~ The Temple will be closed November 21 & 22
~ Ward Temple Night is November 29th.
~ Ward Sewing day will be November 27th 10-2
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Today's lesson was given by Sister Tammy Ward. It was based on President Nelson's conference talk given in the Women's General Conference Session.
Sister Tammy was so excited to give this lesson. She said that this lesson wasn't just about the four invitations that President Nelson gave, but it is literally about preparing for the second coming of our Savior. This topic holds a special place in Sister Ward's heart and so she was so happy to be able to teach this lesson.
Sister Ward told of how last night she was at the book store with her daughter and as she turned around, she saw a beautiful picture. As she got closer and looked at the picture, the Spirit bore witness to her that she was one of these in the picture. The picture depicts the Savior with many people kneeling and worshipping Him. This picture touched Sister Ward's heart and as she thought about it and put herself there in the painting, it was life-changing for her.
She allowed us to pass the painting around and look at it. As I first saw the picture I thought it was sheep following Him, but as I was able to look at the picture I realized it was people kneeling. It was a beautiful picture. As I thought about it, I realized that it could represent either one as we are His sheep and follow Him, but we are also worshippers of our Savior.
As Tammy began this lesson, she reflected on when President Nelson was sustained as the Prophet. She said that when this happened the Spirit spoke to her so strongly and she was moved to tears as it was revealed to her that Russell M. Nelson truly was the Prophet of God. This has happened to her several times since then and it has reiterated and strengthened her testimony that he is the Prophet of God.
One of the things that Sister Ward loves about President Nelson is his optimism and the deep love that he always wants us to feel from him.
As she prepared for this lesson, she walked around her home and tried to find quotes, pictures and signs that would put across the feelings that President Nelson taught in this talk. One that she found said, "Don't be like the rest of them Darling!" another said, "You were created to make a difference." She thought how these went along with his talk.
She then wanted those in the room to do an activity. She handed around lime green and bright pink recipe cards. She had the sisters take one of each. Then she asked us to go through President Nelson's talk and write on one of the cards our favorite quote. We then put them on the board. Some of the following were taken from the cards on the board:
- Pray to understand your spiritual gifts. To cultivate and use and expand them even more than you ever have. You will Change the world as you do so.
- No One can do what a Righteous woman can do!
- It was your glorious Mother Eve ~ with her far reaching vision of our Heavenly Father's plan, who initiated what we call "The Fall". Her wise and courageous choice moved the plan of happiness forward. Follow your feelings.
- When asked why I became a heart surgeon, my reply was, "Because I couldn't be a mother."
- We Need You! We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom and your voices. We simply cannot gather Israel without you.
- Pray every day, "whom wouldst thou have me help today?"
She then handed out some pictures that she had and she told the story of how she obtained them.
She has a friend who is an artist. She drew this picture and it is called the Compassionate Christ. Her name is Kendra Burton. She gave these pictures to Tammy a couple of years ago and said, "Someday you will need these. When you do, you will have them. They will be right there and handy and you will know what they are there for."
As Tammy was looking around her home for the quotes and pictures she wanted to bring today, she went down into her office. She hasn't been down there for awhile because she uses her other office most of the time. But there on the corner of her desk was the stack of these pictures. They had been put away, but her cleaning lady when she had come this week took them out and put them on her desk. As she saw them, she remembered what her friend had said and she knew she needed to bring them today.
Tammy then talked about the invitations that President Nelson gave us sisters and she explained that they are not a to-do list that needs to be checked off. They are literally an invitation to be a part of the most important work that there ever has been on this earth in regards to preparing for the second coming. She said it is a way that He is including us as women in the Church. She feels that Heavenly Father really does love us and He values us and knows how important the gifts that He has given us are in doing this work.
Then she had us do another activity. She split the room up into four groups. Each group was to take one of the invitations that we were given by President Nelson. We were to talk about how we are accomplishing them, the blessings that we are seeing from doing them and maybe tips to help those that are struggling with them.
Then Tammy told of how hard the first invitation was for her. She told of how it was physically hard for her. But as she did it and prayed for help, she was directed to contact some friends that she hadn't been in touch with for sometime. One of these friends owns an apple orchard. This woman's husband was in Germany with their older children. This friend needed help picking this orchard. She told Tammy how several friends had contacted her and had told her the same thing, they were on a social media fast and just wanted to reconnect with her. It was an answer to this friends prayers. Several of these sisters helped her pick and can the apples in her orchard.
The first invitation is: A 10-day fast from social media.
TIPS:
- Just turn it off.
- Listen to good music.
- Set time limits.
- Read your scriptures more.
BLESSINGS:
- More family time.
- More peace in their lives.
- Feel the Spirit more.
- Recognize the Spirit more.
The second invitation is: Reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.
TIPS:
- Read 8-10 pages a day if you can.
- If you can't read, listen to it.
- Put your scriptures out so that you see them and they remind you.
BLESSINGS:
- Helps us recognize the blessings we are receiving.
- You make time for what is most important. For other things you will make excuses.
The third invitation is: Establish a Pattern of regular Temple Attendance.
TIPS:
- Set up a schedule and follow it.
- Commit and go with a friend
BLESSINGS: We were running out of time, so were not able to go into the blessings of this invitation.
The fourth invitation was: Participate fully in Relief Society.
TIPS:
- Read and understand the Relief Society Declaration.
- Make a family statement.
BLESSINGS: Again, we were unable to go into these due to lack of time.
We appreciate the beautiful lesson that Sister Ward gave. The Spirit was with us as we discussed these invitations. If you haven't had a chance I would encourage you to read this talk by President Nelson and commit to fulfilling these invitations.
