"The Elderly in the Church"
Ezra Taft Benson - Lesson 16
Doctrine:
The Lord knows and loves the elderly among His people. It has always been so, and upon them He has bestowed many of His greatest responsibilities. In various dispensations He has guided His people through prophets who were in their advancing years. He has needed the wisdom and experience of age, the inspired direction from those with long years of proven faithfulness to His gospel.
Our desires are that your golden years will be wonderful and rewarding. We pray that you will feel the joy of a life well spent and one filled with fond memories and even greater expectations through Christ’s atonement. We hope you will feel of the peace the Lord promised those who continue to strive to keep His commandments and follow His example. We hope your days are filled with things to do and ways in which you can render service to others who are not as fortunate as you. Older almost always means better, for your wealth of wisdom and experience can continue to expand and increase as you reach out to others.
We can make the most of our senior years.
May we suggest eight areas in which we can make the most of our senior years:
1. Work in the temple and attend often.
2. Collect and write family histories.
3. Become involved in missionary service.
4. Provide leadership by building family togetherness.
5. Accept and fulfill Church callings.
6. Plan for your financial future.
7. Render Christlike service.
8. Stay physically fit, healthy, and active.
It is important that families give their elderly parents and grandparents the love, care, and respect they deserve.
Let us remember the scriptural command that we must care for those of our own house lest we be found “worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). I am so grateful for my own dear family and for the loving care they have given their parents over so many years.
Furthermore, our parents deserve our honor and respect for giving us life itself. Beyond this they almost always made countless sacrifices as they cared for and nurtured us through our infancy and childhood, provided us with the necessities of life, and nursed us through physical illnesses and the emotional stresses of growing up. In many instances, they provided us with the opportunity to receive an education, and, in a measure, they educated us. Much of what we know and do we learned from their example. May we ever be grateful to them and show that gratitude.
I leave you my testimony of the joy of living—of the joys of full gospel living and of going through the Refiner’s fire and the sanctification process that takes place. As the Apostle Paul so well said, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).
I leave my blessing upon you. The Savior lives. This is His church. The work is true, and in the words of our Lord and Savior, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life” (3 Nephi 15:9).
Read, study, or listen to the entire lesson here:
FAMILY
In April 2013 conference, Elder Richard G. Scott said that not only parents but also children have an important role in strengthening the family and the feeling of peace at home. “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”
Read Elder Scott's talk here:
RELIEF
Visit the elderly (this could be on a special occasion or holiday however they love visitors anytime). Families could visit individuals in their homes or visit an assisted-living or retirement facility. Consider preparing a short musical presentation or talent show to share. Take each elderly person a small gift or treat, or prepare songs or games to share. If visiting a facility, get approval first. You could also turn this into a service activity in which each family member performs small acts of service or kindness for an older member of the ward.
SWEEPING THE EARTH AS IF A FLOOD:
Have you read the article on LDS.org, "Sharing the Gospel by Sharing You?" It gives some great advice on what we need to do to make sharing the gospel with others easier.
For some of us, sharing the gospel comes naturally. But for many of us, it’s not that easy. In fact, we might even be afraid of opening up to friends, family, or neighbors to talk about the gospel, even though we know how important it is to do so.
Further, sometimes when we think about missionary work, we focus too much on the method, activity, or outcome, rather than focusing on helping the individual. The problem is that any efforts that lose sight of the individual can make those efforts feel forced and insincere.
There may be a better way.
That way is to become more converted to the gospel—as individuals—and let the example of our lives and our friendly conversation open the way. The more converted we become, the more comfortable we are with our religion, and we begin to feel an increasing desire for others to enjoy the blessings of the gospel. When that happens, sharing comes more naturally.
In fact, we may not even realize we are sharing the gospel. As we increase the level of our faithful discipleship, the effect it has on our actions, speech, and even countenance will be difficult to ignore. “Your good works will be evident to others,” explains Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes. With that radiance, you had better prepare for questions."
Heavenly Father’s children need the perspective the gospel offers. For members who follow the gospel pattern, their life stands as a witness of Christ’s love. When members focus on actively becoming like Jesus Christ, building meaningful friendships, and developing charity, sharing the gospel becomes a natural outgrowth of who they have become. As they work to share who they are, members can find comfort and guidance in the Savior’s words to His disciples: “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32).
Read or listen to the article here:
Relief Society Announcements:
Lesson Schedule:
August 2nd - Presidents Instruction
August 9th - Ezra Taft Bensen lesson 15
August 16th- Ezra Taft Bensen lesson 16
August 23rd - Teaching For Our Time - "On Being Genuine" by President Uchtdorf - April 2015
August 30th - Bishops Choice
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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