Feb 5, 2012 Lesson Summary

Leadership Instruction: Sister Holland

"Daughters in My Kingdom", a book that was released last fall, details in history and work of Relief Society and will help the women of the church learn about their important role as a daughter of their Heavenly Father. Women can learn many important things from the history of Relief Society.

I want to share the 5 things with you today.

1. Relief Society strengthens and supports women in their identity as daughters of God.
2. Relief Society is a restoration of an ancient patter of discipleship.
3. Relief Society, when it functions properly, is a manifestation of charity.
4. History of Relief Society is a history of noble, faithful women.
5. Through Relief Society, women learn about and see strengthened by an inseparable connection with the priesthood.

We worked together as sisters in class to build something with blocks - here is what we built:

We found it interesting that it ended up looking like a temple.

Lesson Summary 9-4-11: Grace

Sisters,
Since I took the majority of my lesson from this talk, I figured I'd just post the link to it, and you can read the entire text yourself. I really feel the message within this talk can change lives. It can lift us up to be better and to feel better about ourselves and others. After all, we are all just "practicing" Heaven, we are not expected to be perfect yet. The Lord will be with us continually through our practicing process.


Click here for the talk by Brother Brad Wilcox: His Grace is Sufficient.

7-10-11 Lesson Summary: Missionary Work

Gospel Principles Manual

“Missionary Work”

Lesson 33 p. 189-195

Sister Pickett

There are many ways we can share the gospel. Following are some suggestions:

1. We can show friends and others the joy we experience from living the truths of the gospel. In this way we will be a light to the world (see Matthew 5:16).

2. We can overcome our natural shyness by being friendly to others and doing kind things for them. We can help them see that we are sincerely interested in them and are not seeking personal gain.

3. We can explain the gospel to nonmember friends and others.

4. We can invite friends who are interested in learning more about the gospel into our homes to be taught by the missionaries. If our nonmember friends live too far away, we can request that missionaries in their areas visit them.

5. We can teach our children the importance of sharing the gospel, and we can prepare them spiritually and financially to go on missions. We can also prepare ourselves to serve full-time missions in our senior years.

6. We can pay our tithing and contribute to the missionary fund. These donations are used for furthering missionary work.

7. We can contribute to the ward, branch, or general missionary fund to give financial support to missionaries whose families are unable to support them.

8. We can do family history research and temple work to help our ancestors receive the full blessings of the gospel.

9. We can invite nonmembers to activities such as family home evenings and Church socials, conferences, and meetings.

10. We can give copies of Church magazines. We can also share gospel messages by using features available on the Church’s official Internet sites, LDS.org and Mormon.org.

“If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

“And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15–16).

7-3-11 Lesson Summary: Delight in Service and Good Works

Leadership Instruction

“Delight in Service and Good Works”

Sister Pickett

Rebekah

Abraham wanted his son Isaac to marry a woman who would be worthy to receive the blessings that the Lord had promised to Abraham and his children. He asked his servant to go back to Abraham's land of birth and find a worthy wife for Isaac. The servant prayed that the Lord would show him which woman Isaac should have for a wife by having the woman give him a drink of water and offer to draw water from the well for his animals. As he waited at the well, a beautiful young woman named Rebekah offered to get water for him and his animals to drink. The servant then knew this was the woman the Lord wanted him to take back to be Isaac's wife. Rebekah agreed to become Isaac's wife, and she and Isaac were married.

Rebekah “Hastened” to serve Abraham’s servant and went the extra mile and served his camels as well. She didn’t stop and wonder what was in it for her - just just served when asked.

Ruth

When the judges governed Israel there was a famine in the land. Naomi, who lived in Bethlehem, went with her husband and their two sons to the land Moab so they would have food to eat. While in Moab Naomi's husband died, and later her sons married two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. When her sons died, Naomi returned to Bethlehem. Orpah stayed in Moab, but Ruth went to Bethlehem with Naomi. Ruth cared for her mother-in-law by gathering leftover grain during the harvest. Boaz, who owned the fields, told Ruth that God would bless her for being kind to Naomi. Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son named Obed, the grandfather of King David. Many years later Jesus Christ was born into the royal family of King David.

Ruth gave up everything to serve her mother-in-law, Naomi. She did all in her power to be sure Naomi was taken care of. She respected the council from her elders.

Challenges

 Pray for opportunities to serve and the ability to see them

 Work on being able to hear that Still Small Voice who leads you to where you need to be

Remember

Mosiah 2:17 - And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

5-8-11 Lesson Summary: The Lord's Law of Health

Gospel Principles Manual

“The Lord’s Law of Health”

Lesson 29 p. 167-172

Sister Crowther

Our Bodies Are Temples of God

Because our bodies are important, our Father in Heaven wants us to take good care of them. He knows that we can be happier, better people if we are healthy. The Holy Ghost can be with us if our bodies and minds are clean. Our Father knows that we face temptations to treat our bodies unwisely or to take harmful things into them. For this reason He has told us which things are good for our health and which things are bad. Much of the information God has given us concerning good health is found inDoctrine and Covenants 89. This revelation is called the Word of Wisdom.

We must obey the Word of Wisdom to be worthy to enter the temple. If we do not obey the Word of Wisdom, the Lord’s Spirit withdraws from us. If we defile the “temple of God,” which is our body, we hurt ourselves physically and spiritually.

Lists of Good and Bad for the Word of Wisdom:

GOOD: Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Water, Exercise, Rest, Meats, Dairy, Sleep, Shower/Bath, Fish and sugar.

BAD: Tobaccos, Smoke, Tattoos, Sleep in, Sugar, Drugs, Caffeine, Teas, Soda Pop, alcohol, Lazy.

We Are Commanded Not to Take Certain Things into Our Bodies

The Lord commands us not to use wine and strong drinks, meaning drinks containing alcohol. The First Presidency has taught that strong drink often brings cruelty, poverty, disease, and plague into the home. It often is a cause of dishonesty, loss of chastity, and loss of good judgment. It is a curse to all who drink it. (See “Message of the First Presidency,”Improvement Era, Nov. 1942, 686.) Expectant mothers who drink can cause physical and mental damage to their children. Many automobile accidents are caused each year by people who drink alcohol.

The Lord has also told us that “tobacco is not for the body” (D&C 89:8). It is harmful to our bodies and our spirits. We should not smoke cigarettes or cigars or use chewing tobacco. Scientists have shown that tobacco causes many diseases and can harm unborn children.

We should not use drugs except when they are necessary as medicine. Some drugs are even more harmful than alcohol and tobacco (which are also drugs). Those who misuse drugs need to seek help, pray for strength, and counsel with their bishop so they can fully repent and become clean.

We Are Taught That Certain Things Are Good for Our Bodies

Fruits, vegetables, and wholesome herbs are good for us. We should use them with wisdom and thanksgiving.

The flesh of birds and animals is also provided for our food. However, we should eat meat sparingly (see D&C 49:18; 89:12). Fish is also good for us to eat.

Grains are good for us. Wheat is especially good for us.

Work, Rest, and Exercise Are Important

In addition to Doctrine and Covenants 89, other scriptures tell us how to be healthy. They tell us that we should “cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; … cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (D&C 88:124). We are also told, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work” (Exodus 20:9). The Lord counsels us not to labor more than we have strength for (see D&C 10:4).

Blessings

President Boyd K. Packer taught: “Our physical body is the instrument of our spirit. In that marvelous revelation the Word of Wisdom, we are told how to keep our bodies free from impurities which might dull, even destroy, those delicate physical senses which have to do with spiritual communication. The Word of Wisdom is a key to individual revelation” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 16; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 14).

Lesson Summary: Standing for Truth and Righteousness

Leadership Instruction

“Stand for Truth and Righteousness”

Sister Pickett

When God asked who would come to earth to prepare a way for all mankind to be saved and strengthened and blessed, it was Jesus Christ who said, simply, “Here am I, send me” (Abr. 3:27).

Just as the Savior stepped forward to fulfill His divine responsibilities, we have the challenge and responsibility to do likewise. If you are wondering if you make a difference to the Lord, imagine the impact when you make commitments such as the following:

“Father, if You need a woman to rear children in righteousness, here am I, send me.”

“If You need a woman who will shun vulgarity and dress modestly and speak with dignity and show the world how joyous it is to keep the commandments, here am I, send me.”

“If You need a woman who can resist the alluring temptations of the world by keeping her eyes fixed on eternity, here am I, send me.”

“If You need a woman of faithful steadiness, here am I, send me.”

Between now and the day the Lord comes again, He needs women in every family, in every ward, in every community, in every nation who will step forward in righteousness and say by their words and their actions, “Here am I, send me.”

My question is, “Will you be one of those women?"

“Women of Righteousness”

BY ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD

4-24-11 Lesson Summary: Establishing a Christ-Centered Home by Elder Richard J. Maynes

Teachings of Our Time

“Establishing a Christ-Centered Home”

Elder Richard J. Maynes

Sister Runnels

A story told during the lesson, which sums the lesson up well...

In His Mother’s Footsteps 

By Davida Dalton, as told to Joellen Johnson

It was a busy day in our Costa Mesa, California, home. But then, with ten children and one on the way, every day was a bit hectic. On this particular day, however, I was having trouble doing even routine chores—all because of one little boy.

Len, who was three at the time, was on my heels no matter where I went. Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around, I would trip over him. Several times I patiently suggested fun activities to keep him occupied.

“Wouldn’t you like to play on the swing set?” I asked again. But he simply smiled an innocent smile and said, “Oh, that’s all right, Mommy. I’d rather be in here with you.” Then he continued to bounce happily along behind me.

After stepping on his toes for the fifth time, I began to lose my patience and insisted that he go outside and play with the other children. When I asked him why he was acting this way, he looked up at me with sweet green eyes and said, “Well, Mommy, in Primary my teacher told me to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. But I can’t see him, so I’m walking in yours.”

I gathered Len in my arms and held him close. Tears of love and humility spilled over from the prayer that grew in my heart—a prayer of thanks for the simple yet beautiful perspective of a three-year-old boy.

This experience has served as a reminder to me of the vital role of mother. While it is sobering to realize that I am a crucial link between my children and the Savior, I need to remember that since a mother is a copartner with God, I am in a position to receive guidance from one who truly cares and wants all of us to walk in heavenly footsteps.

4-17-11Lesson Summary: Service Ch. 28

Gospel Principles Manual

“Service”

Lesson 28 p. 161-166

Sister Parker

What is Service?

Service is doing out of love to help others who need assistance.  Providing service to others shows our love for the Savior and for the others.  Service is an act that comes from any type of status, income, age, or any type of groups.  

How can we serve others?  

It can be economically, socially, physically, and spiritually. We can do small and large acts of service.  We can share food or be a friend to a newcomer, plant a garden for an elderly person, care for someone who is sick, and many more.  If you feel that you are not able to good thing, you should not stop there to help someone.  

A story from the manual quoted, “A widow told of two children who came to her door shortly after she had moved to a new town. The children brought her a lunch basket and a note that read, “If you want anyone to do errands, call us.” The widow was gladdened by the small kindness and never forgot it.” Ponder on what you can do to serve them. Sometimes we must sacrifice greatly to serve someone as the Savior gave up His life in serving us. 

Why the Savior wants us to serve others?  President Spencer W. Kimball explained: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82).  We must remember that God works through us.

We receive blessings through service  Through service, it helps us to increase our

ability to love and become less selfish.  Through service, we can gain eternal life.  

There are many opportunities to serve  

We can serve members of our families, neighbors, friends, and more. Not only that, we have opportunities to serve in the Church.  There are ways to serve in the church.  We should look for ways to serve as many of our Heavenly Father’s children as we can.

If we have special talents, we should use them to serve others. God blesses us with talents and abilities to help improve the lives of others. 

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of service.  He loves all of us so much.  He is our Master, Creator of the earth and our Savior.  But He did many humble acts of service. When we willingly serve others, we become more like Christ.

Heavenly Father wants us to help and serve others in many ways.  By serving each other, we are showing our love for each other just as Jesus Christ did for us.  We need to become Christlike. I challenge you to ponder on what you can do to serve others.   I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves each of us.  I know that this church is true.  He has plan for all of us, and by serving others, we can gain eternal life among other things.  I say things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

4-10-11 Lesson Summary: Work and Personal Responsibility

Gospel Principles Manual

“Work and Personal Responsibility”

Lesson 27 p. 155-160

Sister Crowther

We Are Commanded to Work

Work has been the way of life on earth since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. The Lord said to Adam, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19). Adam and Eve worked in the fields so they could provide for their own needs and the needs of their children (see Moses 5:1).

The Lord said to the people of Israel, “Six days shalt thou labour” (Exodus 20:9).

It's important for us to work, learn so we can teach our children and if we do right things to do, we can live back with Heavenly Father.

Family Responsibility

Parents work together to provide for the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of their family. They should never expect anyone to take care of this responsibility for them. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8).

Children should do their part in the work of the family. It is necessary for children to have work assignments to fit their abilities. They need to be praised for their successes. Good work attitudes, habits, and skills are learned through successful experiences in the home.

We can always teach our children to do their own duties, like clean their bedrooms, empty dishwasher, throwing the garbages out, pick up the toys and more. so they can learn to live on their own in future. Also we as a family help cleaning our church bldg. It's a good experience for the children and parents. So we can keep our house clean like a temple and church.

Also to learn how to pull weeds, mowing the lawn, and watering the flowers and yard work. My children loves helping their grandpa Crowther at the farm. They loves getting eggs from chicken, feeding the cows.

We Can Enjoy Our Work

To some people work is a drudgery. To others it is an exciting part of life. One way to enjoy life’s fullest benefits is to learn to love work.

Not all of us can choose the kind of work we do. Some of us labor for long hours for the bare necessities. It is difficult to enjoy such work. Yet the happiest people have learned to enjoy their work, whatever it is.

We can help one another in our work. The heaviest load becomes lighter when someone shares it.

I want to share this story.

The following story shows how one man saw beyond his daily labor. A traveler passed a stone quarry and saw three men working. He asked each man what he was doing. Each man’s answer revealed a different attitude toward the same job. “I am cutting stone,” the first man answered. The second replied, “I am earning three gold pieces per day.” The third man smiled and said, “I am helping to build a house of God.”

It's interesting how to responded. 

God Condemns Idleness

The Lord is not pleased with those who are lazy or idle. He said, “The idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways” (D&C 75:29). He also commanded, “Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer” (D&C 42:42).

As far as they are able, all Church members should accept the responsibility to care for their relatives who are unable to provide for themselves.

Work, Recreation, and Rest

We should each find the proper balance between work, recreation, and rest. There is an old saying: “Doing nothing is the hardest work of all, because one can never stop to rest.” Without work, rest and relaxation have no meaning.

Not only is it pleasant and necessary to rest, but we are commanded to rest on the Sabbath day (see Exodus 20:10; D&C 59:9–12). This day of rest after each six days of labor brings refreshment for the days that follow. The Lord also promises the “fulness of the earth” to those who observe the Sabbath day (see D&C 59:16–20; see also chapter 24 in this book).

On other days of the week, in addition to working, we may spend time to improve our talents and enjoy our hobbies, recreation, or other activities that will refresh us.

The Blessings of Work

President David O. McKay said, “Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success” (Pathways to Happiness [1957], 381).

“Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). Work is a key to full joy in the plan of God. If we are righteous, we will return to live with our Heavenly Father, and we will have work to do. As we become like Him, our work will become like His work. His work is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

3-27-11 Lesson Summary: Two Lines of Communication

Teachings of Our Time

“Two Lines of Communication”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Sister Runnels

The Personal Line

In the personal line of communication we pray directly to our Heavenly Father and He answers through his Holy Spirit. The personal line is important in making personal decisions and to guide the family. Some seek to have their priesthood leaders make personal decisions for them, decisions they should make for themselves by inspiration through their personal line. Communication with our Heavenly Father is based on worthiness. When we renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament each Sabbath day we qualify for the promise that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, to guide us. 

The Priesthood Line

Unlike the personal line, in which our Heavenly Father communicates with us directly through the Holy Ghost, through the priesthood line God communicates through the scriptures and teachings and counsels of inspired leaders. This is the way we receive required ordinances and receive callings to serve in His Church. Like the personal line, the priesthood line cannot function fully and properly in our behalf unless we are worthy and obedient. The priesthood line does not supersede the need for the personal line and vise versa.

The Need for Both Lines

We cannot rely entirely on one line or the other. If we rely too heavily on the personal line, we may go our own way and not support the teachings of the prophets or leaders. If we rely only on a priesthood leader or teacher and not develop our own testimony through the personal line, we will be dependent on that mortal and their actions as a mediator between us and our Heavenly Father. We must use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life and achieve eternal life. 

3-13-11 Lesson Summary: Fasting

Gospel Principles Manual

“Fasting”

Lesson 25 p. 145-148

Sister Crowther

How to Fast Properly

Since the time of Adam, God's people have fasted to help them draw near to Him and to worship Him. Jesus showed the importance of fasting by His own example. Through latter-day revelation we learn that the Lord still expects His people to fast and pray often.

Fasting means to go without food and drink. Occasional fasting is good for our bodies and helps our minds become more active.

The Savior taught us that purposeful fasting is more than just going without food and drink. We must also concentrate on spiritual matters.

We Should Pray When We Fast

Prayer is a necessary part of fasting. Throughout the scriptures, prayer and fasting are mentioned together.  Our fasting should be accompanied by sincere prayer, and we should begin and end our fasting with prayer.

We Should Fast with a Purpose

Fasting can have many purposes. We can overcome weaknesses or problems by fasting and praying.  Sometimes we may wish to fast and pray for help or guidance for others, such as a family member who is ill and needs a blessing.  Through fasting we can come to know the truth of things just as did the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon. He said: "I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself.  And now I do know of myself that they are true, for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit."

Our Purpose in fasting should not be to impress others. 

We should be cheerful when we fast and not advertise our fasting to others.

The Fast Day

One Sunday each Month Latter-day Saints observe a fast day. On this day we neither eat nor drink for two consecutive meals.  If we were to eat our evening meal on Saturday, then we would not eat or drink until the evening meal on Sunday.

All members who are physically able should fast.  We should encourage our children to fast after they have been baptized, but we should never force them.

On fast Sunday, members of the Church meet together and partake of the sacrament.  They strengthen themselves and one another by bearing testimony in fast and testimony meeting.

Fast Offerings

When we fast each month, the Lord asks us to help those in need.  One way we do this is by giving through the proper priesthood authority the money we would have spent on food for the two meals.  We should give as generously as we are able. Through our fast offerings we become partners with the Lord in administering to the needs of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters.

We Are Blessed When We Fast

Fasting improves our lives and gives us added strength.  It helps us live other principles of the gospel because it draws us nearer to the Lord.

Fasting Teaches Self-Control

Fasting helps us gain strength of character.  When we fast properly, we will learn to control our appetites and passions. We are a little stronger by having proved to ourselves that we have self-control.  If we teach our children to fast, they will develop the spiritual strength to overcome greater temptations later in their lives.

Fasting Gives Us Spiritual Power

When we fast wisely and prayerfully, we develop our faith. With that faith we will have greater spiritual power.

3-6-11 Lesson Handout

During part of her lesson, Sister Holland shared a cute analogy she found with us. We women have beauty bags in which we can find many different things. Those items can also be reminders for us about things we should remember as we strive to become like our Savior.

Beauty Bag

Never forget there is "divinity in your very makeup"

Bandaid:  Cover and heal the hurts of life with forgiveness

Cotton Ball:   Show others gentleness and compassion

Comb:   Comb out the snarls of criticism

Rubberband:   Be flexible and understanding, turning to the scriptures for guidance.

Q-Tip:   The tip of your beauty is Charity

Soap:   Through the atonement, our sins can be washed away if we repent. Staying clean before the Lord is a wonderful feeling

Emery Board:   Although life may seem rough at times, our trials will shape our lives

Wet Wipes:   Wipe off any bad habits

"You are creatures of divinity; you are daughters of the Almighty. Limitless in your potential. Magnificent is your future.... Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup."

-- President Gorden B. Hinckley

3-6-11 Lesson Summary: History of Relief Society

Leadership Instruction
History of Relief Society
Sister Holland

The Mormons were building a beautiful city in Nauvoo, and while most had what they needed, there were hundreds of people moving into Nauvoo each day from various countries who had joined the Church, and many of these families had spent all they had to get to Nauvoo. Most of the Saints gave freely of their substance to help those in need, but there was no organization, and sometimes the needs of others were not known. Some of the women began thinking about different ways to help, and they counseled with one another, and formed groups to complete charitable projects. One of the first groups organized to make shirts for the men working on the Nauvoo temple. More and more women got involved. One of them, Sarah M. Kimball, said that they, “decided to…form a ladies society” to help the poor. On March 4, 1842, “the neighboring sisters met in my parlor and organized.” At the time, the state required that benevolent societies have a constitution, bylaws and elected officers. Eliza R. Snow, who later became a President of the Relief Society, was asked to write both the constitution and bylaws. When she finished, she showed them to Joseph Smith the Prophet. When he saw them, he said they were, “the best he had ever seen,” but that he also wanted to “provide something better for [the women of Nauvoo] than a written constitution. I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood.” The Relief Society was organized on March 17, 1842. Twenty women were in attendance.  Emma Smith, Joseph’s wife, was elected as the first President. Joseph Smith the Prophet was touched at the women’s great desire to come to the aid of those in need. He stood up and said, “All I shall have to give to the poor, I will give to the society” and he donated a five dollar coin. Others followed his example and donated money to the Relief Society to aid the poor. The purpose of the organization was the relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan, and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes. The women worked tirelessly to find and help those in need. Widows and orphans were brought into others’ homes, and time, and service were given to many. As the Prophet watched the Relief Society work, he was again touched and stated, “it is natural for females to have feelings of charity. You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” With the promise of blessings for working to help the poor, the Relief Society pushed forward. It was suggested that each woman donate one cent per week to the Society to help buy glass and nails for the building of the Nauvoo Temple. Through this program a thousand dollars was raised for the temple. The Relief Society grew quickly, and by 1844, there were more than 1,300 women in the society. After the death of Joseph Smith, with the hardships of preparing to move west, the society diminished, but was revived in 1867 and has been a part of the Mormon Church ever since.

2-27-11 Lesson Summary: Teachings of our Time

Teachings of Our Time

“Courageous Parenting”

by Elder Larry R. Lawrence

Sister Runnels

There are no perfect parents and no easy answers, but there are principles of truth that we can rely on. 

1. "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid" (Joshua 1:9). In these last days, what the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand. 

2. It's so important for husbands and wives to be united when making parenting decisions. If either parent doesn't feel good about something, then permission should not be granted. Have the courage to support each other and say no. 

3. Parents can prevent a lot of heartache by teaching their children to postpone romantic relationships until the time comes when they are ready for marriage. It is vital that parents have th courage to speak up and intervene before Satan succeeds. 

4. Nothing really good happens late at night and young people need to know what time they are expected to come home. There is a great deal of wisdom displayed when parents stay up and wait for their children to return home. They make far better choices when they know their parents are waiting up to hear about their evening and to kiss them good night. Peer pressure becomes more powerful when our children are away from our influence and when their defenses are weakened late at night. If you have ever felt uneasy about an overnight activity, don't be afraid to respond to that warning voice inside.

5. Courageous parenting does not always involve saying no. Parents also need courage to say yes to the counsel of modern-day prophets.

There are five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: Family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together, and regular one-on-one interviews with each child.

1-13-11 Lesson Summary: Sabbath Day

 Gospel Principles Manual

“Sabbath Day”

Lesson 24 p. 138-143

Sister Pickett

Meaning of the Sabbath Day What is the Sabbath day?

• The word Sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning rest. 
• Before the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Sabbath day commemorated God’s day of rest after He finished the Creation. 
• It was a sign of the covenant between God and His people. 
• Now the Sabbath also commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Purpose of the Sabbath Day 

• Jesus taught that the Sabbath day was made for our benefit.
• Mark 2:27: And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. 
• The purpose of the Sabbath is to give us a certain day of the week on which to direct our thoughts and actions toward God. 

History of the Sabbath 

Beginning of the earth:

Genesis 2:2-3: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had crested from all his work which God created and made.

Israelites:

God renewed a commandment concerning this day to the Israelites, saying, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

Nephites:

Jarom 1:5: And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord. And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict.

Modern Day:

D&C 68:29: And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy 

President Spencer W. Kimball: “The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which he is expected.”

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy 

In deciding what other activities we could properly engage in on the Sabbath, we could ask ourselves: Will it uplift and inspire me? Does it show respect for the Lord? Does it direct my thoughts to Him?

Blessings for Observing the Sabbath 

 “The fulness of the earth is yours, ... whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul” (D&C 59:16–19).

Challenges

• Think about something you can do to improve in your efforts to keep the Sabbath day holy.
• If you are a parent or grandparent, think about something you can do to help your children or grandchildren understand the meaning of the Sabbath.

2-6-11 Lesson Summary: Charity

Leadership Instruction: Sister Bishara

 WHAT IS CHARITY ?  

Relief Society always keeps RS’s motto “ Charity Never Failed”

Each sister is encouraged to develop and exercise the pure love of Christ

in all aspect of her life.

She is also encouraged to nurture and care for those in her family, her ward and her community.

MORONI 7:47 

           We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles

           to  those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less

           fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more. 

Real Charity is not something you give away; its something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implants in your heart, you are never the same again…

Perhaps the greatest charity comes…

1. when we are kind to each other ( good example)

     2.  when we don’t judge or categorizes someone else

     3. when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain  

          quiet.             

    4.  Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weakness, & shortcomings: 

          having patience with someone who has let us down ; or resisting the                       

          impulse to become offended.

5. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness & being

      willing to forgive someone who has hurt us

The Savior gave us many teachings in the story about good Samaritan.

-A man was traveling to another city

-On the road he was attacked by bandits.

-They stole his clothes and money and beat him, leaving him half dead.

-A priest came along, saw him and passed him by.

-The temple attendant walked over, looked at him, and went on.

-A Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews, came along, & when he saw    the man he felt compassion.

-Kneeling beside him, the good Samaritan bandaged his wounds & took him on a donkey to an Inn. He paid the inn-keeper to take care of the man  until he recovered.

JESUS taught that we should give food to the hungry, shelter to those who have none, and clothes to the poor. When we visit the sick and those who are in prison, its as if we were doing these things for Him instead. He promises that as we do these things, we will inherit His Kingdom.

HOW CAN WE DEVELOP & BECOME MORE CHARITY ?

        We entreat you to minister with your powerful influence for good in     

         strengthening our families, our church and our communities…

We can become charity is by studying the life of Jesus Christ & keep His commandments. Study what he did situations and do the same thing as us.

We have not feeling charity. We can pray ( Moroni 7:48)

We can learn to love ourselves, understand our true worth as children of our Heavenly Father. The Savior taught us that we must love others as we love ourselves.

-Love ourselves, we must respect and trust ourselves.

-We must be obedient to the principle of the gospel

-We repent of any wrongdoings.

-We must forgive ourselves when we have repented.

-We will come to love ourselves better, we can feel the deep,                        

                   comforting that the Savior truly loves us.

            - We can avoid thinking we are better than other people. We can have     

                 patient with their faults.