Lesson Notes

Today the Bishop taught a combined Relief Society and Priesthood. He started by asking a series of questions: Who is God? Who is man? Is God aware of us? Does He care? Does He know who you are? Does He have the power to help us?

Alma 30:44 says "...all things denote there is a God; yea even the earth and all things that are upon the face of it...do witness that there is a supreme creator."

God is our Father, we lived with Him in the preexistence before we came to this earth. There he outlined a plan for us that, if we prove ourselves worthy, we can live with him forever. This plan is called the "plan of salvation" or the "plan of happiness." It was presented to us in the spirit world. We knew the plan, we approved the plan and we fought against those who didn't want to follow God's plan.

Even though we knew our Heavenly Father and understood the plan when we came to earth a "veil of forgetfullnes" was placed upon us. On this earth we must learn to walk by faith. He did not send us here without help. He has given us prophets and others to guide us. We each have the light of Christ burning within us that whispers to us that He cares and that He watches over us. We were given a Savior who would show us the way back into God's presence.

We knew this life would be hard. It is full of trials and challenges. But through adversity- trials, troubles, and distress- man can have many experiences that lead to spiritual growth and eternal progress by turning to the Lord.

The key is have faith in the Lord and turn to him for help in times of trouble. "He that endureth in faith shall overcome the world." D&C 63:20

NEXT WEEKS LESSON: Relief Society Presidency Message

Lesson Notes

Today we discussed Elder Holland's talk from General Conference titled "Safety for the Soul". Elder Holland said, "Prophecies regarding the last days often refer to large-scale calamities such as earthquakes, or famines or floods. These in turn may be linked to widespread economic or political upheavals of one kind or another.

"But there is one kind of latter-day destruction that has always sounded to me more personal than public, more individual than collective - a warning, perhaps more applicable inside the Church than outside it. The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect could be deceived by the enemy of truth. I we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus's declaration that in the last days 'men's hearts[shall fail] them.'

"The encouraging thing is that our Father in Heaven knows all of these latter-day dangers, these troubles of the heart and soul, and has given counsel and protections regarding them."

We discussed many of the helps that our Father in Heaven has given us such as the scriptures, our families, the temple, the Church, the programs of the Church, and our own testimonies.

The Book of Mormon especially has the answers to all of life's problems. It is amazing how the people of the Book of Mormon so closely mirror the people of our day. They had the same challenges, the same problems, the same adversary as we do today. By studying the Book of Mormon we can better be prepared to face the dangers of our world and find the strength to meet life's challenges.

Lesson Notes

Today we started the lessons from the Gospel Principles book. It is good to get back to the basics of gospel study. Today's lesson was "Our Heavenly Father". What are some things that testify that there is a God? Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, wrote "All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motions, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44) We can see the work of God in the heavens and on the earth.

Why is it important for us to understand who God is and come to know Him? When Alma was teaching Korihor and Korihor came to understand the existence of God, Korihor said,"...I always knew that there was a God...but the devil hath deceived me...and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God..." (Alma 30:52-53)

If we fail to understand the nature of God and come to know His attributes we are in danger of being fooled, like the people of Zarahemla, into thinking that we are following an unknown God, so why bother keeping His commandments.

We can know God if we will:

1. Believe that He exists and that He loves us (see Mosiah 4:9)

2. Study the scriptures. (see Timothy 3:14-17)

3. Pray to Him. (see James 1:5)

4. Obey all His commandments as best we can. (see John 14:21-23)

As we do these things, we will come to knowGod and eventually have eternal life.

Lesson Notes

Responsibilities of a Relief Society Sister:

“President Boyd K Packer “Attendance at Sunday meeting is but a small part of your duty. Some of you have not understood this and have set aside much of what Relief Society has meant over the years.

“If you sisters follow the pattern [set by the priesthood]…you will serve your organization, your cause – the Relief Society…

“Service in the Relief Society magnifies and sanctifies each individual sister. Your membership in Relief Society should be ever with you.” (Quoted by Sister Julie B. Beck in General Relief Society Meeting, Sept. 2009)

Each month we will outline another of the ideas Sister Beck gave to fulfill our responsibilities as Relief Society sisters.

JAN. To fulfill my responsibility as a Relief Society Sister I will “Work in the Lord’s Way.”

1. Manage time more wisely

2. Set priorities and eliminate one non-essential thing that clutters your life.