August 18th Lesson: "That We May Become One"

Thank you to Sister Mary Wignall for stepping in and giving this great lesson!  It is from the Lorenzo Snow book, chapter 16.

"The voice of the Almighty called us out from the midst of confusion...to form a union and a lovely brotherhood, in which we should love one another as we love ourselves."

When we are united in the gospel, the Lord shows the world His character through us.
Jesus prayed to his Father that those he had given him out of the world might be one as he and the Father were one, and says he, I pray that thou wilt give them the same love which thou hast for me, that I may be in them and thou in me, that all may be one.  There is something very important in this, and we have got ot practice ourselves until we become like the Father and the Son, one in all things.

If we have division in our midst; if we be divided either spiritually or temporally, we never can be the people that God designs us to become, nor can we ever become instruments in His hands.

Unity is essential in the Church and in our families.
Sister Wignall taught that there should be perfect union from the quorum of the Twelve, all the way to the Bishop and his counselors.  In addition, there needs to be unity in the family.  The father and mother of the home should make themselves just as perfect as a person can in life.  Couples should never criticize or speak disrespectfully of the other in front of the children. Nor should we ever speak disrespectfully of church leaders.

We become united as we help each other secure peace and happiness.
"Let your minds be expanded to comprehend and look after the interest of your friends that are around you, and where it is in your power to secure benefits to your friends, do so...and in so doing you will find that those things which you need will come into your hands quicker than if you labor entirely to secure them to yourselves...I know this is a good and important principle.

As we become united in the gospel, we increase in light and intelligence and prepare to dwell in God's presence.
"But if we continue in the extent of those covenants which we made when we received the Gospel, there is a corresponding increase of light and intelligence, and there is a powerful preparation for that which is to come.  And because of our faithfulness and our adherence to the covenants we have made, the foundation upon which we stand becomes like the pillars of heaven--immovable."

August 11th Lesson: Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God

Sister Penny Levering gave this wonderful lesson:  It is from the Lorenzo Snow book, chapter 15.

"Knowing our religion to be true, we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced."  Lorenzo Snow

Because we have received the fullness of the gospel, we serve as ambassadors of Christ
What is an ambassador?  An ambassador is a representative.  We art to testify to the whole world that we know, by divine revelation, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that he revealed himself to Joseph Smith and made known to him the heavenly truths by which alone mankind can be saved.  God will hold us accountable for the disposition we make of this sacred trust which he has committed to us.  We will become answerable for our individual acts and for the manner in which we use the talents and ability the Lord has given us.

Membership in the Church is a call to help others receive salvation.
The Lord has not in view merely the salvation of a few people called Latter-day Saints..., but the salvation of all men, the living and the dead.  We have the same Priesthood that Jesus had, and we have got to do as He did, to make sacrifice of our own desires and feelings as He did, perhaps not to die martyrs as He did, but we have go to make sacrifices in order to carry out the purposes of God.

Every calling and responsibility is important in the Lord's work.
Sister Penny reminded us that every calling is important, that each sister can serve the Lord and improve and help to build the kingdom of God here on earth.  We must all do our best to improve on whatever talent the Lord blessed us with.

When we serve God with faith, energy, and cheerfulness, He strengthens us and helps us succeed.
"I say, let men serve God faithfully and energetically, and be cheerful...There are times when persons are brought into conditions where it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to assume a cheerful aspect.  But such times are very few."

The work of the Lord is sometimes difficult, but it brings great joy.
We meet many things associated with t his labor that are not pleasant, but there is a great pleasure connected with it.  When we look back upon our determinations to devote ourselves to the cause of truth and keep our covenants, we have great joy, because the spirit of our callings rests mightily upon us, whithout which spirit we cannot keep pace with the kingdom of God.  We should renew our covenants before God and the holy angels, that we will, God being our helper, serve him more faithfully during the ensuing year than we ha e in the past, that our public and private life...may be in keeping with the motto, "The kingdom of God or nothing."

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Why do you think membership in the church  brings such great responsibilities?
When have you seen someone honor a seemingly small calling or assignment?
In what ways to faith, energy and cheerfulness influence our service?

August 7th Lesson...Be Still

Be still

WHY…  Do you think President Hinckley added this last “be” to his list?

*To remind us to slow down?  To enjoy the beauties of life?

*To give comfort in times of worry, trial, or heartbreak?

*To help us remember to be reverent?

*To remind us to listen for the Spirit’s promptings?

The year 1845 was a busy one for Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois.  Still mourning the violent death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Saints continued their efforts to complete the Nauvoo Temple, spread the gospel, and gather believers even an conflict with critics and dissenter hastened plans for an exodus to the West.  On a Sunday in August 1845, Brigham Young paused from the demands of leadership to record a dream he’d had the previous night.  

“I dreamed I saw Brother Joseph Smith” he wrote, “and as I was going about my business, he said, ‘Brother Brigham, don’t be in a hurry.” President Young said Joseph repeated the counsel twice more with “a degree of sharpness”:  Brother Brigham, don’t be in a hurry.  Brother Brigham, don’t be in a hurry.

As important as that message was to Brigham Young in his day, it may be even more vital today.  Think how the pace of life has quickened since then, and think of all the things—mundane and meaningful—that compete for attention every day.  We live in a world of fast food, rapid travel, instant messaging, and constant claims about how to get rich quick, get fit fast and succeed now.

President James E. Faust said: “Our hurry to meet the relentless demands of the clock tears away at our inner peace.”

“Being Still” will bring us inner peace.  Inner peace can be cultivated and strengthened.  In a General Conference talk in 1991, a new member of the Quorum of the Seventy, Graham Doxey, gave this counsel:

1.       Revitalize your weekly worship.

“When you sing the hymns, for instance, ponder the meaning of the words, enjoy the spirit of the music.  Sing with enthusiasm without regard to your tones.  You will have a good feeling, and your spirit will be enlivened; and as you join with the Saints in the songs of the heart, the Lord promises to answer this with blessings upon your head”. (D&C 25:12)

“Next, partake of the sacrament.  Don’t merely take the sacrament.  Think of the covenants you are remaking.  Truly witness unto the Father that you will take upon yourself the name of his Son, even Jesus Christ.  Recommit yourself to always remember Him, to keep the commandments which He has given you.  Your obedience will entitle you to have His Spirit to be with you.  If this sacred ordinance has become commonplace in your worship, if you let your mind wander elsewhere during this weekly opportunity for spiritual renewal, if you just take the bread and water as it passes, with no thought or recommitment in your life, then you have turned off a significant aid to your inner peace and hearing”.

2.       Pray to know God’s will, not to “get things.”

“Too often, because of selfish desires, after a cursory “Thank you, Lord.” We consume our prayer time in the listing of things we want and think we need.  We must learn to pray with meaning, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.”  When you are able to do this, His whisperings to you will be loud and clear.  The Prophet Joseph Smith, after five months of extreme suffering in Liberty Jail experienced it and he said:  “When the heart is sufficiently contrite, then the voice of inspiration steals along and whispers, My son, peace be onto thy soul.” (History of the Church, 3:293)

Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency assures us:

“The Father offers us, through prayer in the name of His Son, the opportunity to commune with Him in this life, as often as we choose.  Sometimes we forget this.  Sometimes we doubt this.  Sometimes we cut ourselves off from it.  But He has endowed us all with the Light of Christ to enable us to judge right from wrong and to determine light from darkness and truth from error.”

How do you envision your Heavenly Father when you pray to Him?  I used to think I had to repeat what I said in order for my prayer to carry the long long distance between myself and Heaven.  I have since come to realize that Heavenly Father is right there next to us, with our Savior by His side, ready to help you, happy to hear from you, and closer than we know.

3.     Seek counsel in the Scriptures.

In D&C 18:33-36 it reads: 

“And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.  These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man.  For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power, you could not have them; Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words”.

Have you ever received comfort and peace and answers when you prayed, or turned to the scriptures?  Have you ever felt the power of the Spirit and received revelation in Sacrament Meeting as you sang, partook of the Sacrament, and really listened to the messages being given?

There is no question that we latter-day women have much to do and accomplish in our busy lives.  We are taught in the scriptures to not be idle, to do much good.  We love serving the Lord and want to accomplish His work.  But he needs us to be in tune with Him, therefore he needs us to “Be Still”.  President Eyring also counseled:

“It is often because we are so busy receiving other messages that we impair our ability to receive the much needed messages from our eternal home.  We live in a world in which messages surround us, even bombard us.  Our smartphones, our computers, and our tablets are constantly buzzing, beeping, and vibrating with every new text, social media update, email, and photograph.  We must be selective in the messages we choose to receive.  It is vital to our spiritual well-being that we not consume so much of our time receiving good messages, that we make ourselves unavailable to receive the best messages.

Perhaps all this was summarized in eight words by the Psalmist long ago:  “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) The Lord reaffirmed that counsel in our day during a time of great commotion for the Prophet Joseph and early members of the Church:  “ Be still, and know that I am God” (D&C 101:16).  I suppose that can be read as two separate commands, but I think it works especially well as a statement of cause and effect.  If we will be still, put God first, call on Him first, and wait on Him always, then we will come to discern His still, small voice reminding us how well He knows us and how much He loves us, and He will teach us how to love and serve our neighbors as ourselves.  As we do so, the promise is sure, “even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come”.