FAITH
This week we had our Regional Conference Broadcast. The meeting was fabulous but I was particularly inspired by a talk given by Elder Brent H. Nielsen. He talked about "Becoming." I didn't take very good notes but I did find another talk given by Elder Dallin Oaks that shared a similar message.
"The Challenge to Become" - Oct. 2000 General Conference
Doctrine:
The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and teachers were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). This process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.
The gospel challenges us to be “converted,” which requires us to do and to become. If any of us relies solely upon our knowledge and testimony of the gospel, we are in the same position as the blessed but still unfinished Apostles whom Jesus challenged to be “converted.”
The needed conversion by the gospel begins with the introductory experience the scriptures call being “born again” (e.g., Mosiah 27:25; Alma 5:49; John 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:23). In the waters of baptism and by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, we become the spiritual “sons and daughters” of Jesus Christ, “new creatures” who can “inherit the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 27:25–26).
In teaching the Nephites, the Savior referred to what they must become. He challenged them to repent and be baptized and be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, “that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day” (3 Ne. 27:20). He concluded: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Ne. 27:27).
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God are supposed to become. This spotless and perfected state will result from a steady succession of covenants, ordinances, and actions, an accumulation of right choices, and from continuing repentance. “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32).
How can we measure our progress? The scriptures suggest various ways. I will mention only two.
After King Benjamin’s great sermon, many of his hearers cried out that the Spirit of the Lord “has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). If we are losing our desire to do evil, we are progressing toward our heavenly goal.
The Apostle Paul said that persons who have received the Spirit of God “have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). I understand this to mean that persons who are proceeding toward the needed conversion are beginning to see things as our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, see them. They are hearing His voice instead of the voice of the world, and they are doing things in His way instead of by the ways of the world.
Read or Listen to the entire lesson here:
FAMILY
One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.
"For Peace At Home," by Richard G Scott was a great talk! This address was given in the April 2013 General Conference. Below are a few of the quotes from his talk.
"Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures.
The ideal place for that peace is within the walls of our own homes, where we have done all we can to make the Lord Jesus Christ the centerpiece.
Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home, and it is felt by all who dwell there.
I’m sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much-needed peace and refuge from the world.
Be obedient to the prophetic teachings Christ would have you follow. Don’t rationalize away future happiness by taking shortcuts instead of applying sound gospel principles. Remember: little things lead to big things. Seemingly insignificant indiscretions or neglect can lead to big problems. More importantly, simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings."
Read or listen to the entire talk here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng
RELIEF
Happy Birthday to the Relief Society This Month!
Relief Society Purposes are to: Increase Faith and Personal Righteousness, Strengthen Families and Homes and Seek Out and Help Those in Need.
In the first meeting of the Relief Society, Sister Emma Smith said, “We are going to do something extraordinary.” In that era, it was a popular practice for women to form their own organizations, often with constitutions and bylaws—sets of rules to govern the organizations. The women who met at Sarah Kimball's home decided to establish a constitution and bylaws, and Eliza R. Snow accepted the responsibility to write them. Then the women asked Joseph Smith to review them and give his opinion. . . .” of them. After the Prophet reviewed them he said, 'this is not what you want. Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord and he has something better for them than a constitution.
Early in the meeting, he told the sisters that they were to “encourage the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor—searching after objects of charity and in administering to their wants—to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community.”
Joseph Smith's wife, Emma, was chosen to serve as President of the new society.''
Rather than pattern a Latter-day Saint women's organization after the women's societies that were prevalent and popular at that time the Prophet Joseph Smith organized them in a divinely inspired manner.
“The Relief Society was established by the spirit of inspiration, and has been guided by that spirit ever since, and has instilled into the hearts of countless sisters those desires for righteousness which have been pleasing to the Lord.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1970, 884.)
(Taken from Daughters in My Kingdom)
Sister Neill F. Marriott also gave a great talk in our Regional Conference last Sunday. She suggested a few questions we could ask ourselves each day as we are thinking about ways we can show charity and serve those around us.
1. Who has God given you to love?
2. Who could benefit from your charity?
3. What could you do each day to show service? (This could be in your family)
SWEEPING THE EARTH AS IF A FLOOD:
Have you registered onto Mormon.org? It's a fun, easy, and effective way to share the gospel! Here are the instructions to get started:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a community of millions. And you are an important part of that community. Let your voice be heard by creating a profile on mormon.org that shares your feelings about the gospel in your life.
What Is a Profile?
A profile is your opportunity to share your beliefs and experiences in the gospel with those who are not of our faith. Our profile creation wizard will walk you through the steps of creating your own page, uploading your photo, writing about yourself, and answering questions about the gospel that will help others better understand our beliefs.
Why Should I Create a Profile?
Mormon.org is a missionary site intended to provide information about our faith. By creating a profile, you can share your feelings about our faith, shed light on who we are as a people, and demystify our most commonly misunderstood beliefs. Mormon.org is not a social media site.
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, you will need to create an LDS Account by registering here with your Membership Record Number (available on your temple recommend or through your ward clerk). Register or sign in below.
https://mormonorg.lds.org/profile/terms?lang=eng
Relief Society Announcements:
If you missed the Women of Christ's Fireside put on by the stake Sunday you can visit their blog: http://womenofchristfireside.blogspot.com/ to see the handouts and other resources used in the breakout classes.
Congratulations to the Milwards on the birth of their baby. I will try to have a picture by next week.
Lesson Schedule for March:
March 1st- General Area Broadcast (see announcements)
March 8th- Ezra Taft Benson - Chapter 5
March 15th - Ezra Taft Benson - Chapter 6
March 22nd - Teachings For Our Time
March 29th - Bishop's Choice
March 8th- Ezra Taft Benson - Chapter 5
March 15th - Ezra Taft Benson - Chapter 6
March 22nd - Teachings For Our Time
March 29th - Bishop's Choice
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
Visit the Relief Society blog: www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com
Visit the Relief Society blog: www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com
