The Gift of a Savior

“He gave us the gift of a Savior, His perfect Son, the Lamb without blemish. By personal appearance of the Father Himself and of the Son, and through angels, He has restored the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. He has called prophets and apostles to guide us to safety in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected that we may live again, that we may be purified and cleansed from sin, prepared for the glory of eternal life.

Those are gifts to us that we can offer to others for Him. We do that by remembering Him and trying with all our hearts to do what He would do and love as He loves.

There was a song in a film years ago with the line ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas.’ Well, you can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts God has given you and, as best you can, offer them to others as He would. That is the spirit of Christmas and of true happiness every day. “

 
Henry B. Eyring, “The Gifts of Christmas,” First Presidency Christmas Devotional 2011 

The Spirit of Christmas

“The spirit of Christmas is something I hope all of us would have within our hearts and within our lives, not only at this particular season but also throughout the years.

 A wise Christian once urged, ‘Let us not spend Christmas … but let us keep Christmas in our hearts and in our lives.’

 This is my plea tonight, because when we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.

There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Because He Came,” First Presidency Christmas Devotional 2011

 

Sunday Lesson Schedule for December

Dec. 2nd: Presidency Message, taught by Sister Carroll

Dec. 9th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 23: Of You it is Required to Forgive, taught by Donna Benjamin

Dec. 16th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 24: Righteous Living in Perilous Times, taught by Sister Bingham

Dec. 23rd: November 2012 Ensign,  “An Unspeakable Gift From God,” by Elder Craig C. Christensen, taught by Sister Metheny

Dec. 30th: By Direction of the Bishop

Announcements & Upcoming Events for December

The First Presidency Christmas Devotional will be broadcast at 8 pm at the Stake Center Sunday, December 2^nd. You can also view this at home if you have BYUtv. 

Our Stake Temple Weekend is December 7th and 8th.

There is a Ward Christmas Party on Friday, December 14th at 6:30 pm at our ward building. Dinner will be provided and Santa will be there!

Saturday, December 15th there is a SA Activity from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Stake Center.

There is a SA Temple Trip Wednesday, December 19th (11:45 am session).

The Choice to be Grateful

“Most of all, sometimes it is hard for us to be sufficiently grateful for the greatest gifts we receive: the birth of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, the promise of resurrection, the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with our families, the Restoration of the gospel with the priesthood and its keys. Only with the help of the Holy Ghost can we begin to feel what those blessings mean for us and for those we love. And only then can we hope to be thankful in all things and avoid the offense to God of ingratitude.

 We must ask in prayer that God, by the power of the Holy Ghost, will help us see our blessings clearly even in the midst of our trials. He can help us by the power of the Spirit to recognize and be grateful for blessings we take for granted. What has helped me the most is to ask God in prayer, ‘Wouldst Thou please direct me to someone I can help for Thee?’ It is in helping God bless others that I have seen my own blessings more closely.”

Henry B. Eyring, “The Choice to be Grateful,” December 2011 Ensign

 

Gratitude

“A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that ‘feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.’

 When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessings. However, if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given.”

 Thomas S. Monson, October 2010 General Conference

 

Kindness

“Aren’t we rather prone to see the limitations and the weaknesses of our neighbors? Yet that is contrary to the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a class of people who find fault and criticize always in a destructive way. There is a difference in criticism. If we can criticize constructively under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord, we may change beneficially and properly some of the things that are being done. But if we have the spirit of fault finding, of pointing out the weaknesses and failings of others in a destructive manner, that never comes as a result of the companionship of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father and is always harmful.”

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 21

 

November Sunday Lesson Schedule

Nov. 4th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 21: The Power of Kindness

Nov. 11th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 22: Bringing Up Children in Light and Truth, taught by Sister Mann

Nov. 18th: Stake Conference

Nov. 25th: May 2012 Ensign,  TBD, taught by Sister Metheny

Announcements & Upcoming Events for November

Our Stake Temple Weekend is November 2nd and 3rd.

Saturday, November 3rd there is a BYU Multi-Stake Fireside at the North Stake Center at 7 pm.

Sunday, November 4th there is a YSA Planning Meeting and Pitch-in at the Stake Center at 6:30 pm.

Sunday, November 4th there is also a CES Devotional for Young Adults that will be broadcast at 8 pm.

Our RS Quarterly Activity is coming up on November 8th at 6:30 pm. We will be having dinner at Sister Carlson’s house.

There is a food drive Thursday, November 15th. For further details see our weekly email or Facebook.

There is a SA Activity Friday, November 16th at 6 pm at the Stake Center.

Stake Conference is Saturday, November 17th at 6 pm (adult session) and Sunday, November 18th at 10 am at the Stake Center.

There is a SA Temple Trip Wednesday, November 21st (11:45 am session).

What Thinks Christ of Me?

“A reporter from a leading Brazilian magazine studied the Church in preparation for a major news article. He examined our doctrine and visited the missionary training and humanitarian centers. He spoke with friends of the Church and with others who were not so friendly. In the interview with me, the reporter seemed honestly puzzled as he asked, ‘How could someone not consider you Christian?’ I knew he was referring to the Church, but my mind somehow framed the question personally, and I found myself silently asking, ‘Does my life reflect the love and devotion I feel for the Savior?’”

 Neil L. Andersen, “What Thinks Christ of Me?,” May 2012 Ensign

Tithing

“The Lord has given us the privilege of contributing one-tenth of our interest, for His Church, for the development of His work in the world. Those who pay their tithing receive their blessing. … We cannot expect to earn blessings without earnest effort. We will be required to make what appears to some to be sacrifices. I suppose people think when they pay their tithing that they are making a sacrifice, but they are not; they are making a real investment that will return an eternal dividend. Our Heavenly Father gives us all that we have. He places all in our hands, authorizing us to retain for our own use nine-tenths of it, and then He asks that we put His tenth where He directs, where He knows it will accomplish the most good in developing His Church.”

 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20

 

Word of Wisdom

“I look upon the Word of Wisdom as kind advice of our Father in heaven, who desires to see His children become more like Him. … I take it as the fatherly counsel of one who, knowing what I needed, said to me: ‘My son, these things are not good for you, and if you will avoid them I will give you the companionship of my Holy Spirit and joy while you live in the world and in the end eternal life.’ How foolish I would be then to partake of these forbidden things, having the assurance that it is the counsel of the Lord I should abstain therefrom. I would feel under condemnation if I should partake of them, when He who knows better than anybody else says that they are harmful, and has warned me against them.”

 

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 19

October Sunday Lesson Schedule

Oct. 7th: General Conference

Oct. 14th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 19: Temporal and Spiritual Blessings from the Word of Wisdom, taught by Sister Mann

Oct. 21st: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others, taught by Sister Remali

Oct. 28th: May 2012 Ensign,  “What Thinks Christ of Me?,” by Elder Andersen, taught by Sister Metheny

 

Upcoming Events for October

Institute meets every Tuesday at 7 pm at the Franklin Building.

There is a RS Activity on Thursday, October 4th at 7 pm at Sister Farley’s house.

Our Stake Temple Weekend is only Friday, October 5th due to General Conference on Saturday.

General Conference is Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th, with sessions at 12 pm and 4 pm.

There is a Mid-Single Adult Stake Conference October 12th - October 14th at the Stake Center.

There is a Single Adult Temple Trip Wednesday, October 17th (11:45 am session).

Friday, October 19th there is a Single Adult Activity from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Stake Center.

Our General RS President, Linda Burton, is coming to speak to our Stake on Saturday, October 20th from 2 to 4 pm at the Stake Center.

There is a Ward Halloween Party & Trunk-or-Treat Friday, October 26th from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at our Ward Building.

Book Club

I forgot to add this to the announcements...

Book club is meeting September 19th at 7:30 pm at Sister Marler's house. They will be reading  Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West.

Service in the Church

“We recognize how busy you are. Without a paid professional ministry, the responsibility for administering the Church depends on you consecrated members. We know it is common for members of bishoprics and stake presidencies and many others to render long hours of devoted service. Auxiliary and quorum presidencies are exemplary in their selfless sacrifice. This service and sacrifice extend through the entire membership, to those keeping clerical records, faithful home and visiting teachers, and those teaching classes. We are grateful to those who courageously serve as Scoutmasters and nursery leaders as well. You all have our love and appreciation for what you do and who you are!”

Quentin L. Cook, “In Tune with the Music of Faith,” May 2012 Ensign

 

Keep the Commandments

“All the happiness that has come to me and mine has been the result of trying to keep the commandments of God and of living to be worthy of the blessings that he has promised those who honor him and keep his commandments.

 

If we will follow the advice and counsel that the Lord has given, our pathway will be one of happiness. It will be a pathway, perhaps not of ease and comfort always, but in the end it will terminate in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and glory, immortality and eternal lives will be our portion.”

 

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 18

 

Faith

“Our faith is conditioned upon our righteous lives. We cannot live improperly and have faith as we should, but if we keep the commandments of the Lord, we can have faith, and it will grow and increase as our righteousness increases.

 If there are any of us who lack faith in this work it is because we have not kept the commandments of God. If there are any who do not know that this is the work of our Father, it is because they have not done their duty. I know as I know that I live that this is the Lord’s work, and that knowledge comes as a result of keeping His commandments.”

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 17

September Sunday Lesson Schedule

Sept. 2nd : Presidency Message

Sept. 9th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 17: The Strengthening Power of Faith, taught by Sister Mann

Sept. 16th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 18: Stay on the Lord’s Side of the Line, taught by Sister Remali

Sept. 23rd: May 2012 Ensign,  “In Tune with the Music of Faith,” by Elder Cook, taught by Sister Metheny

Sept. 30th: By Direction of the Bishop

Announcements & Upcoming Events in September

There is a YSA planning meeting/pitch-in Sunday, September 2nd at 6:30 pm at the Franklin Building.

Our Stake Temple Weekend is September 7th and 8th.

Our Relief Society trip to Shipshewana is Friday, September 7th  through Saturday, September 8th. Check-in is at 3 pm on Friday and check out is 11 am Saturday. Last Sunday was the last day to sign up. The cost is $15 per person – payment is due Sunday. Please make checks out to Vickie Farley.

There is a CES Devotional Broadcast at 8 pm on Sunday, September 9th.

The Fourth Annual SA Picnic is Saturday, September 15^th at President Blanc’s residence.

There is a SA Temple Trip Wednesday, September 19th (11:45 am session).

There is a ward campout Friday, September 21st. More details to follow.

The General RS Meeting will be broadcast Saturday, September 29th. We will be viewing it at the Stake Center with light refreshments beforehand. More Details to follow.

Fast Sunday will be Sunday, September 30th due to General Conference the following weekend.

Faith

“When hard trials come, the faith to endure them well will be there, built as you may now notice but may have not at the time that you acted on the pure love of Christ, serving and forgiving others as the Savior would have done. You built a foundation of faith from loving as the Savior loved and serving for Him. Your faith in Him led to acts of charity that will bring you hope. 

It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Mountains to Climb,” May 2012 Ensign

The Scriptures

“Late in his life, President George Albert Smith recalled an experience from his youth when a passage of scripture had a long-lasting effect on him: ‘When I was about fourteen years of age, I read the fortieth chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon in our Sunday School class. It made an impression on my mind that has been helpful when death has taken loved ones away. … It is one place in the scriptures that tells us where our spirits go when they leave this body [see verses 11–14], and I have wanted to go to that place called paradise ever since.’” 

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 10

Stake Temple Day

Our Stake Temple Day is Wednesday, June 27^th. This day is dedicated just to our stake for temple work in the Louisville Temple. The Stake RS Presidency has asked that we all have one name prepared by then to take to the temple that day.

May Sunday Lesson Schedule

May 6th: Presidency   Message

May 13th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Ch. 9: Open Your Soul to the Lord in Prayer, taught by Sister Mann

May 20th: Teachings of George Albert Smith, Ch. 10: The Scriptures, the Most Valuable   Library in the World, taught by Sister Remali

May 27th: May Ensign “Mountains to Climb,” by President Eyring, taught by Sister Metheny