Is Life Fair?

Is life fair? That is the question that the Bishop asked us in our combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting today. He went on the explain that from this life's perspective it may not seem fair but if we look at the eternal perspective this life is weighed in the balance of our eternal existence. The problems we face now might not seem fair to us but they are given us so that we will understand the importance of relying on Christ to help us overcome these problems. There must "needs be that there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11). The challenges we face in this life are different for each individual. The adversary know our weakness and will hit us where we are most vulnerable. Opposition is necessary for us to know for ourselves the difference between good and evil. We are also promised that "men are instructed sufficiently that they may know good from evil."...and "redemption cometh through the Holy Messiah for he is full of grace and truth" (2 Nephi 2:5-6) So what can we do when life is not fair? Put our trust in the Savior and rely on his mercy and grace to show us the way.

Adversity is the refiner's fire that bends iron but tempers steel.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sept 10 Ward Conference temple session 7:30 chapel at Oakland Temple

Sept 12 Annual Chicken Cook-off 11:00 AM at the church

Lesson Notes

Be Your Best Self. That is the instruction from President Monson at the last General Conference. He said "Although our journey through mortality will at times place us in harm's way, may I offer you...three suggestions which, when observed and followed, will lead us to safety. They are:

1. Study diligently

2. Pray fervently

3. Live righteously.

These suggestions are not new; they have been taughht and repeated again and again. If we incorporate them into our lives, however, we will have the strength to withstand the adversary. Should we ignore them, we will be opening the door for Satan to have influence and power over us."

Our teacher challenged us to consider how doing these things will make us:

Better daughters of our Heavenly Father

Better wives

Better mothers and

Better Sisters in Relief Society.

President Monson concluded with "Let us never despair, for the work in which we are engaged is the work of the Lord. It has been said, 'The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it.'"

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Scripture Study Group meets every Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at Linda Hansen's

Thurs. Aug 27 Cooking group meets at 7 p.m. at Linda Hansen's home

Sat. Aug 29 Ward temple trip 10 AM session

Thoughts from Stake Conference

This weekend was our Stake Conference and there was much good instruction given but one thing that President Green said touched me and I decided to expand on that today.  He pointed out that we are children of Abraham and part of the covenant he made with the Lord.  A covenant, rather than a contract as we think of it, is a covenant that God set the terms of and we either choose to accept or not.  When we were baptized we chose to accept the terms of the Abrahamic Covenant in which God promised Abraham that through his seed "all the kindred of the earth would be blessed".  What is our responsibility in this covenant?  It is to take the gospel to all the earth so that, through it,  all of our brothers and sisters will be blessed.  We are all God's children and we want to share this great message with them.  So, as President Green has stressed, Invite!  Invite everyone you know to hear to come to church and be able to feel the spirit so that they will be reminded of what they were taught in the pre-existence and when they hear it again it will be very familiar to them and they will welcome it.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Wednesday scripture study group now is meeting at 10 a.m.  We are beginning a study of the Old Testament.  Come join us at Linda Hansen's home.

Thursday, August 27  Cooking group is meeting at Linda's house to make good stuff using our food storage. Come learn how to make tortillas with refried beans and apple cobbler using dried apples.

Lesson Notes

Today's lesson was "Charity, the Pure Love of Christ" from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith.  Joseph Smith was a great example of charity towards all men.  There are many examples of times in his life when he has helped those in need, including giving up his own bed to care for the sick.  He said, "Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.  A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."

Our teacher, Vickie Hubner, challenged us to study the 45th verse of Moroni chapter 7 which defines charity thusly " And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and it is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  We should each work  to develop these Christ-like attributes of charity.  

We express charity through simple acts of service and kindness.  The prophet Joseph expressed concern about "the contraction of affectionate feelings... in the world".  In contrast he said that we should "enlarge [our] souls towards each other"  and let [our] hearts expand, let them be enlarged towards others."  

"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.  A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Tuesday, Aug 11 join us for a fun enrichment activity.  We will put the school kits together and after the kits are assembled, we will enjoy lite refreshments and share ideas for creative (or at least easy) school lunches.  Learn how to pack a brown bag lunch that won't be traded.

Thursday, Aug 13  Book Club at Margaret Williams' home.  We will discuss the book, "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency".  check the book club blog for info.

Stake Conference next weekend.

Thursday, August 27  Cooking group will meet to learn some ways to use our food storage.  We will make flour tortillas to go with the refried beans and apple cobbler made from the dried apples.  Don't miss this yummy night.

Lesson Notes

Shelley Cluff taught today's lesson on the different ways that we can give service.  As we serve in our Church callings, our families, our communities, in the temple and by giving compassionate service we not only help and strengthen others but we also are strengthened.  We grow spiritually as we render service.  It is also important that we receive service from others.  Sometimes this is the harder thing.  It is easier for most people to give than receive service.  Sweet relationships are developed as we serve one another.  It is true that we love those we serve.

Announcements:

Thank you to everyone for bringing school supplies.  We will have an enrichment activity on Aug. 11th at 7 p.m. at the church to put the kits together and enjoy a fun evening together.

Aug 13 Book Club at Margaret and Marilyn William's house.  check the book club blog for information.

Aug 15-16 Stake Conference

Aug 29 Ward Temple trip   10 a.m. session