FAITH
"Filling Our Homes With Light and Truth"
Cheryl Esplin - April Conference 2015
Doctrine:
In order for us and our families to withstand the pressures of the world, we must be filled with light and gospel truth.
One place where we best seek to be filled with light and truth is in our own homes. The words in the chorus of the song we heard remind us, “God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be.” Families are the Lord’s workshop on earth to help us learn and live the gospel. We come into our families with a sacred duty to help strengthen each other spiritually.
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.
Invitation to Action:
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. In his general conference talk about receiving a testimony of light and truth, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:
“The Everlasting and Almighty God … will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent.
“He will speak to them in dreams, visions, thoughts, and feelings.”
President Uchtdorf continued: “God cares about you. He will listen, and He will answer your personal questions. The answers to your prayers will come in His own way and in His own time, and therefore, you need to learn to listen to His voice."
I leave you with my testimony that I know as we fill our hearts and homes with the Savior’s light and truth, we will have the inner strength to withstand in every circumstance. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Read, study, or listen to the entire lesson here:
Another Great Conference talk on this subject is:
Receiving a Testimony of light and Truth by President Uchtodorf:
FAMILY
Last week I shared an article on keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. Because we continue to still be reminded of it I am going to share another article that came out in the Church News this month.
"Five Ways to Celebrate the Sabbath as a Family"
(This is just a brief overview. See article for all the ideas shared)
As individual members of the Church of Jesus Christ, it’s easy to generate a list of things we can do to keep the Sabbath day holy. It takes more creativity to think of what a family with children of different ages can do to make Sunday a special, spiritual day. Most families try and fail and try again. It’s hard. But those families that stick with it until they find their own ways to successfully celebrate the Sabbath will reap blessings of stronger family relationships, kinder communication, spiritual depth, and more family fun.
Here are five principles, with numerous practical applications, that might help families make Sunday sacred in their homes:
1. Worship together as a family.
Along with attending church meetings together, there are many ways a family can make the Sabbath a day of worship.
Along with attending church meetings together, there are many ways a family can make the Sabbath a day of worship.
- Get to bed early on Saturday night.
- Pray and read together
- Give priesthood blessings.
- Fast as a family.
- Proclaim the gospel.
- Redeem the dead
- Don't take a vacation from the Sabbath
2. Make the Sabbath different.
As a day of worship, Sunday should feel distinct from other days of the week. By carefully controlling the home atmosphere, families can help create and maintain reverence throughout the day.
- Sunday should look different.
- Sunday should sound different.
- Sunday should feel different.
- Sunday may not be the best day for children to play with friends.
- Sunday should taste different.
3. Build family relationships.
Because family members spend time together Sunday, it is a good time for them to get to know each other better and strengthen their relationships.
- Celebrate marriage.
- Create a shared family history.
- Read and walk together.
4. Plan for family happiness.
Sunday is a great day to serve others as a family. By opening your home and by looking for opportunities in your community, you can find many ways to experience the joys of service on this day.
- Set couple and family goals.
- Hold family councils.
5. Serve Others
Sunday is a great day to serve others as a family. By opening your home and by looking for opportunities in your community, you can find many ways to experience the joys of service on this day.
- Perform Family Service
As this compilation of ideas and practices illustrates, there are as many ways to successfully celebrate the Sabbath as a family as there are families. It’s not easy, but through persistence families can discover practices that are both fun and meaningful for all family members. And keeping the Sabbath day holy as a family will not only invite the Spirit but will improve communication among family members, increase love and kindness within marriage, and strengthen all family relationships. It’s worth the effort.
Make sure to read the article here:
https://www.lds.org/church/news/five-ways-to-celebrate-the-sabbath-as-a-family?cid=HP_WE_7-22-2015_dOCS_fBYU_xLIDyL2-3_&lang=eng
RELIEF
Have you done your visiting teaching for July? There is a great message on being more forgiving and merciful. It's a message we all need to be reminded of.
*Please remember to pray for the sisters you visit teach and their families.
SWEEPING THE EARTH AS IF A FLOOD
President Thomas S. Monson, “Come, All Ye Sons of God,” Liahona, May 2013
“Missionary work is an identifying feature of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Always has it been; ever shall it be. As the Prophet Joseph Smith declared, 'After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.' ”
Elder Neil L. Andersen, “It’s a Miracle,” Liahona, May 2013
“If you’re not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart—painted, as Paul said, 'not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.' ...
“Our desire to share the gospel takes all of us to our knees, and it should, because we need the Lord’s help.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Catch the Wave,” Liahona, May 2013
“Together, members and missionaries invite all to learn of God, of Jesus Christ, and of His gospel. Each inquiring individual should seek earnestly and pray fervently for the assurance that these things are true. The truth will be manifest by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Word for the Hesitant Missionary,” Liahona, Feb. 2013
“My dear friends, today there are more ways than ever for us to open our mouths and share with others the joyful news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a way for everyone—even the hesitant missionary—to participate in this great work.
“ 'Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work' (D&C 4:3).”
Elder Clayton M. Christensen, “Seven Lessons on Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Feb. 2005
“The ability to share the gospel isn’t a 'gift' that has been given to only a few Latter-day Saints and denied to the rest. We have concluded from our own experiences and from watching others that finding people for the missionaries to teach can be easy and natural for all of us—if we go about it the Lord’s way.”
President Ezra Taft Benson, “Keys to Successful Member-Missionary Work,” Ensign, Sept. 1990
“Our work will be light and easy to bear if we will depend on the Lord and work.
“Don’t worry about being successful. We are going to be successful—there is no doubt about it. The Lord has sent us to earth at the time of harvest. He does not expect us to fail. He has called no one to this work to fail. He expects us to succeed.”
Relief Society Announcements:
*For our Relief Society Activity in the month of July, we invite you to choose a day to invite someone to attend the Temple with you. That may be your spouse, or a friend, your visiting teaching companion, or the sisters you visit teach. You may want to attend a session, do sealings, initiatory work, or Temple baptisms. We just invite you to make an effort to go sometime in the next month and to invite someone to go with you!
*Ward Campout - August 14th - 15th (More details to come)
*Ward Campout - August 14th - 15th (More details to come)
Calendar:
August 2nd - Presidents Instruction
August 9th - Ezra Taft Bensen lesson 15
August 16th- Ezra Taft Bensen lesson 16
August 23rd - Teaching For Our Time
August 30th - Bishops Choice
August 9th - Ezra Taft Bensen lesson 15
August 16th- Ezra Taft Bensen lesson 16
August 23rd - Teaching For Our Time
August 30th - Bishops 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
