Sisters, I am excited to study and discuss Dallin H. Oaks' talk about the Parable of the Sower on Sunday. The fun thing about parables is the multitude of interpretations and applications that can be found through in-depth study. I have experienced this in a profound way as I have prepared this lesson this month.
I would encourage each of you to read the talk and take some time to really ponder what kind of "soil" your heart is today, this week, this hour. Think of times when your soil has been stony, thorny, or rich and good.
Dallin H. Oaks said, "How can we prepare ourselves to be that good ground and to have that good harvest? .. . We have the seed of the gospel word. It is up to each of us to set the priorities and to do the things that make our soil good and our harvest plentiful. We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We achieve this conversion by praying, by scripture reading, by serving, and by regularly partaking of the sacrament to always have His Spirit to be with us. We must also seek that mighty change of heart that replaces evil desires and selfish concerns with the love of God and the desire to serve Him and His children."
- Claira Wilson
Friday, June 26, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Lesson 11 - FOLLOW THE LIVING PROPHET
Come listen to a prophet's voice and hear the word of God . . . .
Sisters we declare to the world that we have a Prophet of God living on the earth today; that he holds the holy priesthood of God, and has the power and authority to speak for God to us. In Amos 3:7 it says "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto His servants the prophets." We can see through the The Family, Proclamation to the World, which is one of the newer declarations by a Prophet of God, that our prophet knew and understood how quickly the degradation and coarsening of society would happen, and what a horrific attack would be waged against the family, the most effective unit of not only the Church but of society.
We have had 16 prophets since the beginning of the Restoration of the Gospel, but the most important prophet to each of us is the prophet at the time we are living. Why? How many prophets have you lived through?
We sustain President Thomas S. Monson as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, who holds all of the keys of the priesthood. We also sustain his two counselors and the twelve apostles as prophets, seers and revelators.
Can you think of a time that a prophet spoke and you immediately changed your actions to be more obedient? What blessings came from that?
President Benson talks about the "Grand Key" which, if honored, will crown each of us with God's Glory and bring us victorious against the fury of Satan. What is the Grand Key?
I love your input sisters. Please read the lesson and come Sunday to share your testimonies of the privilege to have a Living Prophet of God to guide us in these latter days.
With love, Karen Bateman
Sisters we declare to the world that we have a Prophet of God living on the earth today; that he holds the holy priesthood of God, and has the power and authority to speak for God to us. In Amos 3:7 it says "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto His servants the prophets." We can see through the The Family, Proclamation to the World, which is one of the newer declarations by a Prophet of God, that our prophet knew and understood how quickly the degradation and coarsening of society would happen, and what a horrific attack would be waged against the family, the most effective unit of not only the Church but of society.
We have had 16 prophets since the beginning of the Restoration of the Gospel, but the most important prophet to each of us is the prophet at the time we are living. Why? How many prophets have you lived through?
We sustain President Thomas S. Monson as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, who holds all of the keys of the priesthood. We also sustain his two counselors and the twelve apostles as prophets, seers and revelators.
Can you think of a time that a prophet spoke and you immediately changed your actions to be more obedient? What blessings came from that?
President Benson talks about the "Grand Key" which, if honored, will crown each of us with God's Glory and bring us victorious against the fury of Satan. What is the Grand Key?
I love your input sisters. Please read the lesson and come Sunday to share your testimonies of the privilege to have a Living Prophet of God to guide us in these latter days.
With love, Karen Bateman
Thursday, June 11, 2015
President Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 10: Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon
Sisters,
This week in Relief Society, we will be discussing Chapter 10 in the Ezra Taft Benson manual, "Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon". I love the progression of the recent lessons we've been studying from President Benson: learning about Jesus Christ, our Savior, then about Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, then the power of God's word, specifically the Book of Mormon, the keystone of our religion, and now, how we can flood our lives and the Earth with the Book of Mormon!
President Benson says, "We have an increasing number who have been convinced, through the Book of Mormon, that Jesus is the Christ. Now we need an increasing number who will use the Book of Mormon to become committed to Christ. We need to be convinced and committed." He then says, "I challenge all of us to prayerfully consider steps we can personally take to bring this new witness for Christ more fully into our own lives and into a world that so desperately needs it."
Sisters, I echo President Benson's challenge. Please take some time before our lesson on Sunday to prayerfully consider what steps you can take to bring the Book of Mormon more fully into your own life, and come prepared to share the inspiration you have received.
See you Sunday!
Stephanie
This week in Relief Society, we will be discussing Chapter 10 in the Ezra Taft Benson manual, "Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon". I love the progression of the recent lessons we've been studying from President Benson: learning about Jesus Christ, our Savior, then about Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, then the power of God's word, specifically the Book of Mormon, the keystone of our religion, and now, how we can flood our lives and the Earth with the Book of Mormon!
President Benson says, "We have an increasing number who have been convinced, through the Book of Mormon, that Jesus is the Christ. Now we need an increasing number who will use the Book of Mormon to become committed to Christ. We need to be convinced and committed." He then says, "I challenge all of us to prayerfully consider steps we can personally take to bring this new witness for Christ more fully into our own lives and into a world that so desperately needs it."
Sisters, I echo President Benson's challenge. Please take some time before our lesson on Sunday to prayerfully consider what steps you can take to bring the Book of Mormon more fully into your own life, and come prepared to share the inspiration you have received.
See you Sunday!
Stephanie
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
"How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes"
Dear Sisters,
Last month we discussed some of the attributes of our Savior. We will be discussing more of his attributes on Sunday. Did any of you choose an attribute and work to develop it since our last lesson? If so, share that with us on Sunday. If not, start today. We are using the "Preach My Gospel" text to learn more about our Savior's character (see lesson on developing Christ like attributes).
See you Sunday.
Love,
Shirlee
Last month we discussed some of the attributes of our Savior. We will be discussing more of his attributes on Sunday. Did any of you choose an attribute and work to develop it since our last lesson? If so, share that with us on Sunday. If not, start today. We are using the "Preach My Gospel" text to learn more about our Savior's character (see lesson on developing Christ like attributes).
See you Sunday.
Love,
Shirlee
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