Chapter 15 Eternal Marriage

Opening Song: Hymn 300
Lesson: Chapter 15 Eternal Marriage

If you have not had a chance, please check out our facebook page to see all the pictures of the beautiful women and their husbands in their wedding pictures.

 ((I added this in..I just love it!!!) A person who was  married received this jar and a note attached from a S. Michael Wilcox. Here is what it said:

“My wife often cans peaches and pears in the fall. A great deal of work is necessary just to prepare the fruit. Then, once it is prepared, she puts it into jars, places the seals on, twists the lids tightly into place, and sets the jars in boiling water. Then she waits for the seals to set. She has performed this operation dozens of times with hundreds of jars. In all that time I have never seen her seal an empty jar. Unless the jar is loaded with fruit, a seal is not placed. I doubt if anyone, among the thousands who can fruit every year, has ever sealed an empty jar. There must be something to preserve or the seal has no significance.

 The sealing of temple covenants is similar. When we are married at the altars of the temple, the Lord, from one point of view, gives us an empty jar. Then he instructs us to fill it with the wonderful fruits of righteous marriage. We fill it with love and compromise and forgiveness and joy and peace and shared trails; we fill it with all the things of life, all the good fruit. As we keep our covenants, returning often to renew them as we work for the dead, the jar begins to fill. As we grow older and our love deepens, we desire to preserve forever all the good we have stored.

Our abiding in the covenant allows the Lord to place the seal on our covenant relationship and preserve the fruits of our righteousness for all eternity. This is the same for all temple covenants. Nobody seals an empty jar; neither does the Lord seal empty covenants. First there must be fruit to preserve.”

It is important to take care and cherish your eternal marriage.

In the lesson, it discusses the wives of President Fielding Smith as he was married three times. He was married over 72 years of his life. After his final wife passed away, his testimony was calmed knowing that he could trust in the Lord and eternal life.

He said, "I feel to say with Job of old, whose knowledge came from the same source from which mine has come: ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth,’ and that ‘in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold. …’ (Job 19:25–27.)

“And as I join my testimony with that of Job, may I also unite with him in thanksgiving, for the cry, uttered out of the anguish and sorrow of his soul: ‘… the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ (Job 1:21.) I pray that we may all be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may walk uprightly before the Lord, and that we may inherit eternal life in the mansions and kingdoms that are prepared for the obedient.”

President Smith taught that celestial marriage is the crowning ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He said, " There is no ordinance connected with the Gospel of Jesus Christ of greater importance, of more solemn and sacred nature, and more necessary to [our] eternal joy … than marriage. The fullness and blessings of the Priesthood and Gospel grow out of Celestial marriage. This is the crowning ordinance of the Gospel and crowning ordinance of the temple. I want to plead to my good brethren and sisters, good members of the Church, to go to the temple to be married for time and all eternity."

That is why temple work is so important. We can help seal families forever. 

He also said, "Marriage was never intended by the Lord to end at death of the mortal body; but to add honor, dominion, power to the covenanting parties, and the continued and eternal unity of the family in the kingdom of God. Such blessings are held in reserve for those who are willing to abide in this covenant as the Lord revealed it. It is not merely a partnership between a man and a woman, for as the Lord has said, in marriage they become one flesh and enter into a partnership with God."

President Smith said, "The Lord has given us his everlasting gospel to be a light and a standard to us, and this gospel includes his holy order of matrimony, which is eternal in nature. We should not and must not follow the marriage practices of the world. We have greater light than the world has, and the Lord expects more of us than he does of them."

How can we keep the world out of our marriage?

One sister said that we can spend time outside in the yard together. Another said that they work on family history and it has strengthened their relationship. Last one sister said that it is important to develop interests together early on so when kids leave the nest, you will be able to do something together. 

Time was very short and the lesson was not covered in full. . 

Closing Song: Hymn 292

Food Storage for this Month...Oils and fats

Check out the August newsletter for any birth and birthday announcements in the binders.

August Food storage: Oils and fats

This is from Elder Busche. He said, "Frequently I am asked, “What were the most valuable items in the days of starvation in Germany? .........As for what we needed, the food item we relied on most was vegetable oil. With a bottle of vegetable oil, one could acquire nearly every other desirable item. It had such value that with a quart of vegetable oil one could probably trade for three bushels of apples or three hundred pounds of potatoes. Vegetable oil has a high calorie content, is easy to transport, and in cooking can give a tasty flavor to all kinds of food items that one would not normally consider as food—wild flowers, wild plants, and roots from shrubs and trees. For me and my family, a high-quality vegetable oil has the highest priority in our food storage, both in times of daily use and for emergency usage. When vegetable oil is well-packed and stored appropriately, it has a long storage life without the necessity of refrigeration. We found ours to be in very good condition after twenty years of storage, but circumstances may vary in different countries and with different supplies." --Link to Ensign article.

Here are a few general rules to help you determine how long to store fats:

• Avoid exposure to heat, light and oxygen. The more exposure to these three factors, the sooner racidity can set in. To lengthen the life of your fats and oils, buy them in darkened, airtight containers (vacuum sealed is preferable) and refrigerate after opening. Regardless of the packaging, store at the coolest temperature you can provide.
  
• Rotate your fats and oils. It is important that you not buy more that you can use and rotate over several months. Manufacturers do add preservatives, which will help to extend the shelf life. Be sure and check expiration dates when purchasing at the grocery store - fresher is better for a longer shelf life.
• Buy fats and oils in smaller containers. Properly packaged, unopened cooking oils have a shelf life of approximately one year - some times longer if they have been specially treated, and depending on the conditions mentioned above. Be aware that specialty oils such as flax seed and sesame have an even shorter shelf life, so be sure to refrigerate after opening. They may become cloudy or solid but are still usable and will return to their normal state at room temperature. Opened bottles can begin to turn rancid in a matter of weeks to a couple of months, often long before they smell rancid.
• Buy lighter colored oils. Darker colored oils are more flavorful than the lighter colored oils, but the lighter oils have a longer shelf life.
• Use solid shortening for longer shelf life. The fat with the longest shelf life (store-bought) is Crisco™. Crisco is hydrogenated shortening and includes preservatives, which accounts for its longer shelf life. It's impossible to know for sure, but any brand of hydrogenated shortening with preservatives, unopened and kept in a cool environment, should last 8 to 10 years.
• Coconut Oil. As it turns out, coconut oil is a great option for cooking due to its high smoking point (350°F for unrefined and 450°F for refined).  This means that you can sauté and bake with coconut oil and not worry about it turning into a trans-fat.  Plus, coconut oil is very stable.  It has more than a two-year shelf life and won’t become rancid, even in warm temperatures.
  
  Also, there appears to be strong evidence that coconuts are an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory food.  Plus, the research behind its heart and weight benefits seems well founded.  (Source: www.naturalhealthsherpa.com/coconut-oil-metabolism-booster/5295)

Chapter 14: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Opening Song: Hymn 302, "I Know My Father Lives"

Lesson:  Chapter 14: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Section 1:The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth.

The instructor each gave us a phrase that would help us understand the characteristics of the Holy Ghost. Then each sister went up to the board and put it under the the correct Godhead.

I love how the sisters discussed that the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our own personal language.

Section 2: The Holy Ghost manifests the truth to honest people everywhere.

Read the story of Cornelius in Acts 10
President Smith said, "There is no need for anyone to remain in darkness; the light of the everlasting gospel is here; and every sincere investigator on earth can gain a personal witness from the Holy Spirit of the truth and divine nature of the Lord’s work.

Every man can receive a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, even when he is out of the Church, if he is earnestly seeking for the light and for the truth. The Holy Ghost will come and give the man the testimony he is seeking, and then withdraw."

Section 3: Following baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands.

President Smith said, "You cannot get the gift of the Holy Ghost by praying for it, by paying your tithing, by keeping the Word of Wisdom—not even by being baptized in water for the remission of sins. You must complete that baptism with the baptism of the Spirit. The Prophet said on one occasion that you might as well baptize a bag of sand as not confirm a man and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands. You cannot get it any other way.

I believe in the doctrine of laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, by which we are brought into communion with our Father in heaven and learn of His ways, that we may walk in His paths."

Section 4: Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, members of the Church can have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.

Elder Bednar made an awesome observation about our relationship with the Holy Ghost . It comes from his book "Increase In Learning."

"...we repeatedly emphasize the importance of recognizing the inspiration and promptings we receive from the Spirit of the Lord. And such an approach is correct and useful. We should seek diligently to recognize and respond to promptings as they come to us. However, an important aspect...may frequently be overlooked in our spiritual development."

"We should also endeavor to discern when we “withdraw [ourselves] from the Spirit of the Lord...”

"...If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing."

Section 5:The companionship of the Holy Ghost is available only to those who prepare themselves to receive it.

President Smith said, "It is my judgment that there are many members of this Church who have been baptized for the remission of their sins, and who have had hands laid upon their heads for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but who have never received that gift—that is, the manifestations of it. Why? Because they have never put themselves in order to receive these manifestations. They have never humbled themselves. They have never taken the steps that would prepare them for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, they go through life without that knowledge; they are lacking in understanding. When those who are cunning and crafty in their deceit come to them criticizing the authorities of the Church and the doctrines of the Church, these weak members do not have understanding enough, information enough, and enough of the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord to resist false doctrines and teachings. They listen and think that perhaps they have made a mistake, and the first thing you know they find their way out of the Church, because they do not have understanding ."

Section 6: As we remain faithful, the Holy Ghost will give us revelations to lead and direct us throughout our lives.

But, President Smith said, "The Lord has made the promise to all who will repent and remain faithful, exercising a spirit of humility and diligence, that they will be entitled to the guidance of the Spirit of God. This Spirit will lead them and direct them throughout their lives.

It is the privilege of every member of the Church to know the truth, to speak by the truth, to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; it is our privilege, individually, … to receive the light and to walk in the light; and if we continue in God, that is, keep all of His commandments, we shall receive more light until eventually there shall come to us the perfect day of knowledge. "
  
Awesome scripture that was discussed: D & C 50:24.  Elder Bednar references this scripture in this Mormon message.

We can provide opportunities for our children to feel the spirit and recognize the guidance of the Holy Ghost? Here are some ways that can help our children feel the spirit.

Hold FHE, family scripture time, family prayer, sharing of testimonies, look for teachable moments, listen and talk with children about their own experiences.

Closing Song: Not enough time for a hymn...but here is one that fits the theme. Hymn 143, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"

This lesson does not have to end here. Please post in the comments below how you have been blessed through the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Elder Bednar discusses the many ways that we can receive revelation. It is a must see if you have not already. :)  

FHE

Neither Angie nor I were in our ward yesterday, so we can not recap the lesson for you. I don't want to leave all you sisters hanging with nothing to read, so I thought I would give you some inspiration for Family Home Evening tonight or next week or whenever.

Just ask a few simple questions:

You can have an FHE on Love or Service. Here is a link for one already planned out!

http://kigatsuku.me/2013/03/fhe-lovegreed/

How about a lesson for little kids on Lying. Sometimes little kids are not 100% sure what a lie is, use this to help the kids understand what a lie is:

http://www.overthebigmoon.com/an-object-lesson-for-kids-on-honesty/

Reintroduce the kids to the story of Samuel the Lamanite:

http://siswrightsseminaryjourney.blogspot.com/2010/03/prophets-concern.html

Or, for those with the older kids, do a little quiz. Can they tell you who is being quoted?

http://utahvalley360.com/2014/01/30/who-said-it-princess-or-prophet/

 http://utahvalley360.com/2014/03/01/who-said-it-dieter-or-dumbledore/

Have a great FHE tonight all! Remember, the most important thing about FHE is that you are spending time together with your family. Not every FHE has to be super deep and spiritual, sometimes it is just great to be doing something as a family. So, go out there and make a memory!!

Upcoming events

August

Great Exchange with Rigby18th Ward

Saturday, August 9th 10 to 12 at the church

Please bring your stuff to exchange from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. that morning

September

Self Reliant Night

October

Relief Society Retreat

Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease

Song: Because I Have Been Given Much
Lesson on this talk: Bear up their Burdens with Ease

First, the story about the couple discussing the need for a truck was read:  Here it is as follows:

I have a dear friend who, in the early years of his marriage, was convinced he and his family needed a four-wheel-drive pickup truck. His wife was sure that he did not need but merely wanted the new vehicle. A playful conversation between this husband and wife initiated their consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of such a purchase.

“Sweetheart, we need a four-wheel-drive truck.”

She asked, “Why do you think we need a new truck?”

He answered her question with what he believed was the perfect response: “What if we needed milk for our children in a terrible storm, and the only way I could get to the grocery store was in a pickup?”

His wife replied with a smile, “If we buy a new truck, we will not have money for milk—so why worry about getting to the store in an emergency!”

Over time they continued to counsel together and ultimately decided to acquire the truck. Shortly after taking possession of the new vehicle, my friend wanted to demonstrate the utility of the truck and validate his reasons for wanting to purchase it. So he decided he would cut and haul a supply of firewood for their home. It was in the autumn of the year, and snow already had fallen in the mountains where he intended to find wood. As he drove up the mountainside, the snow gradually became deeper and deeper. My friend recognized the slick road conditions presented a risk, but with great confidence in the new truck, he kept going. 

Sadly, my friend went too far along the snowy road. As he steered the truck off of the road at the place he had determined to cut wood, he got stuck. All four of the wheels on the new truck spun in the snow. He readily recognized that he did not know what to do to extricate himself from this dangerous situation. He was embarrassed and worried.

My friend decided, “Well, I will not just sit here.” He climbed out of the vehicle and started cutting wood. He completely filled the back of the truck with the heavy load. And then my friend determined he would try driving out of the snow one more time. As he put the pickup into gear and applied power, he started to inch forward. Slowly the truck moved out of the snow and back onto the road. He finally was free to go home, a happy and humbled man.

 Each of us carry loads such--worry, financial, illness, guilt, callings, demands, opportunities, obligations, constraints, etc. 

There are two questions that you need to ask to help assess your load:

“Is the load I am carrying producing the spiritual traction that will enable me to press forward with faith in Christ on the strait and narrow path and avoid getting stuck?

Is the load I am carrying creating sufficient spiritual traction so I ultimately can return home to Heavenly Father?”

Carrying loads does not mean that we cannot have happiness. It just is necessary in the plan of happiness. Each of our loads need to generate spiritual traction and that is through Jesus Christ. When we make and keep covenants it yokes us to and with Jesus Christ.

The Savior said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Elder Bednar said, "We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help. Through the Savior’s Atonement we can receive capacity and “strength beyond [our] own” (“Lord, I Would Follow Thee,” Hymns, no. 220). As the Lord declared, “Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end” (D&C 100:12). "

Elder Bednar also said, "The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah (see 2 Nephi 2:8). I testify and promise the Savior will help us to bear up our burdens with ease (see Mosiah 24:15). As we are yoked with Him through sacred covenants and receive the enabling power of His Atonement in our lives, we increasingly will seek to understand and live according to His will. We also will pray for the strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14). We will be blessed with spiritual traction."