spirit and it can let us know what we can help with.

Sister Bonnie Clark said, "It starts with prayer.  We need to pray for our sisters."

Sister Holmgren talked about how we need to continually be a friend to our sisters.  We need to treat them like Christ would.  We need to love them and help them not feel like they are just a check that needs to be marked off a list.

Sister Joy read the following from Elder Andersen's talk, "Unlike changing a flat tire, just one experience rarely fixes a spiritual problem.  It takes time, conversations and encouraging experiences that will help rebuild faith.  It comes more like the dew from heaven than a one-time blast from a firehose.  You have to minister again and again as you help someone turn back to God and again rely on the Savior and His Atonement."

Sister Ashby said, "We need to be a good example for others."  She told of an incident when she was working at the school.  A student came up to her and read a list of words off to her and asked if these words were okay to say.  Sister Ashby told that student that "NO" they were not okay to say.  This student said that they had overheard another student saying them and wondered.  By Sister Ashby telling them no, it taught them what was good and what wasn't.  She said, "If someone wants to do something that isn't right, we need to be strong and stand up for what is right."

Sister Welling said that she puts her sister's names in the Temple and she lets them know that she is doing that for them.

Sister Joy then talked about how in the war movies and movies with heroes the hero never leaves anyone behind.  She thought about this and said, "We are truly in a battle and we need to not leave our brother's and sisters behind.  We need to be more aware of them and help them back."

She then read this quote from Elder Andersen's talk, "The Apostle Paul said, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."    

She talked about how she was listening to an audio book or talk the other day.  As she was listening to how the Savior taught and treated others, she was impressed at how the Savior even loved the Sadducees and Pharisees and wanted them to return to Heavenly Father.  He loved everyone.

The Second point that she wanted to focus and emphasize was:  We Need To Go Beyond Good Will.

Elder Andersen said, "Caring for others, physically and emotionally, requires an unselfish and sensitive heart.  It is an important part of the gospel.  This caring is done in and out of the Church by good people, believers and nonbelievers.  There are many wonderful, kind people all over the world, and we can learn from them.

However, unique to a converted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is another kind of ministering.  You have the opportunities, as disciples of the Savior, to minister in a way that helps keep a friend's faith from faltering, that reminds a friend in a kind way that reading the Book of Mormon every day really does bring miracles and that the standards of the Church are not just a set of rules but keep us closer to God and brings us happiness.

A person with a good heart can help someone fix a tire, take a friend to the doctor, have lunch with someone who is sad, or smile and say hello to brighten a day.

But a follower of the first commandment will naturally add to these important acts of service, encouraging the person who is doing well in keeping the commandments and sharing wise counsel to strengthen the faith of someone who is slipping or who needs help in moving back onto the path he once traveled."

Sister Joy reiterated that as we start to follow this advise, as we pray for our sisters and strive to obtain personal revelation in how we can help our sisters, we need to be ready.  

She then read the challenge that President Nelson gave in General Conference.  

"To minister in the Lord's way, we need the help of the Holy Ghost.  In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

President Nelson added, "I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritually ability to receive personal revelation"  He counseled us to pray, to listen, to write down our thoughts, and to take action.

Can we apply this to ministering in a holier way?  Let us pray, listen record our thoughts, and take action regarding those to whom we can minister.

Pray that these opportunities will come to you, listen, write down your thoughts, and then be ready to take action as people are put in your way.

"The Lord puts us in the right place at the right time to serve if we can just be aware and follow those promptings."

Sister Joy then read the challenge that Elder Andersen gave.  "I challenge you to strengthen your efforts to spiritually minister to one another.  To minister spiritually can begin with baking cookies or playing a basketball game, but eventually this holier way of ministering requires opening your heart and your faith, taking courage in encouraging the positive growth you are seeing in a friend, or expressing concerns about things you see and feel are not consistent with discipleship.  

Let us not be self-righteous, but let us be spiritually courageous in ministering in a holier way, specifically by strengthening the faith of others." 

In closing Sister Joy read the Psalmist Cry that was in Elder Andersen's talk.  It said, "I have always been moved by the Psalmist's cry:  "I looked on my right hand . . . but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man [or woman] cared for my soul."  there may be some here who feel that way.  Let's help them.

Elder Andersen's Promise:  I promise you that as you love God with all your heart, pray to be an instrument in His hands, minister to individuals, build your capacity to receive revelation, and trust in the influence of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will put His special sons and daughters in your path, and you will become their ministering angels, blessing their lives eternally.  You will minister in a a holier way.

Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye - Elder Echo Hawk

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  On September 11th, we will be putting Chemo Kits together. For those interested, please purchase the items for a single kit, or purchase any of these items singly or in bulk and then when we get together, we will all put the kits together.  We will also be making port pillows (These go on a seat belt and protect ports that chemo patients have).
These are the items that each kit has in it.  The items with an asterisk can be purchased at the dollar store.
*Mint Candy/chewing gum                      Lemon Drops
Lip balm - unscented                              *Lotion - unscented 10 oz
*Hand sanitizer - unscented                    *Imodium anti-diarrhea tablets
Biotene oral rinse 8 oz or less                  L-lysine (vitamin isle)
Port pillow 4x7
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Sunday's lesson was facilitated by Sister Tammy Ward.  This lesson was based on Elder Echo Hawk's talk given this past conference on Sunday Morning.

To begin this lesson, Sister Ward asked the women in the RS room to separate into 4 groups.  Each group was given a question and asked to find insights to share with the rest of the sisters regarding that question.  

Sister Ward made the comment that it is wonderful that we as sisters can make comments and have a safe place to share our thoughts and ideas.

Group 1 ~ Question:  What is forgiveness?  The answers this group came up with were as follows:
Forgiveness is:

• Letting go
• Moving on
• That it takes time
• That we need the atonement to achieve it
• It is remembered no more
• Look for other's perspective
• Not being angry
• Love those who have wronged us
• Laying our hurt at the Savior's feet

Group 2 ~ Question:  How do I forgive?  

• Through the atonement
• Humility
• Love of the Savior
• Prayer
• Faith
• Example of others
• Allow yourself to feel and acknowledge it's okay to have negative feelings as you work through it.

Group 3 ~ Question:  What happens to someone when they do not or cannot forgive?

• They become miserable
• They become bitter
• They are unhappy
• They cannot progress spiritually
• If we do not forgive, we cannot be forgiven
• We need to pray to find a way to forgive

Group 4 ~ Question:  What advise do you have for someone who is struggling to forgive?

• Don't have expectations
• Know that it takes time to forgive
• Talk to the other person
• Look at our self
• Pray
• Ask for a priesthood blessing to help them

Sister Ward then asked everyone, "What has helped you to forgive? and How do you apply these to your life?"  We were then asked to write this down on our papers.

She then asked, Who do you need to forgive?  As we all know, and many answered that we need to forgive everyone.  Sister Ward suggested that we make a list of people in our lives that we need to forgive.  She told of how she has done this in her life and it has helped her greatly.  When you are able to clear the names off of your list it gives you peace.

It was also suggested that we ask Heavenly Father to help us to know if there is someone we could have forgotten so that we can make sure that we are doing all we can to forgive.  

Sister Ward then told of a time when she was very angry and she didn't know why.  She seemed to be angry with everyone.  She finally took it to Heavenly Father and she asked Him why she was so angry.   She finally realized she had buried feelings deep regarding the divorce of her parents.  As these feelings were brought to the surface, she was able to deal with them and forgive those that were involved and realize that the divorce didn't have anything to do with her as a small child.  

In Elder Echo Hawk's talk he stated, "We can all receive unspeakable peace and partnering with our Savior as we learn to freely forgive those who have trespassed against us.  This partnering brings the Savior's power into our lives in an unmistakable and nervous-to-be-forgotten way."

The next question asked was, "Is there a time when you have had to forgive someone?

Sister Merlyn Kent told of how her father was such a great example to her of this.  She said that he was always able to forgive others.  Then she told of a time when her family had been hurt deeply by someone.  She was having such a hard time forgiving.  Then she thought of her father and she was directed by the Spirit to think of this person and how they had been raised.  As she thought about it, she was able to see that due to this person's life they didn't understand what they had done to her family.  She was finally able to forgive and has even been able to tell this person that she loves them.

Katie Hess told of how she was always able to forgive through her life.  But then someone hurt her siblings deeply.  Then she had a hard time.  However, this last Spring Katie was in an accident where she gravely injured a young woman.  This young woman's parents were so willing to forgive Katie and she was shown by example what it is to be forgiven.  She was taught and humbled.

Sister Ward taught how humility is truly an answer to forgiveness.  She then told of how when she was a young woman she had been addicted to drugs and was seeking a place to get clean.  She left her home and moved back east to New York to live with her father to try and achieve this, not knowing that her father was deeply into drugs and had even been dealing them.  He was finally sent to prison and Tammy moved into her grandmother's home and was finally able to stop her addiction.  Her grandmother knew the hurt Tammy's father had caused the family.  Tammy's grandmother visited him in prison and gave him a book called "As A Man Thinketh."  She told him that she forgave him and told him she loved him.  He cried to think that she would do this for him.

Sister Stringham told of how she has a sister that has been hurt and cannot forgive the person that hurt her.  She told how it is causing great problems for this sister and her children in their lives.

Sister Christina Smith said, "When we choose to not forgive, sometimes because of the bitterness that it causes it can be to our own condemnation.  She also said, that it is bad when you don't forgive because you tend to stay in the hurt and you don't progress, but everyone else moves on."

Sister Ward ended the lesson with a final story.  She told of how when she was young, her brother used to really pick on her.  He was down right mean.  She has never been close to this brother.  Then when she was praying about who she needed to forgive, his name came to her.   So one evening she was sitting on her bed and she invited his spirit to sit with her.  He is not dead, but lives elsewhere.  She said she felt as if he was next to her.  She apologized to him about everything that had happened when she was small and told him that she forgave him.  As she finished talking, her phone pinged that she had a text.  It was from her brother.  She had never gotten a phone call or a text from this brother because they weren't close.  In the text he asked her if she was able to speak for a few minutes.  When she answered in the affirmative, he called her.  He told her that he had been in the shower and that he had gotten the impression that he needed to call her.  He asked her if she was doing okay and if everything was alright.  She was able to talk to him and she told him that she forgave him for all of the mean things that he had done to her.  They were able to talk and started building their relationship again.  They were both blessed by the forgiveness process.

This was a wonderful lesson.  I would encourage anyone that has not read the talk by Elder Echo Hawk to do so. 

Ministering with the Power and Authority of God - President Nelson

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Mother/Daughter Evening this Wednesday (July 10) at 6 pm at Sister Troseth's home.  Please park on the Northside of the block (this is their back yard).  There will be plenty of parking and the gates will be open to their back yard.  

Ward Temple Night:  July 27.  Please try to attend either the 5 or 7 o'clock sessions. 
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Our teacher today was Sister Jamie Johnson.  She began our lesson by reading from the talk given by President Nelson to the brethren in the Priesthood session of conference.  

"Your devotion to duty and your selfless service are just as important in your callings as ours are in our callings.  Through a lifetime of service in this Church, I have learned that it really doesn't matter where one serves.  What the Lord cares about is how one serves."

It was mentioned that we often get caught up in callings, so this is important to remember.  Sister Jamie talked about her mother.  Her mother had held many callings from Nursery to being a mission president's wife.  Jamie talked of how her mother put her whole heart into her callings no matter what they were.  She said that often the nursery children didn't even get the toys out because her mother had planned things to do that had the children were so involved that they didn't need the toys.  Jamie said that she planned out her primary lessons with things for the children to the point that Jamie always wanted to attend her mother's class instead of her own.  As a mission president's wife she put this same amount of effort into supporting and helping her husband. 

Sister Johnson asked if this brought to mind others that do this type of service.  Sister Bonnie Clark pointed out that this is how Sister Lana Coombs is in her callings.  She also told of Sister Katie Hess and how much she does in her callings.  

Sister Johnson then stated that there are so many sisters in our ward that are so willing to serve.  

Sister Anne Welling's daughter-in-law then commented on how when Elder Uchtdorf was released from the first presidency how there were people that were upset that he hadn't been called to be in the first presidency again.  Elder Uchtdorf commented saying that the Lord had another work for him to perform at this time.  He was an example of how we need to serve no matter where the Lord calls us.

Sister Jamie recalled when her father was mission president, he would often have to change missionaries around.  He would call elders to serve as assistants to the president so that they would learn leadership abilities and then he would change them to other callings such as zone leaders and district leaders.  Often they would get upset and say that they were being demoted.  Jamie's father had to point out to them that they were doing what they had been trained to do to help other missionaries. He said it was often a struggle to help them understand this principle.

Sister Lola Coombs commented on how once a person she knew hadn't held a calling for a long time. Then they were called to take care of the hymn books.  This person put their heart and soul into taking care of the books.  They went through the whole church building and made sure that each book was mended and made clean and usable.  This person knew that it didn't matter what they were doing as long as they were doing their best to serve the Lord.

Sister Tonya Hess remembered the story that was told in conference about a father that served well in his calling.  But his son said, "if you think he is a good man here, you need to know that he is even better at home."

Sister Jamie then said, the prophet stated, "We see faithful men who live up to their privileges as bearers of the priesthood.  They lead and serve by sacrifice in the Lord's way with love, kindness, and patience.  they bless, guide, protect and strengthen others by the power of they priesthood they hold.  They bring miracles to those they ere while they keep their own marriages and families safe.  The shun evil and are mighty elders in Israel.  I am most thankful for them!"

Sister Jamie then handed out the following handout where she replaced the word men with the word women.  

She then asked us to rate ourselves from 1-5 on these principles.  Do you understand the importance of these?

She then asked if anyone had anyone that they knew who were faithful and fulfilled these.  Sister Lola Coombs said, "Sister Nelson does these.  She was prepared to be the wife of our Prophet and she supports him."

Sister Tama John commented on how she and her mother were baptized when she was a teenager.  She told of how her mom was a wonderful example to her of how a visiting teacher should be.  She said her mother had been a visiting teacher to the same sisters for years and years.  She told of how her mom even spoke at one of the women's funerals last week.  She said her mom really went out of her way to be a friend to these sisters.  Sister John said she has a hard time even sending out a text at times.

Sister Jamie said, "We are here to watch out for each other."

Sistre Teri Garn commented on how faithful Joan Richard's has been in her scouting callings.  How she has helped so many boys in her lifetime.  

Sister Jamie Johnson then commented that she is so grateful for those in our ward that serve both seen and unseen.

Sister Johnson then went on to ask how we as sisters can support the priesthood holders.  How we can lead and serve by sacrifice?  

Sister Gwen Christofferson said that when she goes to town to pick up something for the sisters that she ministers to, she also picks up something for Craig and the families that he is over.  She said it is just as easy to pick up something for 6 as it is to pick up something for 3.

Katie Hess commented on how when Brian is away doing church work that it is easier sometimes to have all of the kids by herself than when he is off playing golf or doing his own thing.  She said we need to be an example to our children and let them know how important it is to support our priesthood leaders in their callings.  We need to not complain, but be happy that we can serve them.

Sister Jamie said she remembers feeling this when her father was always gone as a mission president, but she said she also remembers the compensatory blessings from supporting him.

Sister Merlyn Kent talked about how the bishop has told her that when he was a boy, he remembered seeing his mother get on her knees and pray for him.  She said that even when his mom got older and it was hard for her to get on her knees she still continued to pray for him.  Now that bishop is older and has a hard time getting on his knees, he has a true gratitude for what his mother did for him in praying for him.

Sister Johnson then asked, "How do we help them (Priesthood brethren) serve in the Lord's way? With Love, Kindness and Patience?  She then did an object lesson where she had a lamp and even with a bulb in it, if it wasn't plugged in it wouldn't work.  But when plugged in it cast light and blessed everyone.  If we help the priesthood holders in our lives plug in by using their priesthood worthily it makes their priesthood more effective.

Sister Melanie Smith (Christina's daughter) commented on how atmosphere makes a real difference.  I also commented on this.  It is something that I have found helps.  If my home is clean and not chaotic when Sam comes home he can focus on things better.  But when things are chaotic, he is not in the frame of mind where he can receive inspiration.

Sister Lana Coombs said she knows women that make kind suggestions in kind ways and that helps.

Sister Anne Welling said her husband was gone a lot with different callings he has held in the church.  She said that sometimes it is important to give them time to talk so that they can unload their burdens (not saying things that need to be kept confidential, but that they can just feel your support.)  We can compliment them and let them know that we know that they have the talent and means to fulfill their callings.

Sister Jamie agreed that we always need to lift our husbands up and be a good example to our children.

Then Sister Jamie wrote the final part of the Prophet's list on the board as time was getting short so that if we had a comment on any of them we could do so.  The list was:

• Bless, guide and protect.
• Bring miracles to those they work with or serve.
• Keep their families safe.
• Shun Evil and know that they are mighty elders in Israel.

Jamie talked about how when she and Patrick were first married how she always wanted him to take the lead in their home.  When he didn't, she had to kindly prod him to do the things that they needed to do like family scripture study, etc.

Sister Bonnie Clark then said, "Our husbands and sons hold the priesthood, but we can kindly and gently guide them by being in tune so that we ourselves can receive inspiration as to what needs to be done."

Sister Melanie Smith also commented on this saying that when she was first married she would get discouraged when her husband wouldn't take the lead.  Then as she thought about it, she realized that it wasn't so important that her husband take the lead as it was that what should be done was being done.  Then slowly by example her husband now takes the lead.

Sister Tammy Ward talked about single sisters.  She said that they can help by asking for blessings.  She told of how her mother would ask her home teachers for help and how it helped them grow.  

Sister Jamie then asked how we as sisters can help our priesthood holders to shun evil and become mighty elders in Israel by the media that we invite into our homes?  She commented on how she had heard a talk given by Sister Julie Beck in a BYU devotional.  Sister Beck told them that as sisters we are like lionesses.  We can control what stays and what leaves in our homes and that we should protect it as a lioness.   

Sister Jamie then said that the Prophet had a concern.  He said, "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."

Sister Jamie Johnson said that it is a tragedy that we do not understand the power of the priesthood.

She then asked,  "How can we more fully come to understand the power of the priesthood?"

Sister Bonnie Clark said, " She had to ask Heavenly Father to help her understand what the priesthood is."

Sister Jamie she asked her father about this.  He told her that we need to learn about the doctrine of the priesthood.  He asked her if she had read the Doctrine and Covenants sections about the priesthood.  She then asked, "How many of us have taken the time to read these so that we have a firm understanding and grasp of what the priesthood does?"  She then talked about Doctrine and Covenants section 121:45-46. In these sections it says. "45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.  46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever."

She commented on how if we truly understood it would cover us like the dews from heaven.  If we lived like we should it would automatically just happen like the dew that comes on the grass each day.  She said, "the more you understand, the more it will distill upon our souls."

She then ended her lesson by telling two stories.  The first was of her grandmother.  Her grandmother died when Jamie's mother was eleven.  So Jamie never knew her.  Jamie's grandmother had breast cancer and while she was sick, she had been working on a quilt.  One night when she could no longer quilt due to illness, she had a dream where her children were using the sections of her quilt that hadn't been finished as rags.  The sisters in her ward had compassion and they came in and finished the quilt for her so that her mind would be at peace.  They ministered to her.

The next story Jamie told was of her mother.  When her parent's came home off their mission her mother was quarantined because it was thought that she had tuberculosis.  It was later found that she had a lung disease, not tuberculosis.  She now has had part of her lung removed.  However, during the time her mother was quarantined, she was quarantined in their living room.  She sat day in and day out in the room and could see a spot on the ceiling where the renters that had lived in their home had burned candles and it had put a dark spot on the ceiling.  It was discouraging to her.  Then she began looking out the window and noticing the flowers that sisters in her ward had come and planted in her yard.  As her focus changed so did her spirits.  She was so grateful for the sisters that had ministers to her by planting flowers in her yard.  

Sometimes it is the tiny things that bless the lives of others.  

Even if we have empty hands, we can go and ask how we can help others.  Sometimes it is a smile or just a listening ear that is needed.  We can minister and do the Lord's work, but we have to be willing to do it in a way that is needed.  

July RS Council Mtg

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Enrichment night will be held July 10th at Sister Sherrie Troseth's home.  It is a mother/daughter evening and there will be games for the girls.  We will be eating hotdogs and salads.  We look forward to seeing you all there!
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Today's RS Council meeting was lead by Sister Kathy Pinborough.  The discussion was in regards to the Youth Devotional that was held June 3rd by President and Sister Nelson.

Sister Pinborough talked about the devotional and how she loved that they began the meeting by having a youth choir sing We Thank Thee, O God for a Prophet.  She talked about how President Nelson said that the words of this hymn turned our hearts to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  President Nelson said, "He (Joseph Smith) is the prophet of this dispensation.  He told the youth how Joseph was their age when he went and inquired of the Lord.  Sister Pinborough then asked the sisters how this inspired them and what thoughts they had regarding this.  

Sister Anne Welling said, "We need to do what the prophet Joseph did, we need to take our questions directly to the Lord."

The question was then asked, "Why is this important?"  Sister Christina Smith answer by saying, "We can be deceived by other voices.  By taking our concerns to our Heavenly Father, we learn what His voice sounds like so that we will know it when we hear it."

Sister Norene Rawlins said, "Sometimes we don't know the needs of others.  But our Heavenly Father knows the needs of all of his children and so He can inspire us to help others."

Sister Tammy Ward said, "Usually at the ages from 12 - 18 kids usually go to their friends for answers.  But during this devotional, the prophet is telling them exactly what to do and how to do it so that they can know how to receive their own revelation."

Then Sister Norene said, aren't we all children.  (everyone got a good laugh out of that.)  Sister Jessica White said that he (President Nelson) made it apparent that he was speaking to everyone.  What a great promise President Nelson gave when he said, "I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life.  You will be given answers to your questions in the Lord's own way and in His own time..."  President Nelson is inviting all of the youth to be enlisted in Heavenly Father's Army.

Calli Richards said that she was impressed with all of the changes that are happening.  She said as they sat listening to the devotional she felt that things are falling into place to hasten the Lord's work and that the youth are rising to the challenge.  She said that as they were listening to the prophet, she noticed her daughter on her phone.  Calli asked her daughter what she was doing and Kinley's answer was that she was already deleting the apps off of her phone.  Kinley was an example of hastening to do what the prophet asked.  She was doing this even before she had left the devotional.  

Sister Pinborough commented that you can feel the power and spirit that the youth of the ward carry.  She then asked, "How do we put away the distractions and the phones with their apps?"  

In answer, Calli Richards said, "It is a habit.  We need to get out of the habit of just turning to our phones when have extra time on our hands.  We can and should be doing better things with our time and not waste time."  Sister Kathy then commented saying, "If we read our scriptures as much as we spend on other distractions and on our phones we would be zipping along in our studies."

Sister Phipps said, "If we helped others instead of being on our phones it would be a blessing to both our lives and the lives of those we help.  

Sister Kathy then asked, "Did anything that Sister Nelson said inspire you?"  Sister Christina Smith said that she was inspired when Sister Nelson said that we need to stop comparing ourselves.  Sister Nelson's exact quote was, "My dear brothers and sisters, it's time to stop comparing ourselves with others.  It's time to put away this erroneous views of ourselves and others.  the truth is that we are not as hopelessly flawed as we may think, and others are not as perfect as they may appear - all except, of course, our Savior, Jesus Christ."  Sister Kathy then went on to say, "We need to see what is on the inside of others.  She liked what Sister Nelson said about doing what we need to do here upon the earth.  Sister Nelson said continuing on, "The only thing that really matters is that you and I are doing exactly what we committed - even covenanted - pre-mortally with our Heavenly Father we would do while we are here on earth."

Sister Kathy then asked, "Why weren't you born at another time?"  Sister Tammy Ward said, "We need to go to the Lord and ask him this directly."  Sister Andrea Stringham said, "We are here to help with the gathering by teaching, serving and sharing."  Brother Whyatt Garn's new wife, Calee said she pictures a line of people on the other side of the veil who cannot do anything on their own.  They are just waiting for us to do the work to help them progress.  Sister Kathy said she loved the comment that Sister Nelson said about seeing a 10 minute video of our pre-mortal selves.  Sister Nelson said, "I believe if you could see yourself living with your Heavenly Parents and with Jesus Christ; if you could observe what you did pre-mortally and see yourself making commitments - even covenants - with others, including your mentors and teachers; if you could see yourself courageously responding to attacks on truth and valiantly standing up for Jesus Christ, I believe that every one of you would have the increased power, increased commitment, and eternal perspective to help you overcome any and all of your confusion, doubts, struggle, and problems.  ALL of them!"  Sister Phipps said that she sees our patriarchal blessings as being just a little part of this.  Sister Joann Allen said, "If we could see how good we did in the pre-existance, how much easier it would be for us to have confidence now."

Sister Christina Smith shared the thought that Sister Nelson gave, "If we could remember who we were in the pre-mortal life, we would say, "Oh, now I remember.  Now I understand.  This difficult situation makes sense to me now.  With the Lord's help I can do this!" 

Sister Kathy talked about how important our lineage is and how glad she was that Sister Nelson talked about it in the devotional.  Sister Anne Welling said that she remembers as a girl hearing about the gathering of Israel and feeling like it was something that would happen one day, and perhaps that all of the tribes would come marching in together all at once.  She loved the story Sister Nelson told of having the sisters in Russia stand according to their tribes and how 11 of the tribes of Israel were represented.  Sister Jessica White commented on how she loved that they all showed forth love to one another.  

Sister Pinborough then asked, "What is the Gathering?"  She then commented on how she loved how President Nelson talked about the elect finding the elect.  

President Nelson's exact words are: "Would you, who are the elect be willing to help find the elect who have not heard the message of the restored gospel?  Would you like to be among those "swift messengers" of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke? 
Every prophet commencing with Adam has seen our day.  And every prophet has talked about our day.  We are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event....  
I testify that the gathering is now and it is real."

Sister Pinborough commented on what President Nelson said about how Israel will be the ones that will listen to Christ.  President Nelson said, "Those whose lineage is from the various tribes of Israel are those whose hearts will most likely be turned to the Lord.  He (Christ) said, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me."  Those who are of the house of Israel will most easily recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and will desire to be gathered into His fold." 

Kathy talked about this being the eleventh hour.  President Nelson said, "Think of this, my dear young brother and sisters, right now I am preparing for the day when I will be required to give an accounting to the Prophet Joseph Smith, to President Brigham Young, and others - and ultimately to the Lord - about my stewardship as God's prophet upon the earth today.  I do not want to be asked, "Brother Nelson, why were you not more clear with the youth about their part in gathering Israel?  Why were you not more bold in enlisting them to participate?"  

The 5 thing that President Nelson has asked us to do to help us to know who we are and what our plan and role is on this earth: 

1. Hold a 7-day fast from social media.
2. Make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for 3 weeks.
3. Keep on the covenant path.  If you are off, repent and get back on the path
4. Pray daily that all of God's children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ
5. Stand out.  Be different.  Be a light.  Give to a friend one copy of the booklet "For the Strength of Youth."

Sister Jodi Rogers said that she feels that when we bear our testimonies, it is helping others to strengthen their testimonies.  

Sister Pinborough said that we need to stand out and wear our difference as a badge of honor.  She said, "Those who diligently seek shall find."  

President Nelson said at the end of the devotional, "My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world.  You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any pervious generation."  The devotional was then ended by the whole congregation singing Hope of Israel.  Sister Pinborough said that they showed the conductor's face and he was so touched by the spirit that he had tears on his face.  

Sister Pinborough ended the discussion by bearing her testimony and said that when times are the darkest, we need Him (the Lord) to be with us.  Things have progressed and are continuing to progress.  Through ministering we can become closer to each other.  We are so blessed to have our dear prophet to lead us.  

The challenge is for us to embrace these 5 things to help us understand and hear the voice of the Lord; so that we can fulfill our mission that we covenanted to fulfill in the pre-existence and help hasten the work of the Lord.