February 5th Sunday RS Presidency Message Taught by Sharleen P

If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear

Fear  n.  a state of anxiety or dread; uneasiness or concern --vi to be afraid --vt. to dread.

Three good ways to quickly take your mind off your fears

1. Exercise. Physical activity boosts the immune system and strengthens the mind and body. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that help promote a healthy mind and body. At the very least, exercise can take your mind off your worries.

2. Set goals. Take some time out of your day to set some goals. Set specific, short term, and simple goals. The more you can complete, the more self-confidence you'll build. Self-confidence is a powerful tool for removing fear.

3. Talk about it. Fears can multiply when you bottle them up inside you. When you let fear build, it snowballs and gets bigger and bigger until it becomes terrifying to you. Talking about it helps relieve the pressure and gives you the opportunity to obtain honest feedback.

What do you fear?  Group Activity: (4 groups, come up with 4 each?) Place in one of the 6 categories below as we discuss how we could prepare for those things they fear.

1.                    Knowledge, Education, Literacy: When we have knowledge and wisdom, we are better able to discern truth from error and make good choices. Education is also a key to encouraging personal growth, preparing for suitable employment, building strong families, serving in the Church, and making a meaningful contribution to the society in which we live. “We live in a world where knowledge is developing at an ever-accelerating rate. Drink deeply from this ever-springing well of wisdom and human experience.”—Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 171

                   To become self-reliant in education, we should:

                   a. Study the scriptures and other good books.

                   b. Improve our ability to read, write, and do basic mathematics.

                   c. Learn to communicate effectively with others.

                   d. Obtain formal education or equivalent training necessary for employment.

e.  Take advantage of opportunities to gain more knowledge.

2.                    Money and Resource Management: “We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. … If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts” (All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances). Pay Tithes and Offerings, Avoid Debt, Use a Budget, Build a Reserve, Teach Family Members.  “Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others. “We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. “We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.”

3.                    Spiritual Strength: "We do not know the future, but our Father in Heaven does, and He will lead and guide us if we let Him. When we are in tune with the Spirit, we will see many small miracles happen in our lives. I have found that having the ability to see and recognize these small miracles is based upon my spiritual worthiness, my willingness to be obedient, and my desire to not allow myself to become complacent and caught up in worldly and personal pursuits."

          --Ronald T. Halverson, "Obeying "the Whisperings of the Holy Ghost",     Ensign, Aug 2007, 56–58

4.                    Emergency Preparedness and Response: Members of the Church have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. With the guidance of Church leaders, individual members and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread emergency. “Self-reliance is a product of our work and undergirds all other welfare practices. It is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being.”

5.                    Physical Health: Maintaining the best possible physical health has been a gospel ideal throughout the ages — from the strict dietary laws of ancient Israel, with the example of Daniel and his associates, to the Word of Wisdom in this dispensation and the counsel of today's prophets and apostles. By maintaining good physical health, we become more self-reliant and are better prepared to progress personally, strengthen the family, and serve in the Church and community. The Word of Wisdom, Nutrition and Diet, Exercise and Fitness, Sleep and Rest, Managing Personal Health. LDS site has a fantastic new nutrition calculations page!)

6.                    Social and Emotional Strength: Social and emotional self-reliance is an important part of the gospel plan. No one is immune from the challenges in this life. When social or emotional problems arise, counsel and support from family members, Church leaders, and other qualified individuals can often be helpful in becoming self-reliant.)

Challenge to set goals in each of the categories.

Please follow the PDF links below to view and print handouts from this lesson...

https://acrobat.com/#d=eeKm1jgRhVQegVTs0WSYPQ
https://acrobat.com/#d=rUTA0JqPHZI2FOSHnGNnlw

Stake Relief Society addressed our Steilacoom Relief Society on January 29th as part of our Steilacoom Ward Conference

Sister Linda S, our Relief Soceity President gave a review of the 2011 year: 

She listed exercise, quilt and play groups that many of the sisters participated in. Sister S also gave a synopsis of events that the RS hosted throughout the year. The theme of the year was “Being A Zion People” and the events were organized with the purpose of bringing sisters closer together in spirit. Also mentioned were new converts, service projects, babies who were born during the year, sisters who passed away, first time temple attenders and missionary splits. The 2012 theme for Steilacoom Ward Relief Society is: “If Ye Are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear.”

A beautiful musical number was presented by Sister Tati S

First lesson presenter was Sister Rita E, First Counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency:

She began by telling the story of Peter Pan which was written in 1904 and again in 1950, Leonard Bernstein wrote a musical accompaniment. Wendy sings the song, “My House” to the Lost Boys. The song gives attributes to the door, floors, walls and roof. Most memorable is “build these walls with love.” Wendy has to decide whether to stay in Never Land or go back to real world. She must ask herself - “Shall I accept the responsibility of growing and maturing?” Sister Rita E then asked the sisters,

“How do we build our houses? What are some of the unique challenges we are facing? How do we find guidance?”

 In the Book of Mormon, Laman and Lemuel are much like the Lost Boys. They don’t understand spiritual things. Nephi asked them, “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” They didn’t feel the Lord would answer them and that they would not understand if He did. Our personal revelations can motivate us through the rest of our lives. Sister Rita E then shared a personal experience about her daughter and how she had lost her way for a time through addiction. Sister Rita E related that she was able to come in contact with the one person who had the power at that time to help her daughter. It was not by coincidence. It was the Lord’s hand in her life. Sister Rita E then concluded by reading the book, All The Way To Lhasa - a story that is set in Tibet. The young boy in the story has a long journey and many people along the way tell him it is very far with many obstacles. By his persistence and courage, he completes the journey and reaches his destination. The lesson for us is that our road may be long with many obstacles but we need to be of good courage and continue placing one foot in front of the other until we reach our goal - eternal life.

Concluding lesson presenter was our Stake Relief Society President, Sister Sharann G:

She said that we are moving towards tumultuous times. She encouraged us to read the Book of Mormon because it would strengthen us, bring us blessings, and teach us how to be safe. She shared that she keeps a scripture journal and has been writing down every time the Lord does something for someone in the scriptures. It is an indication as to what He will do for us. Sister Sharann G told us to ask this question as we read - “What would the Lord have us know and feel?” In 1 Nephi 17, we read about the Nephites’ eight year sojourn in the wilderness. Many of the women were with child and gave birth, but they were nourished and strengthened to the point that they “did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men.” Nephi tells us that the Lord will nourish us, strengthen us, and protect us, if we keep His commandments. The Lord needs for us to keep the commandments so He can bless us. The Savior wants us to know that He is always there for us. Sister Sharann G  concluded with D&C 87 where we are told that nations will be cleansed in preparation for the Savior’s return. We must stand on holy ground if we are to survive the cleansing. Viewing “17 Miracles” video was suggested so that we can see how the pioneer Saints were blessed and how we can expect the same miracles in our lives if we are obedient to the will of the Lord.

January 22 Sunday Lesson Presented by BriAnna S

You Matter to Him – President Uchtdorf

Bowl of ice object lesson:  Here is a bowl of ice.  What is going to happen to the ice? How do you know?

We are less than we suppose            

“The universe is so large, mysterious, 

and glorious that it is incomprehensible

to the human mind.”

King Benjamin counseled his people to

 “always retain in remembrance, the 

greatness of God, and your own nothingness.”

   vs. We are greater than we suppose

“But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that ‘the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

“the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me.”

1.     Why is it important for us to remember God’s greatness?

“Paradox of man: Compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God.”

2.     How does Satan use the paradox of man?

a.     He appeals to the extremes

                                                              i.      Pridefull tendencies

                                                            ii.      Self-importance

                                                          iii.      Invincibility

                                                         iv.      Discouragement

                                                           v.      Insignificance

                                                         vi.      We are forgotten

      “Those who will ‘inherit the kingdom of God’ are those who become ‘as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love.’ ‘For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.’ Such disciples understand also ‘that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.’”

3.     How do we avoid falling into Satan’s deceits?

      “God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history.  They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.  President Uchtdorf relates a story that exemplifies this principle.

·              Husband worked at a steel mill in Utah and read scriptures or church magazines during lunch.  Fellow co-workers would ridicule him.  He spoke to them with kindness and confidence and didn’t get angry or upset.  Years later one of the mockers became very ill and requested that this humble man speak at his funeral and he did.  He died in an industrial accident while stopping to help another worker who was stranded in the snow.

·             Within a year his widow underwent brain surgery that left her unable to walk or write. She memorized children’s and grandchildren’s phone numbers and remembers birthdays and anniversaries.  People love spending time with her because she listens, remembers, and cares.  They feel her love.  She never complains but spends her days blessing the lives of others.

     Presidend Uchtdorf said, “This couple would have been the first to say they were not of much importance in this world.  But the Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul.  He knows this faithful couple; He loves them.  Their actions are a living witness of their strong faith in Him.

You Matter to Him!

     Even though when compared to the greatness of the universe we are nothing – we matter to Him.  Sometimes we may feel insignificant, alone, forgotten, or invisible, but we need to remember that we matter to Him.  If we ever doubt that, then we should consider these four divine principles that Pres. Uchtdorf has outlined for us.

1.     “God loves the humble and meek, for they are the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.””

a.     President Hinckley said, in his book Way to Be!, “Be humble! Recognize that everything you have – your time, your talents and skills, your health and energy, your accomplishments, and your very lives – come as free gifts from your Father in Heaven.  How grateful we ought to be for His goodness to us.  How humble we ought to be to think that He knows who we are, and that He is waiting to guide our every step.” (pg 99)

2.          The Lord entrusts “the fullness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the week and the simple unto the ends of the world.”

3.          “No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father.  He loves you.  He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness.  Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.”

4.     What you see and experience now is not what forever will be.

We are not Forgotten

     When Craig was born, Scott was deployed to Iraq, and I was in Germany.  Luckily my mom was able to be there for the birth and two weeks after, but then she had to go back home.  When I took her to the airport I just cried.  And I cried all the way home and for a few days after I had moments where I felt so alone.  There were so many emotions on top of the newborn exhaustion.  I was at a real “low” point.  During one of my many phone calls to my mom, she suggested I ask my home teachers for a blessing, so I did.  It was such an amazing blessing!  I don’t remember the words spoken, but I remember the feeling.  I know that God loved me and that I really wasn’t alone.  He had sent me a sweet amazing baby and He was there to help me through the tough times of being a temporary single parent.  From that moment I knew that if I ever felt alone or discouraged again I just had to pray because I knew he was listening and would be there for me. 

Does anyone have an experience they would like to share when they have felt God’s love?

Conclusion:  Object lesson:  As you already knew, this ice is melting.  Just like you can know that God loves you. President Uchtdorf said, “the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your Spirit.  He knows you.  He loves you with a perfect love…He sees you as His child.  He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become.  He wants you to know that you matter to Him.”

As simple as knowing ice will melt,

   Is knowing God’s love can always be felt!