Relief Society Lesson - Two Perspectives

Spiritually Defining Memories

By Elder Neil L. Andersen

Kess Larsen - South Relief Society

When I think of spiritual defining memories I usually think of the blessing where I felt I am a literal child of Heavenly Father, the time my father told me to never give up, the blessing where I felt my ancestors there supporting me. I usually think of the moments that were filled with intense emotions that you want to hold onto forever and write down. Elder Anderson told many of those stories in his talk, but what about the man he mentioned that said he had never had one of those experiences. It is possible he was looking for something more grand and wasn’t receiving what was there for him to take. I think a lot of us are feeling more like that man these days. Sometimes it is hard to focus on spiritual things when there are so many other important things to think about, or maybe we are asking and asking while diving deep into connection with Heavenly Father and not getting or seeing the answers. In thinking of spiritually defining moments I think I need to slow down and listen. Just like any relationship, understanding how you communicate with each other is important. Also knowing that the way you communicate with each other, like everything else, will change too, and we need to listen and adjust.

Amy Wilcox - North Relief Society

… “When personal difficulties or world conditions beyond our control darken our path, the spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead”.
  Many of us may think that we don’t have a spiritually defining moment.  President Dallin H. Oaks responding to a man who claimed never to have had such an experience, counseled, “perhaps your prayers have been answered again and again, but you have had your expectations fixed on a sign so grand or a voice so loud that you think you have had no answer”. 

I wonder how many of us feel the same way as this man.  We are expecting something so grand, that the small answers we receive we think, no that can’t be it-I’m waiting for the BIG grand answer, while missing all the signs pointing us to Gods answers. We expect the big booming voice-not the small assurance that is a spiritually defining memory.  I feel some of these can be something as simple as getting a prompt to call someone and following through with that prompt. We may never know why we were prompted to call them-maybe by answering the prompt and calling them they were given the gift of a spiritually defining memory.   

Four years ago, I had a prompt to call my great aunt-simply to tell her I was coming over that night to irrigate.  I usually never called her during the day while at work.  I thought I would make a quick call, go back to work.  When she answered the phone, she said “hello” however right after she started talking gibberish. I asked if she was okay, and she answered “no”.  Arriving at her house after racing out of work and driving 15 minutes away my sister and I found she was in medical distress.  She ended up having had a stroke that took her ability to speak. Had I not answered the prompt, I’m not sure how long it would have been until it was discovered she had had a stroke.  We grew closer after her stroke. What a testimony builder it has been to have had that experience with her.  She is now 95. She and I have a close relationship, helped in part of this experience.

While we can’t choose the timing of receiving these defining moments, President Henry B. Eyring gave this counsel in our preparation: “Tonight and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my (family)?  Faith, obedience, humility, and real intent open the windows of Heaven.

President Dallin H. Oaks explained what real intent means.  He said it is something like this: “I do not ask out of curiosity, but with total sincerity to act on the answer to my prayer.  If Thou wilt give me this answer, I will act to change my life.  I will respond”.  How many of us have said to someone, “you are in my thoughts and prayers”?  Too often we pray for others to receive assistance from someone else, rather than us.  Praying and helping is something different.

Elder Andersen encourages us to embrace your sacred memories.  Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son.  Let them bring your patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties.   …And when someone sets their spiritually defining moments aside, and is lost or confused, we turn them toward the Savior as we share our faith and memories with them.

One of President Monson’s favorite quotes is from Scottish poet James M Barrie: “God gave us memories, that we might have June roses in the December of our lives” The Lord knows we can’t have the good all the time, but during the hard times we have our spiritually defining memories to get us through. 

By writing them down, you will also help others through the “December” of their life.  You also might need the reminders.  As we are mostly alone right now during the pandemic, our Heavenly Father is still there for us, he still wants what is best for his children.  God assures us he knows us and loves each one of us. He is blessing us specifically and openly.  We need to turn to Him in our times of need.  Turn to Him when we feel alone.  He is there for us.  He Loves us.

I know God is our loving Heavenly Father.  He knows us personally.  He has given us the opportunity to come to Him.  It is our choice to see the miracles, and trust in his plan.

RS Lesson

Hear Him

by President Russell M. Nelson

 

Nina Hodge - North Relief Society

Toward the beginning of this year, before the pandemic, President Nelson began encouraging church members to think about how we hear the Savior’s voice. In a special invitation presented in February, he invited us “… to think deeply and often about … how … you hear Him?  I also invite you to take steps to hear Him better and more often.”  

As I’ve thought about this invitation to hear the voice of the Savior better and more often, 3 Nephi 11 first came to mind. At this point in the Book of Mormon, the Nephites had just spent several days enduring storms, earthquakes, and thick darkness. This particular chapter begins with the people expressing wonder at the dramatic changes to the land as a result of the previous days’ events and the signs of the Savior’s death. While they were talking together, they heard a voice. Three times they heard the voice, but they did not understand or recognize the voice the first two times they heard it.

It was verse five that first came to my mind as I listened to President Nelson’s invitation to hear the Savior’s voice:  “And again the third time they did hear the voice, and they did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence it came.”

There is work involved in accomplishing anything. In this example, the Nephites demonstrated the work necessary to hear and understand the voice they heard from the heavens by opening their ears, turning their eyes toward the sound, and looking steadfastly toward the heavens. Then, the message they received was the Savior.  

President Nelson referenced this chapter of the Book of Mormon in his talk, in addition to a few other similar scriptural examples of invitations from the Father to the people to hear His Son. President Nelson offered, by way of explanation, that “[our] Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear – truly hear – His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.”

Like the Nephites in this example, we are also surrounded by upheaval and uncertainty. The pandemic and resulting social distancing have been very hard on some, and many have felt the financial strain of closed businesses and smaller salaries. Remembering and re-reading this part of 3 Nephi 11, I was struck this time that the voice didn’t just speak once and retreat when no one understood. It came again a second and third time. The voice of our Heavenly Father continued trying to reach the Nephites until they did the work necessary to hear and understand. I believe with all my heart He does the same with us today.

For me, prayer is one form of work that helps me focus more on hearing the Savior’s voice. One of the questions I find myself asking a lot these days is, “What lesson am I not understanding? What do I need to learn that I just haven’t heard yet?” This question helps me focus more on Him – hearing Him and ultimately trying to become more like Him. It takes the focus off of what I think I need or what I want for myself. As I focus on Him, I do find greater peace. That peace is not an absence of hard things or the sudden removal of pain. Those hard things still exist, and pain will always be part of this mortal experience. However, they do not remain the focus. It is as if focusing on the Savior and hearing His voice push the pain and disappointment and struggle of life into the background, and it becomes easier to breathe and relax and find my way back to Him.

President Nelson once again “pled for [us] to do whatever it takes to increase [our spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation.” He promised that “Doing so will help you know how to move ahead with your life, what to do during times of crisis, and how to discern and avoid the temptations and the deceptions of the adversary.” These are likely things we will continue to struggle with throughout the rest of our time in mortality. It brings me comfort to know I can find the direction I need to move forward and handle the challenges that are still ahead. I don’t need to do it all myself. Hearing the Savior’s voice and focusing on Him means I have access to greater strength than I will ever possess on my own; it means I can find peace when nothing around me is peaceful; and it means I can feel His love when I am the most alone.

RS Lesson - Two Perspectives

A Living Witness of the Living Christ

by Bishop Gérald Caussé

 

Kristen Erekson - South Relief Society

I recently read this scripture from Mosiah 14:4 as part of the Come Follow Me study: “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” 

I suspect many of you may have felt grief and can relate well, but I had a harder time relating to that word. So I looked it up in the dictionary and it listed misery, anguish, suffering, heartache, heartbreak. I definitely can think of times when I have felt miserable, felt a sense of anguish, and I absolutely have felt heartache and heartbreak. Have you felt any of these things? 

I liked these quotes from the talk by Elder Causse:
“In addition to bearing the burden of our sins, the Christ took upon Himself our sorrows, infirmities, sufferings, and sicknesses and all the afflictions inherent in the mortal condition of man. There is no anguish, no pain or sadness that He did not suffer for us.”

“He died for each one of us, personally, as if you or I were the only person on earth.” 

We are not alone in our tough times. 

And even when we don’t feel loved by those close to us or anyone at all or when we don’t even feel particularly loveable, I believe that the Living Christ offers us constant love. I draw strength knowing that He died for us and would do it again. 

Here is hope!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4X9C1Vg9DYQ

 

Doralia Serrano - North Relief Society

There are two thoughts that I keep referring to from the talk by Bishop Causse:

1. The statue of the Christus that we have in many locations, was originally carved in 1820, the same year that Joseph Smith saw the first vision.
2. The central message of the Book of Mormon is to restore the true knowledge of the essential role of Jesus Christ in the salvation and exaltation of mankind.

I imagine been present there, when Christ came to visit the Nephites as a resurrected being and coming down from the heavens. Christ invited each one of them to come and feel the prints of his hands and feet, showing that he was the One that had been promised to be sent to help us. Those prints were the only physical sign that he had  to show them who he was. Each person present was able to receive  testimony of who he was and what he could do for them. He is the LIVING CHRIST!

I know that we receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost to do many things that a good for us and for the world. I feel that it is not a coincidence that Bertel Thorvaldsen, the Danish artist that sculpted the image of a living Christ did it in 1820. I imagine that the Spirit let him know that this is the way that Christ comes to us. Without been present at the sacred grove, he was able to portrait the message that God had prepared for that year, because of inspiration. And just like the Spirit inspires people to create works of art that stand for generations, he inspires us to Come unto Christ. Christ is inviting you “to come forth and thrust [your] hands into His side and feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet, thereby receiving a personal witness that he [is] indeed the long-awaited Messiah.”

How do you feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet? or “when was the last time you felt the sweet influence of the Savior’s Atonement in your life?”

I feel it when I study the Book of Mormon. Today, I felt a confirmation of the promise that we have received: if we study this book we are going to hear His voice.

Mosiah 26:33 says “when Alma had heard these words he wrote them down that HE MIGHT HAVE THEM.” He wrote the words of revelation and guidance that he received directly from God, that he might have them. And now, we have them too. And Christ invites us to read them to feel the nails in His hands and feet and to receive the hope that he brings.
 

Nicole Anderson

Speaking of Visiting Teaching - do you know one of my Visiting Teachers?

Nicole Anderson was born on April 7th (Happy Belated Birthday!) and calls Salt Lake City home.

Her favorite scripture verse is Helaman 3:35 - "Nevertheless, they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yeah, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."  The reason why is "It's a good reminder of how to deal with trials and adversity and I like the idea of giving our hearts to God."

Something unique about Nicole is that she has double jointed elbows (she can twist them all the way around).

She is currently getting a Ph.D. in Educational Research at BYU.  She has worked at an evaluation company evaluating abstinence-based sex education programs, a market research company, and the BYU Salt Lake Center teaching undergraduate psychology classes.  But she also loves to have fun.  She recently participated on BYU GSS's intramural volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and inner tube water polo teams.  She loves traveling and has traveled to Europe, China, and the Caribbean.  She also loves going to Lake Powell on a houseboat in the summers! 

Her favorite dessert is Key lime pie or cheesecake with homegrown raspberries (it's a toss-up).

The one place she'd like to go is the Mediterranean on a cruise

Also - can we talk about this picture?! Has anyone else gone to donut falls - That has to be my all-time favorite hike!

PS - also a little shout-out....our schedules don't always match up very well - but today when I came home from work I had a chocolate bar waiting for me! :) Thanks Nicole!

Ceci Fernandez

Ceci Fernandez was born October 5th and is from Lima Peru.

If there is something she could learn it would be how to make home-made noodles

3 words describe her are: reliable, funny, compassionate 

Her favorite hymn is There is a Green Hill Far Away. She had a roommate that would play this hymn every morning on the piano. It strengthened her testimony of Christ's Atonement.

Something unique about Ceci - she just submitted a manuscript for publication.

Ceci's favorite dessert is banana nut bread with dark chocolate chips

(personally, I think Ceci is one of my favorite people. She is down-to-earth but always fun to be around and gives amazing advice. I was able to get to know her better through Visiting Teaching and I am glad I can call her my friend. Quick shameless plug - have you done your visiting teaching for April yet? The sisters in our ward are some of the best. Get to know them! Visiting teaching is one of the best ways to get to know someone new or to rekindle old friendships. While you're at it, stop Ceci sometime and say Hi or bake her some banana nut bread with dark chocolate chips! She's a great person to get to know)

What Reaching Out in Love Was Like For Me (Response to the Jan 2017 Article)

I was assigned to visit teach an intelligent, accomplished woman who was (and probably still is) struggling with how our church handles some of the hot-topic issues (namely gay rights and women and the Priesthood). I had spoken to her a few times at church and we didn't really click. It's not that we had hard or unkind feelings for each other, just that we were like, "meh", about each other. There wasn't an instant connection. 

For my first "visit" I invited her to a screening of Singing in the Rain and we went out for street tacos afterward. (She loved both of those.) For the second visit I went to her house and we talked. She told me that she didn't like "official visits" and that she definitely did not want to hear the monthly message out of the Ensign. She shared a lot of her concerns, most of them about church policy and leadership. I thought we had an open conversation, and I thought I had been understanding. I also thought that she felt comfortable speaking with me and being open about her questions, doubts, and beliefs -- but we still didn't feel like pals. 

I found myself thinking about her frequently and wondering how I could be helpful to her. I looked for and acted on any ideas I had to help her. 

I never had an overwhelming, definitely-do-this kind of impression, and she never really warmed up to me. I wouldn't say that we are friends. (Though we would have a cordial conversation if we sat next to each other at church.) And the only inspiration I got wasn't pointed, or all that clear. 

When I thought about how to help her, the only thing I could think of was that regardless of how she felt about me, my job was to love her. My real job was not to visit her every month, but to help her feel listened to, supported, and accepted as she is. It was not my job to resolve her concerns. It was my job to encourage conversation and discussion, but not to help her find satisfying answers. My job was to show her that we wanted her in the ward and that there was - and is - a place for her. 

I moved out of the ward before I was really able to act on that impression, so I'm confident that I'm not a significant figure in her life. I'm pretty sure she saw me as a nice visiting teacher but not particularly useful or interesting. I don't really think I did anything important in her life, but I hope that she felt like I cared (even if only a little bit). 

I hope that our one real conversation helped her know that it's ok to have different opinions in our church. I hope she felt like she could share her ideas and that they weren't scary, or off-putting, or too much of a burden to hear. 

I know that I learned to be more open. I also feel like I'm better now at finding ways to support women that I don't feel a connection with. I also learned that it's more important to have real conversations than it is to convey a particular message. 

Above all, I know that God wants us to support each other. Our church isn't a place only for people who have burning testimonies, live perfectly clean lives, and love everything in the Handbook. It's also a place for everyone who is lonely, dubious, angry, and living in the gray between black and white. 

- Stephanie Ollerton

January 2017 Ensign: Reaching Out in Love: Tips for Home and Visiting Teachers

Helen Marie Parsons has some good news!

Helen Marie Parsons was born on July 9th and calls Long Valley, NJ.

Something I just found out about Helen - is that she got engaged about a week ago and is going to be married in June!

If she could go anywhere in the world, it would be Patagonia.

Her favorite scripture is  Isaiah 25:8 because it is beautiful and hopeful

She enjoys spending her time downhill skiing in the winter and rock climbing and mountain biking in the summer.

Something unique about Helen is that she has lived all over. She was born in Washington D.C., lived in Houston, Chicago, Waco, New Jersey, Provo for school, Virginia, NYC and now back in Utah again. In school she spent semesters in the Dominican Republic, Jerusalem, Hawaii, and Ghana.

The 3 words that she describes herself as: Genuine, Intelligent, Good-listener