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. 

Money Management Workshop

Management of Money and Resource

Thursday, April 21st

6:30 pm

Relief Society Room

Get these posts sent to your email!

If you would like to have the blog posts sent to your email, we can do that! That way you don't have to keep checking to see if there is something new - you'll automatically know when there is something new to see!

If you'd like to be added to our email list, please leave a comment below with the email address you'd like added to the list. Or send Sister Pickett an email message asking to be added.

We hope you all are enjoying the blog and feel like you are getting the information you need! If there is anything you'd like to see added to the blog, please leave a comment here or, again, send an email to Sister Pickett with your request and we'll see if we can add it.

Thank you!

Special Announcement: Church cleaning in April

Yesterday, our first Sunday in the new "old" building, we got the building schedule. We also learned that we are responsible for cleaning the church this month.

The current set time for cleaning the church is set for every Saturday (this month) at 8:00 AM.

For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Brother Crowther.

Annual Relief Society Auction

Relief Society Auction

Thursday, June 16th

6:30 pm

GYM room

Please bring dessert to share with everyone.

Come & display your talents/ creativity !

Use your talents in creating

Something which can be won at the auction.

Ideas:

cards, scrapebook pages, knitted blankets,

crotcheted baby shoes, homemade cookies/ cakes,

handmade children's clothes & woodcrafts,

photography, painting, & more !!!

Healthy Relationship Workshop

Healthy Relationship

Saturday, May 21st 

10 am - 12 noon

Relief Society Room

Guest Speaker : Sister Stephanie Mathis

Welcome women and men.

 Please must sign up for attending & nursery at RS room

4-10-11 Good News

Today, Sister Gorham shared that her baby sister turned 16 and went on her first date yesterday - she was happy for her.

Sister Crowther shared that she is happy to have two bathrooms to clean at the church instead of 8 like in the other building.

Sister Loyo shared about her grandniece being baptized yesterday after her baptism had been postponed a few times.

Sister Pace shared her experience of being on the 10:00 PM news last week speaking about her brother coming home from the war.

If I missed your good news, or you didn't have the chance to share, please leave a comment below, so that we can celebrate with you.