RS Lesson Schedule Jan-March 2016

Jan 3 Presidency Message "The Power of One"

Jan 10 Lesson 1 President Hunter

Jan 17 Lesson 2 President Hunter

  Jan 24 Stake Conference

  Jan 31 Combined with Priesthood

    Feb 7 Presidency Message

Feb 14 Lesson 3 President Hunter

Feb 21 Lesson 4 President Hunter

Feb 28 Teachings for our Times "Keep the Commandments" President Monson

     Mar 6 Presidency Message

Mar 13 Lesson 5 President Hunter

Mar 20 Lesson 6 President Hunter

Mar 27 Teachings for our Times " Shipshape and Bristol Fashion" Elder Quentin L. Cook

To see all of the lessons by President Hunter for 2016, please go here.

RS Lesson Summary December 21st

Sister Armstrong gave the lesson on the topic of the second coming. If you would like to read the entire talk you can visit lds.org and read Preparing for the coming our Lord.

From the Life of Joseph Fielding Smith

President Joseph Fielding Smith once told a group of Latter-day Saints that he was “praying for the end of the world.” He said, “If it came tomorrow I would be glad.” In response to that declaration, a woman spoke out, loudly enough for others to hear. “Oh, I hope not,” she said.

Sharing this experience some time later, President Smith taught:

“Do you not want the end of the world to come?

“Most people have the wrong idea of what is meant by the end of the world. …

“… When Christ comes there will be an end to the world. … There will not be any war, any turmoil, envying, lying; there will be no wickedness. Men will learn then to love the Lord and keep His commandments, and if they don’t they will not stay here. That’s the end of the world, and that is what the Savior prayed for when His disciples came to Him and said, ‘Teach us to pray.’ What did He do? He taught them, ‘Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.’ [See Luke 11:1–2.]

1 The coming of the Lord is near.

We are rapidly approaching the great day of the Lord, that time of “refreshing,” when he will come in the clouds of heaven to take vengeance upon the ungodly and prepare the earth for the reign of peace for all those who are willing to abide in his law [see Acts 3:19–20].³

2 There will be a judgment when Christ comes.

The parable the Lord taught of the Wheat and the Tares had reference to the last days. According to the story a sower planted good seed in his field, but while he slept the enemy came and sowed tares in the field. When the blades began to show, the servants desired to go and pluck up the tares but the Lord commanded them to let both the wheat and the tares grow up together until the harvest was ripe, lest they root up the tender wheat while destroying the tares. Then at the end of the harvest, they were to go forth and gather the wheat and bind the tares to be burned. In the explanation of this parable, the Lord said to his disciples that “the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” [See Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43; D&C 86.]⁶

3 To prepare for the coming of the Lord, we need to watch and pray and get our houses in order.

There are many events in the world today which indicate that the great day of the Lord is drawing near when the Redeemer will again appear to set up his kingdom in righteousness preparatory to the millennial reign. In the meantime it is the duty of members of the Church to seek for knowledge and to prepare themselves by study and by faith for the ushering in of that great and glorious day.¹³

We do not need to be worrying about the times and the seasons when Christ shall come, but we do need to watch and pray and be ready.¹⁴

4 Latter-day Saints can be instruments in God’s hands to prepare a people for the Lord’s coming.

Would it not be an extraordinarily strange thing if the Lord should come and begin his reign of peace, take vengeance on the wicked, cleansing the earth from sin, and not send messengers to prepare the way before him? Should we expect the Lord to come to judge the world without first giving it warning and preparing the means of escape for all who will repent?

5 The Millennium will be a time of peace and a time to labor in the work of the Lord.

The righteous will rejoice when he comes, because then peace will come to the earth, righteousness to the people, and that same spirit of peace and joy and happiness which prevailed upon this continent for two hundred years [see 4 Nephi 1:1–22] shall again be established among the people and eventually shall become universal, and Christ shall reign as Lord of lords and King of kings for a thousand years. We are looking forward to that time.²³

For one thousand years shall this happy time of peace prevail and in due time all the inhabitants of the earth shall be brought into the fold of the Church.²⁴

"The Lord has said through his servants that during the Millennium those who have passed beyond and have attained the resurrection will reveal in person to those who are still in mortality all the information which is required to complete the work of these who have passed from this life. Then the dead will have the privilege of making known the things they desire and are entitled to receive. In this way no soul will be neglected and the work of the Lord will be perfected.³⁰

I pray every day of my life that the Lord will hasten His work. … I am praying for the end of the world because I want a better world. I want the coming of Christ. I want the reign of peace. I want the time to come when every man can live in peace and in the spirit of faith, humility and prayer."

RS Lesson Summary Dec. 7th

Last Sunday Sister DeFreitas gave an excellent talk from Elder Holland's conference talk "Are We Not All Beggars"?. 

In what would be the most startling moment of His early ministry, Jesus stood up in His home synagogue in Nazareth and read these words prophesied by Isaiah and recorded in the Gospel of Luke: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and … set at liberty them that are bruised.”¹

"From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus loved the impoverished and the disadvantaged in an extraordinary way. He was born into the home of two of them and grew up among many more of them. We don’t know all the details of His temporal life, but He once said, “Foxes have holes, and … birds … have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."Apparently the Creator of heaven and earth “and all things that in them are” was, at least in His adult life, homeless."

The Savior of the world loved everyone regardless of circumstance. He saw everyone as a unique child of our Heavenly Father. By watching our Lord's example we are here to help carry burdens that we cannot carry alone. We take turns being the weak and the strong. Each of us has something to offer- we all have gifts and talents. We are all sent here with tools to help lift each other and be the Savior's hands. Don't worry if you think what you are doing isn't enough. We are not asked to run faster than we have strength, we are enough in the acts of service that we provide.

“Why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work. …

“She hath done what she could.”

“She hath done what she could”! What a succinct formula! A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city. He said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely nothing. This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about love, not statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number beyond her reach, she said she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those within her reach with whatever resources she had. “What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean,” she would say on another occasion. “But if we didn't do it, the ocean would be one drop less [than it is].”Soberly, the journalist concluded that Christianity is obviously not a statistical endeavor. He reasoned that if there would be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety and nine who need no repentance, then apparently God is not overly preoccupied with percentages.

Find your strength, cultivate it and offer your strengths to another. How do we do 'what we can'?

"For one thing, we can, as King Benjamin taught, cease withholding our means because we see the poor as having brought their misery upon themselves. Perhaps some have created their own difficulties, but don’t the rest of us do exactly the same thing? Isn’t that why this compassionate ruler asks, “Are we not all beggars?”  Don’t we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don’t we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don’t we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case? Little wonder that King Benjamin says we obtain a remission of our sins by pleading to God, who compassionately responds, but we retain a remission of our sins by compassionately responding to the poor who plead to us."

"You will recognize that I speak here of difficult societal needs that go well beyond members of the Church. Fortunately the Lord’s way of assisting our own is easier: all who are physically able are to observe the law of the fast. Isaiah wrote:

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? …

“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him … ? [that thou] undo the heavy burdens, and … let the oppressed go free … ?”¹⁶

"I bear witness of the miracles, both spiritual and temporal, that come to those who live the law of the fast. I bear witness of the miracles that have come to me. Truly, as Isaiah recorded, I have cried out in the fast more than once, and truly God has responded, “Here I am.” Cherish that sacred privilege at least monthly, and be as generous as circumstances permit in your fast offering and other humanitarian, educational, and missionary contributions. I promise that God will be generous to you, and those who find relief at your hand will call your name blessed forever. More than three-quarters of a million members of the Church were helped last year through fast offerings administered by devoted bishops and Relief Society presidents. That is a lot of grateful Latter-day Saints."

RS Lesson Summary- Nov. 16th

Bishop Walter taught the combined lesson last Sunday. It was an exciting message about family history work. The church is put together a 'new approach' to family history. Some members of the church may have reservations about doing family history. Maybe it's due to the fact that you have an aunt or grandpa or cousin who is 'doing the work' for your family. Maybe it's because the task seems very daunting. 'Where do I start?' 'It's too overwhelming', or 'I'll do it when I have more time.' The church would like us to put all of those feelings aside and start thinking differently.

Family history work should be a family affair. Using the church's webpage and https://familysearch.org/ we can compile information about our families together. The site has been redesigned to work anywhere on any device. There is also a new booklet published by the church that you can fill in and then transfer the information online. My family booklet is a great way to get everyone in your home excited about family history. The booklet is a great place to put stories, info and pictures about your family.

Need help? Family History consultants and specialists can lead you in the right direction. The youth in the church have been leading the way in family history work. In October of 2011 Elder Bednar issued a challenge and a promise to become more involved in Family history.

Family history can be fun! Involve your children and families in this work. Tell stories, share experiences, role play, there are lots of ways to enjoy family history work. 

"He was a Blacksmith video"

The youth of the church especially have been asked to get involved. There are many stakes leading the way in 40 day challenges: 40 days to the temple. Take a family name that you your self have researched to do the work for that person. 

Here is a video of the Stake in Lehi that has inspired many to take hundreds of names to the temple. 

"Now I'm Converted" Video

Are you ready to take the 40 day challenge to take a name to the temple?

 Building a strong family narrative is another way we can be involved in family history. How do we do this? Record events in our journals, enjoy family traditions, engage in spiritual habits, and talk to each other. Tell each other about experiences and record them. Create connections to your family past and present. 

Our lives are full of experiences. As we create and live our own stories, and we want tor record our stories for future generations. 'It's about the dash'.

It's about the 'dash' video

 The blessings that will come from doing this important work are limitless. As we dig in and take the challenge to do the work, we will be 'converted' to family history. Our families will be strengthened as we do the work together, as will our ties to those who have gone before. 

Turn our Hearts

RS Lesson Summary- Oct 26th

Sister Armstrong gave a lovely lesson about the importance of prayer on Sunday. Her lesson came from the teachings of the prophets of the church, lesson #22, Prayer, a Commandment and a Blessing. You can read the talk online at lds.org.
President Joseph Fielding Smith taught us that the 'spirit of prayer part of our very being'. President Smith taught us by example. He quotes several times in his life when prayer was vital and life saving.
Sister Armstrong commented that prayer can open the windows of heaven, and pour out blessings to us.
During President Smith's 62 years of apostolic ministry, he often included prayers in his talks. President Smith's prayers revealed the 'depth of his testimony. '

Prayer is a deeply personal activity. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father grows and is sustained by our prayers. When we make prayer a personal priority, we are strengthened in everything we do.

1- We are commanded to draw near to Heavenly Father in Prayer
"… It is the duty of parents to teach their children to pray as soon as they commence to understand. Let them form the habit of approaching their Father in heaven, and with the understanding of the reason for prayer. If this habit is formed in childhood, it may remain through mature years, and the man or woman who has earnestly sought the Lord and thanked him for blessings, may expect that the Lord will not forsake them in the hour of need."

2-The season of prayer is always
" Some of us may have the idea that the season of prayer is when we arise in the morning, and when we are about to retire at night when our work is done, and that there is no other season for prayer. But I say unto you, and I have good backing for it, that the season for prayer is always. "

3-All we do should be in harmony with the expressions of our prayers
"We should not pray merely with our lips; but in every act, in our conversation, in all that we undertake to do, we should try to carry out the expressions of our prayers, and be in harmony with the thoughts that we declare to the Lord in our daily supplications."

4-In our prayers we should pour out our souls in Thanksgiving
" In our prayers we should pour out our souls in thanksgiving for life and being, for the redeeming sacrifice of the Son of God, for the gospel of salvation, for Joseph Smith and the mighty work of restoration brought to pass through him. We should acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things and thank him for all things both temporal and spiritual."

5- We should plead to the Father for all our righteous desires
' We should plead with [Heavenly Father] for faith and integrity and for every godly attribute, for the triumph and success of his work, for the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and for salvation in his kingdom. We should pray for our families, for our wives and children, for food and shelter and clothing, for our business concerns, and for all our righteous desires.'

In Closing: 
" In these troublesome and difficult times, I pray that all men may be guided by that light which lighteth every man who cometh into the world [see John 1:9; D&C 93:2], and that they may gain thereby the wisdom to solve the problems which beset mankind."

RS Summary August 24th 2014

Sister Tealen Hansen gave a wonderful lesson on August 24th 2014. Thanks to Sister Welsh who took notes in my absence. You can read the full lesson here.
The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood  By Elder Dallin H. Oaks  (April 5, 2014)

Relief Society general president Linda K. Burton said, “We hope to instill within each of us a greater desire to better understand the priesthood.” We must exercise that desire.  Many times we have an understanding of the desire, but don’t know how to exercise it.  This is something each of us must learn to address individually.

Why do we need a better understanding of the priesthood?  This subject is of equal concern to men and women. We can’t be complacent.  The nature of the priesthood is not to bless ourselves, but to bless others. 

Elder Oaks broke down the priesthood into three separate areas:

1 1)     Power – Blesses everyone.

How has priesthood power influenced your life?  The scriptures teach that “this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also” (Moses 6:7).  Thus, the priesthood is the power by which we will be resurrected and proceed to eternal life.

2 2)   Keys – Authority given to priesthood holders to direct, control and govern the use of the priesthood on earth.

All keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is.  He is the one who determines what keys are delegated and how those keys will be used.  President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that there are other priesthood keys that have not been given to man on the earth, including the keys of creation and resurrection.

3 3)  Authority – Pertains to all of us. 

A) Priesthood is the power of God delegated to man to act for the salvation of the human family.

B) Priesthood authority is governed by priesthood holders who hold priesthood keys.

C) Since the scriptures state that “all other authorities and offices in the church are appendages to this [Melchizedek] priesthood (D&C 107:5), all that is done under the direction of those priesthood keys is done with priesthood authority.

How does this apply to women?

In an address to the Relief Society, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this: “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are given by the men who hold the Priesthood.”

Whoever exercises priesthood authority should forget about their rights and concentrate on their responsibilities. Men are not “the priesthood”.  Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God. 

RS Lesson Summary- August 17th 2014

Great lesson today from Sister DeFreitas, #17 Sealing Power and Temple Blessings from teachings of the presidents of the church: Joseph Fielding Smith. You can read the lesson here.

Sister DeFreitas opened with an interesting thought: a temple dedication on earth is a wonderful opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the Lord's work for those who have died. She then paraphrased the story at the beginning of the lesson about a Mr. Purley who had a great passion for family history work. When asked why he did this work, he didn't know why, but he felt he couldn't stop. President Smith shared with him the reason behind his urgency to which the man replied:  
“ he laughed and said, ‘It is a very pretty story, but I do not believe it.’ Yet he admitted that there was something compelling him to carry on this research, and he could not stop. I have met a great many others who also started and could not stop, men and women who are not members of the Church. So we find today thousands of men and women searching out the records of the dead. They do not know why, but it is so that we can obtain these compiled records and go into our temples and do the work for our dead."

Why do we do this work? Why do we go to the temple? This man did not believe and yet he could not stop his research. Family history is more than gathering info and stories about our ancestors, it is about the saving ordinances, about the ties between heaven and earth.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Mal. 4:5–6.)

We have a much clearer interpretation of the words of Malachi given by the Nephite prophet Moroni, who appeared to Joseph Smith September 21, 1823. This is the way the angel quoted them:

“Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

“And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

“If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” (D&C 2:1–3.)

Moroni informed Joseph Smith that this prediction was about to be fulfilled. The fulfillment came some twelve years later, on April 3, 1836. On this day Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple and there conferred upon them … the power to bind, or seal, on earth and in heaven. The keys of this priesthood were held by Elijah, to whom the Lord gave power over the elements as well as over men, with the authority to seal for time and eternity on the righteous all the ordinances pertaining to the fullness of salvation.⁴

Some members of the Church have been confused in thinking that Elijah came with the keys of baptism for the dead or of salvation for the dead. Elijah’s keys were greater than that. They were the keys of sealing, and those keys of sealing pertain to the living and embrace the dead who are willing to repent.'

We can all have personal experiences when we do this saving work. Several sisters shared their intimate stories of doing work for their ancestors. Small discoveries in our research can lead to big miracles. Our work can help others in their work as well. We are all connected to this work. Temple work blesses the living and those who have died.

'Why would the earth be wasted? Simply because if there is not a welding link between the fathers and the children—which is the work for the dead—then we will all stand rejected; the whole work of God will fail and be utterly wasted. Such a condition, of course, shall not be.⁸

The restoration of this [sealing] authority is the leaven that saves the earth from being utterly wasted at the coming of Jesus Christ. When we get this truth firmly and clearly fixed in our minds, it is easy to see that there would be only confusion and disaster should Christ come and the power of sealing not be here.'

Temple work+ the plan of salvation= is all connected, it is the gospel plan in full force. Reciveing your own ordinances is the key to the work, it then opens up your ability to do the work for others, you are their link to salvation. 

'Temple work is so interwoven with the plan of salvation, that one cannot exist without the other. In other words, there can be no salvation where there [are] no temple ordinances peculiarly belonging to the temple.

There are thousands of Latter-day Saints who … are willing to go to meeting, willing to pay their tithing and attend to the regular duties of the Church, but they do not seem to feel or understand the importance of receiving the blessings in the temple of the Lord which will bring them into exaltation. It is a strange thing. People seem to be content just to slide along without taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them and without receiving these necessary covenants that will bring them back into the presence of God as sons and daughters.'

'It is obvious that only a small portion of mankind has so far heard the word of revealed truth from the voice of one of the Lord’s true servants. In the wisdom and justice of the Lord, all must do so. As Peter said:

“For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:6.)

The turning of the hearts of fathers to children and of children to fathers, is the power of salvation for the dead, by means of the vicarious work which the children may perform for their fathers, and is in every sense reasonable and consistent. I have heard it said many times by those who oppose this work that it is impossible for one person to stand vicariously for another. Those who express themselves in this way overlook the fact that the entire work of salvation is a vicarious work, Jesus Christ standing as the propitiator, redeeming us from death, for which we were not responsible, and also redeeming us from the responsibility of our own sins, on condition of our repentance and acceptance of the gospel. He has done this on a grand infinite scale and by the same principle he has delegated authority to the members of his Church to act for the dead who are helpless to perform the saving ordinances for themselves.'

The whole work of salvation is vicarious work, we need to remember the great work of our Savior for us was also a vicarious work, working out the salvation for each of our souls, a massive and holy task. A great way to help us in our efforts to do family history work is to stop thinking about doing work for 'the dead' but as living spirits waiting for us to connect with them on the other side. 

'I think sometimes we look at this work for the salvation of the dead rather narrowly. It is a wrong conception to think of the people for whom we are doing work in the temple of the Lord as being dead. We should think of them as living; and the living proxy but represents them in receiving the blessings which they should have received and would have received in this life had they been living in a gospel dispensation. Therefore every dead person for whom work is done in the temple is considered to be living at the time the ordinance is given.'

Even if all the 'work' for your particular family may be finished all the way down to Adam, there are ways you can serve. You can index and help connect other church members to their families. You can teach your children the importance of the work, and help others in their research. You can keep your own histories and journals as a part of the legacy of your family. Temple work is a continuance of the family unit.

'All contracts, bonds, obligations and agreements made by men shall come to an end, but the obligations and agreements entered into in the house of the Lord, if faithfully kept, will last forever [see D&C 132:7]. This doctrine gives us a clearer concept of the purposes of the Lord toward his children. It shows his abundant and unlimited mercy and love to all who obey him, aye, even to those who are rebellious, for in his goodness he will grant great blessings even unto them.'

As we serve in the temple in the labor of love, we will draw closer to the spirit and have wonderful experiences. As we heard today in sacrament meeting we will be entitled to inspiration and revelation and guidance as we see the Lord's help. We will be greatly blessed for our efforts. We also need to make more of an effort to attend the temple more regularly. Instead of complaining about the distance or traffic, feel gratitude that is it close by and doesn't require great financial and other sacrifices to attend. 

'There must be a welding, a joining together of the generations from the days of Adam to the end of time. Families will be joined and linked together, parents to children, children to parents, one generation to another, until we shall be joined together in one great grand family with our father Adam at the head, where the Lord placed him. So we cannot be saved and exalted in the kingdom of God unless we have within our hearts the desire to do this work and perform it so far as it is within our power on behalf of our dead. '

RS Lesson Summary- August 10th 2014

On Sunday Sister Walter gave us a wonderful lesson on teaching our children. The lesson is from Joseph Fielding Smith's Teachings of the Presidents of the church, #16: Bringing up our Children in Light and Truth. The lesson can be found here.
Sister Walter opened the lesson with this quote from President Faust: (October 1990 General Conference) "I feel moved upon to discuss a subject which I have chosen to call the greatest challenge in the world.  It has to do with the privilege and responsibility of being good parents.  In my opinion, the teaching , rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge w might have in life".  ( "The Greatest Challenge in the World- Good Parenting,")

What is the greatest challenge in the world? Parenting. Why? It requires the very best of what we have to give. What help does the Lord offer? Scriptures, Revelation, Prayer, the Spirit. 

We watched a video from Elder Hales entitled: Touching the Hearts of our Youth. You can view the video 

here.  

We need to truly understand the hearts and minds of our children. We need to put aside quality time to spend with them free of distractions and interference. We need to let our children talk, and we simply listen.

Sister Walter asked us, how do we organize ourselves better so that we can spend more time with our children?

Some answers from the RS: Use scripture study and prayer time to manage our day. If we start off with the scriptures and prayer on a personal level, we will be better prepared and more organized. Other sisters mentioned that the 'schedule' is not what is important. Taking the time to fill a need with our children is the priority. Children will grow up, take the time now to play and engage with them, the chores and other things can wait. Build relationships while they are young, so they will continue to talk to you and trust you when they are older.

Another sister mentioned that you can share the housework with your kids, teaches them to work, and allows them time to talk to you while you complete tasks. WIN WIN!

Page 209 in the lesson: There are eight things that President Joseph Fielding Smith felt were important to focus on with our children. We talked about 5 of these topics: Scripture Study, Prayer, FHE, Teaching them when young, and Teaching chastity. 

Scripture Study. Sister Walter mentioned that in her home growing up the scriptures and other materials were always readily available. We shouldn't hide our scriptures on a shelf. She said in her home her mother had a basket on the table with the scriptures and a new era or other magazine. (Brilliant way to get kids to pick them up when they are at the table)

In the lesson it talks about bringing the scriptures to life, creating interest with our children so they personally connect with the stories in the scriptures and apply them to their lives. How do you engage your children in scripture study? Several sisters shared their experiences working scripture study into their daily routines. Some mentioned they made an effort to study briefly with their children morning and night. 

Next we discussed FHE. Sister Walter gave this quote: President Faust said, "I wonder if having casual and infrequent family home evening will be enough in the future to fortify our children with sufficient moral strength.  Where in the world will the children learn chastity, integrity, honesty, and basic human decency if not at home?"  ("The Greatest Challenge in the World- Good Parenting,")

Some planning of FHE is important! It's okay to have an activity planned, but the heart and soul of FHE is the teaching of church doctrine. President Kimball said, 'there must be a spiritual element to family home evening.'

A great way to have successful FHE is to have your children be involved in some way. Sister Walter mentioned that for older children the New Era has fun object lessons they can use to help teach principles of the gospel. 

Prayer.  Teach Children to Pray:  President Faust said, "A few years ago, Bishop Stanley Smoot was interviewed by President Spencer W. Kimball.  President Kimball asked, "How often do you have family prayer?" Bishop Smoot answered, "We try to have family prayer twice a day, but we average about once."

President Kimball answered, "In the past, having family prayer once a day may have been all right.  But in the future it will not be enough if we are goin to save our families".

Family prayer is vital. Make a habit of praying with your families twice a day.

How do we teach age appropriate topics? (Teaching them young) As a parent you teach them in phases and topics that work with their ages, and add on more as their understanding grows.

Teaching Chastity.  Sister Walter referenced an old study by BYU entitled 'Protecting Purity'. 

Teach Virtue, Chastity, and Morality  http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=1289

 Brief summary of the study:  Study of 5000 LDS youth found that attending church (and activities) surfaced as the most important influence in helping youth stay morally strong.  Private religious behavior (personal prayer, scripture reading, testimony) was also important.

They studied lots of family factors.  The only one to emerge as significant in the study was a mother's regulation (setting curfews, agreeing on rules, etc.)

"Three foundational directives for parents and youth leaders:

1)increase the spirituality of the youth 2)fortify young women  3) strengthen family ties.

"These 3 things may seem overly simplistic, yet they have proven again and again to be powerful tools in helping youth remain morally clean in a morally corrupt world".

We are greatly blessed to be parents. It is important that we fortify ourselves in these last days against the world. Luckily there are lots of things we can do to strengthen our children and homes.

Relief Society Sunday Lesson Summary- July 20th 2014

  We had the pleasure of hearing from Sister Ellen Walter again today, she taught lesson #15, Eternal Marriage by President Joseph Fielding Smith.

Eternal Marriage? Why do we talk about the ideal when there are those that may not be married or have difficult circumstances? -Because that is what we strive for, we strive for the great blessings that can be ours through eternal marriage.

Celestial marriage is the crowning ordinance of the gospel, it is everlasting, and we need it's blessings in order to progress.
Sister Walter and others referenced the importance of the The Family: A Proclamation to the World. In our society, there is a stark contrast between what we view in the gospel as important, and what the world views as important. In the world, marriages are contractual v. covenant. Marriage is no longer sacred, and there are those that challenge its dynamic and importance.

p. 195- "It is very apparent to all of us who read the newspapers, who listen to the news accounts on the radio and who watch what comes over television that all too many do not hold marriage and the family unit in that respect which the Lord intends." ( quote given in 1971) If this was the Prophet's view in 1971, some 40 years later things have just gotten worse. 


What do we do to instill values upon our children? How do we teach them the importance of eternal marriage? Sisters responded:  

*We need to start early, and stress commitment  

*Marriage is hard work, and we keep our marriages healthy by working on them constantly

*We show our children how to have a happy and healthy marriage by example 

*Teach proper communication skills, show we know how to communicate, and resolve conflict together  

*It is vital to show love and make time for each other 

*Make the gospel central to your marriage

Sister Walter brought up four areas in section 6 of the lesson which starts with the heading:  As a husband faithfully..... that she felt were most important:

1)  Faithful to the marriage covenant

2) Humility love and faith

3) We should avoid Friction- let things go and be forgiving

Sister Walter shared this story: The Grapefruit Syndrome

4) Keep the Commandments

Sister Walter's final comments are to treat marriage like a gift, something to be treasured and cherished.  She referenced this wonderful talk and story (sterling silver utensils): 

'Eternal Marriage' by F Burton Howard