This week we shared quotes a thoughts from, "Daughters in My Kingdom." (The history and work of the Relief Society) It was great way to end the month of the Relief's Society's birthday celebration.
Doctrine:
President Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of the Church, said, “We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future.” A study of this book can help women increase their appreciation for the past and their understanding of their spiritual heritage.
The history of Relief Society teaches the divine identity and infinite worth of daughters of God. It is a Spirit-filled story of strong, faithful, purposeful women who have served with little public recognition. Through a study of this history, Latter-day Saints can see that our Heavenly Father knows His daughters, that He loves them, that He trusts them with sacred responsibilities, and that He guides them as they fufill those responsibilities. In their efforts, the women of the Church have united with men who hold the priesthood to build God’s kingdom on the earth and strengthen the homes of Zion.
Joseph Smith taught Relief Society sisters of their nobility as daughters of God, helping them understand that God loved them and had grand purposes for them to fulfill. Women in the Church play essential roles in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation—just as important as the roles played by men who hold the priesthood. The Lord has endowed women with an innate desire to serve and bless others, and He has entrusted them with a sacred responsibility to use their gifts to help save His children.
Women sometimes forget their true nobility and give in to the diversions and temptations of the world. Concerned about this trend, Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, the thirteenth Relief Society general president, and her counselors, Sisters Virginia U. Jensen and Sheri L. Dew, felt a need to help the women of the Church remember their identity. In a general Relief Society meeting, they expressed what it means to be daughters of God:
“We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:
“Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.
“Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
“Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.
“Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.
“Delight in service and good works.
“Love life and learning.
“Stand for truth and righteousness.
“Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.
“Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.”
"I have been quoted as saying, 'Do the best you can.' But I want to emphasize that it be the very best. We are too prone to be satisfied with mediocre performance. We are capable of doing so much better." - Gordon B Hinckley (Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan 10, 2004)
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We believe in and are counting on your goodness and your strength, your propensity for virtue and valor, your kindness and courage, your strength and resilience. We believe in your mission as women of God. … We believe that the Church simply will not accomplish what it must without your faith and faithfulness, your innate tendency to put the well-being of others ahead of your own, and your spiritual strength and tenacity. And we believe that God’s plan is for you to become queens and to receive the highest blessings any woman can receive in time or eternity.”
As women live up to their privilege and potential as daughters of God, they prepare themselves for the blessing of eternal life. This is the glorious destiny God has in store for His faithful daughters.
Read, study, and learn more about the Relief Society in the "Daughters of Our Kingdom Book." Visit the website for some wonderful quotes and inspiring videos.
One of my favorite video's is found here:
"A Righteous Women"
FAMILY
Did you miss the General Women's Broadcast last Saturday? The messages given were all about the family. Each talk was wonderful and very inspiring! Here is a brief summary of the speakers topics:
Our Homes with Light and Truth
Cheryl A. EsplinSecond Counselor in the Primary General Presidency 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.
Daughters of God
Carole M. Stephens
First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency We each belong to and are needed in the family of God. Earthly families all look different. And while we do the best we can to create strong traditional families, membership in the family of God is not contingent upon any kind of status—marital status, parental status, financial status, social status, or even the kind of status we post on social media. …
Defenders of the Proclamation
Bonnie L. Oscarson
Young Women General President There are three principles taught in the [family] proclamation which I think are especially in need of steadfast defenders. The first is marriage between a man and a woman. The next principle which calls for our defending voices is elevating the divine roles of mothers and fathers. The last principle we need to stand and defend is the sanctity of the home.
The Comforter
Henry B. Eyring
First Counselor in the First Presidency Many are praying to Heavenly Father for relief, for help in carrying their burdens of grief, loneliness, and fear. Heavenly Father hears those prayers and understands their needs. He and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Jesus Christ, have promised help [see Matthew 11:28–30].
Listen or read the talks here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SA_3-28-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng
Make sure you listen to the music here too!
RELIEF
"Charity Never Faileth" - Daughters of My Kingdom Chapter 5
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
With a testimony that the Relief Society had been organized by revelation, Sister Wells and her counselors, Clarissa S. Williams and Julina L. Smith, were committed to preserving the principles upon which the society had been founded. In October 1913 they said:
“We do declare it our purpose to keep intact the original name and initial spirit and purpose of this great organization, holding fast to the inspired teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith when he revealed the plan by which women were to be empowered through the calling of the priesthood to be grouped into suitable organizations for the purpose of ministering to the sick, assisting the needy, comforting the aged, warning the unwary, and succoring the orphans.”
A few months earlier, this sense of purpose had led Sister Wells and her counselors to establish a motto that would become a constant reminder of the organization’s founding principles and inspired origins. They chose a scriptural declaration: “Charity never faileth.” These three words embraced the charge that the Prophet Joseph Smith had given the Relief Society sisters: to “relieve the poor” and to “save souls.”
Another great video to watch is, "Seek Out and Help Those in Need"
SWEEPING THE EARTH AS IF A FLOOD:
This week is a perfect time to invite your friends and family to hear messages of the Savior as we celebrate Easter. There are many people who need to know they have a Savior, that there was an atonement, and that they can be happy again because they can be forgiven and live with our Heavenly Father again.
Here is a great video to share on Facebook, Instagram, through email, on google, ect.
Celebrate Easter Because Jesus Christ Lives
http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_
See and easily share this video and other Easter videos by visiting: http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_
We also have a great opportunity with conference coming up. Make sure you are inviting those around you to watch and/or listen.
Here is a great video to share on Facebook, Instagram, through email, on google, ect.
Celebrate Easter Because Jesus Christ Lives
http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_
See and easily share this video and other Easter videos by visiting: http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_
We also have a great opportunity with conference coming up. Make sure you are inviting those around you to watch and/or listen.
Those of other faiths are welcome to participate in general conference sessions. Members may invite them using the Facebook event or by changing their cover image. Visit lds.org to get your facebook image: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/invite-others?lang=eng
A FUN video for you to view and/or share is:
General Conference Makes Me Happy
Relief Society Announcements:
Our next Relief Society activity will be attending the production of the "Women at the Well." This is a musical production recounting the experiences of may of the women who knew the Savior. It will be held on Thursday, April 2nd at the Old Burton Church (West Burton Building) at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments ill be served. The music and messages are inspiring.
Lesson Schedule for March / April
April 4 - 5th - General Conference
Recipes on the blog:
April 12th - Ezra Taft Benson #7 - Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord
April 19th - Ezra Taft Benson #8 - The Power of the Word
April 25th - 26th - Stake Conference
We have had more precious and cute babies born in the ward recently.
Congratulations to their families!
Colter Millward
Born: February 17th
6 lbs -19 inches
Ainsley Ann Wolford
Born: March 10th
7 lbs 4 oz - 20.5 inches
Lucy Carma Hurd
Born 2/23
6 lbs 14 oz - 20 inches
Also, Congratulations to our recently engaged sisters in the ward! They will make beautiful brides!
Jennah Coray is getting married July 11th
Sarah Powell is getting married June 19th
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
