RS Lesson 8/23/20 - Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God

 RS Lesson - Two Perspectives

Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God By Elder Dale G. Renlund

Amy Wilcox - North Relief Society

Elder Renlund invites us to remember each day the greatness and goodness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and what they have done for you.

It is especially during difficult and trying times we need to remember the greatness of God, and consider what he has done for us as individuals, as families, and as a people.

While reading Elder Renlund’s talk, I immediately thought of my cousin Valerie.  Elder Renlund told of a man named Tom, he knew who was in need of a heart transplant.  After waiting for a long time, he finally received the live saving heart.  However, it was under difficult circumstances that he had to accept the gift of the donor heart that belonged to his beloved 16 year old grandson Jonathan. After first refusing the life saving heart he spoke with his daughter and son-in-law, and accepted the gift of life from Jonathan. They had come to understand that their prayers for a donor heart, did not cause Jonathan’s accident.

After his surgery, Tom was a different man.  The change went beyond improved health or even gratitude.  He was more solemn, thoughtful and kindhearted. Tom started each day thinking of his daughter and son-in-law and of his beloved grandson. On the gift he had received, and what that gift had entailed.  Tom lived 13 additional years after the transplant, allowing him to touch the lives of his family and others with generosity and love. He was an example of optimism and determination.

 While his story isn’t the same as my cousin Valerie, it is no less difficult.  Valerie was killed earlier this year at the start of the pandemic, when an older driver was heading the wrong way on the interstate, and they met head on.   There was nothing my cousin could have done to avoid this tragic accident. Val was heading to pick up her youngest daughter from BYU-Idaho from her home in Colorado.

My Dad’s sister Charlynn posted this about the loss of her sweet daughter: …“Valerie, recognized the Lord’s intervention in protecting her in episodes of her work life with troubled youth, and from  a freaky previous accident; she told me if she was ever taken from this life [before we were], that it would be okay, because she knew the Lord had protected her in those other times.  She lived life to the fullest; at a miserable point in her life she had told me that she made every day a good day, no matter what.  That she was sure she had made that day where she was taken from this life, a good day”.

Valerie had a lot of trials in her short life, however, her outlook on life, and the big smile she always had, you would have never known.  Many of my siblings commented that she was their favorite cousin from that family.  She made everyone feel loved, and that she was excited to see you, and to catch up with what was going on in your life.  Her smile lit up a room.

 Elder Renlund said In the exuberance of knowing that we can be saved and exalted, we need to remember that salvation and exaltation came at a great cost. “We can be reverently joyful as we realize without Jesus Christ, we are doomed, but with Him we receive the greatest gift Heavenly Father can give.

This reverence allows us to enjoy the promise of eternal life..even immortal glory” in the world to come.  When we consider the goodness and greatness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our trust in Them increases.  Our prayers change because we know God is our Father and we are His Children.  We seek not to change His will but to align our will with his and secure for ourselves blessings that He wants to grant, conditioned on our asking for them. We yearn to be more meek, more pure, more steadfast, more Christlike.

 Our Heavenly Father referring to his beloved son, said “Hear Him” as you act on these words and listen to Him, remember joyfully and reverently, that the savior loves to restore what you cannot restore, He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken, He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you, and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts.

I believe this is exactly why my cousin Valerie was able to make everyday a good day.  She acknowledged God’s greatness and blessings in her life. She remembered joyfully and reverently Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and all they had done for her. 

 My Dad wrote of her in an email to his sister  “Valerie always displayed a positive outlook, a cheerful countenance and love for life and for those around her-especially family..we know if we individually set a goal, and make the effort, we can be together forever and that we can and will feel Heavenly Father’s comforting influence”.  I personally  believe without a doubt He has and will continue to heal our family’s shattered hearts over the loss of Valerie. He will make whole what we cannot.

Elder Renlund also said "Let your consideration of Their goodness more firmly bind your wandering heart to Them.  Ponder Their compassion, and will you will be blessed with added spiritual sensitivity and become more Christlike.  Contemplating Their empathy with help you 'hold out faithful to the end' until you 'are received into heaven' to 'dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness.'” 

 

Berenice Ventura - South Relief Society

I was delightfully surprised to realize that this week's CFM assignment was somewhat similar to Elder Renlund's talk. I was especially touched by the last section in the CFM manual: "My faith is strengthened by 'the greatness of the evidences [I have] received,'" which reminded me of the words with which Elder Renlund starts his address. He talks about the Book of Mormon constantly exhorting us to look back into our lives and see all that God has done for us. 

A few months ago, I was doing a little writing, and I penned these words: "For years I've been asked to walk on water, where roots float, but take no hold." This imagery helped me put feelings and tiredness into words. I was longing for respite and solid ground to stand on, and I was also praying for this walking on water to end. While writing and trying to find meaning through words, the image of the Savior standing by me embraced me and gave me comfort. I was reminded of never being left alone to my own resources: Heavenly Father and the Savior had and have always been there for me. Miracles have come my way, people have crossed paths with me and been an answer to prayers, doors and windows have opened, a safe haven has always been made available for me. I was reminded that They have always been by my side, I've never been alone, even if that was how I felt. 

A few months ago, this gave me strength to keep walking on water,, and even forget about it for a while. So not much has changed, but everything has changed, because the way I was thinking about my situation changed. As Elder Renlund said, "Reverence for the givers does more than just make us grateful. Reflecting on Their gifts can and should transform us."

 RS Lesson - A Perspective + Video

"United in Accomplishing God's Work" By Sister Jean B. Bingham

"What Lack I Yet" by Elder Larry R. Lawrence

Nina Hodge - North Relief Society

We live in a pretty divided world right now. There are major issues we face that affect our future and how life will progress from here. Opinions and feelings are strong, and it can be difficult to have meaningful conversations in which we feel safe expressing thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or attack.

 

Sister Bingham offered a lot of relevant counsel on how we as individuals can bridge the gap between ourselves and those around us. She started with lessons Adam and Eve learned first in the garden and later as they labored together to provide for their family. Many of the things they did then are things we can do today. But we must first have a desire to work together.

 

First, she pointed out that Adam and Even “counseled and prayed together.” Do we counsel and pray with others about the things that weigh on our minds and hearts? Do we approach difficult conversations with open minds and hearts? Do we have a sincere desire to both hear and be heard? It takes work and involves risk to put ourselves out there – to share our concerns or fears, to withhold judgment and criticism, to open ourselves up to the potential judgment or criticism of others, to give someone the benefit of a doubt instead of assuming they mean to do us harm.

 

To this point, Sister Bingham pointed out that “through the fall, [Adam and Eve learned that it was essential to act in unity and love.” They went on to teach their children what they learned through that experience, demonstrating for their children what it looked like to act in unity and love. Are we learning those same lessons? Do we really know how to act in unity and love? Do we model this for others?

 

Sister Bingham also taught that “Adam and Even learned to appreciate their differing strengths and supported one another.” This might be the most challenging of all. We hear a lot today about equality. We hear much less about the value of difference. Being united doesn’t mean we all have to be the same, but it does mean we need to be able to value what others bring to our lives.

 

In my family, I have a sister who is an exceptional pianist, one who can play almost any instrument with strings (I think the harp is the only one she hasn’t tried … yet), one who is an artist, and one who has a gift of connecting with people.  While the two instrumentalists are very similar in their talents, we are a very diverse group overall. Each has her own very unique set of lived experiences … no two even close to the same! We meet over zoom every Sunday just to check in and see how each other is doing. Our conversations are often long (we were online for nearly 2 hours today), but I have come to really love the time to learn from each of my sisters. We still often talk over each other in an attempt to be heard, and we don’t always agree on whatever we’re discussing. But, at the end of each call, what matters most is our relationship. Today, I thought of this description Sister Bingham provided of Alison and John:

 

 “Each desired the happiness of the other more than his or her own; each looked for the good in one another and worked to overcome the not-so-great in him or herself. They took turns leading and took turns giving more when one partner was struggling. Each valued the other’s contributions and found better answers to their challenges as they combined their talents and resources.”

 

Though the people here are a married couple, each individual can work toward having this kind of relationship with key people in his/her life. We can look for the good, support those who struggle, and acknowledge when we are in need of a little extra help. We can also work together to find solutions instead of trying to push through on our own. To me, this is what unity looks like.

South Relief Society Presidency - What Lack I Yet?