Yes I'm behind. It's been a busy time with the holidays and now school is back in session for most of you, but here are the past week of wonderful, thoughtfully put together lessons that I wanted to include for our Relief Society History:
January 16th - Lesson was on The Sabbath Day,Chapter 24 of the Gospel Principles Book. It was taught by Sis. Rondee Page. We discussed why the Sabbath Day is so important. We looked at the Bible Dictionary, and also how the purpose of the Sabbath day was made for the benefit of man...for Us! Sis. Merket raised her hand and commented by explaining it in a parable form. She explained that the Sabbath day is like filling up gas for her truck. She has to have gas to get to the places she needs to go and the Sabbath day is like refueling us to continue on in the work of the Lord throughout the week. The most important things for the Sabbath day is to "go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon this holy day" (D&C 59:9-12). Also the Lord asks us to rest from our daily work. The prophets have told us that this means not to shop, hunt, fish, attend sports evens etc. (page 141 of the Gospel Principles Book). However, President Kimball has also said it is not a day to lounge around doing nothing, but calls for constructive thoughts and acts to praise our Heavenly Father.
I am grateful for the Sabbath day. I know that by keeping it holy, we are able to more readily do the things the Lord requires of us and will be blessed spritiually and physically by keeping this holy commandment.
January 9th - Lesson was on The Sacrament, Chapter 23 of the Gospel Principles Book. It was taught by Sis. Emilie Scow. Sis. Scow talked about the sacredness and importance of the sacrament. The emblems of the Sacrament teach about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and when we take the sacrament, we are recommitting ourselves to our baptismal covenants we made when we were baptized. We discussed how we must be worthy to take the sacrament and prepare ourselves spiritually for such a sacred event. Sometimes this can be difficult, especially when we are rushing out the door to church or refereeing between our children trying to keep the peace. However, such a sacred ordinance deserves our full attention as best we can. Some sisters suggested ways to prepare for the sacrament, such as getting to church 15 minutes before the meeting starts and listening to the prelude music, reading the sacrament hymn and pondering it while the sacrament is being passed, reading scriptures, saying a special prayer in our heart, pulling out pictures of Jesus for children to look at during this special time. All these suggestions can truly help us to have the right attitude about the sacrament.
I know that by worthily partaking of the sacrament can increase our spiritual strength and help our relationship with our Heavenly Father and his Son , Jesus Christ.
January 2nd - Lesson was on "The Best is Yet to Be", a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. The lesson was taught by Sis. Holly Innis. Sis. Innis had us tell the story of Lot's wife, where Lot's family was told to leave the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and to not look back. Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Sis. Innis pointed about that not only did she look back, but she longed to be there. Sis. Innis discussed how Elder Holland said that Faith points to the Future and that we need to forgive and forget. Sometimes it seems easier to forgive others but hard to forgive ourselves. Sis. Merket commented that when we hold a grudge it is like we are drinking poison hoping that it will kill the other person. Sis. Innis discussed the importance of turning to our Savior and moving forward. Finally, we talked about Elder Holland's final section of his talk, "The Best is Yet to Be" and the appropriateness of setting goals and moving forward. Some sisters discussed how they have seen the Lord's hand guiding them in reaching certain goals, even if the time period was different than they anticipated. We also discussed the importance of setting righteous goals.
I am grateful to know that God hears and answers prayers, and that the Best is Yet to come! I know that the Lord is there to help us through trails, tribulation, danger and sorrow. I know that he cares for us and wants us to be happy, and I know we can truly be happy as we follow Him and keep His commandments.
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