Stake Relief Society Activity

Saturday, February 26

9:00-12:00

Breakfast, Classes, Service

at the Stake Center!

Kari Winklecotter-Taylor Wedding

Engagement Picture

The Ceremony

Mr. & Mrs. Taylor

The Cake

Mother & Son

Decorations

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 28- Service
Instructor: Sister Bell

Jesus said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). As true followers of Jesus, we also must serve others."

"All of us must be willing to serve, no matter what our income, age, or social position. Some people believe that only the poor and lowly should serve. Other people think service should be given only by the rich. But Jesus taught otherwise. When the mother of two of His disciples asked Him to honor her sons in His kingdom, Jesus replied, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26–27)."

"There are many ways to serve. We can help others economically, socially, physically, and spiritually." How have you served others or others served you in these four areas?

Why does the Savior want us to serve others?

“God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82)." We need to make sure we are ready and willing to serve when the time arises.

"President Spencer W. Kimball said, “We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to ‘find’ ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 85–86)."

Opportunities to Serve

• Our Service Auction was a way to meet new people as service was provided
• Providing meals as needed
• Home/Visiting Teaching- one sister shared a story of a Home Teacher that wouldn't leave until his families found a way for him to serve them
• Sister Seely was a great example of service in our ward. She always had blankets and burp cloths to give away. She would take birthday cards to people, and visit them when they were in the hospital or sick.
• Fulfilling our callings is a way to serve our brothers and sisters in our wards.
• What are some other ways you have found to serve?

Jesus Christ is the Perfect Example of Service
"He is the Creator of the earth and our Savior, yet He did many humble acts of service. Just before His Crucifixion He met with His disciples. After teaching them, He took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet (see John 13:4–10; see also the picture in this chapter). In those days washing a visitor’s feet was a sign of honor and was usually done by a servant. Jesus did it as an example of love and service. When we willingly serve others in the spirit of love, we become more like Christ."

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Sharing Time: Join the Secret Service
Sharing Time: Give Yourself Away
Sharing Time: I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus
LDS Living: To the Rescue
LDS Living: Service

Lesson: Chapter 27: Work and Personal Responsibility
Instructor: Sister Ashby

President David O. McKay said, “Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success” (Pathways to Happiness [1957], 381).

Sister Ashby had a great activity to go along with this lesson. She brought a treasure box filled with items that could be sorted into three categories of work: Physical, Spiritual, & Emotional. She had sisters come up and take an item out of the box and decide which category it would fit in. You can go here, for pictures you could use to do this same activity with your family.

Work is an Eternal Principle:
"Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have shown us by Their examples and teachings that work is important in heaven and on earth. God worked to create the heavens and the earth. He caused the seas to gather in one place and the dry land to appear. He caused grass, herbs, and trees to grow on the land. He created the sun, the moon, and the stars. He created every living thing in the sea or on the land. Then He placed Adam and Eve on the earth to take care of it and to have dominion over all living things. (See Genesis 1:1–28.) Jesus said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). He also said, “I must work the works of him that sent me” (John 9:4)."

Family Responsibility
"Parents work together to provide for the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of their family. They should never expect anyone to take care of this responsibility for them. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8).

What responsibilities do your children have? How do you hold them accountable?

We Can Enjoy Work
To some people work is a drudgery. To others it is an exciting part of life. One way to enjoy life’s fullest benefits is to learn to love work.

Our attitude toward work is very important. The following story shows how one man saw beyond his daily labor. A traveler passed a stone quarry and saw three men working. He asked each man what he was doing. Each man’s answer revealed a different attitude toward the same job. “I am cutting stone,” the first man answered. The second replied, “I am earning three gold pieces per day.” The third man smiled and said, “I am helping to build a house of God.”

God Condemns Idleness
The Lord is not pleased with those who are lazy or idle. He said, “The idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways” (D&C 75:29). He also commanded, “Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer” (D&C 42:42).

Work, Recreation, and Rest
It is important to find balance between "work, recreation, and rest".

On other days of the week, in addition to working, we may spend time to improve our talents and enjoy our hobbies, recreation, or other activities that will refresh us.

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Sharing Time: A Happy Home

Friend Article: Mine House is a House of Order

LDS Living: Responsibility

LDS Living: Using Time Wisely Song

Great Article- The Dangerous Digital Vortex

My sister in law sent me the link to an article from the BYU Alumni Magazine. It goes really well with the lesson we had in Relief Society and Priesthood a couple of weeks ago about protecting our family from the fiery darts of the adversary. With our children growing up in the digital age, how do we protect them? This article is very straight forward and gives some great ideas for connecting with children. Click here, to read the article.

Sunday Happenings (times 2)

Sunday, February 6

Instructor: Sister Baumann

Lesson- "More Diligent and Concerned at Home" David A. Bednar

1) Suggestion Number One: Express and Show Love 1John 4:18

"We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love."

• Sister Sanderson talked about showing love to/from parents: phone calls & care packages while at school, Mom staying with son while in hospital when she had to work, Able to take care of mom after her father passed away. She would take her on special adventures. How do you show love to your parents?
• Sister Perkins talked about showing love to her husband. She said that there are times when they don't see each other very often. They make sure there is a daily phone call so they can communicate and really talk. Take the little moments to let them know you are thinking of them- cookies, notes, a spontaneous hug...etc..
• Sister Nichols talked about showing love to her children. Having family rules (don't yell at one another, call each other names, hit one another, if you do...apologize sincerely). Be on the same wave length with your spouse, communicate with one another about decisions. Give students responsibilities because "we are all part of this family".

2) Suggestion Number Two: Bear Testimony and Live It: D&C 8:2

• Sister Baumann talked about using Family Home Evening as a time to share "feelings" or "testimony". It was a great time for her sons to hear their father share his testimony.

"Feeling the power, the edification, and the constancy of testimony from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such testimony fortifies faith and provides direction. Such testimony generates light in a world that grows increasingly dark. Such testimony is the source of an eternal perspective and of enduring peace."

3) Suggestion Number Three: Be Consistent

• Attend Church Weekly
• Reading Scriptures
• Saying Prayers
• F.H.E.
• Getting back on track if needed

"Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent."

Sunday, January 30:

Instructor: Sister Smith

Lesson- "Let There Be Light" Quentin L. Cook

Sister Smith held up this picture and asked us to concentrate on it for 1 minute. She then asked what we felt?

• not alone
• it's ok, things aren't as bad as you think
• silence
• his LOVE
• Smile, brings happiness

In the world we live in today we are surrounded by evil. We must fortify ourselves against this evil by making the gospel the most important part of our lives.

First, we must PROTECT FAMILY. What can we do?

• Turn off T.V.
• No T.V.'s in children's bedrooms
• Computers in public places in the house
• Open Communication
• Good Friends
• F.H.E.
• Be the parent, it is ok to say NO!

" If we make of our homes holy places that shelter us from evil, we will be protected from the adverse consequences that the scriptures have foretold. If we make of our homes holy places that shelter us from evil, we will be protected from the adverse consequences that the scriptures have foretold."

Second: Protecting Community

• We need to take responsibility
• We shouldn't just let things happen around us without saying anything
• No Cussing Club see how one boy is taking a stand

"In our increasingly unrighteous world, it is essential that values based on religious belief be part of the public discourse. Moral positions informed by a religious conscience must be accorded equal access to the public square. Under the constitutions of most countries, a religious conscience may not be given preference, but neither should it be disregarded. "

Third: Honest Conduct

"The poet Robert Burns said, “An honest man’s the noblest work of God.”

"Clearly, moral values with respect to honesty can play a significant role in establishing light and truth and improving society and should be valued by those who do not have faith."

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Sharing Time: Love At Home

Sharing Time: I Will!

Sharing Time: Family Love

LDS Living: Home

LDS Living: Good Judgement

LDS Living: Love