"How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes"

Dear Sisters,

On May 3rd Karen Armstrong and I will be teaching a lesson from The Preach My Gospel Manual. The Stake Presidency has requested we read this book 2015. As a Relief Society Presidency we want to contribute to this goal by also teaching from this wonderful book. Sister Marstella has already taught one lesson and will be teaching one more this year. Karen and I will teach “How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?” (Chapter 6)

We will teach about the attributes of Faith in Jesus Christ, Hope,Charity and Love and Virtue on May 3rd. On June 3rd we will complete the lesson by teaching about Knowledge, Patience, Humility, Diligence and Obedience.

Please read this chapter so you can share your thoughts and feelings during our lesson. We want you to know that we (Natalie, Karen, Lindsey and I love each of each very much and you are in our prayers regularly.

Shirlee and Karen

"Which Way Do You Face?"

This Sunday's lesson is based on the General Conference talk "Which Way Do You Face?" by Lynn G. Robbins from October 2014 General Conference. I am personally really excited for this lesson because this was my favorite talk from the October conference. I can look back and see that my life has been changed as I have studied and tried to apply the principles taught.

In one of my favorite quotes from the talk, Robbins uses Christ's life as our example of conduct. Robbins says "The Savior, the only perfect being who ever lived, was the most fearless. In His life, He was confronted by scores of accusers but never yielded to their finger of scorn . . . In every way possible, He was His Father’s perfect disciple. He was so perfect in representing His Father that to know the Savior was also to know the Father. . . May His inspiring example strengthen us against the pitfalls of flattery from without or of conceit from within. May it give us courage to never cower or fawn at the feet of intimidation. May it inspire us to go about doing good as anonymously as possible and not 'aspire to the honors of men' And may His incomparable example help us always remember which is 'the first and great commandment'"

I would encourage you to read or listen to the talk in preparation for this week's lesson. As you read, you could ponder the following questions:

• In what ways have do you practice the "first and great commandment" to love the Lord? 
• How have you stood up and looked to God under the immense pressures of the world, despite fear of judgment or scorn? 

Thanks so much for your preparation and diligence in bringing a strong spirit with you to Relief Society lessons. I look forward to learning from each of you tomorrow.

Lesson 7: Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord

John the Revelator in the New Testament, testified before the Lord comes again that a heavenly messenger would visit the earth, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and every nation,and kindred, and tongue,and people. We as Latter-day Saint women understand that angel to be the Angel Moroni, who appeared to the young Prophet Joseph Smith, and over a period of time, tutored him, from the Lord to be the Prophet of the Restoration.

We love and honor the Prophet Joseph Smith, and appreciate that he sealed his testimony with his blood. Do you personally have a testimony of this great Prophet? Have you borne that testimony to your children and grandchildren?

Ezra Taft Benson said that the first Vision was the greatest event in the world since what?
What is the most singular evidence that Joseph was a Prophet?
What blessings have come to you because of the Restoration of the Gospel?
When you are challenged with why you are a member of this church, what do you learn from the Prophet Joseph?

If you have read any sacred or fun stories about the Prophet Joseph, please come prepared to share them! Please read lesson 7 and also the Joseph Smith History at the end of your triple combination, right after Abraham and just before the index.

See you Sunday, Love Karen Bateman

President Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 6: Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer

Sisters,

This week in Relief Society, we will be discussing Chapter 6 in the Ezra Taft Benson manual, "Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer". In the lesson, President Benson shares his own testimony of Jesus Christ:

With all my soul, I love Him.

I humbly testify that He is the same loving, compassionate Lord today as when He walked the dusty roads of Palestine. He is close to His servants on this earth. He cares about and loves each of us today. Of that you can be assured.

He lives today as our Lord, our Master, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our God.

God bless us all to believe in Him, to accept Him, to worship Him, to fully trust in Him, and to follow Him.

The lesson then explains:

This testimony of Jesus Christ was the foundation of President Benson’s life. It shaped his priorities, guided his decisions, and helped him through trials. It provided perspective on the purpose of mortality and confidence in the promises and blessings of eternal life.

Is the testimony of Jesus Christ the foundation of your life? Does it shape your priorities, guide your decisions and help you through trials? Please take some time to read the beautiful teachings in this lesson and come prepared on Sunday to share your thoughts and feelings as we discuss how we can better make the Savior the foundation of our lives.

Stephanie Johnson