Week 15

This week the lesson was on the Law of Consecration. As I asked the kids- 13-14 year olds- what came to mind when I said the Law of Consecration I got blank stares! They had never heard of it before. Wow! I wonder if I had at their age- i don't remember. So then I believe the spirit guided me to teach them about what it is. I actually was very touched by the spirit as He testified to me of this eternal principle. In fact- Job- he understood this principle to the core. Really what it comes down to is recognizing that everything that we have has been given to us by our Heavenly Father- everything. Job had a testimony that was so strong and he had been blessed tremendously with a wife and children, material wealth and when it was all taken from him, even his health- he still remained true to the Lord. People, his friends, tried to convince him to denounce his testimony, to turn from the Lord, they even tried to convince him that he had done something very wrong in the sight of God to have all these bad things happen but Job did not listen- he continued to pray and stay close to what he knew and after his trial he was given everything back and then some. When it comes to living the Law of Consecration at the cruxt of it is the knowledge that everything we have comes from our Heavenly Father and he gives it to us so that we can build the kingdom of God and if he sees fit to take it away he is doing so to build our faith in Him- to see that we will remain true even in the hardest and most difficult of times. The Law of Consecration has been lived by the people of Enoch, it was lived by the saints after Jesus Christ left the earth and it was lived by the Nephites after Jesus Christ appeared unto them. To live this law we must have an eye single to the glory of God. we must have complete knowledge that the Lord knows what he is doing and whatever he gives or takes away is his to do so with. The early saints were asked to live this law and they did so for a brief period of time and then they began to bicker and argue about who had what and why. In so doing they were unable to continue to live this way and so were given the law of tithing. The law of tithing is giving 10% of what has been given to you, back to the Lord, for the building of His kingdom here on earth. the law of consecration is giving 100% back to He who has given it to you. Now we haven't been asked to live this Law but someday we will be asked and we can prepare now to live it. We can do this through prayer, scripture study, attending church meetings regularly, loving others, keeping the commandments....I know all primary answers but these things are what help us to come unto Him- to have a personal relationship with our Savior. If we don't know Him how can we live under his law. We must also come to love as he does. to realize that all of us, even our enemies, have talents and attributes that will contribute to building the kingdom of God. We must learn now to submit ourselves wholly to the Lord. We must be willing to give up things we think are "ok" because we have been asked to do so by our prophets. The only thing we truly can "give" to our Heavenly Father is our "will." We may be asked to do things that we think are "ok" but really we are being asked to choose god's will over our own. I obviously need help in this area just like everyone else but I must say after teaching this lesson I am one step closer.

Week 14

I must admit that i did not put the effort I normally do into this weeks lesson. I let life get in the way and did not make the time to study as I normally do. However I was very touched by the spirit and the power He has to make truth known to my heart and mind. This weeks lesson was in regards to the revelations and truths that have been restored to the latter days through the prophet Joseph Smith. There are so many things that I believe we as members take for granted and forget that others aren't taught or don't have the same understanding. For instance, we believe that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are individual beings. Heavenly Father and jesus Christ having resurrected, physical bodies and that the Holy Ghost is a spirit, just like you and i were before being born into this world. Most other churches believe they are all spirits and they are all the same being. We also have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation- the fact that we came from a world before- that we were created spiritually before physically and that we chose to come to this earth to follow our Heavenly Father's plan and gain a physical body. We chose this path because it was the only way we could become like Him which leads to another piece of knowledge that others don't teach- we believe we are son's and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us and knows us and that we have the potential to become like Him. Yes- we believe we can become Gods. What a beautiful concept. To have been created by a parent who loves me and is perfect and to know that I can become like Him. We can never be Him but we can be like Him. We also know that we can return to Him because of the sacrifice of our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins, if we so choose, we can repent and follow His example and in doing so we can be saved from our sins and return to live again with them. We also know that because Jesus Christ gave up his life, willingly, he overcame the bonds of death and in so doing made it possible for each one of us to be resurrected- to be reunited with our physical bodies, made perfect- after we have gone from this earth. We also know that through the restoration of the priesthood we have the opportunity to make covenants with our Heavenly Father that will make it possible to be sealed to our families for eternity. That through these priesthood covenants and ordinances we can live with our Heavenly Father again. It is only through the priesthood that this is made possible and it for this purpose that we have temples on the earth today, to not only save ourselves but also to make it possible for others who have not had the opportunity to have those covenants and ordinances done for them. Because of Joseph Smith we have the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. He is a Prophet of God and because he was humble enough to get on his knees and ask, believing he would recieve he made it possible for the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored. We know that God speaks to us today through apostles and prophets just as he did in times of old. We are so blessed to have this knowledge and it is our responsibility to study it, pray about it and be ready to share it with others who are searching for something more. Every one of us is a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father and our spirits are aware of this knowledge; it is not something new however when the veil was drawn it became necessary for us to need to be reminded of these truths which is why we have a member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost to witness of these truths. He touches our hearts and minds. Truth is truth whether you want to believe it or not. All you need is a desire to believe and the willingness to "plant the seed" and let it take root. I do understand that in the world today it is not always easy to live the commandments- to not take things into our bodies and minds- to dress so that we respect the bodies we have been given- we want so much to blend in with the world; to not stand out- unless we are wanting to be noticed for the reason of the world but I can testify to you that I know by making ourselves known as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and staying true to those things the prophets have commanded we will be blessed and as we endure it becomes easier to be a "peculiar people" because you will find more strength in the knowledge you have and you will be more confident because you will be doing what you know is right instead of trying to justify those things which you know are not. I love this gospel. I am not perfect but I know that i can become perfect through repentance because of my Savior.

Week 13

With it being Easter Sunday I really wanted to tie in the lesson with why we celebrate Easter. I try to make sure to teach my kids this instead of just making the holiday about candy, easter eggs and the easter bunny. As I pondered the lesson and the reason for Easter I concluded that "the gathering of Israel" is all dependent upon what our Savior has done for us. There would be no reason for a "gathering" if our Savior did not give his life and atone for our sins. For our lesson I showed the movie "To this end was I born". I began the lesson by explaining the thoughts I have just shared with you. We then watched the 27 minute video. I have seen it before and yet i found again the spirit testifying to my heart and soul of the truthfulness of these events. As I continued to ponder these thoughts throughout the week it occurred to me that the gathering of Israel begins with me. It isn't an event that is going to take place all at one time. It goes along with the "worth of souls" when we share the gospel with ourselves we are gathering and when we gather ourselves unto the Lord or "come unto Him" by our examples we will bring others with us. In the lesson it teaches that the gathering of Israel is not just bring the lost 10 tribes out of obscurity but it is about strengthening through unification. It is about becoming perfected by receiving those ordinances necessary for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom. Beginning with Baptism and following through with being sealed to our families. It is imperative for these ordinances to happen so that we can be exalted as we live eternally with our Heavenly Father. Baptism is the gate that leads to eternal life- without baptism we cannot be saved. It is an outward reflection of our inner commitment. Without the atonement and the resurrection eternal life would not be possible. it is our responsibility to strengthen and prepare ourselves so that we can do the same for others. These are the thoughts that occurred to me while preparing and giving the lesson this week.

Visiting Teaching for March

This month for me the thing that stood out for me was just that we must strengthen our homes. So often we are told that our homes can be and should be temples ( a place where the Lord can reside). When we speak of strengthening our homes we must first make it a place where the Lord can reside. it is so important to do this because the adversary wants so much to break down the plan of happiness which is centered in the family. We need to pull together-not just family members but eternal family members. We need to draw strength from every facet. We must do those things that allow the spirit to be in our lives, in our hearts, on the forefront of our minds. It is so important to love and forgive. to trust and understand. if we can't do this in our homes than we are doing our children, our spouses a disservice. To do this we must forget about ourselves and focus on others. We must make the Savior an integral part of our lives- not just someone we speak of but someone we emulate. This does not need to be done just in homes with spouses and children this can be in homes with room mates- in homes where guests are present. It all starts with YOU! So often we think that life in the gospel begins when we get married but really it begins now---it begins when you plant the seed. All those things we are being asked to do must be done before we start a family so that we can share our knowledge with our family. The Savior never was married- at least not to our knowledge- and yet he started as a child and as he got to his final days he was ready to sacrifice himself for his family. if he had waited to be married and have kids to strengthen his testimony and do those things he had been taught as a young child and youth- he would not have been strong enough to do what he needed to do for each and every one of us. Each of us as a potential and to reach that potential we must make our "homes" wherever it is- even if it is our bedroom- a place where the spirit can reside and teach us. Where we can strengthen our testimonies and the testimonies of those around us through our example. I know this I hope I am doing this and if I am not I hope I am repenting and trying harder. Begin today- don't put it off- you never know what your going to be asked to do and if you are not ready- how many people will it effect now and in the future?

Week 12

Well it has been over a week since teaching this lesson but I still feel the spirit as it witnesses to me of the truth found in the lesson. With last week being spring break i didn't have a moments time to sit down and write out my thoughts regarding "The field is white and already to harvest." Now I have heard this quote/scripture myriad of times throughout my life and I know what I would answer when I hear it. "missionary work" but as I taught this lesson I was directed in another direction along the same lines. When I hear missionary work I think about telling others about the gospel. Often times we forget how important it is for us to be missionaries to ourselves and by doing that we will be missionaries to others just in our example. How can we tell people to pray to our Heavenly Father if we aren't doing it ourselves? How can we tell people to have faith when in the most crucial of times in our own lives we are lacking? How can we tell others to study the words of the prophets in the scriptures when we aren't following our own counsel? I have a friend right now who has found her testimony of the Savior and the truthfulness of the gospel and as i watch the joy that radiates from her as she discovers more truth and makes the changes necessary to enter the waters of baptism I am in awe. I also watch her read and study the scriptures, ensign, and books- not getting enough and always wanting more- when i have had these same resources throughout my life and I read "when i get the chance" don't get me wrong- i read from the scriptures almost every day but I must admit I do it out of habit or to prepare a lesson for the most part- she does it because she is partaking of the bread of life and by doing so she is getting fuller and fuller. She is doing it because she feels so far behind and wishes she had had this information all her life and now she feels she needs to catch up and doesn't want to put it down. What an example she is to me of the priorities that i should have in my life and how grateful I should be for what I have had my entire life.
So back to the lesson...how can i be ready to be a missionary? the answer is simple but not always easy. Do those things that we have been taught since primary. "Everything you need to know (for eternal life) you learned in primary." there is a reason you have "primary answers" it is because if you are doing those things on a daily basis- thy mysteries of the kingdom of God will be unfolded. Pray, Read your scriptures, pay your tithing, go to church, serve god, be baptized (for those already baptized- partake of the sacrament), prepare for and attend the temple. If we do these things the truthfulness of all things can be revealed unto us. These are all things we have been taught since primary. In D & C 18 it speaks of the worth of souls "and if it so be you bring one soul unto me how great shall be your joy" Have you ever thought that the one soul is yourself? I had this question posed to me several years ago and I have never forgotten it. Each one of us is a convert, whether you have been raised in the church or not. At some point we each have to recieve our own testimonies and as we plant the seed and let it grow we have to continue to nourish it and take care of it and share it. Have you ever planted a seed and watched it grow and found joy in the life that was being shaped before you. At that point would you have stopped watering it and feeding it? My guess is No. After all the effort you put into it you want to do what you can to keep it thriving. Sometimes the plant gets sick, leaves turn brown, little bugs get in it- do you just throw it away and give up on it...no--you do what you can to keep it thriving. The same is with our testimonies--as we keep them thriving even in the midst of trying times-we not only bless our lives but others are blessed and want to know more about how we are thriving when the world says we should be down trodden. So for the lesson this week I focused, because the spirit guided me, on preparing ourselves- converting ourselves- so that when the opportunity presents itself for us to be able to share the gospel with others we will be ready and the spirit can guide us- help us to open our mouths and tell us the things he would have us say. This gospel is not just for me or you. It is for everyone- it is not a religion- it is a way of life, of truth, of happiness. You can't deny it! yes, it is not always easy in a world of chaos and wickedness, you will have to sacrifice the pleasures of the world but in the end when all is said and done--it is the only way to eternal happiness.

Week 11

Have you ever had a week or maybe even more when you know that the talks given in church, the lessons being and taught and the conversation being had are all directed at you and one or more of your weaknesses. That has been my experience these last few weeks. Its hard when you love someone to accept that they are not you and you are not them and that you can't do anything about it. This weeks lesson was D & C 25. The Lord's counsel to Emma Smith in regards to how she could become closer to the Lord by treating her husband with kindness and regard his feelings over hers. Not that her feeling aren't valid but that if she will follow his counsel those feelings that she is having will be taken care of. Talk about having faith...I am struggling with this. Oh- my mind knows what it needs to do but doing it---well the natural man is getting in the way- much more often than it should. She was also counseled to avoid pride, to be meek and rejoice. Most often, when things are going well and when feelings aren't getting stomped on, this is not hard to do but dang it--that natural man gets in the way. I learned what enmity is- in short it is opposition to the things of God. Which really is the cruxt of pride. Because really it all comes down to putting god's will on the back burner and telling him that you know better. Now I don't have nearly the trials that Emma Smith had, in fact my husband is pretty much at my beck and call and his only concern is me and the kids. Poor Emma had to share her husband. I am so very blessed to have a husband who loves me. He respects me- he has patience with me. I get so caught up in wanting him to change that I forget that I need to work on that for myself. Of course that does not mean my feelings are not valid and yes I need to communicate but it does mean I need to find better ways of communicating. I biggest issue is how I speak to him. I definitely do it with a bit (ok) a lot of pride in there and I need to include my Heavenly Father in ways of communicating better with him. i will say that the natural man still hopes that by doing so that he will do better in other areas but really I must focus on changing me and doing it because that is what my Heavenly Father wants me to do. I need to focus on the positive things instead of the negative- I need to realize the things that upset me the most- I do to him in a different way. I must change myself and like Heavenly Father explains, i will be blessed with knowledge, understanding, peace, strength and so much more. For this lesson I was led to the Scripture in Romans 8: 5-16. I believe it goes perfectly with the pride issue but also with the rejoicing issue. Because really if we are one with Christ- what other issues should we have. We must not let the natural man take over our spirit. I don't know about you but my spirit is stronger than that. My spirit is going to live eternally- the natural man will only get to live as long as I live on this earth. I am just rambling in my head but I really do have a lot to learn and with the help of my Savior I can do ALL things. I need to put His will above mine and know that when I do that I will be stronger than ever. I will find more joy than I ever have. I will love better than I ever though possible and I will find peace... Not only will I be blessed but those around me will be blessed also. I love this gospel. Everything in the scriptures testifies of our Savior and the plan of salvation. If I liken the scriptures unto me I will find the answer to all my problems. Each experience, trial, triumph, situation is something i can learn from and make a part of me. I just have to be searching and asking for the Lord to make it known unto me what it is that I need to learn and what I need to share. I can make a difference just in how I respond and react to all that is around me. I am so grateful for that knowledge.

Week 10

Teaching this lesson along with having gone to a wonderful conference this weekend was strengthening in so many ways. Its funny how the Lord speaks to us in so many quiet ways. Sometimes we don't want to hear it but that doesn't mean its not truth. anyway the theme of the conference was the Sweet assurance, "the certainty that comes when you know life's truths" The question that was asked throughout the conference was "What do you know?" I don't think we ask ourselves that question often enough. Storms may come, and during those storms small or large if we have asked and answered that question often enough those truths won't change. We may want them too, thinking life would be easier if they weren't but again truth doesn't change, only we do. If we find truth changing if it doesn't add to what we already know and make it stronger and better than it is the adversary creating doubt and confusion to lead us away from the truth. The lesson this week was titled "The only true and living church" As I studied this lesson I found my self asking what does living mean and as I pondered I realized, for myself, it means growth and learning. We are only living if we are growing and learning. We know the church is headed by our Savior, Jesus Christ, he is living. He knows us- not just me, but every single person born on this earth. As we progress as a whole he allows us to grow, he allows us the opportunity to stretch ourselves. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes we don't want to do what we are asked because it doesn't fit into our idea or plan for ourselves but always it fits into His plan. Truth is truth- it doesn't change- to get the fulness of the gospel, the fulness of truth we must be seeking it and be willing to make changes that are sometimes hard and overwhelming but when we do what we are asked we are growing not just spiritually, physically and emotionally but we are growing closer to our Savior because we are putting our faith and trust in Him, which means we are being humbled. One thought that has stuck with me from the conference is that to be disciples of Christ means that we must be prepared to walk in His shoes, experience some of the sorrows, pains and temptations He experienced. If we don't than how can we truly come to know Him. He has experienced ALL that we have experienced and because of that He knows us, he loves us, he sorrows for us- he empathizes because he has truly been there- He is the ONLY one who has. "The only thing that keeps you standing is getting on your knees." That is a truth- you may not believe or you may doubt it but it is truth and you must plant that seed and keep doing it so your testimony grows and is strengthened and you come to KNOW your Father in Heaven and his Son. You may ask yourself, why is it so hard? Why do I have to go through this? Why can't I have what I want right now? Whatever your question the answer is " you are living the life the Lord would have you live right now" and while it is not what you want or expect it is for your learning and growth it is for you to come closer to your Savior and put your trust in Him and become what he knows you can become "Salvation is not a cheap experience" you have to work for it and prove yourself to get the blessings that He has in store for you. If he just gave them to you without your sacrifice and hard work then we got what you are asking for you wouldn't appreciate it as much and maybe when the bigger storms hit you wouldn't stay standing. "if its hard relish it; you are being stretched" and you will come out as someone stronger and closer to the Savior. You have great potential-don't sell yourself short! These are all things I KNOW! These are all reasons why this gospel is the ONLY true and living church. The head of the church is our Savior, he is perfect- we as mankind are not but HE is and he has given us a modern day prophet to guide us towards perfection and salvation- we just have to choose to listen to him and do what HE has asked- even if it is hard or isn't convenient or isn't the popular thing or well, you know your excuse. If the spirit is not able to be present than it isn't truth- plain and simple.
The other thing that has stuck with me about this lesson is the the ordinance of the sacrament and how that ordinance alone makes this church "living". Every week we take upon us the covenant to "always remember Him and Keep His commandments" He knows we aren't perfect and so every week we get to reevaluate where we stand. We get to repent and make changes. Every week, every day His atonement is applied to us and through the sacrament that is made possible. We have taken upon us His name- not just the name Jesus Christ but every attribute of Him- creator, founder of peace, redeemer, Savior, fountain of righteousness, and the list goes on. These are all names and attributes that we have taken upon us and they are all things that I can be striving to be an example of.
the last thing that really struck me about this lesson was D & C 115 1-4 when the Lord is speaking about the name of the church. As I taught this lesson i found myself asking what would this have to do with the true and living church- "its just a name" but I had the spirit testify to me of the truth of this name. It is His church and when we say that name the spirit will testify of its truthfulness- when someone asks what church i belong to I can answer "mormon" which is a nickname that came about from the opposers of the church which was led by the adversary or i can say boldly and with confidence "THE church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" In that title alone the spirit will, if the person is willing to listen, testify of the truth.
What do I know?
I know that prayers are answered!
I know that by paying my tithing by testimony will stay strong.
I know that my Heavenly Father and my Savior know me.
I know that truth is truth whether I want it to be or not.
I know that by being obedient we will be blessed abundantly.

I know that things don't always go the way I want but they always go the way the Lord has planned. It is not just a guess for Him- He has a plan and if we listen we can know his plan for us. We have to be willing to let go of our plans and put ourselves in His hands- in the meantime we will find that His plan was much better than our own.

I know we must learn to love others and not worry about being loved in return. Our Savior is the ultimate example of that. Look at all he has done for all mankind and even though a majority of the population does not love Him- he still loves them and is waiting with his arms outstretched for when they do turn to Him. I want to be that. I want to love-even when its hard- even when the love is not being reciprocated the way I want it to be. I will be blessed for doing but more importantly the person i am loving will be blessed. With that love is the act of forgiveness- we will be wronged, will be stepped on- it will hurt- but when we forgive we will find strength to overcome- IF we turn to the Lord and put it in HIS hands.

I love this gospel I love that it is truth- I love that i can learn and grow and progress. I love that if I make a mistake and fall that I can get back up and keep moving forward, putting my faith and trust in Him and our Heavenly Father's plan.

I know I will return to Him someday and i will know Him when he calls my name.