Weekly Update - December 27th - January 2nd

"Be an Example and a Light"

Conference address given by Thomas S. Monson Oct. 2015

Question to ponder:  

"How can the Scripture Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven, found in Matthew 5, help you become a better person in 2016?"

Doctrine:

Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others.

Cultivating the following “attributes of a believer” will allow our lights to shine:

Be an example in word and in conversation. “Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean and avoiding words or comments that would wound or offend. May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry.”

Emulate the Savior’s example of charity.  “Throughout [the Savior’s] ministry He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own.”

Be an example in spirit. “To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill.”

Be an example of faith.  “In order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital.”

Be an example of purity.  “We need to be clean in body, mind, and spirit to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost. “Purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises.”

Invitation to Action:

To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”

Promised Blessing:

To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.

How reassuring are the Savior’s words: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Read of listen to the conference address here:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/be-an-example-and-a-light?lang=eng

Lesson Schedule:

In 2016 we will be studying the teachings of President Howard W. Hunter

January 4th - Chapter 1 - Howard Hunter

January 10th - Ward Conference

January 17th- Chapter 2 - Howard Hunter

January 24th - Teachings For Our Time

The new manual can be found here:

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-howard-w-hunter?lang=eng

Reminders:

New ward meeting time starting Sunday, January 4th is 12:00 - 3:00

Add to our collection of recipes on the ward recipe blog!

Please send your favorite recipes to drbennett1@hotmail.com 

Blog Addresses:

Recipe Blog:  burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Relief Society Blog:  www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com

Check out our Facebook page:  Burton 4th Relief Society

Weekly Update - December 21st - December 26th

FAITH

"A Christ-Centered Life"

Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24

Doctrine:

No other single influence has had so great an impact on this earth as the life of Jesus the Christ. We cannot conceive of our lives without his teachings. Without him we would be lost in a mirage of beliefs and worships, born in fear and darkness where the sensual and materialistic hold sway. We are far short of the goal he set for us, but we must never lose sight of it; nor must we forget that our great climb toward the light, toward perfection, would not be possible except for his teachings, his life, his death, and his resurrection.

… We must learn and learn again that only through accepting and living the gospel of love as taught by the Master and only through doing his will can we break the bonds of ignorance and doubt that bind us. We must learn this simple, glorious truth so that we can experience the sweet joys of the spirit now and eternally. We must lose ourselves in doing his will. We must place him first in our lives.

Invitation to Action:

The Lord asked the question of His disciples, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” He then answered His own question by saying, “Even as I am.” (3 Ne. 27:27.) To become as He is, we must have Him on our mind—constantly in our thoughts. Every time we partake of the sacrament, we commit to “always remember him.” (Moro. 4:3; 5:2; D&C 20:77, 79.)

If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, then we must think Christlike thoughts. Let me repeat that: If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, we must think Christlike thoughts.

… Our thoughts should be on the Lord. We should think on Christ.

Let our personal lives, our homes, and our work performance reflect our Christlike character. So live that others will say about you, “There is a true Christian!”

Promised Blessings:

Mormon [wrote a] letter to his beloved son, Moroni, with these words:

“My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

“And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever” (Moroni 9:25–26).

To listen to or read the lesson click here:  

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-24-a-christ-centered-life?lang=eng


Lesson Schedule

December 8th - Presidents Instruction
December 13th - Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 23
December 20th- Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24
December 27th - Teaching for our Time

Recipes on the blog:

Have you seen the new recipes on the recipe blog?  Help me add to them by sharing your favorite holiday recipes!

Please send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Visit the Relief Society blog:  www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com

Weekly Update: December 14th - December 19th

FAITH

"Strengthen Thy Stakes"

Ezra Taft  Benson Lesson 23

Doctrine:

A stake has at least four purposes:

1. Each stake, presided over by three high priests, and supported by twelve men known as a high council, becomes a miniature church to the Saints in a specific geographic area. The purpose is to unify and perfect the members who live in those boundaries by extending to them the Church programs, ordinances, and gospel instruction.

2. Members of stakes are to be models or standards of righteousness.

3. Stakes are to be a defense. The members do this as they unify under their local priesthood officers and consecrate themselves to do their duty and keep their covenants. Those covenants, if kept, become a protection from error, evil, or calamity.

We build temples only where we have stakes. The blessings and ordinances of the temple prepare one for exaltation. Of course, it is not possible for every stake to have a temple, but we are presently witnessing some remarkable, yes, miraculous developments, in the building of temples in different parts of the world. Such a program permits members of the Church to receive the full blessings of the Lord.

4. Stakes are a refuge from the storm to be poured out over the earth.

Invitation to Action:

Yet another revelation from the Lord gives this explanation of the purpose of stakes: “Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; and that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5–6.)

In this revelation is a command to let our light so shine that it becomes a standard for the nations. A standard is a rule of measure by which one determines exactness or perfection. The Saints are to be a standard of holiness for the world to see. That is the beauty of Zion.

The Lord then reveals that the stakes of Zion are to be “for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony and promotes family solidarity and individual righteousness.

Promised Blessings:

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi foresaw the day when the Saints would be scattered in stakes all over the world. He saw the time when the Lord would extend His protection to them when menaced by storms of destruction that threatened their existence. Nephi prophesied: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 14:14.)

Through revelation we know that there will be perils, calamities, and persecution in the latter days, but through righteousness the Saints may be spared. The promise of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is sure: “He will preserve the righteous by his power.” (1 Nephi 22:17.)

To listen to or read the lesson click here:  

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-23-strengthen-thy-stakes?lang=eng

Lesson Schedule

December 8th - Presidents Instruction
December 13th - Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 23
December 20th- Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24
December 27th - Teaching for our Time

Recipes on the blog:

Have you seen the new recipes on the recipe blog?  Help me add to them by sharing your favorite holiday recipes!

Please send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Visit the Relief Society blog:  www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com

Weekly Update - December 6th - 12th

FAITH

"The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life"

Conference Talk given by Elder Richard Maynes in the Oct 2015 Conference

Doctrine:


If our lives are centered in Jesus Christ, He can successfully mold us into who we need to be in order to return to His and Heavenly Father’s presence in the celestial kingdom. The joy we experience in this life will be in direct proportion to how well our lives are centered on the teachings, example, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Be sure to read the talk to see how our lives centered in Christ can be compared to the centering of clay on a pottery wheel.

Invitation to Action:

Our core, the center of our lives, must be Jesus Christ and His gospel. Living a Christ-centered life means we learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel and then we follow His example and keep His commandments with exactness.

Promised Blessings:

Centering our lives in Jesus Christ and His gospel will bring stability and happiness to our lives.  We can find peace, happiness and true joy.

To listen to or read the lesson click here:  

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/the-joy-of-living-a-christ-centered-life?lang=eng

Lesson Schedule

December 8th - Presidents Instruction
December 13th - Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 23
December 20th- Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24
December 27th - Teaching for our Time

Reminders:

Lutheran Christmas Cantata

Saturday, December 12th, 11:00 am

Please R.S.V.P. to 709-7478 so we can get a count on how many sisters will be attending. There will be a luncheon following the concert and we have been asked to give a head count for the luncheon!

Recipes on the blog:

Have you seen the new recipes on the recipe blog?  Help me add to them by sharing your favorite holiday recipes!

Please send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Visit the Relief Society blog:  www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com

"Finding Joy in a Christ Centered Holiday" - Upcoming Events to Share the Christmas Spirit with your family and friends

Outdoor Live Nativity- FREE event featuring our Burton children, Ritchie residents, 1200 S 6000 W, Dec 14th, 20th, and 21st @ 6:15 and 7:00 p.m. and December 24th @ 5:30 and 6:15. Refreshments served after each production.

"Messiah with Baroque" - Ensemble/Collegiate singers in concert. BYU-Idaho Barrus Concert Hall - tickets at 496-3170 or online at tickets.byui.edu.
Dec. 11th & 12th.

"Swinging Christmas" - Sound Alliance & Vocal Union concert. BYU-Idaho Kirkham Auditorium - tickets 496-3170 or tickets.byui.edu. December 11th

"A Christmas Carol" - Rexburg Romance Theater - tickets @ 359-3020 or rexburg.org. December 11th - 21st.

"Choir Christmas Concert" - Madison High Students - Madison High School Auditorium - December 15th 

"Christmas at Madison" - Madison High School Orchestra and Choir Concert. - Madison High School Auditorium - December 17th

RELIEF SOCIETY ACTIVITY - "First Lutheran Church" - 455 W Sunnyside Road, Idaho Falls 11:00 a.m. - December 12th

Weekly Post November 22nd - November 28th

FAITH

"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe"

Conference Talk given by President Uchtdorf in the 2015 Priesthood Session

Doctrine:

We believe in God because of things we know with our heart and mind, not because of things we do not know.  Our spiritual experiences are sometimes too sacred to explain in worldly terms, but that doesn’t mean they are not real.

There is no magic to belief. But wanting to believe is the necessary first step! God is no respecter of persons.⁶ He is your Father. He wants to speak to you. However, it requires a little scientific curiosity—it requires an experiment upon the word of God—and the exercise of a “particle of faith.”⁷ It also takes a little humility. And it requires an open heart and an open mind. It requires seeking, in the full meaning of the word. And, perhaps hardest of all, it requires being patient and waiting upon the Lord.

Invitation to Action:

Do we stand loyal to God?

Do we practice what we preach, or are we Sunday Christians only?

Do our daily actions reflect clearly what we claim to believe?

Do we help “the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted”?

Do we just talk the talk, or do we enthusiastically walk the walk?

Heavenly Father has prepared for His children a spiritual feast, offering every kind of exquisite food imaginable—and yet, instead of enjoying these spiritual gifts, the cynics content themselves with observing from a distance, sipping from their cups of skepticism, doubt, and disrespect.

Why would anyone walk through life satisfied with the light from the candle of their own understanding when, by reaching out to our Heavenly Father, they could experience the bright sun of spiritual knowledge that would expand their minds with wisdom and fill their souls with joy?

When you and I talk to people about faith and belief, don’t we often hear, “I wish I could believe the way you do”?

Implied in such a statement is another of Satan’s deceptions: that belief is available to some people but not to others. There is no magic to belief. But wanting to believe is the necessary first step! God is no respecter of persons.  He is your Father. He wants to speak to you. However, it requires a little scientific curiosity—it requires an experiment upon the word of God—and the exercise of a “particle of faith.”⁷ It also takes a little humility. And it requires an open heart and an open mind. It requires seeking, in the full meaning of the word. And, perhaps hardest of all, it requires being patient and waiting upon the Lord.

Promised Blessings:

When we choose to believe, exercise faith unto repentance, and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, we open our spiritual eyes to splendors we can scarcely imagine. Thus our belief and faith will grow stronger, and we will see even more.

We can choose to believe.

For in belief, we discover the dawn of light.

We will discover truth.

We will find peace.

Because of our belief, we will never hunger, never thirst.  The gifts of God’s grace will enable us to be true to our faith and will fill our soul like “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”  We will experience true and lasting joy.

To listen to or read the lesson click here:  

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/be-not-afraid-only-believe?lang=eng

Lesson Schedule

December 8th - Presidents Instruction
December 13th - Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 23
December 20th- Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24
December 27th - Teaching for our Time

Reminders:

Lutheran Christmas Cantata

Saturday, December 12th, 11:00 am

Please R.S.V.P. to 709-7478 so we can get a count on how many sisters will be attending. There will be a luncheon following the concert and we have been asked to give a head count for the luncheon!

Recipes on the blog:

Have you seen the new recipes on the recipe blog? Help me add to them by sharing your favorite holiday recipes!

Please send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Visit the Relief Society blog:  www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com

Weekly Update - November 15th - November 21st

FAITH

"Carrying the Gospel to the World"

Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 22

Doctrine:

The world is hungry for true religion, and we have it.

Following the glorious appearance of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith, it appears that the first great responsibility placed upon the restored Church was to carry the gospel to the world—to all our Father’s children.

This is the glorious message we desire to share with the world, that through God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God has been restored. It is the greatest message since the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Invitation to Action:

We have a great mission. We must be prepared, both young and old. We must stand as a leaven among the nations, true to the principles of righteousness.

As members of the Lord’s Church, we must take missionary work seriously. If you are laboring as you should, if you love this work, you will be helping to save the souls of the children of men.

Not only should sharing the gospel be regarded as a priesthood duty, but we should all look forward to this experience with great joy and anticipation. The real purpose in sharing the gospel is to bring souls unto Christ, to teach and baptize our Heavenly Father’s children so that we may rejoice with them (see D&C 18:15) in the kingdom of our Father.

We all share this great responsibility. We cannot avoid it. Let no man or woman think that because of where we live, or because of our place in society, or because of our occupation or status, we are exempt from this responsibility.

It is time to raise our sights, to get a vision of the magnitude of this great work. The Lord expects it of us. It is not enough just to be members in the Church and go to sacrament meeting, pay our tithing, support the welfare program. That is all good—but that is not enough. The Lord expects us to be missionaries, to live the gospel—yes, wholly, and to help to build up His kingdom.

Promised Blessings:

How long has it been since you have invited a neighbor to sacrament meeting or to a stake conference, to come into your home for a home evening? How long has it been since you had a real gospel conversation? These are choice experiences.

The Lord will sustain members in their missionary responsibility if they just have the faith to try.

To listen to or read the lesson click here:  

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-22-carrying-the-gospel-to-the-world?lang=engRelief Society Announcements: 

Lesson Schedule

December 8th - Presidents Instruction
December 13th - Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 23
December 20th- Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24
December 27th - Teaching for our Time

Reminders:

The Ward Christmas Party will be Tuesday December 1 at 6:00 pm.

Lutheran Christmas Cantata

Saturday, December 12th, 11:00 am

Please R.S.V.P. to 709-7478 so we can get a count on how many sisters will be attending. There will be a luncheon following the concert and we have been asked to give a head count for the luncheon!

Recipes on the blog:

Have you seen the new recipes on the recipe blog? Help me add to them by sharing your favorite holiday recipes!

Please send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Visit the Relief Society blog:  www.burton4thrs.blogspot.com