"Faithful in the Little Things"

Each of us are blessed with our own set of problems to solve, responsibilities to fulfill, and callings to perform. Recently my attention has been refocused on being faithful in the little things. Our lives are a culmination of the consequences of so many tiny seemingly insignificant decisions we make on a daily basis. Let us be particularly mindful of how our tiny choices morph into accomplished lifelong goals. 

Take a moment to watch M. Russell Ballard's video, "Flecks of Gold."

 - Rachel Roark

Sunday's Lesson: The Key's & Authority of the Priesthood

Sisters,

This Sunday we will have an opportunity to continue our study of the Priesthood, as taught by Elder Oaks in the April 2014 General Conference. You can find the talk here. Elder Oaks' message reassures us that priesthood keys direct women as well as men and that the authority of the priesthood is not exclusive to men in the church. 

• As you read this talk, please focus on the ways that Elder Oaks defines keys and authority. 
• Is there anything he teaches that you did not know or that clarified your understanding of the priesthood?
• How do you understand your relationship with the priesthood as the power and authority of God? 
• What is the greatest blessing you have from exercising priesthood authority? 

So often I think of the priesthood blessing my life as I am a recipient of its power. I invite you to expand this vision and think of the ways that you, as a woman, have been able to experience and utilize priesthood authority. 

I look forward to learning from your experiences and insights.

See you Sunday!

Annie Reid

FamilySearch Announcement!

Some of you have asked us to share the information on the free family history subscriptions. Below is a reproduction of the email from the church announcing this opportunity. Please let me know if these links are not working correctly.  Please note, that this free offer is only for those who have registered with family search.

FamilySearch Announcement    June 2014

Hi!

We’re excited to announce that Latter-day Saint users of FamilySearch.org can now receive personal access to Ancestry.com, findmypast, and MyHeritage at no cost!

Access to these commercial family history websites, used in tandem with enhanced FamilySearch tools, will open new doors of discovery, elevate your ability to provide temple blessings to ancestors, and increase the joy that comes from connecting generations.

Just Serve

Looking for something to do this summer?

Remember that your community needs you!

JustServe.org has just the right service opportunity 

For you • for your family • or for your group!

••• Click on the link to get started. •••

Joseph Fielding Smith, Ch. 13 "Baptism"

Joseph Fielding Smith said that Baptism was literally a transplanting, or resurrection from one life to another - from a life of sin, to a spiritual life.  Most all of us have been baptised.  So each of you are “experts” on your baptism!

• Were you a child of record and baptized at 8, or were you a convert to the Church and baptised upon joining?
• How does the repentance process play a part in each of the above mentioned baptisms?
• Have you observed the transformation both spiritual and physical when someone joins the Church and prepares for baptism?
• What blessing has God revealed through the Book of Mormon concerning Baptism? 
• When is our Baptism complete?
• Do you remember your Baptism Day – what sticks out in your mind when you reflect on that day?
• Has the importance of Baptism changed for you since you were baptized? Why? 
• How are you preparing your children or grandchildren for Baptism?  Is it our responsibility? The Primary? The Bishop? 

Sisters, let’s discuss together this important topic on Sunday – our feelings, our emotions, our testimonies surrounding our baptism and our children’s baptisms into the Kingdom of God.

With love, 
Sister Karen Bateman

Joseph Fielding Smith, Ch. 12, "The Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood"

In the revelation on priesthood, given to Joseph Smith in September 1832, the Lord says that the Melchizedek Priesthood is everlasting; that it administers the gospel, is found in the true church in all generations, and holds the keys of the knowledge of God. He says that it "enables the Lord's people to be sanctified, to see the face of God, and to enter into the rest of the Lord, 'which rest is the fulness of his gllory," (See D&C 84:17-24.)

Sisters, this is an amzaing promise of the Lord to us in this despensation. I'm grateful to be liviing at this time when we really have the fullnes and all of the blessings that belong to the Church of God. This lesson brings new insight to what we have in our hands and the depth that we receive daily from living the Gospel and having the priesthood to shower us and enable us to go back into the presence of our Heavenly Father.