Consider the Blessings

Another Sunday, and another great lesson in Relief Society. I really enjoy getting to participate in lessons in Relief Society after a long run in Primary. The lessons always seem to be exactly what we need to hear and being a part of a great group of women and their insight is always uplifting. The conference talk that was the subject of our lesson this week was “Consider the Blessings” by our beloved Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. The talk is a great one reminding all of us that we need to be more thankful for the blessings in our … Continue reading →

Relief Society Binds Us Together

Last night, we had a great Relief Society activity that I really enjoyed. It was our first weekday meeting since our ward realignment. Since I am the member of the Relief Society presidency that is over the weekday meetings, I was anxious to see how it would go. Our focus was to have an activity that would help us get to know each other better. We started the evening by having a casual potluck dinner of soup and breadsticks. Then, I was asked to give a short thought at the last minute. One of our focuses as a new Relief Society … Continue reading →

What If We All Showed Love for God and Neighbor?

Another question that was posed in our relief society lesson on Sunday that really stuck with me was, “What would the world be like if everyone showed love for God and Neighbor?” One mom raised her hand and said something along the lines of, “I would not live in fear anymore. I wouldn’t be scared to drop my kids off at school everyday. There would be no fear.” As I sat there thinking about that, I couldn’t help but think, “What would MY life be like without fear?” It was an interesting thought. As a parent, we can’t help but … Continue reading →

The First Great Commandment

In the October 2012 general conference, Elder Holland gave a great talk titled, “The First Great Commandment.” That was the talk we discussed in Relief Society this past week. It was a great reminder that we can all be doing more to love God. What really impacted me was the following interpretation by Elder Holland regarding Peter’s exchange with the Lord, who asked him three times, “Lovest Thou Me?” When Peter responded in the affirmative the third time, Elder Holland says, “To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my nonscriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why … Continue reading →

Find the Joy

In Relief Society this past Sunday, our Relief Society President announced our ward’s theme for 2011. “Find the Joy”. Our President referenced the talk by President Monson titled, “Finding Joy in the Journey“. He gave this talk in 2008, but it is something I definitely need to be reminded of in 2011. I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions. I have in the past, but I often don’t think much about them after setting them, so it hasn’t really served me well. So, I guess, I don’t take them too seriously. However, this past week, I have been … Continue reading →

Within the Lord’s Expectations

Today at church, something was said during the lesson in Relief Society that made me think about how we should live our lives. I have to confess that I missed the beginning of the lesson from coming in late. But, nevertheless, it was a good lesson that made me think, and that should always count for something! The teacher spoke of living somewhere in the middle of the Lord’s expectations. Not above, and not below. Well, often when we think of exceeding someone’s expectations, we think that is a good thing. But, if we think of the Lord’s expectations, what … Continue reading →

Just What I Needed to Hear

I am amazed at how the Lord is continually watching over me. Why does it still amaze me? I’ve been a faithful LDS member for my whole life. I’ve seen His hand in my life over and over again. Yet, every time it happens, I am still amazed. This past weekend, I had a little meltdown. I had a moment where I was feeling discouraged. I was feeling like I was lacking so much. I felt like I would never measure up. I was feeling this way about being a Mom. I was feeling like that no matter how hard … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: The Organization and Destiny of the True and Living Church

Backtracking a bit to catch up, lesson #11 in the Joseph Smith manual for this year’s course of study is entitled, “The Organization and Destiny of the True and Living Church.” After the Book of Mormon was completely translated, Joseph Smith took it in to be published. Seven months later, it was ready to be distributed, and at this time, he set about officially organizing the Church. This took place in Fayette, New York, with sixty people present, crowded into a very small room. Joseph knew the Church would not always remain so small—he had seen the future of the … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Obedience: “When the Lord Commands, Do It”

Lesson #13 in the Joseph Smith manual for this year’s course of study is entitled, “Obedience: ‘When the Lord Commands, Do It.’” This was Joseph Smith’s personal philosophy of life and his every action showed it. He was a little rough around the edges, but he was unfailingly obedient to the things he was asked to do. We begin this lesson with a reminder of the many times the early Saints were asked to move to join with the body of the Church. They came from New York to Kirtland, later to Nauvoo, and then ended up in Salt Lake … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Prayer and Personal Revelation

Lesson #10 in the Joseph Smith manual for this year’s course of study is entitled, “Prayer and Personal Revelation.” Joseph Smith restored many things when he restored the gospel to the earth. He demonstrated ways in which we could address our Heavenly Father, as a close personal friend and indeed, a father, and he taught the young Church the power of prayer and the very real concept of personal revelation. He pointed out that the Lord had never said He would stop speaking to His children in the latter days, so we should not be so surprised that He speaks … Continue reading →