High Priest Lesson - September 2014 Keeping Covenants

Keeping Covenants Protects Us, Prepares Us, and Empowers Us

Outline

A. Introduction and Learner Readiness

BY ROSEMARY M. WIXOM

Primary General President

SAY: Keeping Covenants Protects Us, Prepares Us, and Empowers Us

SAY: We are covenant-making women of all ages walking the path of mortality back to His presence.

SAY: Be thinking about your favorite scriptures that help you understand and keep your covenants. I will be asking you to share your favorite scripture later in the lesson.

SAY: Let's start with one of my favorite scriptures.  I was reading the book of Moroni last week.  As I was reading chapter 7 verse 45, I gave myself a test.  My grade was lower than I expected.  Here's the test.  Answer the following question yes or no.  You can use sometimes if you want to soften the blow.

1. Am I long suffering?
2. Am I kind?
3. Do I have envy for others?
4. Am I puffed up?  Do I think I am better than others?
5. Am I easily provoked?
6. Do I think evil?  Do I think evil of others?
7. Do I rejoice in iniquity? 
8. Do I rejoice in the truth?
9. Do I bear all things?
10. Do I believe all things?
11. Do I have a hope of a glorious resurrection?
12. Do I endure all things?
13. Am I happy?

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.

Q: What does this introspective test have to do with covenant keeping?
SAY: Are not these the attributes we take with us when we die?
SAY: There must be covenants we make associated with changing our inner self, developing Christ-like attributes.Q: What covenant to we make most closely ties to charity?
Q: Any ideas?

C. Learner Involvement

SAY: We are going to read some of Sister Wixom's talk.  Since it was addressed to young women of the church you will need to substitute the words "women" and "daughters" to "men" and "sons".

READ A

A - Tonight we gather together all over the world as His disciples, with a desire to defend and sustain the kingdom of God. We are daughters of our Heavenly Father. We are covenant-making women of all ages walking the path of mortality back to His presence. Keeping covenants protects us, prepares us, and empowers us.

 Q: How does covenant keeping protect us?
 Q: How does keeping covenants prepare us?
 Q: How does covenant keeping  empower us?

Q: What is the first covenant we make with our Heavenly Father? [Baptism]
Q: Who can explain the covenant of baptism?
Q: What is the Father's side of the covenant? [Give of the Holy Ghost, Saved in the Kingdom of God]

READ B

B - [Robert D Hales] also explained that “when we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God."

Q: What has the Lord given us to remember baptismal covenant (and all our covenants)?

READ C

Each week as we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we renew our baptismal covenant. Elder David A. Bednar said: “As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple.”

Q: Is it possible to keep all our covenants in this life?

Q: Why would something like being unforgiving be not in keeping with our baptismal covenant?
Q: Who is forgiveness for?
Q: What are we doing when we forgive?
Q: If we are easily provoked are we breaking a covenant?

READ D

Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They are those ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom. As we strive to keep our covenants, our feelings of inadequacy and imperfection begin to fade, while the ordinances and the covenants of the temple come alive. Everyone is welcome to walk that path to eternal life.

Q: Why do or feelings of inadequacy and imperfection fade away as we strive to keep our covenants?

Q: Where do go to learn about the covenants we make in the temple?

D. Learner Application

Q: Do you have any favorite scriptures that help you understand, remember and keep your baptismal and temple covenants?

3 Nephi 9:19-20 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost,

Alma 1:19-24 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.

20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, withoutmoney and without price.

21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.

22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.

23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church.

24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrewthemselves from among them.

Mosiah 18:9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of thefirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life

2 Nephi 11:5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

D&C 121:45-46 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

Alma 1:27-30 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.

30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

READ E

E - A single woman I know values the weekly ordinance of the sacrament and its sacred promise “that [she] may always have his Spirit to be with [her].”That constant companionship is a promise that softens the waves of her loneliness. It gives her strength to immerse herself in developing her talents and a desire to serve the Lord. She has discovered great joy in adoring all the children in her life, and when she seeks serene peace, you will find her in the temple.

READ F

F - Lastly, an elderly woman in her 90s has watched her children and grandchildren grow up and her great-grandchildren come into the world. Like many of us, she has had a life filled with sorrows, afflictions, and incomprehensible joy. She confesses that if she were rewriting her life story, she would not choose to include some of the chapters that have been written. Yet, with a smile, she says, “I just must live a little longer and see how it all turns out!” She continues to hold fast to the covenants on the path.

E. Conclusion

As Sister Wixom teaches, As we strive to keep our covenants, our feelings of inadequacy and imperfection begin to fade, while the ordinances and the covenants of the temple come alive.  The way back becomes easier and our burdens become light.

Amen.

This Order Does Not Foster Brotherhood

I read in the Doctrine and Covenants about different orders related to the gospel and kingdom on this earth.  The order in which we live today as a church is not a Zion order.  We call ourselves stakes of Zion which indicates something or our direction or desires.  But, watch what we do, not what we say, and I see something different - a different order than Zion.  The Order of Enoch is an all in common order where temporal equality exists among the participants.  The participants, over time, have become enlightened, partaking of the heavenly gift, understanding the true nature of the meaning of charity.  They understand that one man shouldn't be above above another.  And, that this is sin.  They understand that the love of money is root of all evil and this make complete sense to them.  Once in the order and seeing the pouring out of blessings their testimony of the order grows into knowledge. They can see the incorrectness of the old order clearly now.  How faithless the old order was.  How selfish the old order was.  In the new order it is self evident that all things are gifts from God.  In contrast to the old order where darkness prevailed, temporal talents to acquire wealth are not gifts but some strange indicator of self worth and how blessed one is.  Mormon explains it this way, "why to you love your money more than you love the needy and the poor?" and "why do you walk by the poor and needy and notice them not?".  Mormon is viewing the church order in which we live from the vantage point of all in common order in which lived.  He seems to be shocked by what he sees.

The order of the church in which we live today doesn't foster brotherhood.  Friends and family foster brotherhood in our society today.  Lacking temporal unity causes everyone to fend for themselves.  The stress of doing this results in all sorts of unbrotherly conduct.  Seeing other with their wealth untold take is toll on the pychies of everyone in the church.  We all learn quickly that in this order it is a matter of individual righteousness and nothing about group righteousness.

I believe the Book of Mormon is teaching us what the higher order is like and what it takes to live it.  Anyone with eyes and ears wide open easily sees the contrast between how we live today and how the righteous in the Book of Mormon lived. This way of writing is deliberate among the Nephite prophets.  They see our day and wrote a book that would help us (the Latter-day Saints) transition from Babylon to Zion.

Spiritual Whirlwinds BY ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN 8-24-214

Spiritual Whirlwinds BY ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s Not Take the Wrong Way BY ELDER CLAUDIO D. ZIVIC Of the Seventy

I pray that we will not lose sight of the way so that we may always be connected with the heavens.

Learner Readiness [How do I get them thinking? What stories would be useful?

READ A - Quotation - Elder Anderson

A - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

Many years ago while we were visiting our family in Florida, a tornado touched down not too far from us. One woman living in a mobile home went into her bathroom for safety. The mobile home began to shake. A few moments passed. Then she heard her neighbor’s voice: “I am here in the front room.” Coming out of the bathroom, to her great astonishment, she discovered that the tornado had lifted and carried her mobile home through the air, landing it perfectly upright on the top of her neighbor’s mobile home.

READ  B Quotation - Elder Anderson

B - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

My young friends, the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the Savior. The scriptures declare that “all things shall be in commotion.” Brigham Young said, “It was revealed to me in the commencement of this Church, that the Church would spread, prosper, grow and extend, and that in proportion to the spread of the Gospel among the nations of the earth, so would the power of Satan rise.”

READ  C Quotation - ELDER CLAUDIO D. ZIVIC

C - Quotation - Elder Claudio D. Zivic, Let's Not Take the Wrong Way

A little boy was practicing the piano, and a salesman, upon seeing him through the window, asked, “Is your mother home?”

To which the child replied, “And … what do you think?”

Q: Why did the boy respond that way?

READ Quotation - ELDER CLAUDIO D. ZIVIC

D - Quotation - Elder Claudio D. Zivic, Let's Not Take the Wrong Way

Our five dear children play the piano, thanks to the motivation of my wife! When the teacher arrived at our home, our son Adrián would run and hide in order to skip his lesson. But one day something marvelous occurred! He began to love music so much that he continued practicing on his own.

If we could reach that point in the process of our conversion, it would be marvelous. It would be wonderful to have a desire deep in our hearts to keep the commandments without anyone constantly reminding us and to have a firm conviction that if we follow the right path, we will have the blessings promised in the scriptures.

SAY: If we could reach that point in the process of our conversion....  Q:  What is Elder Zivic talking about?

Q: Can our conversion wax and wane?

SAY: let's listen to a story from Elder Zivic's talk.  While listening to the story look for things in the story that Elder Zivic did wrong or that could have been warning signs if he had given heed. 

READ Quotation - ELDER CLAUDIO D. ZIVIC

E  - Quotation - Elder Claudio D. Zivic, Let's Not Take the Wrong Way

Several years ago I went to Arches National Park with my wife; our daughter, Evelin; and a family friend. One of the most famous arches there is called Delicate Arch. We decided to walk about 1.5 miles (2 km), climbing the mountain in order to reach the arch.

We started off on our pathway with great enthusiasm, but after walking a short stretch, the others needed to rest. Because of my desire to get there, I decided to continue on alone. Without paying attention to the path I ought to take, I followed a man in front of me who seemed to be moving forward with great surety. The pathway became more and more difficult, and I had to jump from one rock to another. Because of the difficulty, I was sure the women in my group would never make it. Suddenly I saw Delicate Arch, but to my great surprise, I saw that it was in an area inaccessible to me.

With great frustration, I decided to go back. I waited impatiently until we met up again. My immediate question was “Did you reach Delicate Arch?” They happily told me that they had. They explained that they had followed the signs showing the way, and with care and effort, they had reached their destination.

Unfortunately, I had taken the wrong way. What a great lesson I learned that day!

Q: What were some of the reasons why Elder Zivic never made it to Delicate Arch?

- His ego go involved - he felt he could do things that his wife couldn't do (jump from rock to rock)

- He left his loved ones behind

- He followed somebody else

SAY: Isn't it ironic that that his wife and family achieved the goal and he didn't?

Learner Involvement [What are our whirlwinds?  How do we include the Savior in resolving the whirlwinds?

READ Quotation - Elder Anderson

F - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

More concerning than the prophesied earthquakes and wars are the spiritual whirlwinds that can uproot you from your spiritual foundations and land your spirit in places you never imagined possible, sometimes with your barely noticing that you have been moved.

Q:  Is it possible to barely notice that you have been moved from a holy place to a place outside the embrace of the gospel?

READ Quotation - Elder Anderson

G - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

Not all the whirlwinds in life are of your own making. Some come because of the wrong choices of others, and some come just because this is mortality.

Q: What are some of the whirlwinds that we are dealing with today?  What are some of your personal whirlwinds?

[homosexuality, living together outside the bounds of marriage, historical concerns from internet, old age, health issues, loosing your loved one, personal sorrows, influential people]

READ Quotation - Elder Anderson

H - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

How do you prepare for your whirlwinds? “Remember … it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, … his shafts in the whirlwind, … when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power … to drag you down … because of the rock upon which ye are built.” This is your safety in the whirlwind.

Q: What is our safety in whirlwind?

READ Quotation - ELDER CLAUDIO D. ZIVIC

I - Quotation - Elder Claudio D. Zivic, Let's Not Take the Wrong Way

A marvelous teaching is found in the book of John:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4–5).

Using this analogy, we can see the very close, transcendent relationship we have with Jesus Christ and the importance He places on each one of us. He is the root and the trunk that conducts the living water to us, the sap that will allow us to be nourished so that we can produce much fruit. Jesus Christ taught us in such a way that as branches—or beings dependent upon Him—we would never underestimate the value of His teachings.

Q: How do we deepen our foundation, our connection with Jesus Christ?

  

Learner Application [How do we stand strong? How do we endure to end? What can we we do on a daily basis to stay strong?  What is the hope behind all this?

READ Quotation - Elder Anderson

J - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

The worst whirlwinds are the temptations of the adversary. Sin has always been part of the world, but it has never been so accessible, insatiable, and acceptable. There is, of course, a powerful force that will subdue the whirlwinds of sin. It is called repentance.

Q: When we are caught in a temptation whirlwind what do we do?

Q: If we were following someone's teachings that we are beginning to realize is leading us down the wrong path, what do we do?

Q: If our best thinking concerning philosophies of the world have caused us to be at odds with the teachings of the church and the gospel, what do we do?

SAY:  Pres. Monson said the following "We also can be in the world but not of the world as we reject false concepts and false teachings and remain true to that which God has commanded."

Application : How to take a stand without being judgemental.,,,

READ Quotation - Elder Anderson

K - Quotation - Elder Anderson, Spiritual Whirlwinds

Recently, I spoke with a Laurel from the United States. I quote from her email:

“This past year some of my friends on Facebook began posting their position on marriage. Many favored same-sex marriage, and several LDS youth indicated they ‘liked’ the postings. I made no comment.

“I decided to declare my belief in traditional marriage in a thoughtful way.

“With my profile picture, I added the caption ‘I believe in marriage between a man and a woman.’ Almost instantly I started receiving messages. ‘You are selfish.’ ‘You are judgmental.’ One compared me to a slave owner. And I received this post from a great friend who is a strong member of the Church: ‘You need to catch up with the times. Things are changing and so should you.’

“I did not fight back,” she said, “but I did not take my statement down.”

She concludes: “Sometimes, as President Monson said, ‘You have to stand alone.’ Hopefully as youth, we will stand together in being true to God and to the teachings of His living prophets.”

Conclusion  - Quotation - Elder Claudio D. Zivic, Let's Not Take the Wrong Way

What is the hope behind all this?

Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.

Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.

Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.

Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.

As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are—tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ’s glorious return.

The Savior said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” This is His promise to you.

 Notes:

On Living Together

This past month the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve published a letter to leaders of the Church across the world. In part it read: “Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We urge you to review … the doctrine contained in ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World.’

Notes:  Same Sex Attraction

Of special concern to us should be those who struggle with same-sex attraction. It is a whirlwind of enormous velocity. I want to express my love and admiration for those who courageously confront this trial of faith and stay true to the commandments of God!12 But everyone, independent of his or her decisions and beliefs, deserves our kindness and consideration.13

The Savior taught us to love not only our friends but also those who disagree with us—and even those who repudiate us. He said: “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? … And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?”14

The Prophet Joseph Smith warned us to “beware of self-righteousness” and to enlarge our hearts toward all men and women until we feel “to take them upon our shoulders.”15 In the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no place for ridicule, bullying, or bigotry

July 27, 2014
The Joyful Burden of Discipleship
BY ELDER RONALD A. RASBAND
Of the Presidency of the Seventy

Introduction

To sustain our leaders is a privilege; it comes coupled with a personal responsibility to share their burden and to be disciples of the Lord.

Learner Readiness - We are share the responsibility together

SAY: I want to read to you this story from Elder Rasband's talk:  On May 20 of last year a massive tornado pummeled the suburbs of Oklahoma City, in the heartland of America, carving a trail more than a mile (1.6 km) wide and 17 miles (27 km) long. This storm, an onslaught of devastating tornadoes, altered the landscape and the lives of the people in its path.

Just a week after the massive storm struck, I was assigned to visit the area where homes and belongings were strewn across the flattened, ravaged neighborhoods.

Before I left, I spoke with our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who relishes such errands for the Lord. With respect borne not only of his office but also of his goodness, I asked, “What do you want me to do? What do you want me to say?”

He tenderly took my hand, as he would have done with each one of the victims and each of those helping with the devastation had he been there, and said:

“First, tell them I love them.

“Second, tell them I am praying for them.

“Third, please thank all those who are helping.”

SAY: Elder Rasband goes on and talks about his calling as a Seventy and how the burden of the gospel, the Church and the Prieshood is shared. This reminds of the old saying, "Many hands make light work".  Elder Rasband than say the folloing:

READ A

READING A - Currently in the Church, the Lord has called 317 Seventies, serving in 8 quorums, to assist the Twelve Apostles in carrying the burden placed on the First Presidency. I joyfully feel that responsibility in the depths of my very soul, as do my fellow Brethren. However, we are not the only ones assisting in this glorious work. As members of the Church worldwide, we all have the wonderful opportunity of blessing the lives of others.

Q: Why is blessing the lives of others so important?

SAY: I went to visit my son in Alaska last week.  I watched the life style of my son and his roommates.  I enjoyed visiting with them.  I actually was impressed by how remarkable James and his roommates are.  But, there was some things missing.  Their focus was different.  Their over riding purpose in life was different.  The joyful burden of discipleship was missing.  That salt was missing

READ B

READING B - This afternoon each of us will raise our right arm to the square and sustain the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is not a mere formality, nor is it reserved for those called to general service. To sustain our leaders is a privilege; it comes coupled with a personal responsibility to share their burden and to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

Q: What does it mean to be a disciple?
Q: Why can it be called a burden to be a disciple?
Q: Why is this burden joyful?
Q: What if it isn't joyful?

READ C

READING C - President Monson has said:

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us. …

“‘… Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me’ [Matthew 25:40].”

Q: What makes us the salt of the earth?

SAY:  I am reminded of a scripture in the Book of Mormon.  It is in Alma 37:46.  Alma is counseling his son, Helaman.  He is preparing Helaman to be his successor as the presiding High Priest of Church.  He says to Helaman, " Do not be slothful because of the easiness of the way".  I then compared and contrasted this phrase with "the joyful burden of discipleship"

Q: Why is way of Christian discipleship easy yet a joyful burden?
Q:  Why is taking Christ's yoke upon us easy?

SAY: Let's continue reading Elder Rasband's talk"

READ D

READING D - Will we respond with love when an opportunity is before us to make a visit or a phone call, write a note, or spend a day meeting the needs of someone else? Or will we be like the young man who attested to following all of God’s commandments:

“All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

The young man was being called to a greater service at the side of the Lord to do the work of the kingdom of God on earth, yet he turned away, “for he had great possessions.”

What of our earthly possessions? We can see what a tornado can do with them in just minutes. It is so important for each of us to strive to lay up our spiritual treasures in heaven—using our time, talents, and agency in service to God.

Q: How does the world view earthly possessions?
Q: How are we to view earthly possessions?

LEARNER APPLICATION

READ E

READING E - Jesus Christ continues to extend the call “Come and follow me.”5 He walked His homeland with His followers in a selfless manner. He continues to walk with us, stand by us, and lead us. To follow His perfect example is to recognize and honor the Savior, who has borne all of our burdens through His sacred and saving Atonement, the ultimate act of service. What He asks of each one of us is to be able and willing to take up the joyful “burden” of discipleship.

SAY:  Brother Rasband tells another story: (tell story about a girl named Tory in the elementary school surviving the tornado.  I just closed my eyes, hoping and praying that it would soon be over.

“All of a sudden it got quiet.

“When I opened my eyes, I saw a stop sign right in front of my eyes! It was almost touching my nose.”6

Tori, her mother, three of her siblings, and numerous friends who were also in the school with her miraculously survived that tornado; seven of their schoolmates did not.

That weekend the priesthood brethren gave many blessings to members who had suffered in the storm. I was humbled to give Tori a blessing. As I laid my hands on her head, a favorite scripture came to mind: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”7

I counseled Tori to remember the day when a servant of the Lord laid his hands on her head and pronounced that she had been protected by angels in the storm.''


Q: Why do you think Elder Rasband inserted this story about Tory in the middle of his talk?
Q: What are some of the blessing of a life of service?  (angels, joy, becoming one, relationship bonds strengthened.)
Q: How can we apply the joyful burden of discipleship in our lifes?  (serving missions, using what the Lord has given us to help others, prioritizing our time to be a life of service).

READ F

READING F - Often we are given the opportunity to help others in their time of need. As members of the Church, we each have the sacred responsibility “to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light,”    “to mourn with those that mourn,” and to “lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

If needed - Q: What did the people in the Land of Helam do to bear each other's burden? (Mosiah 18: 21, 27-28)

Conclusion:

We have been called to something higher than what world offers or tells us what to do with our time. That higher something makes us the salt of the earth.  If we stop being a blessing in the lives of others, was are as salt that has lost its savor.  We are then good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under.  Our life is a life of service.  It is a life of sacrifice.  It is also a life of joy.  It is far better than what the world considers to by happiness and bliss.

No Other Gods

INTRODUCTION (experience)

SAY:  The talks assigned to me for teaching for our times are Elder Oakes, No Other Gods, and Elder Cook’s, Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage

WRITE: "No Other Gods", "Beware of Bondage"
to begin, quote the last quote of Elder Cook's talk.

SAY: When I started working on the lesson, I commented to myself, I am sure glad this lesson doesn't apply to me!  I don't prioritize things ahead of God.  I'm not in bondage.  As I read the lesson, I realized that I erred in my thinking.

I was reminded of many verses in the Book of Mormon.  Alma had to wade through much affliction and sorrow with the saints in Zarahemla.  He says this to saints in Gideon:

Alma 7:6 But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so much unbelief as were your brethren; I trust that ye are not lifted up in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the true and the living God, and that ye look forward for the remission of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come.

There's a battle in each one of us. The natural man vs. our spiritual natures. How do we measure how Christ-like we are?  How do I make sure that I am not just smug in my perceived discipleship?

The Book of Mormon shows us the spectrum of discipleship with the church.

LEARNER READINESS

Oakes’ Caption: Are we serving priorities or gods ahead of the God we profess to worship?

Cook’s Caption: Our challenge is to avoid bondage of any kind, help the Lord gather His elect, and sacrifice for the rising generation.

SAY:  The purpose of this lesson is find ways to avoid bondage of all kinds and to serve the true and living God.

SAY:  Elder Oakes lists all sorts of false Gods (or priorities) and then says this: "If none of these examples seems to apply to any one of us, we can probably suggest others that do. The principle is more important than individual examples. The principle is not whether we have other priorities. The question posed by the second commandment is “What is our ultimate priority?” Are we serving priorities or gods ahead of the God we profess to worship? Have we forgotten to follow the Savior who taught that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments? (seeJohn 14:15). If so, our priorities have been turned upside down by the spiritual apathy and undisciplined appetites so common in our day.

Oaks non-comprehensive list was: Cultural and family traditions, Political correctness, Career aspirations, Material possessions, Recreational pursuits, Power, prominence, and prestige

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ Elder Cook

READING A

Turning from the worship of the true and living God and worshipping false gods like wealth and fame and engaging in immoral and unrighteous conduct result in bondage in all its insidious manifestations. These include spiritual, physical, and intellectual bondage and sometimes bring destruction.

Q: According to Elder Cook, what kinds of bondage are there?

WRITE: “BONDAGE,  spiritual, physical, and intellectual”

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING B

God intended that men and women would be free to make choices between good and evil. When evil choices become the dominant characteristic of a culture or nation, there are serious consequences both in this life and the life to come. People can become enslaved or put themselves in bondage not only to harmful, addictive substances but also to harmful, addictive philosophies that detract from righteous living.

Q: According to what we just read, what can we become addicted to?

WRITE: “Enslaved – addictive substances, addictive philosophies”

SAY: Elder Cook reviews various kinds of bondage that are equally destructive.  Let’s read the first kind of bondage.

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING C

First, addictions that impair agency, contradict moral beliefs, and destroy good health cause bondage. The impact of drugs and alcohol, immorality, pornography, gambling, financial subjugation, and other afflictions imposes on those in bondage and on society a burden of such magnitude that it is almost impossible to quantify.

Q: What kind of bondage is Elder Cook talking about here?

WRITE : 1. Addictions

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING D

Second, some addictions or predilections, while not inherently evil, can use up our precious allotment of time which could otherwise be used to accomplish virtuous objectives. These can include excessive use of social media, video and digital games, sports, recreation, and many others.  How we preserve time for family is one of the most significant issues we face in most cultures. 

Q: What kind of addiction or bondage is Elder Cook discussing here?

WRITE: 2 TIME WASTERS

Q: How we use our time be considered a form of bondage?  [good, better, best]

SAY: I have switched #4 and #3 (SKIP if necessary)

READING E

Fourth, forces that violate sincerely held religious principles can result in bondage. One of the most invidious forms is when righteous people who feel accountable to God for their conduct are forced into activities that violate their conscience—for example, health providers forced to choose between assisting with abortions against their consciences or losing their jobs.

WRITE: Forces the Violate Conscience

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING F

Third, the most universal subjugation in our day, as it has been throughout history, is ideology or political beliefs that are inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Substituting the philosophies of men for gospel truth can lead us away from the simplicity of the Savior’s message. When the Apostle Paul visited Athens, he tried to teach of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of this effort we read in Acts, “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” When the crowd realized the simple religious nature of Paul’s message, which was not new, they rejected it.

Q: What kind of bondage is Elder Cook speaking of here?

WRITE: 3 Substituted Philosophies / Intellectual Bondage

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING G

This is emblematic of our own day, where gospel truths are often rejected or distorted to make them intellectually more appealing or compatible with current cultural trends and intellectual philosophies. If we are not careful, we can be captured by these trends and place ourselves in intellectual bondage.

WRITE "Captured"

Q: What do think Elder Cook means that we can become captured by intellectual philosphies, thus, going into intellectual bondage?

"God loves me no matter what I do",  "Jesus love my tatoos", " All religions are basically the same",  "There's really no such thing as truth", It's like God doesn't have an opinion or a preference.

Q: What is intellectual bondage? [Rejecting true principles replacing them with other ideologies]
Q: What is spiritual bondage?  [Getting caught up in sin and believing you are just fine]

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY, Elder Oakes said, " that our beliefs compel us to some different choices and behaviors than theirs [the choice and behaviors of the world].

Q: What are we compelled to do?

READ Elder Oaks Quotation

READING H (Oaks)

A teaching of President Thomas S. Monson applies to this circumstance. At this conference 27 years ago, he boldly declared: “Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but as the determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.”

Q: Since we all have our false gods causing a level of bondage within us all, how do we change?  What do we do increase our discipleship?

Alma 7:23

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING I

Our primary emphasis, however, should always be to make any necessary sacrifices to protect our own family and the rising generation. The vast majority of them are not yet in bondage to serious addictions or false ideologies. We must help inoculate them from a world that sounds a lot like the Jerusalem that Lehi and Jeremiah experienced. In addition, we need to prepare them to make and keep sacred covenants and to be the principal emissaries to help the Lord establish His Church and gather scattered Israel and the Lord’s elect everywhere. As the Doctrine and Covenants beautifully reads, “The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.”

READ Elder Cook Quotation

READING J

Our challenge is to avoid bondage of any kind, help the Lord gather His elect, and sacrifice for the rising generation. We must always remember that we do not save ourselves. We are liberated by the love, grace, and atoning sacrifice of the Savior. When Lehi’s family fled, they were led by the Lord’s light. If we are true to His light, follow His commandments, and rely on His merits, we will avoid spiritual, physical, and intellectual bondage as well as the lamentation of wandering in our own wilderness, for He is mighty to save.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion I will read Elder Oaks' concluding remarks:

We who know God’s plan for His children—we who have made covenants to participate in it—have a clear responsibility. We must never deviate from our paramount desire, which is to achieve eternal life. We must never dilute our first priority—to have no other gods and to serve no other priorities ahead of God the Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

HP Lesson March 2014 The Moral Force of Women

BY ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON
The Moral Force of Women

Objective:  To understand clearly and change what needs to be changed regarding our view of women.

INTRODUCTION  to LEARNER READINESS 

SAY: This talk by D T C was delivered to the women of the church back in October Conference.The subheading of talk is as follows:

"Your intuition is to do good and to be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, your moral authority and influence will grow."

SAY: In women it is innate just part of them.  In men, we have to develope it. [repeat the phrase].  It reminds of a verse of scripture given to men: D&C 121:45-46

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

LEARNER READINESS

SAY: My objective today is to help us, as men, understand womanhood clearly and change what needs to be changed regarding our view of women.  In talking with my wife about this lesson, she said the following:

"Men have an obligation to see the good in the women in their lives and encourage it and not put it down." [putting the good of women down - her father was that way, some men where she is employed still have vestiges of this]

We, as men, being tainted by the teaching and modeling of some around us and by society in general we may carry inappropriate baggage about women.  As member of the church, we have had to change some of our beliefs and views about women.  We also have many correct views of women.

SAY: Let's read a quote from Elder Christofferson's talk.
READ A

A - Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures. When praising the “unfeigned faith” he found in Timothy, Paul noted that this faith “dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.”

SAY: be thinking about the wonderful influence women have had in your life.  We will have time for you to share those experiences.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

Q: Returning to our society and environment in which we life, What kinds of inappropriate or negative views of women are there out there in the world?  [objectifying, believing they are inferior, 2nd class citizens, etc.]
Q:  Are these views of women improving or getting worse?
Q: Has the view of equality between men and women changed in the last 50 years?

READ, except from a letter written to me from a friend in CT.  She is 82 years old, Catholic, the mother of one of my childhood friends.  She talking about the 60's and 70's in CT.

The times in which we lived back then, were very conflicting times for women.  It was the advent of the "Women's Lib", and we were just beginning to find out how we were being manipulated and abused.  If a woman wanted to leave [the marriage], she had no basis in many cases to be able to make it financially on her own.

Sometimes, people wear two faces, one for the outside world, and one for the inside world of the home.  That was so very conflicting for me to experience in my own situation.  When a man is Narcissistic, it is his wife who pays the price, because she is the one who always gets the blame, abuse, demeaning, nullification, and misery.  Then on the other hand he can be so charming and nice when he is getting what he wants.

Q: I was young back then.  Were these views of women global, or just where I grew up?

READ B  - In one of Elder Christofferson's footnotes we read:

Elder Christofferson's footnote

B - It is true that many women over many generations have been exploited or saddled with unfair burdens both in family and employment, but selflessness and sacrifice need not and should not become abusive or exploitative. Elder Bruce C. Hafen observed: “If being ‘selfless’ means a woman must give up her own inner identity and personal growth, that understanding of selflessness is wrong. … But today’s liberationist model goes too far the other way, stereotyping women as excessively independent of their families. A more sensible view is that husbands and wives are interdependent with each other. … The critics who moved mothers from dependence to independence skipped the fertile middle ground of interdependence. Those who moved mothers from selflessness to selfishness skipped the fertile middle ground of self-chosen service that contributes toward a woman’s personal growth. Because of these excesses, debates about the value of motherhood have, ironically, caused the general society to discount not only mothers but women in general” (“Motherhood and the Moral Influence of Women” [remarks to the World Congress of Families II, Geneva, Plenary Session IV, Nov. 16, 1999], http://worldcongress.org/wcf2_spkrs/wcf2_hafen.htm).

READ C  [from the Proclamation on the Family]

From the Proclamation on the Family

C - By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. 

Q: What do think equal partners means?

SAY:  Elder Christofferson relates various stories and  some experences about how he was influenced by good women in his life.  Here's one of them.

READ D from Elder Christofferson:

D - My family moved into the New Brunswick Ward when I was a teenager. Sister Daines took notice of me and often expressed her confidence in my abilities and potential, which inspired me to reach high—higher than I would have without her encouragement. Once, because of a thoughtful and timely warning from her, I avoided a situation that would surely have led to regret. Although she is no longer here, Anna Daines’s influence continues to be felt and reflected in the lives of her descendants and countless others, myself included.

SAY: I believe all of you have wonderful experiences that you could share about women your life being a positive influence.  You have mothers, grandmothers, wives and good women in the community.  Would any of you like to share?

[time for shariing]

[My mother bringing me to church]

LEARNER APPLICATION - READINESS

SAY:  Let's read two more excerpts from EC's talk.  Just listen to how virtues of women are extolled in these quotes.

READ E

E - In all events, a mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship. By the power of her example and teaching, her sons learn to respect womanhood and to incorporate discipline and high moral standards in their own lives. Her daughters learn to cultivate their own virtue and to stand up for what is right, again and again, however unpopular. A mother’s love and high expectations lead her children to act responsibly without excuses, to be serious about education and personal development, and to make ongoing contributions to the well-being of all around them. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once asked: “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?”

READ F

F - Most sacred is a woman’s role in the creation of life. We know that our physical bodies have a divine origin and that we must experience both a physical birth and a spiritual rebirth to reach the highest realms in God’s celestial kingdom. Thus, women play an integral part (sometimes at the risk of their own lives) in God’s work and glory “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” As grandmothers, mothers, and role models, women have been the guardians of the wellspring of life, teaching each generation the importance of sexual purity—of chastity before marriage and fidelity within marriage. In this way, they have been a civilizing influence in society; they have brought out the best in men; they have perpetuated wholesome environments in which to raise secure and healthy children

SAY: Let's read some excerpts from D&C 121.  Be thinking as you listen, how they apply to our relationship with women.

READ  G  - EXCERPTS

G - D&C 121: 37-42 

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

LEARNER APPLICATION

Q: How do we encourage women?

Q: How do we help them reach their potential?

Q: If we are saddled to falsehoods about women, how do cast them off?

Conclusion:

I am grateful for good women in my life.  Without a patient, kind wife, I wouldn't have had the opportunities nor time to progress and become a better man.  I have learned to be equally yoked with my wife, Karen.  We make important decisions together.  She respects me and I respect her.  The truths of the gospel have changed us both.  And this is all possible through the grace of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I leave these things with on in His name, Amen.

Feb 2014 Teaching for our Time - Teaching with the Power and Authority of God

Teaching with the Power and Authority of God BY DAVID M. MCCONKIE
First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

INTRODUCTION

The Lord has provided the way for every worthy Latter-day Saint to teach in the Savior’s way.

SAY: What is the Savior's way?  This lesson is to teach us how to teach in the Savior's way.

SAY: When I was a teenager, I was very frightened to teach.  I look back and am amazed.  Over the years worked on developing the talent.  Sometimes I do better than other times.  Sometimes I feel the Spirit very strong.  Sometimes I look back at a lesson that I taught and notice that there might have been too much of me and not enough of the Spirit in the lesson.  I guess I am a work in progress.

My patriarchal blessings tells me: You will teach and instruct in the auxiliaries of the church and in your priesthood quorums and you will grow and develop in knowledge and spirituality as you give this service in the cause of our Father in Heaven.

So my goal has always been to give this service in the cause of our Father in Heaven.

LEARNER READINESS

READ A

A - There is indeed a secret to becoming a successful gospel teacher, to teaching with the power and authority of God. I use the word secret because the principles upon which a teacher’s success rests can be understood only by those who have a testimony of what took place on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of 1820.

Q: What do think the secret is?

READ B

B - In response to a 14-year-old boy’s humble prayer, the heavens were opened. God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared and spoke to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The long-awaited restitution of all things had begun, and the principle of revelation was everlastingly established in our dispensation. Joseph’s message, and our message to the world, can be summarized in two words: “God speaks.” He spoke anciently, He spoke to Joseph, and He will speak to you. This is what sets you apart from all other teachers in the world. This is why you cannot fail.

SAY: Brother McConkie derives three principles or secrets that make it so we cannot fail as teachers.

READ C [write CALLED on the board]

C - You have been called by the spirit of prophecy and revelation and have been set apart by priesthood authority. What does this mean?

READ D [write on board: Lord's errand]

D - First, it means that you are on the Lord’s errand. You are His agent, and you are authorized and commissioned to represent Him and to act on His behalf. As His agent, you are entitled to His help. You must ask yourself, “What would the Savior say if He were teaching my class today, and how would He say it?” You must then do likewise.

READ E [write on board: teach the gospel of Jesus Christ]

E - Second, you are called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. You must not teach your own ideas or philosophy, even mingled with scriptures. The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation,” and it is only through the gospel that we are saved.

READ F [teach principles ... 1. standard works, 2. modern day apostles and prophets and 3. by the Holy Ghost]

F - Third, you are commanded to teach the principles of the gospel as they are found in the standard works of the Church, to teach the words of modern-day apostles and prophets, and to teach that which is taught you by the Holy Ghost.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

SAY: Brother McConkine than asks the question, "So where do we begin?"  Brethren, where do we begin as teachers?

Q: What do you think is the most important thing that a teacher or any member must do on a daily basis?

READ G [wait right here.....pause.....if no response, repeat the question]

G - Speaking to teachers today, the First Presidency stated: “The most important part of your service will be your own daily spiritual preparation, including prayer, scripture study, and obedience to the commandments. We encourage you to dedicate yourself to living the gospel with greater purpose than ever before.”

Q: What is the most important thing that a teacher must do?  [daily spiritual preparation]

Q: WHY is you own personal, spiritual preparation, the most important part your service in the church?

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY: B.M. spends the last part of his talk, going a little deeper into the nuts and bolts of teaching a lesson.

READ H [write on board, LISTEN]

H - Next, you must learn to listen. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught this principle to missionaries. I will quote from Elder Holland’s remarks but have taken the liberty of replacing the terms missionaries and investigators with the terms teachers and students respectively: “Second only to the responsibility [teachers] have to listen to the Spirit, is the responsibility they have to listen to the [student]. … If we’ll listen with spiritual ears, … [our students] will tell us what lessons they need to hear!”

Q:/SAY: Part of listening is to observe what is going on the class. Q: If half the class is falling asleep or non-attentive what might that be telling you?

READ I [Write on the board, Spiritual Edification]

I - Elder Holland continued: “The fact of the matter is [teachers] are still too focused on delivering comfortable, repetitious lesson content rather than focusing on their [students] as individuals.”

Q: What make a lesson repetitious?

Q: What is the goal here?  What are we trying to do when we are teaching each other? [Spiritual Edification, helping the individual feel in the hearts, that whatever is being taught is true]

Example: (if there is time), If we are speaking of the atonement, what do we want the student to go home with?

Q: What can we as teachers do to make the lesson more interesting?

READ J [Spiritual Witness that what is being said is true]

J - After you have prepared yourself and your lesson to the very best of your ability, you must be willing to let go. When the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost come, you must have the courage to set aside your outlines and your notes and go where those promptings take you. When you do this, the lesson you deliver is no longer your lesson, but it becomes the Savior’s lesson.

Q: When a lesson is being taught and the Holy Ghost enters the room and is present, does the Holy Ghost trump lesson or does the lesson trump the Holy Ghost?

READ K

K - Finally, you must stand as an independent witness of the things you teach and not just be an echo of the words in a manual or the thoughts of others.

Q: What do you think it means to not just echo the words of the manual?  How do you become and independent witness?

CONCLUSION

As you feast upon the words of Christ and strive to live the gospel with greater purpose than ever before, the Holy Ghost will manifest unto you that the things you are teaching are true. This is the spirit of revelation, and this same spirit will carry your message into the hearts of those who desire and are willing to receive it.

Let us now end where we started—in the Sacred Grove. Because of what took place on that beautiful spring morning not so long ago, you are entitled to teach with the power and authority of God. Of this I bear my solemn and independent witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.