.

.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Perfection Pending

As we prepare to welcome a new year, many of us will make goals and resolutions about how we can change and become a little bit better in the coming year. I hope as we do this, we will keep in mind our ultimate goal...perfection.

In Matthew 5:48, the Savior commanded us, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Elder William H. Bennett taught that, "In these words Jesus challenges us to strive for excellence in all that we do -- to develop our talents and abilities -- and above all to live in accordance with His teachings." (Our Goal Is Perfection, Oct. 1976 General Conference). However, for many of us, the commandment to be perfect may feel daunting. In a talk entitled Perfection Pending in the October 1995 General Conference, Elder Russell M. Nelson taught:
We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love him and keep his commandments.
On Sunday, we'll discuss Elder Nelson's teachings about how we can achieve perfection in mortality and work towards eternal perfection. We will talk about how we can strive for excellence and perfection in all that we do during the coming year, and how we can encourage and inspire those around us to do the same.

Monday, December 30, 2013

January 2014 Calendar

Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
-William Arthur Ward


Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Christmas Spirit


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The Nativity


The Spirit of Christmas


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Come To Worship Him


Monday, December 23, 2013

And They Came With Haste


Sunday, December 22, 2013

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

For Peace at Home

"I bear testimony that living an obedient life, firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, provides the greatest assurance for peace and refuge in our homes." Elder Scott reminds us of principles that help us center our homes on Jesus Christ. This conference talk inspires me with hope and gives me comfort. I look forward to sharing it with you this Sunday.

For Peace at Home, Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 2013

Alison Thorsen

And, Behold, Thou Shalt Conceive



Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Prince of Peace


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

How Christmas Began


Bread Pudding from RS Christmas Party

We loved seeing you all at our RS Christmas Party on December 3. We wanted to share with you the recipe for the delicious bread pudding we enjoyed for dessert. Yum!

BREAD PUDDING
8 slices French bread 
8 slices white bread
1 c craisins 
4 c whole milk
1 stick butter 
1 c sugar
4 eggs 
2 Tbs vanilla
1 tsp fresh nutmeg

Sauce: 
1 c butter 
1 c sugar 
1 Tbs vanilla
1 c brown sugar 
1 c half/half 

Cut bread into bite size pieces. In a "Pam"ed 9x13 baking dish, layer bread and craisins. Melt butter, add the milk; pour over bread and let stand for 5-7 minutes. Mix sugar, eggs, vanilla and nutmeg to combine. Pour over bread mixture. With a knife, move the bread mixture aside to allow the egg mixture to be evenly distributed. Bake at 350 for 40-50 mins. In a sauce pan, mix all the sauce ingredients except for the vanilla. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugars. Remove from stove and add vanilla. Serve warm over pudding.

Monday, December 16, 2013

D4 Community Christmas Celebration - Thursday, Dec. 19


Please plan on bringing to share as a complement to this Ham dinner either your favorite Christmas:
Salad
Vegetable
Ham Sauce or
Dessert
(in a serving size for 10)

Please RSVP to Sterling Neblett by Monday, December 16 (today!).

Also, please remember to participate in our service project and bring one or more of the following gifts for the RISD PTA Coat Closet:
K-4th Toiletry Kit
(soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, 2in1 shampoo/conditioner)
5-12th Boy's Toiletry Kit
(soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, 2in1 shampoo/conditioner)
5-12th Girl's Toiletry Kit
(soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner)

Remember the Gifts


Saturday, December 14, 2013

Doing Good to Others

Lorenzo Snow Ch. 22

As Christians and members of the church we have been taught to live by the Golden Rule, that is to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. The Savior taught this to us perfectly through his humble example of service and love. We too as his disciples must learn how to give that same selfless service and unconditional love to those around us. The Lord has taught us that as we freely give of ourselves to others, we are in reality giving to him.

In Mosiah 2:17 we read:
"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
As we celebrate this Christmas season, let us remember its true meaning; a celebration of not only the birth, but the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  What better way to honor him than to become more like him? The Christmas spirit of giving and service is alive in the hearts of men all around us. May we commune together this coming Sabbath day to learn how we can keep that spirit of giving and love with us throughout the Christmas season, and through the rest of our lives.

Jackie Black

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A Feast of Carols - Rescheduled for Sunday, Dec. 15

Click to enlarge the invitation.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Loving God More Than We Love the World

Lorenzo Snow Lesson #21

As Latter-day Saints, we have been blessed abundantly - some of it immediate, some of it has been over a period of time...but at the end of the day we are recipients of blessings whether spiritually or temporally. Why then do we at times struggle to love God more than we love the world?

In Matthew 6:19-24 we learn:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ... No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
On Sunday we will learn of the lessons President Lorenzo Snow taught to some of the early Saints as they faced similar challenges as we do today. The Saints in Kirtland received remarkable blessings, but fell into the trap of temptation.

"The Latter-day Saints ought to be too far along in wisdom and intelligence to fall into the snares of this character. It does not pay. It will pay no man to turn his back upon these glorious principles and those things which have been received from the eternal worlds... Whatever temptation may come upon us or to which we are now exposed we should listen to the history of the past and not allow ourselves to be overcome..."

Let us each learn to seek the treasures of heaven and pray for humbling opportunities to show our love for our Heavenly Father as we discuss these principles from Lorenzo Snow's teachings in Lesson #21 this week in Relief Society.

Erin Hayes

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Real Joy


Friday, November 29, 2013

Opportunities to Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring proclaims a clarion call to all Latter-day Saints to renew and strengthen our commitment to act by helping those in need. In his talk entitled "Opportunities to Do Good" from April 2011 General Conference, he reminds us that the Lord's way to help those in temporal need requires people who out of love have consecrated themselves and what they have to God and His work. The Lord loves His children in need and also those who want to help.

He has invited and commanded us to participate in His work to lift up those in need. We make a covenant to do that in the waters of baptism and in the holy temples of God. We renew the covenant on Sundays when we partake of the sacrament.

President Eyring shared a timely quote by Melvin J. Ballard when he said, "A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return." When we are generous to Heavenly Father's children in need, He is generous to us.

Come and celebrate this season of giving as you reflect on this lesson about serving to enable you to join in a discussion on how to draw your family into this great work of service. We are scripturally commanded to seek out the poor. How do we find those in need? Your preparation and thoughts on this lesson will enhance our learning experience as we teach each other gospel principles of truth.

Debra Newcum
RS President

December Calendar

We've made it to December! We can't wait to celebrate the season with you!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!


Friday, November 22, 2013

A Feast of Carols - Saturday, Dec. 7

Click to enlarge the invitation.

Fit For A King

If you had told me that two hours of vacuuming could be a spiritual experience, I probably would have laughed at you. Housekeeping is not exactly my strong suit and vacuuming is my least favorite part of housekeeping. However, vacuuming in the temple affords an entirely different experience altogether. During the work, I couldn't help but wonder if the Savior himself would visit this temple. What if he walked on the floor that I cleaned? What would the Savior think of his house and how it was maintained? The temple is spotless because it is a house that is fit for a king. Maybe if I more fully realized my own divine nature I would be better able to maintain my own household.

Rachel Roark

Rich in Contentment


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Immutable & Unchanging


Obedience to Law Is Liberty

From the beginning of time, the world has been at war. Not a war between countries, but the Great War against sin. Satan and his armies are working fervently to win. He is attacking the most important and essential gifts to man, marriage and family. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, "The strength of the family is deteriorating at an alarming rate ... [and] is causing widespread damage to society. ... As we give up commitment and fidelity to our marriage partners, we remove the glue that holds our society together."

So, how do we fight this war? How do we free ourselves from Satan's captivity? Obedience. Obedience to the laws set forth by God. We read, in 2 Nephi 2:27:
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."
On Sunday, we will discuss Elder Perry's conference talk, "Obedience to Law Is Liberty", and how obedience to God's commandments is the path to freedom and happiness. It is the only way to keep the sanctity of marriage and family intact. It is a shield and protection for us and our family against Satan and his minions.

Marcia Lindley

Friday, November 15, 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Lorenzo Snow, Ch. 20: The Kingdom of God Moves Forward

Sisters, will you imagine that the year is 1844, in late June, and you are living in Nauvoo. You have just arrived from Denmark after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You were disowned by your family, and you are so anxious to come to Zion and meet the Prophet Joseph Smith. Or, imagine you are Lorenzo Snow, and you are serving a mission in the Central States.  Then, you receive word that the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum have been martyred. Can you imagine the feelings that existed among the saints after so much persecution, and then the martyrdom?

Remember, that at this time the succession of the Prophet of the Lord had not been clearly established. How has our little band of members been able to grow and flourish to 15,000,000 members today? Read Lorenzo Snow, Ch. 20: The Kingdom of God Moves Forward, and get a feel for those days in Nauvoo. How did our growth as a church fulfill prophecy? How did being tried in the "fire of affliction" affect the Church? Where did the Saints gather their strength from?

I look forward to our discussion Sunday of all the blessings we are heir to by being baptized in the glorious Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Karen Bateman

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Thank the Lord Thy God


Monday, November 11, 2013

Daffodil Bulb Planting on Saturday!

Join us on Saturday, November 16, as the Ward plants daffodil bulbs along the Meandering Way Trail! We'll meet at 9:00 a.m. to plant approximately 4,000 daffodil bulbs at four spots along the trail to help beautify our neighborhood. The assigned locations along the trail are:
  1. Beltline and Meandering Way - Last names A-H
  2. Roundrock and Meandering Way - Spring Creek Elementary Student Council & families
  3. La Cosa and Meandering Way - Last names J-P
  4. Brentfield and Meandering Way - Last names R-Z
Please invite friends and neighbors to join us for this fun service project! Also, please feel free to bring any planting tools you have (bulb augers, shovels, gloves, etc.). We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

It Shall Be Given


Friday, November 8, 2013

Save the Date - Dec. 3!

Save the date for our Relief Society Christmas Party!

"What Shall We Give Him?"
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 3
Herzog Home

We hope you will join us!!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Lorenzo Snow #19, Missionary Work: "To Reach Every Human Heart"

On Sunday, we will be discussing Lorenzo Snow lesson #19, Missionary Work: "To Reach Every Human Heart".  Our discussion of missionary work will be broadly construed to include lifting others to higher spiritual ground -- both those who are covenant members of the Restored Church and those individuals who have not yet been baptized.

For example, for the first category, covenant members, I recently read an article in the Ensign magazine written by a female member of the Church who had been married in the temple for more than twenty years. After more than two decades of what she thought was a happy marriage that included raising children in the covenant, this woman's husband told her that he no longer wanted to attend church meetings, pay tithing or attend the temple because he did not believe in the doctrine taught by the general authorities. This was shocking to her at first and then devastating because the person she loved the most no longer had a testimony and their eternal sealing was in jeopardy. She sought priesthood blessings in which she was told simply to continue loving him and to keep living the commandments, regardless of what he did or thought. In other words, she was told to be a missionary for her husband.

For those who have not yet been baptized, we will discuss "seeking to understand before being understood" as a way to approach others. In my experience, the foundation of successful missionary work is a love and interest in others coupled with a love of Christ and what He taught. On Sunday, we will discuss missionary work as both a "lens to view the world" and as "attempts to persuade others to 'Come unto Christ' for healing and spiritual growth."

Kari Stouffer

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Gratitude In Our Actions


Saturday, November 2, 2013

Strong Faith


Thursday, October 31, 2013

November Calendar

It is November already and Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! Here is our calendar for this month.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

"But If Not..."

On Sunday, we will be discussing Elder Dennis E. Simmons' talk from April 2004 General Conference, "But If Not...". Elder Simmons reminds us of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego's refusal to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol. He teaches that when Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into the fiery furnace, furiously demanding, "And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Daniel 3:15):
The three young men quickly and confidently responded, "If it be so [if you cast us into the furnace], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand." ... But then they demonstrated that they fully understood what faith is. They continued, "But if not, ... we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:17-18, emphasis added). That is a statement of true faith.
What is true faith? Do we have this kind of faith in God? Do we trust Him, even when things don't turn out the way we hope they will, or think they should? On Sunday we will discuss true faith and what we can do to develop it, so that when we face challenges, we are able to say, "Our God will deliver us, but if not ... we will trust in the Lord."

Monday, October 28, 2013

Mastering the Scriptures - Tuesday Night!

Sisters, please join us on Tuesday night, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Relief Society room for the next scripture study class in our series, Mastering the Scriptures. This week we are pleased to have Sister Jeanne Grant sharing her ideas with us about how proper context and understand of the time period and customs can help us put scriptures stories into perspective and make them relevant and applicable to our own lives. Hope to see you on Tuesday!


Friday, October 25, 2013

Painted On Our Hearts


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

It's a Miracle

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of miracles. We know the life of Christ was filled with miracles from his birth, as the world watched and marveled at the new star that appeared in the night, angels appearing to the shepherds, but also as he walked the earth and made the blind see and lame walk. Even at his death when he resurrected. And then the risen Christ directed his apostles to continue his ministry to “go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Was this even possible? It was undeniable that through Christ all things are possible and as the apostles went forth they continued to see the miracles as they baptized those who believed.

And miracles continued as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored upon the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Was it not a miracle that he was able to translate the Book of Mormon in just 60 days? And did he not continue Christ’s direction to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them”, sending missionaries to England and the Pacific when they restored church was just a few years old. Was it not a miracle that Elder Wilford Woodruff found and baptized several hundred believers his first month at Benbow farm in England. Even with the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the gospel did not die. It has thrived.

Today, we are witnessing miracles as more missionaries than ever before are sacrificing two years of their life to preach the gospel. We are reaching more countries than ever before. There is much work yet to be done and we all must be willing to sacrifice for Jesus Christ. As we took upon us the name of Jesus Christ when we were baptized, we must be willing to share that gospel. We must all do our part to see that this gospel goes forth. "It’s a Miracle", by Elder Neil L. Andersen, is this Sunday’s topic in Relief Society, discussing how we paint upon our heart a missionary badge “not of ink, but with the Spirit of the living God”.

Marcia Lindley

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Monday, October 21, 2013

Visiting Teaching Conference

We had a wonderful Visiting Teaching Conference during Relief Society yesterday. Thanks so much to all those who participated and helped with this, especially to the Priesthood Brethren who took over Primary and Young Women's so that we could all be together.

Click HERE if you would like to review and rewatch the talk we shared yesterday, "Visiting Teaching: Beyond Statistics" by Sister Mary Ellen Edmunds.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Visiting Teaching Conference

Don't forget that this coming Sunday will be our Visiting Teaching Conference. All of the sisters in the ward will meet together during the third hour in the Institute Room. We are very thankful for the priesthood brethren who will be teaching the Primary and Young Women so we can all be together for this!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Saturday, October 12, 2013

The Lord's Side


Thursday, October 10, 2013

Lorenzo Snow Lessons 17 and 18

Please study Lessons 17 and 18 in the Lorenzo Snow manual on your own during the month of October.

In Lesson 17, Priesthood -- "for the Salvation of the Human Family", President Snow teaches:
Purity, virtue, fidelity, godliness must be sought ambitiously, or the crown cannot be won. Those principles must be incorporated with[in] ourselves, woven into our constitutions, becoming a part of us, making us a centre, a fountain of truth, of equity, justice, and mercy, of all that is good and great, that from us may proceed the light, the life, the power, and the law to direct, to govern and assist to save a wandering world; acting as the sons of God, for and in behalf of our Father in heaven. We expect in the resurrection to exercise the powers of our priesthood -- we can exercise them only in proportion as we secure its righteousness and perfections; these qualifications can be had only as they are sought and obtained, so that in the morning of the resurrection we will possess those acquisitions only which we secured in this world! Godliness cannot be conferred but must be acquired, a fact of which the religious world seem[s] strangely and lamentably unconscious. Seek to benefit others, and others will seek to benefit you; and he that would be great, let him be good, studying the interests of the whole, becoming the servant of all.
President Snow speaks specifically to the brethren here, but how do these principles apply in our lives as women? Aren't these qualities that we must also cultivate if we wish to "win the crown"?  Don't we also have responsibilities to cultivate "the light, the life, the power and the law to direct, to govern and assist to save a wandering world"? We as women must also seek to acquire all of the qualities and characteristics of godliness in this life, so that in the resurrection, we are found possessed of the godliness necessary to exercise the Lord's power and continue in His work.

In Lesson 18, Church Leadership and Selfless Service, President Snow teaches:
... Let those who preach in the midst of [the] Saints, realize what the Priesthood was placed upon them for; let them know and fully sense why they were appointed to fill such and such an office, viz., that they should act in the spirit of our Master, a servant of all, that they learn to consider and esteem in the same affectionate interest, the welfare of all, as they do that of themselves. ... Then will they enter into the spirit of the two great commands upon which, said the Saviour, "hang the law and the prophets," namely, loving the Lord with all our might, mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves [see Matthew 22:37-40].
Do we fully realize the reasons why we have been appointed to our callings, or even to our privilege of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? President Snow is clear in explaining that we are here to "act in the spirit of our Master, a servant of all" and to learn to "consider and esteem in the same affectionate interest, the welfare of all". Our purpose here is to learn the great commandments, to love the Lord and to love our neighbors. How often do we have opportunities to practice these commandments? We serve and interact with others constantly, in our daily activities, in our work, in our families, in our church callings, and in our Visiting Teaching. How often do we consider those we serve with the same "affectionate interest" with which we consider ourselves? If we can begin to change our hearts, then as President Snow promised, "God will give [us] revelation upon revelation, inspiration upon inspiration," and we "will never be at a loss how to magnify [our] office properly, nor will ever lack the power of God to bring about His wise purposes."

Feel free to share your thoughts about either of these lessons in the comments!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Stake Conference this Weekend

Just a reminder, our Stake Conference will be held this weekend. The adult session of Stake Conference will be at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12. The general session of Stake Conference will be at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 13 at the Richardson Stake Center. If you need the address of the Stake Center, send us an email or leave a comment on the blog. Hope to see you there!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Because of General Conference, I will...

After listening to General Conference, what have you been inspired to do, or change, or become?

Because of General Conference, I will____________________.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

General Conference Countdown: Come Listen to a Living Prophet


Click HERE to watch Conference online.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

General Conference Countdown: Don't Forget!

Click HERE to watch Conference online.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

General Conference Countdown: The Blessings of General Conference

Click HERE to read or watch Elder Paul V. Johnson's October 2005 talk, "The Blessings of General Conference."

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

General Conference Countdown: Conference Highlights & Gospel Classics

Click HERE to review highlights from April 2013 General Conference.

Click HERE to find links to classic addresses by Prophets and Apostles, from Elder Heber C. Kimball, to President Thomas S. Monson.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Delicious Recipes!

We loved seeing you all at our "Pursue Your Sacred Birthright" event on September 17th. We wanted to share with you some of the recipes we dined on that evening. Recipes after the jump. Enjoy!

Are You a Teacher?

"Are you a teacher?" the woman in the drive thru line asked me as she handed me food. I told her that I was a veterinarian, not a teacher. She was probably referencing my new bumper sticker from our homeschool organization that reads, "We heart to learn." As I drove away, I realized that this should have been answered in the affirmative. Yes, I am a teacher. We are a homeschool family and we take every opportunity we have to learn about God and His creation. One practical way to accomplish this goal this year is made possible by our very own Catherine Morphis. She has combined her love of fitness and her love of charity to bring us an event called the Thanks Giving Hope Run. Through this 5K fun run, we will have the opportunity to teach our kids the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti achieve their goals for education is one of the missions of the Thanks Giving Hope Run. An added bonus is that we will be able to exercise and enjoy fellowship. If we are intentional, this could become a great missionary opportunity for the entire family. Please go to www.thanksgivinghope.com to sign up for the race and invite some friends along!

Rachel Roark

Saturday, September 28, 2013

October 2013 Calendar

October is upon us! Here's our calendar for this month!

Do What You Can Do


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Marriage: Watch and Learn

Can we build a marriage that is lasting and endures to the end by following an example, by watching other couples? Yes, we can learn so much by watching and considering what we have seen and implementing it into our own lives. Elder L. Whitney Clayton shared in his conference talk "Marriage: Watch and Learn", five principles as a patter that builds happy, holy marriages. On Sunday we will discuss each principle and take a look at our own marriages -- see how we can improve them. "And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them." 4 Nephi 1:11.

Marcia Lindley

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

It is Glorious and Beautiful!

Rushing around to get to the temple is not the ideal way to attend, but it is better than not going at all. Add in time lost for renting some missing temple clothes and the mad shuffle to hide a run in my stocking and let's just say that my mood was less reverent than it should have been. Wet hair straight out of the shower coupled with no makeup left me feeling quite bedraggled as I zipped into the endowment session at the absolute last possible minute. The tall temple attendant with what I assumed to be an Australian accent performed her part of the ceremony and then declared, "You are beautiful!" Now, I don't know if she had just decided to tell everyone today that they were beautiful, or if that comment was solely for me. Either way, as I sat in the session, my mind began to reflect upon the beauty of the Creation of this Earth for us. If the Earth is beautiful because it was created by the Lord, then it follows that I am beautiful because I am also created by the Lord. This week as we enjoy the dropping temperatures and tiny breezes, let us remember to give thanks to the Creator for all we experience.

Rachel Roark

Monday, September 23, 2013

All That She Had


Saturday, September 21, 2013

Visiting Teaching Reminder

Dear sisters,

With only 8 days remaining in September, I encourage you to please visit with the sisters assigned to you if you have not already done so. Let's get in touch, show love, service and concern, as we have been asked to do. What great opportunities we have to bless the lives of our sisters, thereby feeling a sweet spirit as we do so. Remember, please report to your VT supervisor promptly, and supervisors, I look forward to receiving your reports as soon after the first of the month as possible.

Thank you,

Sister Medaris

Friday, September 20, 2013

"That We May Become One"

The Lord said, "If ye are not one ye are not mine." The prophet Joseph Smith said, "If you want to be a Zion people, we must have hearts united." President Lorenzo Snow said, "When we are united in the gospel, the Lord shows the world His character through us."

Please read Lesson 16 in the Lorenzo Snow manual, "That We May Become One". Who is our exemplar? Certainly it is Jesus Christ in His love and devotion to our Heavenly Father, His plan of salvation and the atoning sacrifice which He performed because of His love for not only His Heavenly Father, but for us.

Where must we be united? The gospel? Our families? Our ward family? Bishoprics? Auxiliary presidencies? Missionary companionships? Performing service, as a church to our community? As a Relief Society? As a Priesthood Quorum? As a Laurel presidency? Certainly the list goes on and on.

Let's discuss Sunday how we accomplish a unity of purpose, in all these capacities, so that the Lord will accept our offerings.

With love,
Karen Bateman

General Conference is Coming!


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tonight! Pursue Your Sacred Birthright

Tonight is our RS/YW activity, "Pursue Your Sacred Birthright". Please join us at the church at 7:00 p.m. to spend a wonderful evening together. We can't wait to see you there!

Bright as Your Faith


Saturday, September 14, 2013

Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God


Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see. Energy is the ability to be active. It is also natural enthusiasm and effort. When we serve faithfully and energetically, we are being active in building the Kingdom of God. What we may not see immediately is how our service is making a difference. "Knowing our religion to be true we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced." We will discuss on Sunday how we can better recognize our membership responsibilities, find joy in our service and be strengthened as we do these things with devotion and a smile on our faces.

Erin Hayes

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Darkness Cannot Stand


Monday, September 9, 2013

Count Your Blessings


Saturday, September 7, 2013

Thursday, September 5, 2013

His Grace is Sufficient

Dear Sisters,

This Sunday we are discussing the talk "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. It was given at BYU as a devotional in July of 2011, and is also in this month's Ensign. Contemplate the following:
"The grace of Christ is sufficient -- sufficient to cover our debt, sufficient to transform us, and sufficient to help us as long as that transformative process takes."
We learn in the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 2:8) that we are to "rely solely on the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah", and as we do, we discover that "Jesus doesn't make up the difference, Jesus makes all the difference" and that "Grace is not about filling gaps, it is about filling us." I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and for the gift of grace that blesses my life daily. How have you been saved by grace? How have you been changed by grace? Please come ready to share your insights on this enabling power we call His amazing grace.

See you Sunday!

Love, Sister Stoddard

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Catch the Wave of Missionary Service!


The "Willing and Brief" Invitation

Today, President and Sister Durrant taught us the "Willing and Brief" Invitation approach to doing member missionary work. President Durrant challenged us to try out this pattern during the next six weeks (until Stake Conference on October 13) so that he can present the results of our efforts to the stake in an effort to encourage more member missionary work. We hope you will join us as we pray for missionary moments and chances to use this approach over the coming weeks!

The "Willing and Brief" Invitation -- Simple, Safe, and Easy
  • Would you be WILLING to listen to a BRIEF presentation about ________________? Fill the blank with "my church," "my religion," "Jesus Christ," "the Book of Mormon," etc.
  • Let them know the presentation will be given by two ________________ missionaries in their home. Fill the blank with "excellent," "fantastic," "diligent," "wonderful," etc.
4 Easy Steps
  1. Prepare and pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for the vision to recognize the opportunities when they come.
  2. Talk with nice people (family/friends, acquaintances, strangers). Have normal conversations with them and if the topic of religion (in any of its many forms) is mentioned, proceed to the next step.
  3. Invite using the "Willing and Brief" invitation.
  4. Gather their contact information when they say, "Yes" -- name, phone number, and address. If the answer is "No," continue your normal conversation. Give the contact information directly to the missionaries or contact the local mission office (Texas Dallas Mission) or submit the information at mormon.org.

Friday, August 30, 2013

September Calendar

September is here! It's almost fall! We have lots going on this month!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Called to the Work