Lesson on Sisters' Participation in the Gathering of Israel by Sister Joy

To begin Relief Society today, Sister Jensen spoke to the sisters about the ministering changes that they were making as a presidency.  She talked about the survey that was given to the sisters the past fall and how it opened up a discussion on what the sisters needed and how we as sisters were a part of the decision on whom and where we need to serve.  They passed out the new assignments today (called pods) to those that were there and will try to finish handing them out by next week.  Enjoy these pods that you will be in.  Get to know you sisters and love them.  What a blessing we can be in the lives of those we are called to serve with.
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Our lesson was given by Sister Joy today and it was based on the talk given in the last October 2018 talk by President Nelson to the sisters.  Here is a link to that talk if you would like to read it.  

In his talk President Nelson talked about the important role of women.  He talked about our Spiritual gifts and the ways in which we can make a difference in the lives of others.  He also talked about the Gathering of Israel.  In his talk he said, "This gathering is “the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today”! This work is going on at this time on both sides of the veil and we have been invited to be an integral part of this work.

President Nelson then gave the women of the church four invitations.  This is where sister Joy began her lesson.  She focused on the invitations that were mentioned.  

The first invitation we were given was to do a 10-day social media fast. President Nelson said, "I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind. Pray to know which influences to remove during your fast. The effect of your 10-day fast may surprise you. What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little? I urge you to record and follow through with each impression."   Sister Joy asked the sisters if they had participated in this invitation and what the experiences were that they had.  These are some of the answers that were given.

• One sister talked about how when she did the fast it made her aware of how critical she had been of others and what they were posting and doing with their lives.  She felt that this had been very damaging to her Spirit as she was so critical and felt the blessing of doing the fast that made her aware of this.
• Another sister talked about how she was blessed by being made aware of how much time she was wasting.  She found that by doing the fast she was able to get a lot more done during the day.
• One sister found that she was a happier person letting social media go.  She found that she had been comparing her life to the lives she was seeing on her social media feed and felt that she wasn't living up to what they posted.  By letting it go she has found much more joy at just being able to be herself and not worrying about what others think of her.
• A sister talked about how doing the fast helped her focus more on what was happening in her home and what they were doing rather than focusing on others and what their lives were like.  It helped her put her energy where it needed to be.
• A sister commented on how much better it was not to be so focused on the negativity.  

Sister Joy commented on how for us to become the women that the Lord would have us be we need to focus more on the good things.  She said how interesting it was to listen to the comments and see how it tears us down and keeps us in a place that isn't healthy.  The Prophet knows what he is doing in helping us to see how this affects us as sisters.

• A sister talked about how she moved her social media app to a different area on her phone so she isn't so prone to look at it all of the time.
• One of the sisters commented on how the weeks she is able to stay away for not just social media, but the media of the world, she is able to accomplish so much more.  She said when she focuses on what the prophet has asked she gets a lot more done.   When she is focused on media, she tends to let those things that would bring her closer to  our Father in Heaven slide and doesn't do what she needs to do and she gets very overwhelmed.  

Sister Joy commented on how Satan knows our weaknesses and then he tempts us to do what would bring us down.  

• This sister said that after her fast she recognized how much media was taking away from her days and she didn't get on her social media as much, but then as the days went by she got on more and more until now she is back to where she was before the fast.  

She was so open and honest and we all can understand because I think we have been there.

• Sister Jensen commented and told of a quote that she read this week by Harriet Tubman.  She was the one that helped save people in the underground railroad.  In the quote Harriet said, "I saved 200 slaves, I could have saved 10,000 if they would have known they were in bondage."  Then sister Jensen commented saying that when she did the fast she realized how much media was controlling her and realized that she was in bondage to it.
• A sister talked about how she had come to the realization before the fast that she was tired of trying to keep up with the lives of others.  She has gotten rid of the negative things.  She has found that there are positive things on social media that has helped to uplift her and now she tries to focus on the positive.

It was talked about how the missionaries use social media for a good purpose.  And that we need to use it for the purpose that the Lord intended and to be a positive force for good on the earth.

President Nelson then invited us to do the second invitation.  He said, "Second, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.

As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Then, be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends.2 You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen."

• One sister commented on how she felt like she was underlining the whole Book of Mormon.  But she felt that it was a good thing because it showed her that the Book of Mormon is a second Testament of our Savior on the earth.
• Another sister commented on how she has never in her whole life read the Book of Mormon cover-to-cover.  She  began in December and she hasn't finished yet, but she is doing it.  It has been a blessing to her to try and do this. She finds that the days she reads there is just a power that helps her through her days.  She is also finding a greater understanding this time in reading it.  It has made her more mindful of what she is doing with her days.
• A sister commented on how doing this challenge she was able to understand Isaiah better.  
• Sister Joy commented on how she wasn't able to finish by the end of the year and she felt guilty.  But she is continuing to read and she finds a great power in reading it and trying to do what she has been asked to do.
• A sister commented and told of the opportunity that she had while traveling to share with another woman how the Book of Mormon was another Testimony of our Savior. 
• A sister read a post by President Nelson after this challenge.  It said, "I hope that these invitations have brought you closer to the Savior.  If you have struggled with any of these please don't be hard on yourself.  You can start today.  The Lord is happy with any effort we make to draw closer to Him.  I promise as you prayerfully study the  Book of Mormon the heavens will be open to you.  The Lord will bless you with increased revelation and inspiration."  She then commented on how President Nelson knows that we as women are hard enough on ourselves and he just wants us to do our best.  This gives her so much hope in her life.

Sister Joy then talked about how President Nelson then talked about establishing a regular pattern of Temple attendance in our lives.  He said, "Third, establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. This may require a little more sacrifice in your life. More regular time in the temple will allow the Lord to teach you how to draw upon His priesthood power with which you have been endowed in His temple. For those of you who don’t live near a temple, I invite you to study prayerfully about temples in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Seek to know more, to understand more, to feel more about temples than you ever have before."

Sister Joy then asked for sisters to share their experiences.  She said that she herself has tried to be in the temple more.  It has been such a blessing for her. She has received a lot of inspiration since she has done this.

• One of the sisters commented on how she serves in the Temple as an ordinance worker, but she feels that she also needs to go through as a patron.  She has set a goal to try and go at least once a month.  She feels that when we go through for others we are also blessed. 
• A sister commented on how when she was a child her parents went to the temple once a month with her aunt and uncle.  She could tell when it was close to the time for them to go once again, because it seemed that as the month went her mother was more sharp with her father.  Her father was more sharp with the children.  Then when they went back to the temple, things settled back down and life was calmer.  So she and her husband have tried to set this goal of attending once a month for themselves. 

Sister Joy told of an experience that they had doing sealings.  There was a sister that had been at the temple for just one name.  As she went to leave, she asked sister Joy if they needed help doing their names.  They welcomed her help as they needed someone to stand in as a daughter for them.  Sister Joy told of how as this sister was sealed as the daughter to her family the sister began to cry.  She told sister Joy how the woman she had been proxy for was so grateful and had wanted to be sealed to her family.  And that the family was so special.  

• Sister Joy then talked about how important the work of gathering Israel is, not only on this side of the veil, but on the other side also.  This is what President Nelson is trying to help us understand.  It is such an important work.   We need to be doing this work in the temples and in our communities.
• A sister told of a special needs student that she works with.  She didn't think that this sweet girl really understood, but as she was driven home this girl told the sister that she was so excited for conference.  Because they would announce new temples and then we can go to the temples and be baptized and help families be together.  This sweet girl truly understands what is important.  
• One of the sisters commented on how you don't have to have family names to go to the temple.  She told of how the temples are behind on some of the names and they need to have them done also.  It is just important that we go.
• A sister commented on how she and her husband serve as ordinance workers, but when asked they have set aside another day to go as patrons.  She said, "If you try to find the time to serve, you will never find it.  You just have to commit to go and then make sure that you go and things will fall into place for you to attend." She told of how going to the temple puts life into perspective.  She told of how there were 40,000 more ordinances done in the first quarter of this year compared to last year in the Brigham City Temple.  

The final invitation given by President Nelson was this, "My fourth invitation, for you who are of age, is to participate fully in Relief Society. I urge you to study the current Relief Society purpose statement. It is inspiring. It may guide you in developing your own purpose statement for your own life. I also entreat you to savor the truths in the Relief Society declaration published almost 20 years ago."

We weren't able to discuss this due to time constraints, but sister Joy read a quote by Sister Mary Ellen Smoot.  This was given when the Relief Society Proclamation was given. She said, "We testify that each of us has a vital role, even a sacred mission to perform as a daughter of Zion.  It is new day.  The dawning of a new era.  It is our time and it is our destiny to rejoice as we fill the earth with greater kindness and gentleness, greater love and compassion, greater sympathy and empathy than has ever been known before.  It is time to give ourselves to the Master and allow Him to lead us into fruitful fields where we can enrich the world filled with darkness and misery.  Each of us no matter who we are, no matter where we serve must arise and make the most of each opportunity that comes.  We must follow the counsel given by the Lord and His servants and make our homes houses of prayer and havens of security and safety.  We can and must deepen our faith by increasing our obedience and sacrifice.  In this individual process a miracle will take place." 

This is as applicable today as it was 20 years ago when it was given.  We are able to take this Gospel forward and be a part of the Gathering of Israel.

We would like to thank sister Joy for the beautiful lesson she gave and thank those that participated in the discussion. 

  

Women and Gospel Learning in the Home, President Eyering

Today's lesson and discussion was given by Sister Tammy Ward.  She began by talking about inviting the Spirit into our class today and how that will make a huge difference in what we take away from the talk given by President Eyering.

She then thanked the sisters in the room that had told her about a "Hi Mom" sticker that she had had on her back.  She remarked on what we see, what we say and what we do around our children really makes a difference in their lives.  She told how this last week she has been making sticky notes and putting them on her son's back letting him know how awesome he is and today was his day to pay her back by putting his note on her back.  Very cute!

This went along with our lesson today.  Our children see what we do and they copy it.  

She then began by asking us to read the part of Elder Eyering's talk that says, "Why, then, does a daughter of God in a united and equal relationship receive the primary responsibility to nourish with the most important nutrient all must receive, a knowledge of truth coming from heaven? As nearly as I can see, that has been the Lord’s way since families were created in this world.

For instance, it was Eve who received the knowledge that Adam needed to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge for them to keep all of God’s commandments and to form a family. I do not know why it came to Eve first, but Adam and Eve were perfectly united when the knowledge was poured out on Adam.

Another example of the Lord’s using the nurturing gifts of women is the way He strengthened the sons of Helaman. I get a lump in my throat when I read the account and remember my own mother’s quiet words of assurance as I left home for military service."

Sister Ward asked,  What did you learn from these three paragraphs? A sister answered, "Men and women are equal, but they have different responsibilities and duties, but it is all important to our Heavenly Father."  Another said it reaffirms that when a guy asks a girl to marry, they aren't thinking of children or anything down the road.  They are thinking what a great girl she is.  But when a girl is in that same situation, where a young man is asking her to marry, she is thinking of the family they will have and what their future will be.  In essence she sees more of the whole picture than the guy ever does. 

Tammy agreed and talked about how Heavenly Father gave women that nurturing gift.  Then she had us talk with the person next to us and had us go to the scriptures to find an example of a mother that taught through her nurturing gifts.  My partner and I talked about John the Baptist's mother.  

Then she had us talk to our partner about someone in our own lives that has had this affect on us and has really made a difference in our lives and share why this person made a difference in our lives.  

My partner talked about her grandmother.  She was a rock in her life.  Mine was a neighbor lady that was kind and always willing to be an example of Gospel living.

Then Tammy had a few sisters in the room share.  These are some of the things that were shared.  

Shauna Larson shared how her Mother-in-law was someone that made a real difference to her.  She told of how Rex's mom was alway willing to help her even when she had a lot of things to do, she would always help.  Shauna told of how she called her one day and asked for her help.  Shauna had a new baby and had been sick.  Her mother-in-law came and took care of her.  Four days later she died.  Shauna felt so lucky to have her as an example.

Anne Welling talked of her mother and what a wonderful example she was for Anne.  She told of how she was just a righteous example of how we need to live.

Amber Wood talked about her mom and what a strength she was to Amber.  She told of how she was recently able to talk to her mom about Faith and her mom' ability to change and remain strong even when things were difficult in her life.

Celeste Miller talked of her mother and how patient she was.  She said that when she was young she only ever remembered her mother yelling once in her whole life.  Her mother was always really kind.

Bonnie Clark talked of her grandmother.  Her grandmother was unable to talk or walk due to a physical ailment.  But Bonnie had the opportunity to have her live with them.  She said that her grandmother was so patient with others taking care of her and tolerant of their mistakes.  She taught Bonnie unconditional love.

Andrea Stringham talked about her grandmother also.  She told of many of the trials her grandmother has lived through in her life and they were hard and difficult things.  Andrea commented saying that her grandmother entailed everything that we had talked about, loving, kind, forgiving, patient and she endured.  She said this grandmother is the glue that holds their family together.

A sister commented saying, "How many of these people know how much you love and appreciate what they have done?" She said that we should take the opportunity to thank them for what they have done for us in our lives.  That it would make them feel special that they were able to touch someone's life.

Sister Ward challenged each of us to write them a thank you note or letter for what they have done.  Even if someone has passed away, take the time to write them.  They will know how you feel and what their actions meant to you.

Then Tammy told of the opportunity that she had this week to share thoughts about her Grandma Jeri with her children.  They had been in Idaho and so for two hours she was able to share with them stories of her grandmother as they drove home.  She told of how her grandmother was able to love her despite her faults.  She said that it was like her grandmother had a special pair of glasses that helped her to see others like Christ would see them.  Then she treated them how they would be treated by Him.  She was a very special person in Tammy's life and made such a difference to her.

We then read the next part of the lesson that said, "As daughters of God, you have an innate and great capacity to sense the needs of others and to love. That, in turn, makes you more susceptible to the whisperings of the Spirit. The Spirit can then guide what you think, what you say, and what you do to nurture people so the Lord may pour knowledge, truth, and courage upon them."  She reiterated that we can have the gifts of knowledge, truth and courage as we nurture.

We then read, "Your practical challenge is to know whom to nurture, how, and when. You need the Lord’s help. He knows others’ hearts, and He knows when they are ready to accept your nurturing. Your prayer of faith will be your key to success. He gave this encouragement: “Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient." She encouraged us to listen to this talk again and then she wanted us to really understand that we need Heavenly Father's help in this and He will help us be successful.  

Then she encouraged each of us to read our patriarchal blessings and note the Spiritual gifts that we are given in them.  She has recorded her's on her phone so she can listen to it when she needs.  She doesn't share it with others, but is able to listen when she is alone and needing it.

She said, "As you read these, I want you to be aware of the unique gifts you have as a woman."  She pointed to the board where she had written about the sisters that had been discussed and said, "you cannot see these attributes in others unless you have them in yourselves."  So be aware of the gifts that you have been given to help you nurture others.  She said that this is a way to honor what we are as women.  She then asked some of the women in the room to share the gifts that they have.  

One sister remarked on how she has the gift of patience.  Her children are now grown and have families, but when they were young she needed a lot of patience.  

Sister Gregory told of how as a presidency they did this at their presidency meeting a couple of weeks ago.  They read their patriarchal blessings and wrote down their spiritual gifts.  Then sister Jensen said that President Nelson said, "Know your Spiritual gifts and you will change the world." Sister Gregory then continued and said that as they were trying to put the ministering assignments together knowing their spiritual gifts enabled them to serve the sisters of our ward better.  

One of the sister shared how her children rely upon her spiritual gift of discernment.  She has been blessed to know when there might be a problem with something that they are going to do.  She has been given warnings and promptings for her children.  Her children refer to it as a "disturbance in the force."  They have helped her to see that she can receive inspiration for her children individually.  She believes that it is a way that Heavenly has blessed her children through her.

Another sister told of a time this last week when her son told her of a promotion that he was going to take.  She was a bit concerned and needfully so.  She got a call from his employer and her son had been injured in an accident.  Luckily he wasn't hurt critically, but it was enough that he needed medical attention.

We need to follow through on the spiritual promptings and use our gifts to nurture others.  Sister Ward then challenged us this week to be contemplative and ponder what you can do for your children.  She suggested praying specifically for each child by name and picture their faces before you as you pray for them.  She said that the Lord will let you know what they need.  She promised that He will give you knowledge, even if it seems like something so trivial as extra hugs.  He will give you the direction and guidance that is needed.  

Let your children know what you see in them.  Cheer them on and let them know the good that they are doing.  Be willing to ask their forgiveness for your shortcomings and let them know you are doing your best.

You sisters are all amazing and are doing such a wonderful job as mothers, sisters, teachers, neighbors and friends.  Thanks for all of your efforts to nurture and succor others.  

We'd like to thank Sister Ward for this lesson.  We were able to feel the Spirit and were encouraged to do better.  

Parents and Children by Dallin H. Oakes, Taught by Sister Jamie Johnson

The lesson today was taught by Sister Jamie Johnson.  She began by telling a story that she read.  It is a story that was told by President Monson.  

President Monson said he recalled an account of a little boy that came up to his father.  His father had just come home from work and was tired.  The little boy said, "Daddy, tell me a story" as he tugged on his fathers pant leg.  But you know and I know that we sometimes tell little Johnny as this father did; Johnny you run along and play and in a little while after I have read the sports page I will tell you a story.  But you don't get rid of little Johnny that way and the little boy persisted saying, "Daddy, tell me a story now."  Dad looked down at Johnny wondering what he could do to shake him off for just a little while.  Looking down he got an idea.  There on the table was a magazine with the picture of the world on the front cover.  He tore the cover up into about 16 pieces.  He handed it to Johnny and said let's play a game.  You take these pieces and go in the other room and get the tape and you put this world together and when you have put it together properly then I will tell you a story.  Johnny accepted the challenge and off he ran and dad felt very pleased with himself and settled in to read the sports page.  But only a moment had passed and there was Johnny tugging at his pant leg again.  Daddy said Johnny I have put it together.  Dad looked down and saw the 16 pieces put in their proper place together.   He felt that he had a genius in the household.  He turned to the little boy and asked, "John my boy how did you do it?"  Well Johnny said, It wasn't too hard dad turn the world over. His dad turned the cover of the magazine over and there on the other side was a picture of a home.  Johnny said, "I just put the home together and the world took care of itself."

When we put our homes together, the world will largely take care of itself.  Fathers we maybe the head of the home.  Mothers you are the heart of the home and the heart of the home is where the pulse of the home is.  I would trust with all of my heart that you recognize your significant position in the home.  

Sister Johnson loved this story and thought it was a good place to begin this lesson so that as we thought of this we would keep this in mind.  That each of us is here for a particular reason at this time.  

She then told of how she thought that putting our homes together is what President Oaks was talking about in this lesson.  You can access President Oak's talk here.  She talked of how President Oaks talk was broken up into three sections.  

She had the sisters break into groups to discuss the first section that President Oaks talked about.  They were to discuss amongst themselves these two questions.  How do the modern trends work against the Father's plan?  and What can we do personally or as a Relief Society to abort these trends?  

So the Sisters took time to discuss this and these are some of the thoughts that were given:

Sister Johnson started by saying that it is sometimes scary to think about the trends of the world right now.  

• One of the first things that one of the sisters noted was that many are now delaying having children.  She then talked about Elder Rasband's talk where he told his children to go ahead and have children now.  He gave good counsel in his talk.  We have to have faith.
• Another sister talked about how it is choices.  How as sisters we can teach our children what is right, but it is their choice to make.  So her thought was that we need to share with our children and grandchildren how important family is and share with them the joy that they bring and then hope that they make the right choice.
• A sister shared how her mother had a hard time having children and so only had two.  But those two daughters had 12 children between them.  Their mother would often ask them "Do you know what your doing to yourselves?"  meaning that they were up for a lot of parenting and work.  This sister talked about how when her mother was older how it was her children that helped her take care of their grandmother and what a blessing they were.  At the beginning of the lesson it says that children are a precious part of our lives and this sister shared how hers truly were and how we need to instill this in our own children.
• One sister said that when the world does creep in and it does, she said what we have to do is just love.  When things don't go as we think they should, we need to keep letting the Lord's love work through us and life will keep going and things will change.  Love is very important.  
• A sister remarked that as church members we need to remember to not be so judgmental.  If someone doesn't have the children that you think they should, you shouldn't remark because you don't know what is going on in their lives.  Perhaps they can't have children or have a hard time getting children.  We as sisters need to be the loving support for others. It isn't our job to judge it is just to love.

We skipped the second section and moved to the third section.  

Sister Johnson talked about how we all have young women in our lives and she asked, "How can we encourage the young women we know to follow the counsel given in Section 3 of this talk?"  

The first section is about parents.  The second section is about Women and the third is about young women.  President Oaks said the young women, "Here I could give you counsel on many different things, but I have chosen to speak of only two."  He then gave them counsel about the use of cell phones and also about being kind.  

Sister Johnson then had the sisters get into their groups again and discuss how we can encourage the young women.  Here are some of the thoughts that were given:

• Be an example.  Whatever we are doing, they want to do it also.  So be a good example.
• One sister commented that often we use cell phones as a way to entertain our children with them to keep them quiet and how perhaps we need to use books instead.  
• A sister commented that she recently saw an artists rendition of what cellphones are doing to us.  It showed adults with their cell phones out and not paying attention to the children that were around them and the children were trying to get their attention.  It showed also couples sitting on a couch and both were on their cell phones and not talking.  We need to make others know that they are more important in our relationships.
• One sister talked about how they have a policy of open electronics in their home and how as parents we can and should be checking what our children are looking at.  This sister looked at what one of her daughters had been following on Instagram.  There she was following one of the prominent Hollywood starlets and this woman was showing and saying things that went against the Proclamation to the World and the things that the Prophet has said.  This sister pointed this out to her daughter and her daughter stopped following this person.  It is good to help our children see what is right and what isn't when using social media. 
• One sister commented how they have done research that shows that children shouldn't even have screen time until they are two or older because of the damage it does to their brains.  Then she told of how she struggles with depression. She got rid of Facebook and the comparison mentality and now she is doing so much better.  But she commented on how when our children are using social media and phones so young, how much damage it can be doing to them mentally.  She said, we hear so much of depression and suicide in our youth, perhaps this is part of the problem.
• A sister commented about the second part of the counsel President Oaks gave about being kind.  She said that it goes hand-in-hand with the cell phones.  Her nieces have had problems with cyber bullying.  Because it is really easy for someone to say mean things when they aren't having face-to-face interactions with others.  

Sister Johnson then commented on how there is no right or wrong, but that as parents we need to decide what is best for our families.  We need to pray about it and do what we are prompted to do.  We need to take care of our own stewardship.  What works for one family might not work for another.  

A sister commented on how we need to search out the positive and teach our children how to maneuver  and navigate through the social media in their lives and search out those things that are good.  It is a part of most of our lives now and we need to know how to filter what is good and what is not. 

Sister Johnson then asked, How do we help our young women to be kind?  Because we aren't always around them.  

• One sister commented on how we need to watch what we say when we are around them.  Whether it is when we are around others or just with them by ourselves.  We need to be positive about ourselves as well as others.  Do not gossip.
• A sister said that we also need to correct them if we see them do something that isn't nice.  Whether it is due to immaturity or because they didn't know better, or just to call them on poor behavior.  It is our charge to help them to learn to be nice.  
• President Uchdortf talked about ~ being selfless and how those little acts make a huge difference sometimes.  Just a smile or a hug can really be a huge deal to others sometimes.  They might be having a horrible day, but just by showing that small act of kindness might make their day.  

Sister Johnson then handed out a paper to each sister.  On it was the following:

We Need Women Who:

• Understand that being a mother is their highest priority, their ultimate joy.
• Make sacred covenants and keep them.
• Can speak with the power and authority of God.
• Know how to make important things happen by their faith.
• Are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world.
• Are devoted to shepherding God's children along the covenant path toward exaltation.
• Know how to receive personal revelation.
• Understand the power and peace of the temple endowment.
• Know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families.
• Teach fearlessly.

Then she asked that as we read through these things that President Nelson said that we write names of women we know that these remind us of.  

Secondly she asked us to put a heart next to each one that we think that we are.

Thirdly put a star next to the ones that we want to become.

She said that it is important that we be this kind of woman.  That we improve in the little ways that we can.  See our strengths and capitalize on these strengths, because we are doing these things.  Then go and teach the youth and the families around us how to do these things also.  As we embrace this Heavenly Father will help us be the women that we need to be so that we can make a difference in this world.

This was a beautiful lesson and we appreciate Sister Johnson and the time she put into this lesson.     

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