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Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Return and Receive

"I testify there is no greater goal in mortality than to live eternally with our Heavenly Parents and our beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is more than just our goal—it is also Their goal. They have a perfect love for us, more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend. They are totally, completely, eternally aligned with us. We are Their work. Our glory is Their glory. More than anything else, They want us to come home—to return and receive eternal happiness in Their presence."

Elder Ballard's "Return and Receive" talk from April 2017 General Conference is our topic this coming Sunday.

Please take time to study it - I know it'll help you get more inspiration at church!

-Sister Campbell

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Converted to His Gospel Through His Church

Sisters,

This week's lesson is on a General Conference talk from April 2012 by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, titled, “Converted to His Gospel Through His Church.”

Elder Hallstrom said, “I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes we use the terms gospel and Church interchangeably, but they are not the same. They are, however, exquisitely interconnected, and we need both.”

Please read the talk if you get a chance!

-Sister Russell

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

"Certain Women"

This week's lesson is on Sister Burton's last talk before she was released as the Relief Society General President, "Certain Women."

She describes herself as "painfully imperfect," which is something we can probably all relate to. Her talk is focused on how, despite our imperfections, we can be "certain women," who are "disciples centered in the Savior Jesus Christ and have hope through the promise of His atoning sacrifice."

"Sisters, when we have become distracted, doubtful, discouraged, sinful, sorrowful, or soul-stretched, may we accept the Lord’s invitation to drink of His living water, as did the certain woman at the well, inviting others to do the same as we bear our own certain witness: 'Is not this the Christ?'

When life seems unfair, as it must have seemed to Martha at the death of her brother—when we experience the heartaches of loneliness, infertility, loss of loved ones, missing opportunities for marriage and family, broken homes, debilitating depression, physical or mental illness, stifling stress, anxiety, addiction, financial hardship, or a plethora of other possibilities—may we remember Martha and declare our similar certain witness: 'But I know … [and] I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.'"

Hope you all get a chance to study it. Looking forward to hearing your insights!

-Sister Campbell

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Below is a highlight/summary of the lesson utilizing quotes from the conference talk.

Historically, fear has often been used as a means to get people to take action. Parents have used it with their children, employers with employees, and politicians with voters.

First, let us address the problem with fear. People who are fearful may say and do the right things, but they do not feel the right things. They often feel helpless and resentful, even angry. Over time these feelings lead to mistrust, defiance, even rebellion.

The Lord has said that “when we … exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, … the heavens withdraw themselves [and] the Spirit of the Lord is grieved.”

God motivates through persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned. God is on our side. He loves us, and when we stumble, He wants us to rise up, try again, and become stronger.

One of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world.

I don’t believe God wants His children to be fearful or dwell on the evils of the world. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

He has given us an abundance of reasons to rejoice. We just need to find and to recognize them.

Feel free to read the entire conference talk, so you can help add to our lesson and learn from President Uchtdorf. Thanks everyone!

Sister Buttars

Saturday, April 8, 2017

How Mighty a Thing Is Prayer

Gordon B. Hinckley testified that “prayer unlocks the powers of heaven in our behalf” and promised “Be prayerful and the God of heaven will smile upon you and bless you, and give happiness in your hearts and a sense of peace in your lives.”

Ponder the following questions:
   • How has prayer helped you grow closer to your Heavenly Father?
   • When has prayer helped you find wisdom beyond your own?
   • When has prayer brought you comfort and consolation?

I know that great blessings can and will pour down on each of us and our families and communities as we turn to our Heavenly Father and earnestly pray to him.

Our Father in Heaven will always hear and answer our prayers. Do we pause and ponder to listen for the answer? Or are we guilty of saying our prayers and then jumping up and going about our business without waiting to hear back from our Heavenly Father?

“Be prayerful, and you will know that God hears and answers. Not always as we might wish him to answer, but with the passing of the years, there will come a realization as certain as the sunrise that he heard and responded.”

Looking forward to studying this wonderful topic of prayer with each of you on Sunday!

~Sister Buttars