“Everyone of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”
Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof.
Because of the gospel we have no question what is expected of us.
“The Lord loves each of us too much to merely let us go on being what we now are, for he knows what we have the possibility to become!”
- Elder Neil A. Maxwell
Knowledge of the gospel and love from our Heavenly Father can keep us from being discouraged.
Our purposes in life are to gain a body, learn of the Lord and follow Him, receive saving ordinances and covenants and help our Families do the same, and eventually return to our Heavenly Father.
“To fulfill the purpose of Relief Society, the Lord has commissioned each Relief Society sister and the organization as a whole to:
1. Increase in faith and personal righteousness.
2. Strengthen families and homes.
3. Serve the Lord and His children.”
- Sister Julie Beck, October 2008 General Conference
We are all individually unique in our backgrounds, personalities, trials. We are all at different stages in life, and have different talents and dreams.
We are also so very similar. We are all daughters of God with a divine destiny. We have all received our patriarchal blessing and are all future eternal queens. We all have a sisterhood in Relief Society and have all been tested physically and spiritually, subject to Satan’s influences. We were all willing to make and keep the covenants made at baptism and have a desire to be with our families together with our Heavenly Father.
“Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;
The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.”
“The Time is Far Spent”, Hymn 266 verse 4:
Staying fixed in your purpose is more than a matter of concentration. It is a individual daily spiritual battle with Satan.
“Satan is working overtime to attack the family. He tells us that marriage is not important, that children do not need a father and a mother, and that strong families are not important. He tells us that moral values are old-fashioned and silly. When challenges come, Satan tells us to abandon our beliefs and go with the ways of the world. He entices us with fame and fortune and tells us where to find the easy life. He attacks our faith in God and tries to discourage even the strongest and most loving families. Satan is delighted when we give in—even just a little.
“I was in the Tabernacle when President Gordon B. Hinckley first delivered the proclamation on the family at the general Relief Society meeting in September of 1995. That was a great occasion. I felt the significance of the message. I also found myself thinking, “This is a great guide for parents. It is also a big responsibility for parents.” I thought for a moment that it really didn’t pertain too much to me since I wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. But almost as quickly I thought,
“I am a single woman and do not have any children of my own. ……. But it does pertain to me. I am a member of a family. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a niece, and a granddaughter. I do have responsibilities—and blessings—because I am a member of a family. Even if I were the only living member of my family, I am still a member of God’s family, and I have a responsibility to help strengthen other families.”
- Sister Barbara Thompson, 2007 October General Conference
Satan’s Goals are to lead us astray by disobedience, distraction from our purpose (look up the story of Nehemiah), and by discouragement. He uses the technique of deception to obscure the view of our progress
The Iron Rod vision:
- the mists of darkness teach us that even the righteous are challenged
- the murky river teaches us that there is great danger in being lukewarm
- the great and spacious building teaches us that some things are just an illusion and are not worth pursuing
President Gordon B. Hinckley announced the proclamation on the family in the General Relief Society Meeting in 1995, saying:
"With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn. In furtherance of this we of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the Church and to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout its history."
We should all have a copy of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in with our scriptures.
Sophistry is subtly deceptive reasoning or argument. If Satan has us believe something “minor” is true, he will easily lead us away from the truth.
Satan’s effective tool is discouragement. He tries to convince us that marriage is not important, that children do not need a mother and father, that money is most important, that moral values don’t matter.
Satan’s premises are FALSE.
True Premises are the scriptures, the prophets and personal revelation
We need to rely on these “instruments” just as Lehi and Nephi did with the Liahona.
“Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.
“What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger. I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.
“Easy things never produce much beneficial fruit. Neither our Father in Heaven nor His Holy Son take delight in seeing you struggle to overcome obstacles, resolve questions, or find solutions to complex and challenging problems. However, they do rejoice when you willingly recognize that these steps are steps to growth which lead to action that molds your character.”
- Elder Richard G Scott
Moses 6:61: Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.
The Holy Ghost helps us discern between good and evil. Following the Holy Ghost helps prevent distractions, helps us discern between needs and wants, necessities and non-necessities, helps us keep to the right path.
“Following the Brethren is, of course, a different challenge in a society that is sinking rapidly, such as was the case in Sodom and Gomorrah, as compared with following the prophets in a society where there is reasonable righteousness and reasonable happiness. Obedience is required in both settings, to be sure, but there is an intensification of the challenge presented to members of the Church in the one setting compared with the other somewhat more tranquil time and circumstance.”
- Elder Neil A. Maxwell
Moses instructed Joshua to go to Shechem teach Isreal the truth and how to choose.
Joshua 24:15: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
The attitude and behavior of the world can so easily be distorted or assimilated by us.
We need to choose:
- not to sin
- not to be distracted
- not to be discouraged
We need to be DOING. Teach. Teach the Gospel.
Isaiah 54:13: “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
We need to have priorities.
“A wise man once distinguished between “the noble art of getting things done” and “a nobler art of leaving things undone.” True “wisdom in life,” he taught, consists of “the elimination of non-essentials” May I suggest that you periodically evaluate how you are doing in this area? What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstarted things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?
“Sometimes we make the mistake of neglecting the essentials of life. The Savior had harsh words for the scribes and Pharisees of His day: “Woe unto you,” He told them, “for [you] have omitted the weightier matters of the law, [justice], mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done” (Matthew 23:23).
“Although the Savior’s words were directed to a specific audience thousands of years ago, they apply to us as well today.
“In modern revelation, the Lord has commanded, “Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known” (D&C 60:13). It is quite common to hear people and friends of ours say, “Where has the time gone?” or “If I only had more time.””
“Even though we may have wasted time yesterday, there is hope. There is a full day waiting for us today and tomorrow. However, if we continue to take our allotted time for granted, we may find ourselves like Elder Neal A. Maxwell put it: “Either we use time wisely or it uses us; either we manage tasks effectively, or we are pushed about and prodded by them”
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, BYU Speech
We need to distinguish between non-essentials:
Facebook to brag or gripe - adjustments may need to be made
Keeping up appearances
Wants vs needs
When you step into Cosco for a delicious carton of plump blueberries, you are bombarded with “wants”, the big screen TV, the hot tob, etc. We really need to be strong in distinguishing our needs vs. our wants.
“So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?
“Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” He said. “This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37, 38) Coupled with the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39)—we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord’s Church on both sides of the veil.”
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2009 General Conference
Oh, how we need to love God.
Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again.
- Elder Marvin J Ashton, April 1992 General Conference
“This society is composed of women whose feelings of charity spring from hearts changed by qualifying for and by keeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true Church. Their feelings of charity come from Him through His Atonement. Their acts of charity are guided by His example—and come out of gratitude for His infinite gift of mercy—and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompany His servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have done and are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even when their own unmet needs are great.”
- President Henry B. Eyring, 2009 General Relief Society Meeting
“[The Relief Society] will fly to the relief of the stranger; they will pour in oil and wine to the wounded heart of the distressed; they will dry up the tears of the orphan and make the widow’s heart to rejoice”
- Prophet Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:567
“If one member suffer all feel it; by union of feeling we obtain power with God”
- Prophet Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:23
“Service in the Relief Society magnifies and sanctifies each individual sister.”
President Boyd K Packer
“Accept responsibility in the Church, and trust in the Lord to make you equal to any call you may receive. Your example will set a pattern for your children. Reach out in love to those in distress and need."
- President Gordon B. Hinckley
“The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name.”
- “As sisters in Zion” Hymn 309
Serving the Lord has an eternal impact on self, family and others.
“You can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you cant count the number of apples in a seed.”
You will never know the impact you may have on an other sister.
“Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.
“Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility. Remember, it is as wrong to do things just to be seen of women as it is to do things to be seen of men. Great women and men are always more anxious to serve than to have dominion.”
- President Spencer W Kimball.
Mosiah 4:27: “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
Alma 7:23: “And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.”
FIND BALANCE
Before you start your day, kneel down and ask the Lord his expectations of you.
Before you end your day, kneel down and review your day in prayer.
“You are no ordinary beings, my beloved young friends all around the world. You are glorious and eternal.”
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, BYU Fireside 2009
“Hold on a little Longer”
“The best is yet to come”
“You are the guardians of the hearth. You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God. May you be strengthened for the challenges of the day. May you be endowed with wisdom beyond your own in dealing with the problems you constantly face. May your prayers and your pleadings be answered with blessings upon your heads and upon the heads of your loved ones. We leave with you our love and our blessing, that your lives may be filled with peace and gladness. It can be so. Many of you can testify that it has been so. The Lord bless you now and through the years to come, I humbly pray in the name of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.”
- President Gordon B. Hinckely, 1995 General Relief Society Meeting
“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
- Marjorie Pay Hinckley
Closing Song: “Miracles” by Sally DeFord, sung by YSA
Amid the countless blessings the Lord has given me
The light of truth and goodness; the Holy Spirit's peace
I see the many sorrows that his children must endure
So much hurt I long to heal. How can I change the world?
Chorus:
There are hands I cannot hold
Hearts I cannot comfort
Tears that only miracles can stay
So let me love and serve and teach
Those who come within my reach
For miracles begin that way
The Savior walked in Galilee, unknown in many lands
Yet touching every nation by the labors of his hands
Giving light to all the world by teaching but the few
He is my example in the work that I must do
I will bear the burden of my neighbor in his need
I will share my Savior's love in every kindly deed
He will magnify my efforts, and I'll understand at last
That by these small and simple things are great things brought to pass.
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