January 2, 2011

Chesapeake Ward Relief Society Presidency Lesson

Sister Laura Kimball

Haggai 1: 5-6

―Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earnethwages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.‖

The old testament prophet Haggai, exhorted the people to put their lives in order and to build a

temple. The blessings will follow. When we put the Lord as our first priority, we will have the time,

energy and means to what he would have us do. Let us ―Consider Our Ways‖ and make the essentials for

eternal life our first priorities.

Please watch the following video: ―How to Prioritize‖ by Sister Julie B Beck, General Relief Society President. Sister Beck reviews essential, necessary,

and ―nice-to-do‖ tasks and focuses on the essential. http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,8731-1,00.html

To watch, please click on the above link or copy and paste it in your browser then click on the second talk listed (circled) How to Prioritize

―We all have limited time and energy [with] much demand on

our personal resources, what we

choose to do [with our time] is

important.‖- Sister Julie B Beck, General Relief Society President

The general Relief Society presidency held training for Relief Society leaders in March of 2010 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The following is taken from a part of that

training meeting ―How to Prioritize‖ by Sister Julie B Beck, General Relief Society President. Sister Beck reviews essential, necessary, and ―nice-to-do‖ tasks and focuses on the essential. http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,8731-1,00.html

―These are the things we need to do to get the blessings of eternal life if we fail to do these-things we won’t make it‖

Essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

Synonyms:

Fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

Vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

Cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, ―This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man‖ (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to live in God's presence and to continue as families (see D&C 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, to inherit eternal life requires our ―obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel‖ (Articles of Faith 1:3). http://lds.org/study/topics/eternal-life?lang=eng

Scripture Study

Prayer

Sacrament Meeting Attendance

Temple Ordinances

Scripture study: It is there, we receive the Lord’s word

It is an aid to revelation

Tells/ teaches us all the things we should do

Why is scripture study an essential priority for you?

How can you make scripture study more of a priority?

―In this modern day and age, there is a greater need for spiritual power than perhaps at any time before in our history. President David O. McKay said: ―The peril of this century is spiritual apathy. As the body requires sunlight, good food, proper exercise, and rest, so the spirit of man requires the sunlight of the holy Spirit; proper exercise of the spiritual functions; avoiding of evils that affect spiritual health, which are more ravaging in their effects than typhoid fever, pneumonia, or other diseases that attack the body‖ (Gospel Ideals [1953], 360).

Now, where do we find this spiritual power? How do we maintain our spiritual health and find the proper exercise of our spiritual functions? I believe the answer lies in knowing and understanding the word of God, which we learn through a careful study of the scriptures. When we know the scriptures, when we understand them, we get a feeling for what the Lord has revealed to His children through the ages of time. We learn His will for us. And we are strengthened spiritually.‖

L. Tom Perry, "―Give Heed unto the Word of the Lord‖", Ensign, June 2000, 22

http://lds.org/ensign/2000/06/give-heed-unto-the-word-of-the-lord?lang=eng

How can Latter-day Saints make scripture study a priority?

Elder Eyring: ―The only way you can be sure that a busy schedule doesn’t crowd out scripture study is to establish a regular time to study the scriptures.‖ I have found that the beginning of the day and the end of the day are mine. Those are times I can usually control.

When I am in situations where I break out of the pattern, it’s hard on me. Once you get used to regular scripture study, you miss it if you don’t have it. It’s like food—you have to have it. I know that I need the scriptures like I need food. I don’t miss a regular meal, and I don’t miss regular scripture study.‖

What can we look forward to as we consistently study the scriptures?

Elder Eyring: In time, if you truly begin to feast upon the scriptures, you will find that they become a part of you. I remember that with Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who was as familiar with the scriptures as anyone I know. I would sometimes listen to him and say to myself, ―Now is he quoting the scriptures, or are those his own words?‖

President Gordon B. Hinckley is the same way. His ordinary speech is scriptural prose, and even in his pleasant, easy moments, that prose is a part of him. I think he has a great literary gift, in part because of his knowledge of the scriptures. I was with him just the other day when he very casually pulled a scripture into the conversation and it fit perfectly. Obviously the scriptures are in him; they’re part of him.

We all can have the dream of someday having the word of God be so much a part of us that the Lord can draw upon it and we can learn to think as He does. And in the process we can come unto Him.

Henry B. Eyring, "A Discussion on Scripture Study", Ensign, July 2005, 22–26

http://lds.org/ensign/2005/07/a-discussion-on-scripture-study?lang=eng

Prayer : Is our communication with the Lord

Opens revelation

Is for our safety: ―pray always lest we enter into temptation‖

Why is prayer an essential priority for you?

How can you make prayer more of a priority?

―In the personal line [of communication] we pray directly to our Heavenly Father, and He answers us by the channels He has established, without any mortal intermediary. We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and He answers us through His Holy Spirit and in other ways. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son (see John 15:26; 2 Nephi 31:18; 3 Nephi 28:11), to guide us into truth (see John 14:26; 16:13), and to show us all things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth.‖

Dallin H. Oaks, "Two Lines of Communication", Ensign, Nov. 2010, 83–86

http://lds.org/ensign/2010/11/two-lines-of-communication?lang=eng

―Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, ―Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.‖ (D&C 19:28)―

―It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer.‖―I testify our Father will always answer your prayers in the way and

in the time that will be for your best eternal good.‖

Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer", Ensign, May 2007, 8–11

http://lds.org/ensign/2007/05/using-the-supernal-gift-of-prayer?lang=eng

The Power of Family Prayer, John H. Groberg, April 1982 General Conference ―I know of no single activity that has more potential for unifying our families and bringing more love and divine direction into our homes than consistent, fervent family prayer.‖

How Can I Make Daily Prayer More Meaningful? D. Todd Christofferson, October 2010 New Era ―How can I make daily prayer more meaningful? It’s a good question, and it’s one that applies to all of us.‖

Pray Always David A. Bednar, October 2008 General Conference ―Three additional principles that can help our prayers become more meaningful‖

Improving Our Prayers Joseph B. Wirthlin, August 2004 Liahona ―There are many reasons our prayers may lack power. Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that the words become more of a recitation than a communication.‖

Sacrament meeting attendance: this is where we renew our baptismal covenants, how do we

get ready for a temple covenant? We’ve got to keep the covenant we’ve already made!

sacrament meeting isn’t about having more people in the seats it is about more people renewing that covenant and staying on that essential path.

Why is renewing your baptismal covenants an essential priority for you?

How can you make sacrament attendance more of a priority?

―The direct, personal channel of communication to our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost is based on worthiness and is so essential that we are commanded to renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament each Sabbath day. In this way we qualify for the promise that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, to guide us.‖

Dallin H. Oaks, "Two Lines of Communication", Ensign, Nov. 2010, 83–86http://lds.org/ensign/2010/11/two-lines-of-communication?lang=eng

―Paul taught that the Lord gave prophets and apostles for ―the perfecting of the saints, … the work of the ministry, … [and] the edifying of the body of Christ‖ (Eph. 4:12). Persons who are not fully participating in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also seeking a personal spiritual conversion are missing out on experiences that are essential under the divinely established great plan of happiness. The teachings and the work of the Church are essential to bring to pass the eternal life of man (see Moses 1:39).‖―Someone has said that what we get depends on what we seek.

Persons who attend Church solely in order to get something of a temporal nature may be disappointed. The Apostle Paul wrote disparagingly of persons who ―serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly‖ (Rom. 16:18). Persons who attend Church in order to give to their fellowmen and serve the Lord will rarely be disappointed. The Savior promised that ―he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it‖ (Matt. 10:39).‖ ―I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state

of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness‖ (Mosiah 2:41).‖

Dallin H. Oaks, ―The Gospel in Our Lives,‖ Ensign, May 2002, 33

Going to the temple:

―If we don’t make and keep temple covenants then we’re not on the path, we’ve got to do the things that help us qualify us for a recommend and get [ourselves] there.‖

Why is the Temple (preparation & attendance) an essential priority for you?

How can you make the Temple more of a priority?

The temple endowment blessings are as essential for each of us as was our baptism. For this reason we are to prepare ourselves that we may be clean to enter the temple of God.

The opportunity to enter the temple and to take upon ourselves the sacred covenants therein is one of the greatest blessings available to us in mortality. Then, after we take upon us those covenants, our obedience in living them daily stands as a demonstration of our faith, love, devotion, and spiritual commitment to honor our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our obedience also prepares us to live with Them in the eternities. The temple’s saving ordinances are essential to—and even the central focus of—the eternal plan of happiness.

Robert D. Hales, "Blessings of the Temple", Ensign, Oct. 2009, 46–49http://lds.org/ensign/2009/10/blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng

The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

The temple is a sacred edifice, a holy place, where essential saving ceremonies and ordinances are performed to prepare us for exaltation. It is important that we gain a sure knowledge that our preparation to enter the holy house and that our participation in these ceremonies and covenants are some of the most significant events we will experience in our mortal lives.

We voluntarily came from the presence of God the Father to this mortal probation with agency, knowing we would have ―opposition in all things‖ (2 Nephi 2:11). Our objective is to take upon us the whole armor of God and withstand ―the fiery darts of the wicked‖ with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit (see D&C 27:15–18), to endure to the end, and to be worthy to stand and live in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, for all eternity—to achieve what is called eternal life.

Robert D. Hales, "Blessings of the Temple", Ensign, Oct. 2009, 46–49http://lds.org/ensign/2009/10/blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng

The Holy Temple Boyd K. Packer October 2010 Ensign ―There are many reasons one should want to come to the temple. Even its external appearance seems to hint of its deeply spiritual purposes. This is much more evident within its walls. Over the door to the temple appears the tribute...‖

Prepare for Blessings of the Temple Russell M. Nelson March 2002 Ensign ―Parents should teach the importance of the temple from a child’s earliest days. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught members of the Church to display a picture of a temple in their homes where children could see it and plan from their...‖

―Ye Are the Temple of God‖ David A. Bednar September 2001 Ensign ―...on the earth, but do we really understand why a body is so central to the Father’s plan of happiness? Do we perhaps recite this answer so frequently and routinely that we fail to recognize its true importance?...‖

Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple Russell M. Nelson October 2010 Ensign ―Inscribed on each temple are the words ―holiness to the Lord.‖ That statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness. As temples are prepared for the people, the...‖

Things as They Really Are David A. Bednar June 2010 Liahona ―...His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.‖1 Please note the primary importance of obtaining a physical body in the...‖

―Be of good cheer. Take life one step at a time and do the best you can each day. Life passes so swiftly.

When mortal life is over, each of us will return to God, who gave us life. In a judgment interview, I doubt that He will ask a surgeon, ―How many operations did you perform?‖ or ―Do you wish you had spent more time at the hospital?‖ But I know He will ask if Sister Nelson and I remained faithful to our covenants to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and always remember Him.

Think of those words ―all that my Father hath.‖ That concept is beyond our mortal comprehension. It means that no earthly reward—no other success—could compensate for the bounties the Lord will bestow upon those who love Him, keep His commandments (see Moro. 4:3), and endure to the end (see D&C 14:7).

Russell M. Nelson, "Identity, Priority, and Blessings", Ensign, Aug. 2001, 6 http://lds.org/ensign/2001/08/identity-priority-and-blessings?lang=eng

Matthew 6:19-22

―Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.‖

2 Nephi 31: 17-21Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your

Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and abaptism by water; and then cometh a bremission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

And then are ye in this astrait and narrow bpath which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which cwitnesses of the dFather and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow apath, I would ask if all is bdone? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken cfaith in him, drelying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to esave.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saiththe Father: Ye shall have eeternal life.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the away; and there is bnone other way nor cname given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the ddoctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the eFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is fone God, without end. Amen