"The Sabbath is a Delight"
April 2015 Conference Talk by Russell M Nelson
Doctrine:
Though the doctrine pertaining to the Sabbath day is of ancient origin, it has been renewed in these latter days as part of a new covenant with a promise. Listen to the power of this divine decree:
“That thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
“For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High. …
“And on this day … let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, … that thy joy may be full. …"
Invitation to Action:
How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?
The Sabbath provides a wonderful opportunity to strengthen family ties. After all, God wants each of us, as His children, to return to Him as endowed Saints, sealed in the temple as families, to our ancestors, and to our posterity.
We make the Sabbath a delight when we teach the gospel to our children. Our responsibility as parents is abundantly clear. The Lord said, “Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion … that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.”
In addition to time with family, you can experience true delight on the Sabbath from family history work. Searching for and finding family members who have preceded you on earth—those who did not have an opportunity to accept the gospel while here—can bring immense joy.
Make the Sabbath a delight by rendering service to others, especially those who are not feeling well or those who are lonely or in need. Lifting their spirits will lift yours as well.
Not pursuing your “own pleasure” on the Sabbath requires self-discipline. You may have to deny yourself of something you might like. If you choose to delight yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any other day. Routine and recreational activities can be done some other time.
“And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, … the fulness of the earth is yours.”
Read, study, or listen to the entire talk here:
FAMILY
Sister Chery Esplin started off April's conference with her talk, "Filling Our Homes with Light and Truth." She had a fun demonstration using pop cans that helped teach this gospel topic.
When filled with the Spirit and with gospel truth, we have the power to withstand the outside forces of the world that surround and push against us. However, if we are not filled spiritually, we don’t have the inner strength to resist the outside pressures and can collapse when forces push against us.
Satan knows that in order for us and our families to withstand the pressures of the world, we must be filled with light and gospel truth. So he does everything in his power to dilute, distort, and destroy the truth of the gospel and to keep us separated from that truth.
Many of us have been baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose role it is to reveal and teach the truth of all things.2 With the privilege of that gift comes the responsibility to seek truth, to live the truth we know, and to share and defend the truth.
Strong eternal families and Spirit-filled homes do not just happen. They take great effort, they take time, and they take each member of the family doing his or her part. Every home is different, but every home where even one individual seeks for truth can make a difference.
We are continually counseled to increase our spiritual knowledge through prayer and through studying and pondering the scriptures and the words of the living prophets.
Read or listen to her entire talk here:
RELIEF
This coming Sunday will be our Visiting Teaching Conference. We have been invited to watch the following videos in preparation for the topics to be presented:
Making Families Stronger: (1:50)
Focusing On Others: (1:31)
Questions To Ponder: (2:01)
There are occasionally good works that take place in our community that we would like to make you aware of! Sister Dana Rae Bennett is heading up a fundraiser to help raise funds to purchase a needed handicapped van for Graycee Roberts. Upcoming events include a garage sale on June 13th and a 5K Pancake Breakfast and Auction on June 27th. If you are interested in helping, please contact Dana Rae @ 351-7083. There is also a Facebook page set up for Graycee called, "Driving Miss Graycee": www.facebook.com/drivingmissgraycee. Updates will be posted on this page of fundraising efforts and details, times, and dates of each one.
SWEEPING THE EARTH AS IF A FLOOD:
"Imagine what we can do in the world if we all join together, united as followers of Christ. Simple daily acts of service...when considered collectively...will sweeten and nourish the world with the life sustaining nectar of faith, hope and charity."
-Elder Russell Ballard
Relief Society Announcements:
Lesson Schedule:
May 31st – Visiting Teaching Conference
June 7th - Ezra Taft Benson #11 - “Follow The Living Prophet”
June 14th - Ward Conference
June 21st - Ezra Taft Benson #12 - “Seek the Spirit in All You Do”
June 28th - Teachings For Our Time
If you have a recipe you would like to share send them to: drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083. We would love to have your favorite holiday recipes!
Visit the ward recipe blog: www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com
Visit the Relief Society blog: www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com
Visit the Relief Society blog: www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com
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