Lesson Notes

The pathway we are traveling in this life is strewn with many boulders. Obstacles in our way that make our climb more challenging. Some are troubles we bring on ourselves by the choices that we make, some are thrown at us by other people because of things they do and some seems to appear out of nowhere to keep us off balance.

But we are also given tools that will help us to navigate around the boulders and find higher ground. Some of these tools are:

• Finding the Lord's peace. The world would have us believe that peace comes from wordly wealth or the "things" we have. The Lord's peace come from within. The Lord said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14:27)

• Trust in the Lord. He will always lead us in the right way. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."

• Forgive an enemy. Grudges we hold are an unnecessary weight which will keep us from progressing on the path.

• Give thanks. "...live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:38)

• Feed his lambs. Three times the Lord asked Peter "... lovest thou me?" and three times when Peter answered "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee" He was told "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15-17) We are to help others along the path also that they may navigate through the boulders.

We are not lost in the darkness. We have been given the tools to find our way back to Christ, standing on higher ground with Him.

Our closing song expressed it very well:

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord.

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

In every condition - in sickness and health,

In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,

At home or abroad on the land or the sea,

As thy days may demand, so Thy succor shall be.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

ForI am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace all sufficient, shall by thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold tro refine.

E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove

My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love,

And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn

Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

NEXT WEEK'S LESSON: Gospel Principles lesson 2 "Our Heavenly Family"