1-2-11 Lesson Summary

Leadership Instruction

“Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ
through prayer and scripture study”

Sister Pickett

Relief Society Declaration

This year, 2011, I will still be focusing on the women in the scriptures, but with a different purpose. I want to focus on the Relief Society Declaration and the principles we, as Relief Society sisters, should practice in our own lives in order to get back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.

The first principle stated in the declaration helps us know how to increase our testimonies of Christ.

Scripture Study and Martha

In Luke 10 we learn of Mary and Martha whom Christ and His followers visited. Mary was working very hard to take care of her guests while her sister, Martha, sat at Christ’s feet to listen to Him teach. When Mary complained to Christ about Martha not helping her, she got an unexpected answer: vs. 42 “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” 

“The Savior’s response strikingly clarified what mattered most. On that evening in Martha’s home, the good part was not in the kitchen; it was at the Lord’s feet. Dinner could wait.” Bonnie D. Parkin

Prayer and Hannah

In 1 Samuel 1 we read of Hannah. Hannah was a woman who could not have children. Her husband had another wife who could. Hannah wanted more than anything to give her husband a son. On one visit to the temple to offer sacrifices, Hannah “prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. (vs10)” Hannah promised the Lord if He would give her a son, she would give the son back to Him to serve Him - meaning her son would work in the temple. Hannah waited on the Lord and was finally blessed with a son. When the son, Samuel, was weened at about 3 years old, Hannah took him to Eli the prophet and left Samuel in Eli’s care. Hannah was then blessed with more children.

Summary

Studying Christ’s words helps us to know Him better. Knowing Him better, helps us to love Him better. Loving Him better, helps us to trust Him and helps our testimonies of Him grow.

Praying with sincerity and with His will in mind and then waiting for the answer, helps us to trust and rely on the Lord even more.

Challenges

 Make a plan to read the scriptures daily

 Prayerfully read Relief Society Lessons before Sunday

 Prayerfully read Sunday School Lessons in student manual before Sunday