Smile!

Just some mid week pick me ups!

Be Strong and Be of Good Courage

Opening Hymn 309
Conference Talk: Be Strong and Be of Good Courage

I absolutely loved this conference talk. This is great for you, me, and everyone in between.

Here are some excerpts that Sis N took her lesson from today:

"We live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is flagrantly on display, and where temptations to stray from the strait and narrow path surround us. We are faced with persistent pressures and insidious influences tearing down what is decent and attempting to substitute the shallow philosophies and practices of a secular society."

This sin starts slow and softly. It is important that we viligant on what we allow in our own lives and the lives of our loved ones.

"Said President J. Reuben Clark Jr., who for many years was a member of the First Presidency: “Not unknown are cases where [those] of presumed faith … have felt that, since by affirming their full faith they might call down upon themselves the ridicule of their unbelieving colleagues, they must either modify or explain away their faith, or destructively dilute it, or even pretend to cast it away. Such are hypocrites.”¹ None of us would wish to wear such a label, and yet are we reluctant to declare our faith in some circumstances?"

"I recall reading some time ago the counsel a father gave to his son when he went away to school: “If you ever find yourself where you shouldn’t ought to be, get out!” I offer to each of you the same advice: “If you ever find yourself where you shouldn’t ought to be, get out!”

She said that we count on the Holy Ghost to dwell with us. That is why it is important to stay out of places that will hinder the Spirit. 

 

"The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. Every day of our lives courage is needed—not just for the momentous events but more often as we make decisions or respond to circumstances around us. Said Scottish poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson: “Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name.”

 

"Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.”I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular."

Sis N said, "The quiet little things we do to be honest, humble, and prayerful are the most important. It takes inner courage to do the right thing when no one is looking. It is okay to risk being unpopular. "

"Brethren, are you the same person wherever you are and whatever you are doing—the person our Heavenly Father wants you to be and the person you know you should be?"

"In an interview published in a national magazine, well-known American NCAA basketball player Jabari Parker, a member of the Church, was asked to share the best advice he had received from his father. Replied Jabari, “[My father] said, Just be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light.”Important advice, brethren, for all of us."

Throughout his life, the Prophet Joseph Smith provided countless examples of courage. One of the most dramatic occurred as he and other brethren were chained together—imagine, chained together—and held in an unfinished cabin next to the courthouse in Richmond, Missouri. Parley P. Pratt, who was among those held captive, wrote of one particular night: “We had lain as if in sleep till the hour of midnight had passed, and our ears and hearts had been pained, while we had listened for hours to the obscene jests, the horrid oaths, the dreadful blasphemies and filthy language of our guards.”

Continued Elder Pratt:

“I had listened till I became so disgusted, shocked, horrified, and so filled with the spirit of indignant justice that I could scarcely refrain from rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards; but [I] had said nothing to Joseph, or any one else, although I lay next to him and knew he was awake. On a sudden he arose to his feet, and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roaring lion, uttering, as near as I can recollect, the following words:

“‘SILENCE. … In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS INSTANT!’”

Joseph “stood erect in terrible majesty,” as described by Elder Pratt. He was chained, without a weapon, and yet he was calm and dignified. He looked down upon the quailing guards, who were shrinking into a corner or crouching at his feet. These seemingly incorrigible men begged his pardon and remained quiet.⁹

Not all acts of courage bring such spectacular or immediate results, and yet all of them do bring peace of mind and a knowledge that right and truth have been defended."

In closing, Sis N said, "It will become easier down the road to stand up for the right."

The scripture from the book of Joshua says, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. …“… Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Closing Hymn 136

Joy in the Journey

Thank you to all the wonderful women who made our retreat possible! I hope we can all remember to find Joy in the Journey, no matter where we are on the path.

We had a fabulous dinner, thank you sisters for bringing your delicious rolls and breads for us to eat!

Brother Perrenoud gave a fabulous talk to us and Sister Williams sang like an angel.

 We missed those sisters who were not able to be with us and hope you can come next time.

In the World but not of the World

Lesson 19, In the World but not of the World


“While we are in the world, we are not of the world. We are expected to overcome the world and to live as becometh saints.”

On December 29, 1944, President Joseph Fielding Smith’s son Lewis died while serving in the United States Army. Despite the grief President Smith experienced, he was comforted by the memory of Lewis’s good life. “If Lewis ever did or said a mean thing I never heard of it,” President Smith wrote in his journal. “His thoughts were pure as were his actions. … As severe as the blow is we have the peace and happiness of knowing that he was clean and free from the vices so prevalent in the world and found in the army. He was true to his faith and is worthy of a glorious resurrection, when we shall be reunited again.”

About 11 years later, President Joseph Fielding Smith and his wife Jessie saw similar characteristics in other military personnel. They toured the Church’s missions in east Asia and also visited Latter-day Saints from the United States who were serving in the military. President and Sister Smith were impressed with these young men, who, in spite of the temptations of the world, lived good, clean lives. In the October 1955 general conference, President Smith reported:

“You fathers and mothers who have sons serving in the forces, be proud of them. They are fine young men. Some of our servicemen are converts, who have been brought into the Church by the teachings, by precept and by example—principally by example by the members of the Church who are also serving with them in the forces.

“I met a number of young men who said, ‘We came in the Church because of the lives of these young men and because they taught us the principles of the gospel.’

“They are doing a good work. There might be one or two that may be careless, but those young men with whom I had the privilege of meeting, talking to, would bear their testimony of the truth and were walking humbly.

“And as I met with the officers and chaplains … , universally they said, ‘We like your young men. They are clean. They are dependable.’”²

President Smith admonished members of the Church to be—like these young servicemen—“different from the rest of the world.”

 

The Lord expects us to forsake the evils of the world and live as becometh Saints.

 Keeping the Sabbath day holy.

Obeying the Word of Wisdom

Respecting the name of Deity

Dressing modestly and keeping the law of chastity

 



The blessings promised to the faithful are far greater than the temporary pleasures of the world.

 

As we put God’s kingdom first in our lives, we act as lights to the world and set an example for others to follow.

 

 

 

 



Lesson 18: Living by Every Word That Proceeds from the Mouth of God

Announcements

Relief Society Retreat

Wednesday, October 22nd from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the church

Dinner will be served

Babysitting (on your own)..double check though. :)

Food storage ingredient of the month: Baking Supplies

Lesson 18: Living by Every Word That Proceeds from the Mouth of God

Opening Song: 72

Lesson 18

From the manual, it says, "“I am seeking after my salvation,” President Joseph Fielding Smith declared, “and I know that I can find it only in obedience to the laws of the Lord in keeping the commandments, in performing works of righteousness, following in the footsteps of our file leader, Jesus, the exemplar and the head of all."

First, God's law was given to us. It is important to make Him apart of our daily lives. In the manual, it says " It should be conceded by all people that since the Almighty governs the entire universe by immutable law, man, who is the greatest of all his creations, must himself be subject to such law. The Lord has stated this truth tersely and convincingly in a revelation to the Church:

“All kingdoms have a law given;

“And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.

“And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.

“All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.” (D&C 88:36–39.)

This truth is self-evident. Thus, it is only reasonable that we should expect the kingdom of God to be governed by law and all who desire to enter there to be subject to the law. “Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.” (D&C 132:8.)

Next it is important keep the commandments. It is how we show love to our Lord. This is the law to members of the Church, in the words of the Savior: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. …” (John 14:21.) Again, the Savior said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) …

If we turn from the commandments, we cannot expect to receive his blessings. Women are already so hard on themselves. Let’s express this same idea as a positive. If we turn towards the Lord’s commandments, we can expect to receive His blessings. Then, it was discussed: "We cannot pray to the Lord and say: “Listen to our cause, bring victory to us, do what we want you to do, but don’t ask us to do what you want us to do." "If we want exaltation, if we want the place which the Lord has prepared for those who are just and true, then we must be willing to walk in the full light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and keep all the commandments. We cannot say that some of them are small and insignificant and therefore the Lord will not care if we violate them. We are commanded to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

   

^{When we keep the commandments, we are on the road to perfection.} 

A sister offered a conference talk that touched her deeply. Here is a link to Edler Klebingat's talk. In the manual, it says. " But here we lay the foundation. Here is where we are taught these simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in this probationary state, to prepare us for that perfection. It is my duty, it is yours, to be better today than I was yesterday, and for you to be better today than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow than you were today. Why? Because we are on that road, if we are keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are on that road to perfection, and that can only come through obedience and the desire in our hearts to overcome the world. …

… If we have a failing, if we have a weakness, there is where we should concentrate, with a desire to overcome, until we master and conquer. If a man feels that it is hard for him to pay his tithing, then that is the thing he should do, until he learns to pay his tithing. If it is the Word of Wisdom, that is what he should do, until he learns to love that commandment."

Time ran out. I encourage you to read the lesson! :) 

 

Closing Song: 303

General Conference Continued

General Conference

Were you spiritually fed this weekend at Conference? I hope so. What talk was meant for just you? Which speaker answered your prayers? Feel free to leave a comment telling us what talk hit you like a breathe of fresh air!

Relief Society Retreat

What: Relief Society Retreat

When: October 22nd 6:30

Where: The church house

Why: A chance to get away and spend time with the ladies of the ward AND eat yummy food!!

 

Come and get to know the sisters of the ward at this fun night.