Mormon Life - Relief Society tag

'Daughters in My Kingdom'

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:16:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

As Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, has traveled the world, she and her counselors — Sister Silvia H. Allred and Sister Barbara Thompson — have visited with thousands of Latter-day Saint women. During those visits, the members of the Church's Relief Society general presidency like to listen to the questions women have. They write them down and pray about them.

"I have been touched by the questions that come from the sisters," Sister Beck said during BYU Women's Conference in May 2011. "It gives me an understanding of the broad spectrum of the experience you're having, the difficulties and the joys in your lives and the things you are trying to accomplish."

February 2012 Visiting Teaching Printable: Guardians of the Hearth

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:07:00 -0700

source: mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com

The February 2012 Visiting Teaching message is called Guardians of the Hearth, and focuses on how ALL women, regardless of their marital or familial standing, have a responsibility to nurture and strengthen the family. We are all members of God's kingdom, and we are all members of His family.

Visiting Teaching Message (Feb ’12)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:47:00 -0700

source: visitingteaching.net

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

“You are the guardians of the hearth,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) as he introduced “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in the general Relief Society meeting in 1995. “You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God.”1

Relief Society Lesson 3: Our Testimony of Jesus Christ

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:35:00 -0700

source: the-exponent.com

(I highly recommend teachers either buy or download Words of Wisdom: A Collection of Quotes for LDS Women to supplement this lesson. The book has many wonderful quotes by LDS women leaders about Jesus, and using some of them throughout will enhance the lesson. Another word of advice to you teachers out there: get on Amazon and buy some Chieko Okazaki books. She invariably has something insightful to say on almost any topic. Aloha is one of my favorites. You can find copies for $.01 plus shipping.)

Introduction:

Sister Julie B. Beck on roles of Relief Society and Priesthood

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:19:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: What a good BYU devotional. We will miss her when she's released. Quorums and Relief Societies are meant to be a safety and a refuge in these difficult days and to support and strengthen the identity, roles and responsibilities of Heavenly Father's sons and daughters, said Sister Julie B. Beck on Jan. 17.

"What the Lord envisioned regarding quorums and Relief Society has not yet been fully utilized," said the Church's Relief Society general president. "Many quorums and Relief Societies are at present much like sleeping giants waiting for you to breathe new life into them."

Celebrating 170 years of Relief Society

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:14:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

On March 17, 1842, 20 women gathered and heard the Prophet Joseph Smith announce the official establishment of the Relief Society organization. Nearly 170 years later, more than 6 million sisters around the world still strengthen each other and build the kingdom of God.

It is appropriate to celebrate "the glorious heritage of Relief Society, which has ties back to the ancient Church during the time of Jesus Christ," Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president told the Church News. "This year marks 170 years since Relief Society was established in this dispensation. The sisters were given authority to preside over the unique work that would help build the kingdom of God and would make a significant contribution to the Lord's work of salvation. The purposes of Relief Society have remained constant through all time."

Teachings of George Albert Smith Lesson 3: Our Testimony of Jesus Christ

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "We love the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah, our Savior and our Redeemer. His is the only name by which we can be saved." -Dallin H. Oaks Note: As the Church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. This supplement, from a general conference address, is only meant as a complement to your study on this lesson's topic.

Excerpt from "'The Light and the Life of the World'" Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 1987 General Conference:

My dear brothers and sisters, I rejoice with you in the privilege of coming together on this beautiful Sabbath day to worship our Father in Heaven and his Son Jesus Christ and to be instructed by their servants.

The Book of Mormon tells of the resurrected Lord visiting some of the people of the Americas. Clothed in a white robe, he descended out of heaven. Standing in the midst of a multitude, he stretched forth his hand and said:

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

“And behold, I am the light and the life of the world” (3 Ne. 11:10–11).

He has repeated this declaration in many modern revelations (see D&C 12:9, D&C 39:2, D&C 45:7). In harmony with his words, we solemnly affirm that Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father, is the light and life of the world.

Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world because all things were made by him. Under the direction and according to the plan of God the Father, Jesus Christ is the Creator, the source of the light and life of all things. Through modern revelation we have the testimony of John, who bore record that Jesus Christ is “the light and the Redeemer of the world, the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.

“The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him” (D&C 93:9–10).

To read the full talk, click here.

Relief Society Lesson 2: Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:21:00 -0700

source: the-exponent.com

I thought this section in the manual was great. Then again, I think the subject is about the best one imaginable. I don’t think we can ever teach love too often. I’ve left in everything in the lesson, and put extra quotes, discussion questions, and my own thoughts in italics throughout.

Julie B. Beck and Mormon Mommy Blogs

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:45:00 -0700

source: mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com

Mormon Life says: Mormon Mommy Blogs is looking for questions from readers to ask Julie B. Beck in an upcoming interview. What would you want to ask?

If you could ask Sister Julie B. Beck, the General Relief Society President, any question what would it be?

Yes. I mean ANY question.

Such as:

Why do only men hold the priesthood?
How do women really fit into the church? Do they have a place?
Why were Relief Society Meetings-- formerly known as Enrichment-- formerly known as Home, Family and Personal Enrichment--formerly known as Homemaking done away with?
When is it OK to say NO? Is it ever?
What are we supposed to do with that new book they just put out? (Daughters in my kingdom)

Teachings of George Albert Smith Lesson 2: Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:04:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Given the purpose of our existence, if we do not love God and neighbor, whatever else we do will be of little eternal consequence." -Robert F. Orton

Note: As the Church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. This supplement, from a general conference address, is only meant as a complement to your study on this lesson's topic.

Excerpt from "'The First and Great Commandment'" by Elder Robert F. Orton, October 2001 General Conference:

The attention of people around the world has been drawn, during the past four weeks, to the willful, intentional, and destructive acts of terrorism and hatred.

Hatred is the antithesis of love. Lucifer is its chief proponent and perpetrator and has been since his approach to the plan of salvation was rejected by the Father. It was he who influenced Judas to deliver Jesus to the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver. It is he, the enemy of all righteousness and the father of contention, who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

On the other hand, it was that same Jesus whom Judas delivered to the chief priests who said, “Love your enemies, … and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you” (3 Ne. 12:44; see also Matt. 5:44). And it was He who pleaded for the soldiers who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

I thought for many years that love was an attribute. But it is more. It is a commandment. In His dialogue with the lawyer, a Pharisee, Jesus said:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37–40; see also Gal. 5:14).

President Hinckley has said that “love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is a constant. It is the very essence of the gospel.”

To read the full talk, click here.

Relief Society Lesson #1, “Living What We Believe”

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:34:00 -0700

source: the-exponent.com

President Smith’s Creed

The beginning of the lesson describes George Albert Smith writing his own personal creed, which took the form of eleven resolutions to live his religion. You might begin or end this lesson by giving class members paper and pens and some time to privately sketch a personal creed or personal resolutions they want to live by. However, meaningful reflection takes time, so you may simply want to encourage class members to this at home as part of their private study and meditation. If you do give class members time to compose their own creeds or resolutions, you might also ask if anyone wants to share some of theirs—although of course you should be careful to respect privacy.

Teachings of George Albert Smith Lesson 1: Living What We Believe

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:02:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: This is the first of the new course of study for Melchizedek priesthood and Relief Society lessons. This supplement discusses living the gospel by being a missionary.

Excerpt from "Creating a Gospel-Sharing Home" Elder M. Russell Ballard, April 2006 General Conference:

When we truly understand how great a blessing the gospel of Jesus Christ is in our lives, when we accept and embrace these eternal truths and allow them to sink deep into our hearts and souls, we experience a “mighty change” (Alma 5:14) in our hearts. We are filled with love and gratitude. As the prophet Alma wrote, we feel “to sing the song of redeeming love” (Alma 5:26) to all who will hear it.

“O, that I were an angel,” Alma said, “and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

“Yea, I would declare unto every soul … the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth” (Alma 29:1–2).

So it should be with us, my brothers and sisters. Our love for the Lord and appreciation for the Restoration of the gospel are all the motivation we need to share what gives us much joy and happiness. It is the most natural thing in the world for us to do, and yet far too many of us are hesitant to share our testimonies with others.

All around the world, missionaries are responding to this testimony-driven joy in sharing the gospel. Many of them are entering the MTC with their own marked and well-studied copies of the missionary guide Preach My Gospel. I am pleased to report that with the use of Preach My Gospel, they are increasingly able to teach in their own words by the power of the Spirit and are better able to adjust their lessons to the needs of those whom they are teaching. As a result they are having meaningful impact on many lives.

But quite frankly, what they need now is more people to teach.

To read the full talk, click here.

Practical applications for Daughters in My Kingdom

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:23:00 -0700

source: the-exponent.com

This week, our ward Relief Society received our copies of the new book, Daughters in My Kingdom. I was so excited to see it finally passed out!

Relief Society Lesson #47: Exaltation

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:56:00 -0700

source: the-exponent.com

This seems like a lesson where it would be very very easy to get bogged down by nit-picky details like, “What exactly, is the difference between the 3 kingdoms? What kind of people end up in which kingdom?” Or it could also end up creating what I call a gospel checklist mindset- which is where people think that they can save themselves by just doing everything on the list, and then doing it again better (the lesson manual even includes a list of things we have to do to be exalted).

RS/MP Lesson 46: “The Final Judgment” (Gospel Principles Manual)

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:17:00 -0700

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

As always, I try to hit each section briefly and offer some food for thought through the scriptures quoted. I also give questions for each section. My hope is that these questions make you come up with questions of your own. My questions, and commentary, are mostly rhetorical to help guide your own thoughts on the subject.

Judgments of God

Our lives are not made up of one single judgment. Rather, our lives are made up of a series of judgments. We are judged in almost everything that we do. This is especially true in the church when it comes to worthiness (baptism, temple, priesthood, etc.). It is also true in other walks of life (work, sports, etc.) However, it is not if we are judged, but how we are judged that is important. The following two scriptures will say how we are judged.

Relief Society Lesson #44: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:06:00 -0600

source: the-exponent.com

The people at the time of Christ were familiar with prophesies about Christ, but they were sometimes confused, not understanding that He would come in glory and reign on Earth during His Second Coming, not during the first, when He would come in humility and not political power.

“The Jews were looking for a redeemer quite different from the Christ. It was a temporal salvation that they desired. It was an earthly kingdom for which they longed. It was not faith, repentance, and baptism for which they sought, but national vindication, the destruction of gentile oppressors, and the establishment of a kingdom of peace and justice.” (Joseph McConkie, “Messianic Expectations among the Jews,” A Symposium on the New Testament, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1980, p. 128.)

Relief Society Lesson #46: Final Judgement

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:27:00 -0600

source: the-exponent.com

I might begin this lesson by making the point that judgment is a part of a life. We’re judged by the teachers who grade us, by the employers who hire and evaluate us, by the prospective spouses we date and the spouses we marry, by our parents and children and friends and neighbors—and our bishops and stake presidents. All of us pass judgment, and all of us undergo judgment.

I’d then ask the class to think of some of the ways we evaluate and judge each other, and list their answers on the board. Some possibilities:

Relief Society History: A Building for the Women of the Church

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:08:00 -0600

source: keepapitchinin.org

Mormon Life says: A little story from church history. General Relief Society President Zina D.H. Young addressed the sisters gathered in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square for their annual conference in October, 1896. Among other topics, she noted that, after having done so much to contribute to the building of public facilities in Utah over the past decades, the sisters had no place to call their own. Her vice president (counselor) Sarah M. Kimball – who might be said to have been the originator of the Relief Society, since it was her desire to organize the women of Nauvoo to help build the temple there – echoed Zina’s thoughts.

It was “a humiliation,” Sarah said, for the sisters “to be without a place of our own.”

Relief Society Lesson #45: The Millenium

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:14:00 -0600

source: the-exponent.com

I must admit my practical bias in teaching any church lesson: How do these teachings influence our thinking to help us become better people now? For me, finding what is at the core of these lessons that can comfort our hearts and stretch our souls is the key to making these lessons both successful and meaningful.

In lessons that focus on abstract ideas or events that have been prophesied, it can be easy for a class to be side-tracked by speculation and pontificating (hence the manual’s caution that “the subject of the Millennium sometimes leads people to speculate about ideas that are not found in the scriptures or the teachings of latter-day prophets. As you guide this lesson, be careful to avoid such speculation.”)

Seeds of Hope: How one Mormon woman is helping Africa help itself

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:10:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Wow. The father takes a Fanta bottle in his hand and whacks it against a rock. CRACK. With the broken glass, he carves a name onto a roughly constructed wooden cross: "Cesilia." Nearby, the mother, draped limp and unmoving over a child-sized wooden casket, doesn't make a sound. A wiry black woman, body hardened by a life of hauling water and working in the fields of rural Mozambique, her eyes are blank, as lifeless as the five-year-old girl she is burying.

The funeral doesn't take long. Friends gather around as the men of the family take turns digging the grave. They sing as the casket is lowered into the ground along with the child's few belongings — a bundle of frayed clothing, a few handmade toys. The melody is heavy with the tears they don't shed.