Regional Conference

Hi Sisters ~ 

Today we were privileged to listen to Elder Ballard of the Twelve Apostles as well as Sister Lisa Harkness of the Primary General Primary Presidency and Bishop Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric as well as the Area Seventy that presided, please forgive me as I didn't get his name.  All gave wonderful instruction regarding our use of the new Church curriculum "Come Follow Me" that can be downloaded and accessed on LDS.org.  They encouraged us to use it both for our families and in our personal studies to help us come closer to our Heavenly Father.  The new curriculum will begin to be used starting in January.  We were also encouraged to use the Sabbath Day in ways that would increase our spirituality personally and in our families.  I was grateful for the thoughts that were shared and the Spirit that was there.  

The blog will resume next week with the lesson that will be given.  I hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath day and a beautiful week.

Young Women in The Work

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
~ Oct 23rd - Sewing day.  There will be sewing at the church from 10-2.  Bring a project or if you signed up to make a quilt they will be there to help you.
~ Oct 26th Ward Temple Night 5 or 7 pm session.
~ Oct 27th Super Saturday from 10-2.  Come and enjoy socializing with the sisters.  If you didn't sign up to do a craft there will be quilts set up and caps to crochet.
~ Oct 28th Regional Conference Broadcast at the Stake Center.  Fielding Bldg 10 am or 1 pm.  Belmont Bldg 10 am.
~ Nov 11th Primary Program.  There will be a practice the day before. Please help your children learn their parts.
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Today's lesson was based on the talk given in this past conference by Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson.  It was taught by Sister Tammy Ward. 

Sister Ward began by reading the beginning of Sister Oscarson's talk.  She said, "Every young woman in the Church should feel valued, have opportunities to serve, and feel that she has something of worth to contribute to this work."  

Sister Ward then re-read this quote by replacing young woman with the word woman.  She said that she felt that it didn't matter if you were 8 or 88 you should feel valued and that you had something of worth to contribute to this work.  She said that she hoped that the older women that were listening and reading this would apply this to themselves as well as looking at it from the talks perspective that it is for the young women.  

Sister Ward then told of her grandmother and how she used to say before she passed away, "I don't know why I go to church sometimes.  I am so old that I'm not any good to anyone there." Tammy said she called her on that.  She told her grandmother that there is someone in her ward that needed her, that she could be blessing right now.  She told her that her age didn't have anything to do with service.  She then told her grandmother of how the older sisters in our ward were the first ones that accepted her when she moved in and how she is still so close to them.  

Sister Ward reiterated that age is not a barrier that prevents you from serving.  She then said that once she had told her grandmother this that her grandmother then began to go  to church with a new attitude looking for those she could serve.  Her grandmother told Tammy of a young mother that she noticed.  This woman was there alone with her small children and her husband didn't come with her.  So Tammy's grandmother began to sit by them and kind of adopted them.  She didn't know until later that the husband had to work on Sundays and the woman had really been struggling.  Just having Tammy's grandmother help her and show her love made all the difference for this woman.    

Sister Ward continued reading Sister Oscarson's talk saying,  "A year ago, in the general priesthood session of conference, Bishop Gérald Caussé spoke to the men of the Church describing how Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood holders are inseparable partners in accomplishing the work of salvation. That message has been a blessing in helping the young men who hold the Aaronic Priesthood see the part they play in building the kingdom of God on this earth.  Their joint service strengthens the Church and brings about deeper conversion and commitment in the hearts of our young men as they see the value their contribution and how magnificent this work is.

Today I would like for my remarks to be a bookend to that message as I talk about the young women of the Church, who are equally needed and essential in accomplishing the work of the Lord in their families and in His Church.

Sister Ward then had three questions she put on the board.  

Then she had us grab a buddy and share what service we remembered having done at these ages and then share these in our groups.  

• The first group was to take the question, "What service did you perform when you were ages 8-11?"  
• The second group would discuss "What service did you perform when you were between the ages of 12-15?"  
• The third group was to discuss "What service did you perform when you were between the ages 16-18?"

She then had two other sisters help her to write on the board after the discussion took place.  They were to fill the spaces with all of the things that were shared.

  The first group had the following thoughts on what they had done for service between the ages of 8-11.

• One sister was an accompanist for others when they sang.
• Babysitting
• Helping their mother garden and do canning.
• Babysat other families children so that they could do their callings.
• Shoveled snow for their elderly neighbors.
• Raked neighbor's leaves.
• Helped work on the Church farm.
• Polished benches in the church building.
• Gathered pennies for Primary Children's hospital.

The second group had the following service:

• One sister did her grandmother's hair every week. 
• Babysitting.
• Served a grandmother who was ill.
• One sister sang for others.
• Most did yard work for their families.
• One sister remembered folding cloth diapers for her mother because her mother worked.
• Took care of a brother after an accident.
• Helped move cows.
• Took meals into elderly neighbors.
• One performed at a widow's luncheon.
• Took treats to neighbors.
• Took care of siblings when their mother was ill.
• Helped with a Family Home Evening at a care facility.
• Did baptism's for the dead.
• Helped on the stake farm.
• Shared produce from their garden with members of their ward.
• Included unpopular kids in their group.

The third group had the following service:

• One sister had an adopted grandmother that they helped.
• Visited a mental hospital.
• Three of the sisters were married by this age.
• One sister helped convert her husband
• One sister helped take care of her disabled mother as well as cared for her siblings by doing the motherly duties in her home.
• Temple work.
• One walked with her father after he had a heart attack.
• One was a good friend and helped another with homework.
• One drove her siblings to activities and helped in running errands.

Sister Ward pointed out the different things on the lists; how on these lists how we were able to help others.  This blessed not only those we helped, but it also blessed our lives.  She then talked about how we have youth around us that we are not allowing them to be blessed because we haven't invited them to help us.  

She then asked us to think of a way that we can bless other's lives by letting them help and serve us.  She then asked, "How did serving bless us by having that opportunity?"  

Sister Noreen Rawlins told of how she was the sister that did her grandmother's hair every week.  She told of how she began to do this when she was 13 years old and she did it every week until she got married and moved out of her home.  She said she would put it up on Saturday night and then she would go over on Sunday morning before church and brush it out so it would look good for her grandmother when she went to church.  She told how it was a blessing for her to be around her grandmother and her sweet spirit.  She grew very close to her grandmother through serving her.

Tammy said that this is what she wanted to really emphasize that these opportunities blessed both people's lives.  That even now by reflecting on these services they are a sweet blessing in our lives. 

Sister Lola Coombs told of one of her daughters that was just given an inactive young woman to be her companion in ministering.  This daughter got acquainted with this young woman and they have become good friends.  Sister Coombs daughter goes to this young woman's volleyball games and the young woman participates when they go visiting because she feels valued and she isn't afraid to talk anymore.  They both have been blessed.

Sister Stringham told of how when she was young, her mother was single and worked graveyard.  Sister Stringham was able to help with her younger siblings.  Through that service it has made the relationship she has with them so strong.  As a sixteen year old, it wasn't the thing she really would have liked to do, but the extra time she was able to spend with them has been a blessing in all of their lives.  

Sister Ashby told of when she was eleven they lived out in Howell and the chorister in their ward asked her to help play the piano while she played the Organ to teach her how to accompany others.  She told of how doing that helped her learn how to play for congregations and others.  It gave her a lot of training early in her life.  She was able to play for the primary girls when they would go and perform for others also.  

Sister Ward then said, "We've talked how this service has blessed you and also how it has blessed others." She then wanted us to think about what we can do in our own lives and how we can invite a younger person to help us do them.  She wanted us to think of three different experiences that we can have others help us with.  

Sister Ward asked her two daughters how service has been a blessing in their lives.  She told of how both daughters had tears in their eyes as they talked about how their lives have been blessed by helping others.  She had asked them to come in and talk to the Relief Society sisters about these blessings but they declined saying that they wouldn't be able to without crying.  They both love helping others and it has made such a difference in their young lives.  

Sister Ward talked about the opportunities that her family had when she was young to serve others.  She told of how her mother was single a lot of the time and how their family had been blessed by the efforts of others.  They moved often and these people would help them with meals and helping them pack, move and getting reestablished.  Through this service, they were already in the pattern of allowing others to help serve them.  There were several Christmas' that wouldn't have happened in her home if it hadn't been through the service of others.  It was something that they were blessed with.  Because of this, they were taught to serve others.

She told of a sister that she and her family helped by shoveling her sidewalks and going over and visiting her.  Later she found this woman on Facebook and was able to connect with her.  She asked this woman if she remembered her family and the woman told her that she did indeed remember them and what a blessing they had been to her in her life.  

Because of the example of her mother, Sister Ward has always sought to help and serve, especially mom's that looked as though they needed extra help.  Tammy and her children would go in and help these women clean their homes and sometimes it was a hard thing, but they have been blessed by this service and so have the people that they have helped.  Some have even told Tammy that it was a changing point in their lives.  That they had been so overwhelmed before, but because of her (Tammy's) help they are able to keep going and have a more positive outlook.

Again, she said, "If you were willing to accept the invitation that I am giving you and choose to accept three people in your lives, that we would allow them the blessing of serving us."  They come serve us and we could serve them. 

Perhaps it would be an Achievement-day girl, granddaughters, or someone that lives near by.  You could ask them to help rake leaves, perhaps by asking if they have maybe an extra hour to help.  

Sister Ward asked, "Do you have three names that you are thinking of and three experiences that you could have them help with?"  It could be within the next day or two or even the next week or two, but have it be soon.  

She said to look at the board if you need ideas.  She said she remembered when they lived in Brigham City, a sister called and asked if she could watch her children so Tammy could attend the temple.  Tammy said that this had been the only thing holding her back from going.  It was huge in her life.  She suggested maybe taking dinner into someone without notice.  You could even invite a young woman over to teach her how to make a certain dish that you are good at.  

Sister Wards challenge then to us is this:

"Help three people to feel valued and appreciated by allowing them the opportunity to serve you."

She then ended the lesson by bearing testimony that Heavenly Father needs every single one of us.  There are no generational barriers when it comes to Heavenly Father's love and when it comes to your ability to serve and when it comes to your ability to receive.  She said she knows that we are all important in His eyes and that we are all important to her also.  She has been praying for us all week that we would all be open to this invitation and be willing to receive as she has talked about.

We so appreciate Sister Ward's willingness to serve us and teach us this beautiful lesson.

Saving Ordinances will Bring Us Marvelous Light

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
~This Tuesday is the Ward Carnival and Chili Cookoff.  Please have your food to the church by 5:45.  It begins at 6 pm.
~Super Saturday will be on the 27th.  Please come and have a great time.  Even if you didn't sign up there will be humanitarian quilts to work on.  It will be from 10 am to 2 pm.
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Today's discussion was facilitated by Sister Jamie Johnson.  She began by asking the question: In this dark world wouldn't you want something that could bring you marvelous light into your life?

In Elder Wakolo's talk it says, "Participating in ordinances and honoring the associated covenants will bring you marvelous light and protection in they ever-darkening world".

Sister Johnson then asked, "what is a covenant?"  Sister Bonnie Clark answered saying, "An covenant is a promise that brings you closer to Christ."  Then Sister Johnson asked, "what is an ordinance?" Sister Welling answered by quoting Elder Wakolo, "An ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood."

Elder Wakolo quoted Elder Bednar by saying, "The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord's restored Church . . . constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives." 

Elder Wakolo said, "Like a coin with two sides, all the saving ordinances are accompanied by covenants with God.  God promised us blessings if we faithfully honor those covenants."  

Sister Johnson then had us break up into five groups to discuss the saving ordinances.  They are the Baptismal covenant, Sacrament covenant, the Temple Endowment, the Temple Sealing and Melchizedek Priesthood covenant.  Each group was given five minutes to discuss what "We need to do" and "What the Lord Promises" if we keep these ordinances.  Sister Jamie had us go to LDS.org here to read about these ordinances.  And to also think about where we ourselves are on the covenant path.

Once each group had read and discussed these covenants, Sister Johnson had a spokesperson from each group write what they had discussed on the white board.

The first group discussed how in the Baptismal covenant we need to keep the commandments and in return the Lord Promises that we will live with Him in His kingdom.

The second group discussed the Melchizedek Priesthood covenant. In that covenant we promise to live worthily and magnify our callings and the Lord promises to Sanctify us by the Spirit and that we may receive all that the Father has.

The third group discussed the Temple Endowment.  If we keep our covenant by obeying, sacrificing, and consecrating our lives to Him, then the Lord promises the great endowment gift, the promise of perspective and power, the keys to receiving divine power to overcome opposition and to move the Church forward.

The fourth group discussed the Temple Sealing. We promise to be faithful to each other and to God.  In return the Lord promises us Eternal Family relationships and Exaltation.

The fifth group discussed the Sacrament covenant.  In this covenant we promise to remember the Savior's sacrifice, take His name upon us, keep the commandments, always remember Him, renew our baptismal covenant and all the other covenants we have received.  In return the Lord promises that we will have His Spirit to always be with us.  That we will all be resurrected and given the opportunity of eternal life.  We will be forgiven of our sins; to be cleansed as we are at baptism.  

If you are interested in learning more about these covenants you can read about them here.

Sister Johnson then read the promise that President Nelson gave, "Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere."

Then Sister Johnson talked about how we are undersheperds.  We are here to find our way as well as help others to stay on the covenant path.  

In Elder Wakolo's talk he said, "The many distractions and temptations of life are like "ravening wolves".  It is the true shepherd who will prepare, protect, and warn the sheep and the flock when these wolves are approaching.  As undershepherds who seek to emulate the perfect life of the Good Shepherd, aren't we shepherds of our own soul as well as of others?  With the counsel of prophets, seers and revelators, whom we sustained, and with the power and gift of the Holy Ghost, we can see the wolves coming if we are watchful and prepared.  In contrast, when we are casual shepherds of our own soul and others' souls, casualties are likely.  Casualness leads to casualties.  I invite each of us to be a faithful shepherd."

Sister Johnson then reiterated what Elder Wakolo said, "The sacrament is an ordinance that helps us stay on the path and worthily partaking is evidence that we are keeping the covenants associated with all the other ordinances."  She then ended her discussion by giving us the challenge and promise that Elder Wakolo gave at the end of his talk.  It is this: "I invite each of us to ask ourselves, "What ordinances, including the sacrament, do I need to receive and what covenants do I need to make, keep and honor?"  I promise that participating in ordinances and honoring the associated covenants will bring you marvelous light and protection in this ever-darkening world."