Woodland Lake Ward Relief Society

R.S. Weekly Activities for November 2009

2009-11-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

RS Weekday Activity Nov 12th: Leslee Wessel's house @ 10 am / Cooking with Squash

RS Weekday Activity Nov 16th: Diana Lucas' house @ 11 am / Cooking with Food Storage: making wheat burgers and apple crisp

Nov 16th: Book Club @ Marie Haught's house. The book is Sarah by Orson Scott Card

Nov 21st: Super Saturday 10 - 3pm. There will be a Soup & Bread Potluck Lunch

The Restoration of All Things: The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times

2009-11-09T07:19:00.000-08:00

“… We feel disposed to go forward and unite our energies for the upbuilding of the Kingdom, and establishing the Priesthood in their fullness and glory. The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet [see Daniel 2:34–35, 44–45]; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur. " Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),507–16

Sister Bri Merrill gave a GREAT lesson yesterday! Two lessons actually, she taught Sunday School and Relief Society! What a dedicated woman! We are so lucky to have her in our ward!

I think the message for the lesson yesterday is that we all have a mission here on this earth. As Bri said;" Only I can do what Bri Merrill was sent here to do.". We are all on a mission for the Lord. Some tasks are easy to see, some are not. The beautiful part of it is, we are not left to figure it out on our own. Our Father in Heaven has given us so many resources! The Holy Ghost, The Priesthood, Prayer, Fasting, the Scriptures, Families, Wards, Friends etc...what we need is a desire to complete our missions. With that and the use of the resources listed, WE CAN DO IT!!It's so exciting!

We have a great group of sisters in our ward! We are ORGANIZED. That helps us full fill our missions too. Sister Kathy Owens shared that the women in our ward are always ready and willing to step in. No matter what is asked of them! She is so right. I myself have been on the receiving end of the service in this ward. The love I feel from you ladies is so precious to me!

Great job yesterday Bri! We love you "marathon teacher"!

Yesterday was Fast Sunday. Our sweet sister, Holly Haught, shared a very tender and priceless testimony/lesson with us. We are so blessed to be in Holly's ward!

Stake Adult Meeting & Stake Conf.

2009-10-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 31st @ 2pm is the Stake Adult Meeting.

Sunday November 1st Stake Conf. is from 10am to 12pm on .

"Trunk or Treat"

2009-10-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 31st (HALLOWEEN). At the Ward Building in Pinetop. Trunk or Treat starts at 4:30pm. Bring the kids in their costumes and have a ball! Back your vehicle up to the sidewalk and decorate the trunk. This is always so much fun!

"Standing in Holy Places" by Julia Eckel

2009-10-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

The lesson today was taken from two different General Conference talks.
The first is "Temple Worship, The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need" by Elder Richard G. Scott.
The second is "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson.

Elder Scott shared some personal experiences from his life. The loss of two of his small children, and later in life the loss of his beloved wife. He said that attending the temple once a week has been such a comfort for him over the years. He says we should all attend the temple regularly so that "our strength will be there when we need it."

Being in the temple will help us focus on the important things in this life. We can find comfort and answers as we learn and serve in the temple. The spirit is always there. The temple is a peaceful place that is uncluttered and very organized. It is easy to feel the love of our Father in Heaven in such an environment.

In Elder Stevenson's talk we learn how to make our homes a holy place as well. Julia asked for suggestions from the sisters on how to do this:

1. keep home clean like the temple
2. remind children that it is a blessing to have a home and to care for it
3. respect one another
4. listen to uplifting music
5. limit TV and Internet viewing
6. teach children from young age that home is sacred

Julia told us that in the Snowflake Temple they have a motto:

"LRS" (love, reverence, service). I bet that if we shared this motto with our families we would see changes for the better. After all, our homes should be a place of refuge, a safe haven, a holy place.

We are always so thrilled to hear from our RS teachers! They all put so much into their lessons. Thank you Julia! We love you!

Remember, you are never lost if you can see the temple.

Diana Lucas' Food Storage Blog

2009-10-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

YUMMY!!!!!
Diana and Coco have created a totally cool blog with yummy menu ideas that can be made with your year supply. (and a pumpkin too. ;)) Just click on the link on the right of this page. It says Lucas Family Food Storage Ideas. Thanks so much sisters!

Lesson #42 Family: The Sweetest Union for Time and for Eternity

2009-10-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Jenny Keith taught a lovely lesson yesterday. She asked four sisters to share their testimonies about different family relationships, temple sealings, and honoring our parents. The Spirit was strong.

Jenny reminded us of the comparison made by Elder Bednar in this last General Conference:

"In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.

Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes."

During the lesson we discussed how trials in our relationships occur. Suggestions were given on how to overcome. One quote came to my mind.

" If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who have ever lived." Jeffrey R. Holland

We are not left here on our own to figure things out! The Lord loves us all. There is a plan. Our families will help us follow that plan. In return, we can love and serve and help our family members follow it too.

Aug. 16...The Wentworth Letter

2009-08-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

In the Times and Seasons issue dated March 1, 1842, the Prophet published what has come to be known as the Wentworth Letter. Describing his reasons for producing this document, the Prophet explained: “At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, Editor and Proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, I have written the following sketch of the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth says that he wishes to furnish Mr. [George] Barstow, a friend of his, who is writing the history of New Hampshire, with this document. As Mr. Barstow has taken the proper steps to obtain correct information, all that I shall ask at his hands, is, that he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without misrepresentation.”2

George Barstow ultimately did not include the Prophet’s account in his history because he decided to cover events only through the year 1819 in his book.3 But the Wentworth Letter has immense value to Latter-day Saints. It is an original account by Joseph Smith testifying of his sacred call from God, his visions, and his ministry and teachings. It recounts the rise and growth of the Church and the persecutions of the Saints. It contains a prophetic declaration of the Church’s future success in the earth under the protective hand of the Great Jehovah. It also contains several important details not found elsewhere in the Prophet’s teachings, including a description of the gold plates and a sketch of the contents of the Book of Mormon. Significantly, it is the first time that Joseph Smith himself published an account of his First Vision.

Concluding with the 13 declarations of Church doctrine now called the Articles of Faith, it stands as a powerful witness of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

To read The Wentworth Letter, see Chapter 38 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),435–47

August 2, 2009 RS Lesson

2009-08-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

"ALL IS SAFELY GATHERED IN"

Becoming self reliant is a goal we all share. The blessings we will receive as we strive for self reliance and when we achieve it will be priceless!

There are many reasons to have a year supply of food. Job loss, illness, pandemic, etc... It is a commandment to gather a year supply for ourselves and the people we care for. There are many "barriers" that keep some people from following this council. Financial difficulties, space to store the food in, PRIDE, lack of knowledge, etc... gaining a testimony of this principal will help us overcome these barriers.

For more information on starting a year supply, please go to the following website.

www.providentliving.org

This site is owned and maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

There are two simple steps to remember about gathering a year supply...

1st: BEGIN
2nd: CONTINUE

Thanks Sis. Hatch for a great lesson!

Receiving the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple

2009-07-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

Judy Porter gives amazing lessons! The Spirit was very strong in Relief Society today.

The early saints went through many trials and tribulations as they strived to follow the Lord's command to build temples on the earth. Most of them gave up many things, some of them gave up everything. We should honor and revere the temple the way our pioneer ancestors did.

A quote from the lesson:
"As part of the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by revelation and later recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 109, the Prophet prayed: “And now, Holy Father, we ask … that thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house; and that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness. "

I love being in the temple. It was said in class today that the temple is "heaven on earth". What a perfect description!

Please leave a comment if you feel impressed to. You are all wonderful sisters!
~Heather Fuller

Thoughts from Pres. McKay

2009-03-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Our Stake President attended R.S. with us on Sunday. It was Ward Conf. He shared a few thoughts with the sisters regarding "our will".
"When we are judged by the Savior, what will He judge us by?"
Some suggestions made by sisters in the room:

1.Our works and deeds.
2.Our thoughts.
3.Our faith.
4.The desires of our hearts.

Alma 41:3... "And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. "

Pres. McKay asked that we bend our will to that of our Savior's. That will help us to be sanctified.
He also suggested that we do our best to have "a celestial attitude" when making decisions, serving others, or accepting callings. If we school our hearts to make the RIGHT choice now, it will be easier tomorrow.

I love our Stake Presidency. They are all humble and dignified men. They are unified in their choice to serve the Lord by serving us as members of this stake.

3/8/09 Beware the Bitter Fruits of Apostasy

2009-03-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

“In all your trials, tribulations and sickness, in all your sufferings, even unto death, be careful you don’t betray God, … be careful you don’t apostatize.” ~J.S.

Kristen taught another wonderful lesson this past Sunday. We discussed ways to protect ourselves from apostasy.
"Losing confidence in Church leaders, criticizing them, and neglecting any duty required by God lead to apostasy."
We need to learn how to be obedient. Our leaders are called by the Lord. They are not perfect, and do not pretend to be, but the Lord is. We should head their council. It comes from the Lord. We need to pray for our leaders. We need to teach our children to do the same.
"Orson Hyde, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, reported: “Joseph the Prophet … said, ‘Brethren, remember that the majority of this people will never go astray; and as long as you keep with the majority you are sure to enter the celestial kingdom."

March 1st: Bishop Shumway's Lesson

2009-03-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

We were so blessed to have our sweet Bishop speak to us on the 1st of this month. He taught from Jacob Chapter 5. He talked to the sisters about balancing our lives. He used the Olive Tree as an example. The branches are our worldly responsibilities and the roots are our roles/relationships. He suggested that the world judges us by our responsibilities and the Lord judges by our roles/relationships. So, the idea behind the lesson, in my humble opinion, was to help us learn to balance our roots and branches. To nourish our roots so that our tree can grow strong. Also, to prune the branches so there is time for our tree to be nourished.
"Focus on your role as being the reason you keep your responsibilities."
~Bishop Shumway

Lift Where You Stand

2009-03-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

"May we always remember this profound lesson: that we are banner bearers of the Lord Jesus Christ, upheld by the Holy Spirit of God, faithful and true to the end, each one devoted to give our all to the cause of Zion and bound by covenant to stand close together and lift where we stand."
~President Uchtdorf

(I was asked to sub in Primary, so I was not able to attend R.S. for this lesson taught by Julia. I did hear many great comments about the class! Can't wait for her next lesson! ~Heather)

Elijah and the Restoration of the Sealing Keys #26

2009-02-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

“How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet.”

Like I said last week...we are so blessed to have such wonderful R.S. teachers! They put so much personal time and energy into preparing these lessons for us. It is very obvious that they are seeking the Lord's guidance while preparing. I appreciate that very much!
What I learned from Judy's lesson:

~"In God's eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter.... Being sealed together as an eternal family is the very order of Heaven. It is the kind of life our Heavenly Parents live." -Russel M. Nelson
I was so moved by this quote! I DESIRE more than anything to be with my family for eternity! There is no other option for me! I will do what needs to be done in order to achieve that blessing!

~Judy had a very pretty framed picture of a chair. The quote on the picture was this; " Let there be NO Empty Chairs in our Heavenly Home."
It was said in class that there is a season for everything. A season to raise our children, and a season to do genealogy. A suggestion was made that we can always be doing our genealogy. EXAMPLES: scrapbooks, journals, listening to stories about our ancestors and recording them for posterity. Judy said; " Memories are the treasures of our families." She is so right! Let's preserve them sisters!

If you missed the lesson, go and read it, use the study guide at the end. It's a great reference!

I am so happy that I was able to be is R.S. yesterday! Thanks for a wonderful lesson Judy! We all love you!

NOTE: photograph by Mike Provard

Feb. 8, 2008 Truths from the Savior’s Parables in Matthew 13

2009-02-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

We are so blessed to have such amazing teachers in our Ward! Kristen did an amazing job! I love how the sisters feel so comfortable in our class. Everyone shares and comments! Best Ward EVER!

So, today during the lesson I kept thinking of my children. I realized that I use my own parables (analogies) to teach my kids. Perhaps it's a tradition passed on to us from our Heavenly Parents and our Savior. It is truly a simple and beautiful way to teach.
I appreciated the comments made by all of the sisters. Learning to understand the Savior's parables is key to understanding so many principals of the gospel. I loved how Kristen "zoomed in and out" on The Parable of the Mustard Seed". I'm excited to do that with the other parables!

I think that making the scriptures "treasures" in our lives is the message for the day though. All of Christ's teachings are in them. What a gift!

Comment on your feelings about the lesson...