"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
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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
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
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!
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
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
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Joy and Spiritual Survival - President Russell M Nelson
This is such a great talk! Who doesn’t want to find more happiness? We all do! This Sunday, we will come together and study to find just how we can do that!
As conflicts and corruption become “increasingly commonplace in these latter days, what can help us? What can help us with our personal struggles and with the rigorous challenge of living in these latter days?”
We learn from Lehi a principle revealed by the Lord, “Men are that they might have joy.”!
“Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year!”
“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”
The Savior’s joy is constant, “assuring us that ‘our afflictions be but a small moment’ and be consecrated to our gain.”
How have you found joy during difficult times and trials in your life? Please ponder this and come with ideas to help others find joy during hard times.
~Sister Buttars
As conflicts and corruption become “increasingly commonplace in these latter days, what can help us? What can help us with our personal struggles and with the rigorous challenge of living in these latter days?”
We learn from Lehi a principle revealed by the Lord, “Men are that they might have joy.”!
“Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year!”
“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”
The Savior’s joy is constant, “assuring us that ‘our afflictions be but a small moment’ and be consecrated to our gain.”
How have you found joy during difficult times and trials in your life? Please ponder this and come with ideas to help others find joy during hard times.
~Sister Buttars
Monday, March 6, 2017
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Dear Sisters,
Please review the article titled "Rescuing the Lost" by Roy Bean from the January 2017 Ensign. The title explains the content of the article. I really appreciated studying the 15th chapter of Luke. In this one chapter, three well known parables are given to us. Each helps us better know how to reach out to those that are lost, inactive and struggling to live our gospel.
As our leaders have predicted many are lost from our fold, in this day and time. I speak for all of us when I say "We love them and want them back with us" Please say a prayer on Sunday that we may share with each other our thoughts and feelings about bringing our brothers and sisters back to our fold.
With love,
Shirlee Chaillet
Please review the article titled "Rescuing the Lost" by Roy Bean from the January 2017 Ensign. The title explains the content of the article. I really appreciated studying the 15th chapter of Luke. In this one chapter, three well known parables are given to us. Each helps us better know how to reach out to those that are lost, inactive and struggling to live our gospel.
As our leaders have predicted many are lost from our fold, in this day and time. I speak for all of us when I say "We love them and want them back with us" Please say a prayer on Sunday that we may share with each other our thoughts and feelings about bringing our brothers and sisters back to our fold.
With love,
Shirlee Chaillet
Friday, February 24, 2017
Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus - Elder Quentin L. Cook
“We cannot afford to have our testimonies of the Father and Son become confused and complicated by stumbling blocks.”
“To stumble spiritually is to fall into sin or waywardness. A stumbling block can be anything that distracts us from achieving righteous goals.” What stumbling blocks do we have in our own lives and how can we get rid of them or overcome them?
Examples of stumbling block:
• Philosophies of men
• Refusing to see sin in its true light
• Looking beyond the mark
-Natalie Buttars
“To stumble spiritually is to fall into sin or waywardness. A stumbling block can be anything that distracts us from achieving righteous goals.” What stumbling blocks do we have in our own lives and how can we get rid of them or overcome them?
Examples of stumbling block:
• Philosophies of men
o The adversary likes to lead people away by emphasizing the philosophies of men over the Savior’s teachings.
• Refusing to see sin in its true light
o “Many people engage in sinful conduct but refuse to consider it sinful. They have no remorse or willingness to acknowledge their conduct as being morally wrong.”
o “A merciful God had provided a space for repentance.”
• Looking beyond the mark
o Gospel extremism – “When one elevates any gospel principle above other equally important principles and takes a position that is beyond or contrary to the teachings of Church leaders.”
o “When we elevate any principle in a way that lessens our commitment tooth or equally important principles or take a position contrary to or which exceeds teachings of Church leaders, we are looking beyond the mark.”
-Natalie Buttars
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Dear Sisters,
This Sunday we will be talking about “Getting the Living Water to the End of the Row” by President Monroe. I hope you saved his handout from Ward Conference because we will be using that as the platform for our discussion. Please read it again and be prepared to talk about the impact it might have had on your life and think about how the principles that were covered also apply to our Relief Society.
I look forward to this time and finding how you have worked this topic into your own life. I love the Gospel that brings us closer to the Savior in our daily lives and improves us in our thinking and in our doing.
Love to you,
Karen Armstrong
This Sunday we will be talking about “Getting the Living Water to the End of the Row” by President Monroe. I hope you saved his handout from Ward Conference because we will be using that as the platform for our discussion. Please read it again and be prepared to talk about the impact it might have had on your life and think about how the principles that were covered also apply to our Relief Society.
I look forward to this time and finding how you have worked this topic into your own life. I love the Gospel that brings us closer to the Savior in our daily lives and improves us in our thinking and in our doing.
Love to you,
Karen Armstrong
Saturday, January 21, 2017
"The Master Healer" - Carole M. Stephens
“We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ.”
- Russell M. Nelson
How do we become women with a bedrock understanding? Ponder how you have done this in your own life or things we could all implement.
We all will go through difficult times in this life. Trials are difficult and we often look for them to be over as we are going through them. But, “we often find our faith deepened and our relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son refined in adversity.”
Think of a time you have gone through a trial. Did you come out the other end with a closer relationship to your Savior and your Heavenly Father? What did you do during your trial to grow closer to your Savior?
The Lord is always there to help us through any trial, to help us overcome sin, to comfort us in times of sorrow. His arm of mercy is always extended. 3 Nephi 13-14.
This talk is found on Pg. 9 of the Conference issue of the Ensign if you would like to read it before our lesson.
~ Sister Natalie Buttars
- Russell M. Nelson
How do we become women with a bedrock understanding? Ponder how you have done this in your own life or things we could all implement.
We all will go through difficult times in this life. Trials are difficult and we often look for them to be over as we are going through them. But, “we often find our faith deepened and our relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son refined in adversity.”
Think of a time you have gone through a trial. Did you come out the other end with a closer relationship to your Savior and your Heavenly Father? What did you do during your trial to grow closer to your Savior?
The Lord is always there to help us through any trial, to help us overcome sin, to comfort us in times of sorrow. His arm of mercy is always extended. 3 Nephi 13-14.
This talk is found on Pg. 9 of the Conference issue of the Ensign if you would like to read it before our lesson.
~ Sister Natalie Buttars
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