Faith
Lesson Review:"Strengthening and bearing your testimony."
Presidency Message
Doctrine:
A testimony is sure knowledge received from the Holy Ghost that"
- Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
- Joseph Smith is the prophet through whom God restored the gospel.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church and is led by prophets today.
Invitation to Action:
From President Uchtorf in his talk, "Receiving a Testiomony of Light and Truth" from the Oct. 2014 conference:
"My dear friends, here is a fairly straightforward experiment, with a guarantee from God, found in a book of ancient scripture available to every man, woman, and child willing to put it to the test:
First, you must search the word of God. That means reading the scriptures and studying the words of the ancient as well as modern prophets regarding the restored gospel of Jesus Christ—not with an intent to doubt or criticize but with a sincere desire to discover truth. Ponder upon the things you will feel, and prepare your minds to receive the truth. “Even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you … that ye can give place for [the word of God].”
Second, you must consider, ponder, fearlessly strive to believe, and be grateful for how merciful the Lord has been to His children from the time of Adam to our day by providing prophets, seers, and revelators to lead His Church and help us find the way back to Him.
Third, you must ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unto you. Ask with a sincere heart and with real intent, having faith in Christ.
There is also a fourth step, given to us by the Savior: “If any man will do [God’s] will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” In other words, when you are trying to verify the truth of gospel principles, you must first live them. Put gospel doctrine and Church teachings to the test in your own life. Do it with real intent and enduring faith in God.
If you will do these things, you have a promise from God—who is bound by His word—that He will manifest the truth to you by the power of the Holy Ghost. He will grant you greater light that will allow you to look through the darkness and witness unimaginably glorious vistas incomprehensible to mortal sight."
Promised Blessings:
Let us acknowledge that most often gaining a testimony is not a task of a minute, an hour, or a day. It is not once and done. The process of gathering spiritual light is the quest of a lifetime.
Your testimony of the living Son of God and His restored Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, may not come as quickly as you desire, but I promise you this: if you do your part, it will come. And it will be glorious.
I offer you my personal witness that spiritual truth will fill your heart and bring light to your spirit. It will reveal to you pure intelligence with wonderful joy and heavenly peace. I have experienced this for myself by the power of the Holy Ghost.
As the ancient scriptures promise, the unspeakable presence of the Spirit of God will cause you to sing the song of redeeming love, lift your eyes to heaven, and raise your voice in praise to the Most High God, your Refuge, your Hope, your Protector, your Father. The Savior promised that if you seek, you will find.
I testify that this is true. If you seek God’s truth, that which now may appear dim, out of focus, and distant will gradually be revealed and clarified and become close to your heart by the light of God’s grace. Glorious spiritual vistas, unimaginable to the human eye, will be revealed to you.
It is my testimony that this spiritual light is within the reach of every child of God. It will enlighten your mind and bring healing to your heart and joy to your days. My dear friends, please do not delay the moment to seek and strengthen your own personal testimony of God’s divine work, even the work of light and truth.
Your personal testimony of light and truth will not only bless you and your posterity here in mortality, but it will also accompany you throughout all eternity, among worlds without end. Of this I testify and leave you my blessing in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. - President Uchtodolf
Read or Listen to President Uchtodolf's talk here:
FAMILY
Happiness in Family Life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
RELIEF
What is the purpose of visiting teaching?
Below is how the handbook defines a visiting teacher
Visiting teaching gives women the opportunity to watch over, strengthen, and teach one another.
Visiting teachers sincerely come to know and love each sister, help her strengthen her faith, and give service. … Taking into account each sister’s individual needs and circumstances, visiting teachers have regular contact (monthly if possible) with those they are assigned. When a personal visit is not possible, visiting teachers may use phone calls, letters, e-mail, or other means to watch over and strengthen sisters.
When appropriate, visiting teachers share a gospel message. See the current Visiting Teaching message.
Visiting teachers give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.
Visiting teachers have important responsibilities to establish friendships with new members.
Visiting teachers and other members may attend the [Gospel Principles] class to provide fellowship [for new members or investigators].
Ask yourself: Do I understand the importance of visiting teaching? Make a list of goals that will help you serve your sisters better.
Please make sure to share January's Visiting Teaching Message with your sisters!
Sweeping the Earth As If a Flood:
Sharing the gospel should be a natural part of life as a Latter-day Saint. As the Church grows, more and more people will ask questions, and it will be easier to respond with confidence if we pay attention to some basic principles.
One of those principles, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches, is that the gift of discernment operates best when we are listening. So while talking about the Church, remember that it may help to ask clarifying questions and to do as much listening as we do talking. With that principle in mind, here are seven simple suggestions for sharing the gospel:
1. LIVE YOUR
RELIGION. A Latter-day Saint’s life is his or her best sermon. Our
conversations ought to be open, genuine, and engaged in with a spirit of
kindness. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are most believable when our actions
are in harmony with our beliefs.
2. ESTABLISH
A FOUNDATION. Rather than responding to random questions, it might be helpful
to establish a foundation—explain that we embrace Jesus Christ as our Savior
and accept the Bible’s teachings, but believe that the Christian world departed
from basic truths, and so Christ needed to restore His Church.
3. CONNECT
THE DOTS. Try to discern the gospel principle at the heart of a question,
and connect the answer back to the Savior. We do not need complicated,
sophisticated arguments when the principles we try to live by come from the Son
of God.
4. SHARE
EXPERIENCES. Answering questions is not about reciting memorized answers.
Sharing genuine, personal experiences can invite the Spirit to bear witness and
carry the message into the listener’s heart.
5. .
UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE. The same conversation isn’t going to work for everyone—we all
have different backgrounds. And remember that a casual question doesn’t require
a half-hour lecture as a reply. Be sensitive to interest, comfort, and level of
understanding. Signal that sensitivity so that those who are curious can feel
at ease.
6. USE
RESOURCES. The Church has created online resources that can be helpful for
members to share with those who have questions. Church magazines are available
online and in print, and items available at distribution
centers may be helpful. Sharing a copy of the Book of Mormon may also be
appropriate. You can also create an online
profile on Mormon.org.
7.
BE A FORCE FOR GOOD. Members of the Church can
help clear up misconceptions and increase understanding of who we are and what
we believe. People may see differences between what they believe and what
Latter-day Saints believe, but they may also find common ground on which to
build better relationships.
Relief Society Announcements:
Lesson Schedule for January:January 4th - President's Instruction
January 11th - Ezra Taft Benson #1 - "The Great Commandment" - Love the Lord
January 18th - Ezra Taft Benson #2 - "Pray Always"
January 25th - Teachings For Our Time - "Joseph Smith" by Elder Neil L. Anderson - November General Conference
2015 Relief Society Curriculum:
Teachings of President's of the Church - Ezra Taft Benson
Recipes on the blog:
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
