Meek and Lowly of Heart, Elder Bednar

Today's lesson was from the talk given by Elder Bednar in the last General Conference.  The teacher today was Sister Jamie Johnson.

Sister Johnson asked all of the sisters what meekness meant to them.  Then she asked us to go to the lesson and look and find all of the descriptions of meekness that Elder Bednar gave in his talk.  This is what was found.  



Sister Johnson talked about how when you are meek, you have a settled, calm demeanor.  Meekness also acknowledges the accomplishment of others. 

Similar but different from meekness is humility.  In the talk it said, "Humility generally denotes dependence upon God and the constant need for His guidance and support, a distinguishing characteristic of meeknessis a particular spiritual receptivity to learning both from the Holy Ghost and from people who may seem less capable, experienced, or educated, who may not hold important positions, or who otherwise may not appear to have much to contribute." 

In the Webster dictionary Meekness is describes as such: 
1: Enduring injury with patience and without resentment. (What we would see as being a doormat.)
2: deficient in spirit and courage.
3: not violent or strong. 

But in the 1828 dictionary we get a totally different description:
1: Softness of temper; gentleness.
2: In an evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will. 

Meekness is a grace which Jesus alone inculcated, and which no ancient philosopher seems to have understood or recommended. 

Sister Johnson then separated the sisters into 3 groups.  She asked the first group to read and comment on the differences between the Rich Young man spoken of in the New Testament and Amulek.  

This was the group I was in.  We saw a willingness in Amulek that the rich young man didn't have.  Tammy Jensen commented on how the rich young man went away in sorrow because he knew he was trading dirt for diamonds.  

Sister Andrea Stringham commented on how we need to be meek even though we are so blessed and how we need to keep ourselves from being worldly.  Kathy Pinborough said that like Amulek we need to be Spiritually awakened.  She also said, "The best experiences are found at church.  That is why we need to keep coming."

The second group was to read about and see how Pahoran was meek.  This was their findings: 
He was grateful to Moroni.  He didn't take offence at Moroni's rebuke.  He was restrained and compassionate.  Sister Cheri Smith commented that we shouldn't judge others until we've had to walk in their shoes.  Pahoran was not a doormat. 

The third group was to read about and show how President Nelson and also President Eyering were meek.  This is what they found:  They were active in following and they were righteously responsive to the admonition of the Prophets.  We need to figure out how we need to follow and then do it.

Sister Johnson asked, "What examples have you had in your life?"

Sister Calli Richards commented on the Prophet Joseph Smith.  She talked of his example of patience and kindness.  She said she has never been hurt or persecuted, but his example was truly one of meekness.   We need to act and not react, but be meek like the Savior. 

Sister Annalee Ashby told of how when she was in a nursing class.  When the class began she found that there weren't any other LDS people in the class and many of the students had very negative views of the Mormons.  As she continued to take the class and live like she should as well as talking to her fellow students their hearts were softened and she was able to show them that their perceptions were incorrect.  She was a great example of meekness.

Sister Mindy Anderson said that in dealing with people that aren't righteous she has been blessed to be able to stay calm with those around her have been irrational.  She has been able to be non-judgmental.  

Sister Johnson then asked, "what blessings have meekness brought in your lives?"

Sister Merlyn Kent said, "through being meek you are able to be true to what you believe."

Sister Jamie Johnson said, "by being meek you always feel love from the Lord and it doesn't matter what others think."

Sister Tammy Jensen told a story of when they lived down south.  She said that she used to walk everyday with the bishop's wife.  They were good walking buddies.  She told of how a sister in that ward had gotten offended and began to cause problems in the ward, to the point where the Stake President came and spoke with the ward.  But during this whole process, the bishop was kind.  He kept asking himself what have I done to cause this offense?  He racked his brain trying to figure it out but was never able to find an answer.  He was very humble and meek.  His wife was also meek and during their walks, not once did she ever mention this sister or what was going on in their lives because of the problems that had been raised.  They, the bishop and his wife, were a great examples to Tammy of meekness and humility.  

Sister Anne Welling commented on how in the talk by Elder Bednar, Pahoran said to Moroni, "In your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart..  She said it is a becoming, not a doing!  You become a person of meekness.

Sister Jamie Johnson then said, "the word meekness comes from the Greek word praus and is defined as:
1: In Greek literature the word is used to describe a soothing medicine.
2: Used by sailors to describe a gentle breeze.
3: Used by farmers to describe a broken colt or tamed animal.

All three are examples of great power under control. 

*Medicine does not give up its strength or power to cure the sick, but it's strength is controlled.
* The wind does not give up power to push the ship across the sea, but the sail are set to control it's power.
* A horse does not give up it's strength or power when broken to it's owners command, but its strength is brought under control of it's rider.

When this last thought was talked about one of the sisters said that she liked the thought of the breaking and taming of a wild animal.  And that we should be as such and that the Lord is the one that holds the reins. 

Sister Johnson bore her testimony and mentioned in it that the Savior had perfect meekness.  That as we listen and answer his call and also if we seek for this our joy will be increased and we will become more like Him.

This was a beautiful lesson.  I would encourage you if you haven't had the opportunity to read this talk it is beautifully given and will bless us all if we seek to become meek in our lives. 

June RS Council Mtg

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
Enrichment Night: Tuesday June 5 @ 6:pm.  
There will be a Taster's Table and a Nursery.  
We will be having a Sewing Evening with a Take and Trade Fabric Table.  Come and visit.

Stake Conference: June 16 and 17th.  
Adult Mtg Saturday the 16th @ 7 pm.  
General Session June 17th @ 10 am at the Garland Tabernacle.
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RS Council Meeting:  Facilitator was Jessica White

     Jessica Reviewed the past few lessons that were geared toward Unifying our Families with the Savior.  They were taught by Jamie Johnson and Tammy Ward.  Jamie taught two lessons, the first being  about Family Councils.  It entailed holding family councils - General (whole family), Executive (Husband and Wife), Limited (Parents with one child) and One-on-one (A Parent with a single child).
Her next lesson was on Teaching in the Home.  This lesson was about taking the opportunity to teach children in various ways.  
     Sister Tammy Ward taught a lesson on Temple Work and Family History.  Sister White encouraged all of the sisters to go back and read about these lessons on the blog if we weren't able to attend or if we wanted to remind ourselves about the things that have been taught.

     Sister White then began our lesson by reiterating what the Relief Society Council Meetings were to be like. In these first-Sunday council meetings, the Relief Society counsels together about local responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges; learns from each other’s insights and experiences; and plans ways to act on impressions received from the Spirit. These discussions should draw upon relevant scriptures and the teachings of living prophets.

     Sister White again stated that we needed to share topics and experiences to strengthen each other.  

     Sister Jean Bingham stated, "One of the beautiful things about this council meeting is that you actually come up with an action plan at the end of the meeting.”

     So in keeping with the direction given, Sister White began this lesson by introducing the topic that the Relief Society Presidency decided on at the first of the year, Unifying our families with Christ. She then asked us to listen to the Spirit and share our thoughts and feelings. As we began she suggested that it is okay when there are moments of silence as that may be when the Spirit is teaching and touching hearts.  

     Sister Bonnie Clark began by telling how her life has been blessed through the priesthood this past few months.  She has been blessed by others through their ministering.  She has made new friends, people that she never thought she would have been blessed by.  She is so grateful.  She talked about how learning from these councils she and her family have been blessed and it has brought them closer.  She talked about her son and how because of these councils they are able to talk and she feels that because of these blessings they will be close throughout their lives. 

     Sister Tammy Ward talked about how on council Sundays she takes notes on her phone so that they are always with her and because of this she is more able to implement the ideas into her life.  She has asked Sister Teri Garn to come to her home and give a Family Home Evening lesson on family history work so that her children can understand how to do this work.  
  
     Jamie Johnson said that she is trying to begin to do family history work, but she feels like it could be overwhelming to her children.  So she is beginning by telling them stories from their ancestors.  She feels that it is a basic way to begin and that because of telling them these stories, her children will have a greater appreciation for their ancestors.  

     Kathy Pinborough has told her husband that she will do family history work.  It is a commitment that she plans on keeping.

     Sister Kent told of how she has begun taking a beloved aunt over to the family history center in Logan.  She told of how they have a studio over there where they place a person in a chair and that person can be filmed telling stories or whatever.  She is able to have video of her sweet aunt telling stories.  This will be a great blessing to Merlyn's children.  They will have the stories in her aunt's own voice and they can also see her.

     Sister Tonya Hess told of how when her son Wade was living here with them, she had a table covered with her scrap booking materials.  Her sweet son left her a note on top of it saying, "If this isn't family history, I don't know what is!"  I have to agree with him.  She is keeping a visual history with stories and pictures for her posterity.  What a talent!  She is doing modern family history work.

     Sister Bonnie Ashby said that they have a program on their computer that you can turn on the microphone and speak into it and then you can print what you have said.  It makes it easier for her and brother Coy to record stories, etc. this way.

     Jamie Johnson said that the reason she has been thinking so much about these stories is that she heard a quote, but she wasn't sure of the exact quote, but it said that by knowing your ancestor's stories it gives us strength to handle our problems.  (Well, I looked it up on the Internet and here is the quote by President Oaks.)
     A recent study by a university in the South concludes persuasively that if you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the stories of your ancestors' positive moments.  Emphasize their ability to bounce back and persist through adversity.  That act alone will increase the odds that  your family will thrive for many generations to come.  
     Family stories count.  Children should know that they belong to something bigger than themselves.  

     Sister Teri Garn also said that there is a Time Magazine article about family history stories strengthening our families.  I couldn't find one from Time Magazine, but I did find a link for one from the NY Times.  The link is here .

     Kara Welling who is the ward historian talked about how she has gained a testimony about how our ward history will bless the church.  That through us sharing stories and journaling it helps the church to know how programs are working and how people are being strengthened.  Although she talked about how right now there are privacy issues because the people that they are gaining stories about are alive right now, so the only way you can read about what is happening in our ward history is by going down to Salt Lake City and going to the Church Offices where these histories are stored.

     Kathy Pinborough told how in their family they did family history work by coping their (her and Alan's mother's) recipe books.  She said that it was a neat way for her grandchildren to see what recipes these grandmother's used because of the stains that were on the copies.  She and brother Pinborough then gave these copies to their children as gifts.

     Sister Norene Rawlins talked about how she organized their family histories and pictures and then bound them and gave them to her grandchildren as gifts. What an awesome gift. 

     Sister Merlyn Kent said that there is an app that you can use that lets you see which of your ancestors you look like.  She told of how her son had some of the characteristics that was like one of the women in her family.  We all got a laugh out of that.  You can find this at: familysearch.org/discovery/compare.

     Sister Norene said she likes to go to relativefinder.org.  

These are some ideas that we can all use in our family history work.  We need to make it fun and enjoyable so that everyone wants to become involved. 

     At the end of the discussion, Sister Jessica White asked what our next topic of discussion might be.  Some of the suggestions were: 

• Christ-centered traditions.
• Instilling patriotism, gratitude and sacrifice in our children.
• Examples of being unified through Christ to build our ward family.

     It was then suggested that maybe we could somehow incorporate all of these suggestions into our next discussion to help strengthen our families.

     Sister Pinborough ended this Relief Society by saying, "there is such a Spiritual strength through counselling with each other as ward sisters." 

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."