That They Do Always Remember Him (Feb 2016)

That They Do Always Remember Him

By Elder Claudio R. M. Costa Of the Seventy

Father in Heaven, how do I teach this lesson in order bring the Spirit into the room?

Introduction

SAY: the lesson assigned to me today is "That They Do Always Remember Him" by Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy.

SAY: I had a thought this morning that I want to share with you.  I asked myself if I have a grace based belief system or a work based believe system
With grace based you can substitute atonement or faith.  With work based you can substitute Law or Rules.
With a faith or grace based foundation I seem to be more grateful for my Savior.  Good deeds or works flow from my faith and love for Jesus Christ
With a work or law based foundation I have believed in the past the I saved by the works I do and have given lip service to the atonement.  Or, I give intellectual assent to the atonement and His grace.

I have found that I feel the Spirit more, feel Christ's love more and have more revelations when I have become more deeply rooted in grace based thinking.

SAY: Elder Costa breaks his talk into at least two parts, the first about starting a tradition of telling the stories of Jesus to our children and grand children, as a very special way to keep the Sabbath day holy in our homes.  The second part of his talk is about partaking of the sacrament.  I will focus this lesson mostly on the second part of Elder Costa's talk.

Learner Readiness

READ 1

1 - The Sabbath and the sacrament become much more enjoyable as we study the stories of Christ. In so doing, we create traditions that build our faith and testimony and also protect our family.s well?

READ 2

2 - A few weeks ago, while studying again the message President Russell M. Nelson delivered in the last general conference, and while pondering on the Sabbath day, I felt a deep gratitude for the blessing and privilege of being able to partake of the sacrament. For me that is a very solemn, sacred, and spiritual moment. I greatly enjoy sacrament meeting.

SAY: Brethren, please ponder in you hearts what makes partaking of the sacrament  a solemn, sacred, and spiritual moment for you.  What do you experience each week when you partake of the sacrament?  How do you prepare? Do you have favorite hymns that touch you deeply? At the right time, share your thought with the Group.

SAY: Sometimes when I am prepared spiritually during the meeting, I feel a deep gratitude for my Savior.  As the Spirit feels my heart, I feel  a cleansing take place within me. May I share a verse of one of my favorite hymn?

How Great Thou Art Hymn

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

SAY; I scarce can take it in.  Do we have that feeling when we think of Jesus Christ and his atonement?

Q: Why is it important that we strive to deepen our gratitude for what our Savior did?
Q: When we do our part in preparing for the sacrament, do you believe God will do His part?
Q:  What is His part?

READ 3

3 - Father in Heaven, We Do Believe, no. 180

1. Father in Heav'n, we do believe
The promise thou hast made;
Thy word with meekness we receive,
Just as thy Saints have said.

2. We now repent of all our sin
And come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in
And choose the better part.

3. O Lord, accept us while we pray,
And all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day,
And bid the sinners live.

4. Humbly we take the sacrament
In Jesus' blessed name;
Let us receive thru covenant
The Spirit's heav'nly flame.

6. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost
And seal us as thine own,
That we may join the ransomed host
And with the Saints be one.

Q: Brethren, if we humble partake of the sacrament, what do we hope that we receive from the Lord?
Q: (if no response) Or, are they just words of a page of a hymn book? Let's look at verse 4 again. What do you think Brother Pratt meant by using the phrase, "Let us receive thru covenant, The Spirit's heavenly flame"?

1. Learner Involvement

Q: What makes partaking of the sacrament  a solemn, sacred, and spiritual moment for you? (don't expect anybody to raise their hands.)

SAY: Elder Costa goes on his talk and talks about how he ponders, mediates and visualizes events in the scriptures.  Let's read an except from his talk.

READ 4

4 - I could visualize hands that had healed, comforted, edified, and blessed, breaking the bread as Jesus said,“Take, eat; this is my body.”

Then He took a cup filled with wine and gave thanks and gave the cup to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

In my mind I looked at the disciples one by one and saw in their eyes their concern for the Master, whom they loved greatly. It was as if I were sitting there with them,watching everything. I felt an intense pain in my heart,full of grief and sorrow for what He was about to experience for me.

My soul was filled by an overwhelming desire to be a better person. In repentance and sorrow, I fervently wished to be able to dry and avoid the spilling of at least a few drops of His blood shed in Gethsemane.

Q: Brethren, what things do you think about during the time in which we partake of the sacrament?

SAY: A large section of Elder Costa talk is pondering the phrase "that ye do always remember him".  to him is means:

READ - excerpts from Elder Costa's talk

Q: When you think of the phrase "that ye do always remember him", what images come to your mind?  What do you think about? What does it mean to you?


Q: What things can we do make the sacrament more meaningful? (if there is time)
Q: How do you prepare to take the sacrament? (if there is time)
Q: Why is the sacrament important to you? (if there is time)

Learner Application  (to receive revelation)

READ 5

5 - The sacrament is also a time for Heavenly Father to teach us about the Atonement of His Beloved Son—our Savior, Jesus Christ—and for us to receive revelation about it. It is a time to “knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” to request and to receive this knowledge. It is time for us to reverently ask God for this knowledge. And if we do, I have no doubt that we will receive this knowledge, which will bless our lives beyond measure.

Q: Is this possible? for the sacrament to be a time for us to receive revelation?  How has your understanding increased during the sacrament about the Atonement and about our Savior, Jesus Christ?

Q: When we feel an out pouring of love into our souls, is this revelation?  When our gratitude for our Savior is amplified to the point of tears and we feel cleansed from all our sins, is this revelation?

Conclusion

For me, the purpose of the sacrament is to commune with my Heavenly Father.  I want the Spirit's heavenly flame to cleanse me.  I am so grateful for the Grace of my savior, Jesus Christ.  I feel watched over. I like that feeling.  It sometimes overwhelms me that Christ paid for my sins and made it possible for me to become his son and return to him.

Extra

193
I Stand All Amazed

31243, Hymns, I Stand All Amazed, no. 193

1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

I Stand All Amazed (Jan 2016)

I Stand All Amazed By Elder Ronald A. Rasband Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Plain and Precious Truths By Elder Gary E. Stevenson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Through God’s Eyes By Elder Dale G. Renlund Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

SAY: Three new Apostles call this General Conference.

Q: Who can name the apostles?

Q: Who can tell me about Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, Elder Renlund?

SAY: Let us review some parts of each of their talks in General Conference.  Let's start with Elder  Ronald A. Rasband

SAY: The excerpt at the beginning of Elder Rasand's talk is, "My testimony of Jesus Christ has been built from many special experiences in which I have come to know His great love for each one of us."

READ #1

# 1 Ronald A. Rasband

My dear brothers and sisters throughout the world, I’m very grateful to the First Presidency for inviting me to share my humble testimony this Sabbath day. The words of a favorite Latter-day Saint hymn describe my current feelings:

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. …
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. …
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

Q: What is this love Jesus offers us?
Q: Why would the writer of this hymn be confused at the grace he proffered us?
Q: Is he saying that he is confused that such a wonderful thing we done for him by Jesus?
Q: "To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine".  Do we need rescuing?
SAY: The need to be being rescued by Jesus is a personal awareness that comes to each of us at different times in our lives.  It seems to me that it is a very personal thing.
Q: What could we do if we don't believe we need to be rescued?

READ #2

#2 - Elder Rasband

Now, if I could leave one small message with you today, it would be this: the Lord has said, “Love one another; as I have loved you.” I’m confident that there is no choice, sin, or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change His love for you or for them. That does not mean He excuses or condones sinful conduct—I’m sure He does not—but it does mean we are to reach out to our fellowman in love to invite, persuade, serve, and rescue. Jesus Christ looked past people’s ethnicity, rank, and circumstances in order to teach them this profound truth.

Q: Why is having the love of God in our hearts the key when inviting, persuading, serving and rescuing our fellowman?
Q: Without this love what happens to our efforts?

READ #3

#3 - Elder Rasband

I have been asked many times when I received my testimony.

I can’t remember not believing in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have loved Them since I learned of Them at the knees of my angel mother, reading scripture and gospel stories. That early belief has now grown into a knowledge and a witness of a loving Heavenly Father, who hears and answers our prayers. My testimony of Jesus Christ has been built from many special experiences in which I have come to know His great love for each one of us.

Q: What is a testimony?

Q: What do you think Elder Rasband meant by his testimony being built on many special experiences?

Q: Should these assurance and evidences come to us continuously or is it a one time event?
Q: What assurance and evidences have you had increased your faith and brightened your hope?

READ #4

#4  Elder Rasband

As we follow our prophet, I pray that we may have charity in our hearts toward others and that we will become a living witness and indeed “stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers [us].” Oh, may it be “wonderful, wonderful to [you and to] me.”

Q: What does it mean to stand all amazed? (at the love Jesus offers me)

Q: Are we amazed?
Q: Why is it important to nurture and develop our amazement of what Jesus did for us?

SAY: Let us move on to Elder Gary E Stevenson

Plain and Precious Truths By Elder Gary E. Stevenson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Heavenly Father’s generous compensation for living in perilous times is that we also live in the fulness of times.

READ #5

#5 - Elder Stevenson

Our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jehovah, with a knowledge of the end from the beginning,3 opened the heavens and a new dispensation to offset the calamities that They knew would come. The Apostle Paul described the forthcoming calamities as “perilous times.” For me, this suggests that Heavenly Father’s generous compensation for living in perilous times is that we also live in the fulness of times.

Q: What do you think the generous compensation by our loving Heavenly Father for living in these perilous times is?  (temporal aspects, spiritual aspects)

SAY: Let us move on to Elder Dale G. Renlund

Through God’s Eyes By Elder Dale G. Renlund  Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

To effectively serve others, we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes.

SAY: Elder Renlund tells about being a cardiologist and how he developed an emotional distance, seeing so many people die.  He then tells us a story about a young man named Chad.  He had developed heart failure.  Story goes on that Chad died in the emergency room with Elder Renlund and other trying to revive him.

READ #6

#6 - Elder Renlund

"Although sad and disappointed, I maintained a professional attitude. I thought to myself, “Chad has had good care. He has had many more years of life than he otherwise would have had.” That emotional distance soon shattered as his parents came into the emergency room bay and saw their deceased son lying on a stretcher. In that moment, I saw Chad through his mother’s and father’s eyes. I saw the great hopes and expectations they had had for him, the desire they had had that he would live just a little bit longer and a little bit better. With this realization, I began to weep. In an ironic reversal of roles and in an act of kindness I will never forget, Chad’s parents comforted me."

READ #7

#7 - Elder Renlund

I now realize that in the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them.

Q: How is this done? How do we see someone through God's eyes?

READ #8

#8 - Elder Renlund

We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes. This expanded perspective will open our hearts to the disappointments, fears, and heartaches of others.

Q: Why is it important to be able to open up our hearts to the heartaches of others in doing the Lord's work, rather than maintaining an emotional distance?

Conclusion

Only when we see through Heavenly Father’s eyes can we be filled with “the pure love of Christ.” Every day we should plead with God for this love. Mormon admonished, “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.”

As I have developed a deeper gratitude and amazement for what Jesus Christ did for me, my love for Him grow.  As I come prepared to take the sacrament with a heart felt love for my Savior, I have begun to feel His grace.  As I have practiced not judging others, I begin to love myself more.  I hope for my barriers to love others as the Savior loves them to be removed as I embrace the Savior love for me.  

Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying, (Dec 2015)

Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying, By Elder Dale G. Renlund, Of the Seventy

As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints.

LEARNER READINESS

READ  A

A - My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent,and keep on trying. If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters;and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites. As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change,we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were.

Q: Why does God care about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were? (because all sins repented of are remembered no more), (because Christ paid for all of our sins, and multiple iteration of our sins- all because he loves us).

TRYING

SAY: Elder Renlund starts is talk with a quote from Nelson Mandela.  Mandela frequently deflected accolades by saying, “I’m no saint—that is,unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

READ B

B - This statement—“a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying”—should reassure and encourage members of the Church. Although we are referred to as “Latter-day Saints,” we sometimes flinch at this reference. The term Saints is commonly used to designate those who have achieved an elevated state of holiness or even perfection. And we know perfectly well that we are not perfect.

Q: So, why do we call ourselves Saints? (to help us rise to the challenge, to inspire us, to help us aspire to higher ideals)

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ C

C - Our theology does teach us, though, that we may be perfected by repeatedly and iteratively “relying wholly upon” the doctrine of Christ: exercising faith in Him, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails. In less formal terms, God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying.

Q: Why is it important to keep on trying?

Q: What is the connection between keeping on trying and the Atonement?

SAY: Earlier I quoted Elder Renlund as say that "If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters"

Q: Why are we Latter-day Sinners if we don't keep on trying?

Q: What does not trying and not persevering tell us about our belief in the Atonement and our reliance wholly upon the doctrine of Christ? (That we don't believe it)

PERMITTING OTHERS TO CHANGE

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY: Elder Renlund  changes course a little and moves on the subject of permitting others to change.  He says this:  The comedy As You Like It, written by the English playwright William Shakespeare, depicts a dramatic change in a character’s life. An older brother attempts to have his younger brother killed. Even knowing this,the younger brother saves his wicked brother from certain death. When the older brother learns of this undeserved compassion, he is totally and forever changed and has what he calls a “conversion.” Later several women approach the older brother and ask,“Was’t you that did so oft contrive to kill [your brother]?”

The older brother answers, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I: I do not shame to tell you what I was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.”

READ D

D - In His mercy, God promises forgiveness when we repent and turn from wickedness—so much so that our sins will not even be mentioned to us. For us, because of the Atonement of Christ and our repentance, we can look at our past deeds and say, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I.” No matter how wicked, we can say, “That’s who I was. But that past wicked self is no longer who I am.”

Q: But, what about all the negative effects of our past behavior and sins?  What about all those people that we hurt in the process of trying and changing?

READ E

E - God’s desire that Latter-day Saints keep on trying also extends beyond overcoming sin. Whether we suffer because of troubled relationships, economic challenges,or illnesses or as a consequence of someone else’s sins,the Savior’s infinite Atonement can heal even—and perhaps especially—those who have innocently suffered. He understands perfectly what it is like to suffer innocently as a consequence of another’s transgression. As prophesied, the Savior will “bind up the brokenhearted, … give … beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, [and] the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” No matter what, with His help, God expects Latter-day Saints to keep on trying.

READ F

F - Just as God rejoices when we persevere, He is disappointed if we do not recognize that others are trying too. Our dear friend Thoba shared how she learned this lesson from her mother, Julia. Julia and Thoba were among the early black converts in South Africa. After the apartheid regime ended, black and white members of the Church were permitted to attend church together. For many, the equality of interaction between the races was new and challenging. One time,as Julia and Thoba attended church, they felt they were treated less than kindly by some white members. As they left, Thoba complained bitterly to her mother. Julia listened calmly until Thoba had vented her frustration.Then Julia said, “Oh, Thoba, the Church is like a big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to be helped.”

SAY: Can you imagine the mess South Africa was in, desegregating a society deeply entrenched with false traditions about race?

Q: Why is Julia's counsel important when we are offended by others?

READ G

G - Julia’s comment reflects a valuable insight. We must not only be tolerant while others work on their individual illnesses; we must also be kind, patient, supportive, and understanding. As God encourages us to keep on trying, He expects us to also allow others the space to do the same, at their own pace. The Atonement will come into our lives in even greater measure. We will then recognize that regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement.

Q: What does Elder Renlund mean by allowing others space to keep on trying?

Q: What should we do when we want to judge others for being judgmental?

Q: Should we go as far a allowing others to persecute us without retaliating or withdrawing?

(BOM, Alma, feeling judged, not reviling back (Alma 1, Alma 34)

READ H

H - My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent,and keep on trying. If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters;and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites. 

Q: Why do you think Elder Renlund says that if we don't allow others to try, that we're just latter-day hypocrites?

[if no response], SAY: Elder Renlund says that the word Hypocrite as used in the New Testament may be translated from the Greek as “pretender”; “the Greek word means ‘a play actor,’ or ‘one who feigns, represents dramatically, or exaggerates a part’” (Matthew 6:2, footnote a). If we do not give others the opportunity to change at their own pace, we are simply pretending to be Latter-day Saints.

Q: Brethren, why are we latter-day pretenders if we are not kind, patient, supportive, and understanding of others in their process of change? (because, in a real sense we are denying the atonement.)

Q: is not allowing others to try similar to calling others bad (judging them) while calling ourselves good?

CONCLUSION

As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change,we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were. I am grateful for this.  I am grateful for the atonement and God's grace.  Without it, I would have to pay for all my past sins.  I wouldn't be encircled by the arms of mercy.

On Being Genuine By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

LEARNER READINESS

SAY: If the shoe fits wear it.  There are lots of different types of shoes in this lesson.  If you.,...

SAY: What does it mean to genuine?  The dictionary definition is: free from pretense, affectation, or hyprocrisy; sincere. Not spurious or counterfeit, authentic.
__

SAY / Summarize

In the late 18th century, Catherine the Great of Russia announced she would tour the southern part of her empire, accompanied by several foreign ambassadors. The governor of the area, Grigory Potemkin, desperately wanted to impress these visitors. And so he went to remarkable lengths to showcase the country’s accomplishments.

For part of the journey, Catherine floated down the Dnieper River, proudly pointing out to the ambassadors the thriving hamlets along the shore, filled with industrious and happy townspeople. There was only one problem: it was all for show. It is said that Potemkin had assembled pasteboard facades of shops and homes. He had even positioned busy-looking peasants to create the impression of a prosperous economy. Once the party disappeared around the bend of the river, Potemkin’s men packed up the fake village and rushed it downstream in preparation for Catherine’s next pass.

Although modern historians have questioned the truthfulness of this story, the term “Potemkin village” has entered the world’s vocabulary. It now refers to any attempt to make others believe we are better than we really are.

SAY:  Be thinking about how we might do the same thing in our own lives. (Make ourselves to appear to be something different than we really are)

READ  A

A - It is part of human nature to want to look our best. However, when taken to extremes, this desire to impress can shift from useful to deceitful.

Q: Is it possible for us to fall into this trap?

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ B

B - The Savior was understanding and compassionate with sinners whose hearts were humble and sincere. But He rose up in righteous anger against hypocrites like the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees—those who tried to appear righteous in order to win the praise, influence, and wealth of the world, all the while oppressing the people they should have been blessing. The Savior compared them to “whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”

Q: Why did the Lord have righteous anger against the scribes and Pharisees?

READ C

C - In some cases, we may simply have lost our focus on the essence of the gospel, mistaking the “form of godliness” for the “power thereof.” This is especially dangerous when we direct our outward expressions of discipleship to impress others for personal gain or influence. It is then that we are at risk of entering into Pharisee territory, and it is high time to examine our hearts to make immediate course corrections.

SAY: EU says that "This temptation to appear better than we are is found not just in our personal lives but can be found in our Church assignments as well."

SAY: EU tells a story and starts is this way, "For example, I know of a stake where the leaders set some ambitious goals for the year. While the goals all looked worthwhile, they focused either on lofty and impressive declarations or on numbers and percentages."

READ D

D  - After these goals had been discussed and agreed upon, something began to trouble the stake president. He thought about the members of his stake—like the young mother with small children who was recently widowed. He thought about the members who were struggling with doubts or loneliness or with severe health conditions and no insurance. He thought about the members who were grappling with broken marriages, addictions, unemployment, and mental illness. And the more he thought about them, the more he asked himself a humbling question: will our new goals make a difference in the lives of these members?

He began to wonder how their stake’s goals might have been different if they had first asked, “What is our ministry?”

So this stake president went back to his councils, and together they shifted their focus. They determined that they would not allow “the hungry, … the needy, …the naked, … the sick and the afflicted to pass by [them], and notice them not.” Mormon 8:39

They set new goals, recognizing that success with these new goals could not always be measured, at least not by man—for how does one measure personal testimony, love of God, or compassion for others?

But they also knew that “many of the things you can count, do not count. Many of the things you cannot count, really do count.”

Q: Can any of you tell me the essence of EU's story?
Q: What did they shift their focus to? (not allow)
Q: Why do you think EU wanted to bring this particular story to our attention?
Q: Why do many things we can count, do not count?

SAY: EU says this: "I wonder if our organizational and personal goals are sometimes the modern equivalent of a Potemkin village. Do they look impressive from a distance but fail to address the real needs of our beloved fellowmen?"

READ E

E  - My dear friends and fellow priesthood holders, if Jesus Christ were to sit down with us and ask for an accounting of our stewardship, I am not sure He would focus much on programs and statistics. What the Savior would want to know is the condition of our heart. He would want to know how we love and minister to those in our care, how we show our love to our spouse and family, and how we lighten their daily load. And the Savior would want to know how you and I grow closer to Him and to our Heavenly Father.

Q: What does all this have to be genuine?

SAY

Why Are We Here?

It may be beneficial to search our own hearts. For example, we might ask ourselves, why do we serve in the Church of Jesus Christ?

We could even ask, why are we here at this meeting today?

I suppose if I were to answer that question on a superficial level, I could say that I’m here because President Monson assigned me to speak.

So I really didn’t have a choice.

Besides that, my wife, whom I love very much, expects me to attend. And how can I say no to her?

But we all know there are better reasons for attending our meetings and living our lives as committed disciples of Jesus Christ.

Q:  So, Brethren why are you here today?
Q:  Why do we serve in the Church?

LEARNER APPLICATION

READ F

F - I am here because I desire with all my heart to follow my Master, Jesus Christ. I yearn to do all that He asks of me in this great cause. I hunger to be edified by the Holy Spirit and hear the voice of God as He speaks through His ordained servants. I am here to become a better man, to be lifted by the inspiring examples of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to learn how to more effectively minister to those in need.

In short, I am here because I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I am sure this is your reason too. This is why we are willing to make sacrifices and not just declarations to follow the Savior. This is why we bear with honor His holy priesthood.

Q: Why is our willingness to make sacrifices so important?

READ G

G - Whether your testimony is thriving and healthy or your activity in the Church more closely resembles a Potemkin village, the good news is that you can build on whatever strength you have. Here in the Church of Jesus Christ you can mature spiritually and draw closer to the Savior by applying gospel principles day by day.

With patience and persistence, even the smallest act of discipleship or the tiniest ember of belief can become a blazing bonfire of a consecrated life. In fact, that’s how most bonfires begin—as a simple spark.

READ H

H - So if you feel small and weak, please simply come unto Christ, who makes weak things strong. The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God “is no respecter of persons.” He is our “faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments.”

Q: According what we just read, what is the foundation we build upon to become spiritually strong?

READ I

I - My beloved brothers in Christ, the God of Creation, who breathed life into the universe, surely has the power to breathe life into you. Surely He can make of you the genuine, spiritual being of light and truth you desire to be.

Q: Why do think Elder U. is talking about breathing life into us?
Q:  Have any of you had an experience where Christ has breathed life into you?
(cake is still baking, by little boy)  She was given courage or hope, or energy?

READ J

J - The Church Is a Place of Healing, Not Hiding

But this cannot happen if we hide behind personal, dogmatic, or organizational facades. Such artificial discipleship not only keeps us from seeing ourselves as who we really are, but it also prevents us from truly changing through the miracle of the Savior’s Atonement.

What is artificial discipleship?

READ K

K - The Church is not an automobile showroom—a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation.

And are we not, all of us, in need of repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation?

We come to church not to hide our problems but to heal them.

Q: Why is there sometimes a tendency to hide our problems from others at church?


1. (be do talk negatively about things the don't understand, so we want to withdraw, not share our wound, rather do that we hide our problems)

2. (people have a tendancy to believe that we live in a true world, which means people deserve what they get, if poor, deserve to be poor, trouble with family, not righteous enough. This is the last thing I need: to share a trouble and be put down.

3. We don’t value the strengths that we have. We take them for granted. And we think that everybody else should have the same strengths and that something must be wrong with them if they don’t. So, why share? We hide.
CONCLUSION

May We Love as He Loved

Brethren, being genuine to the gospel is to be agents of Jesus Christ, to love as He loved, to serve as He served, to “lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees," to “look [after] the poor and the needy,” and to care for the widows and orphans.

Faith verses Works - Discussion Question and Response

Scott,

Discussion of the Day:

Both my wife and Batman's girlfriend would disagree with you and the so called softer approach some say the church is taking.... Batman's girlfriend said:  "It is not who you are that defines you, but what you do." 

Of course you could say it is both......but Batman's girlfriend would say that what you do....is who you are.  Period....There is no difference. If what you do defines you, then that must be true.

One of the Grumpest men I knew, died a few years back. He was so cantackerous, that in my fairwell speech in Calif to the ward I said  "I will even miss Jim Johnson."   It brought the house down. This man was a man of little words, and all work. He generally did not like what people did and did not greet people. He would not accept any church callings, but ward financial clerk. He was clerk for forty years. He always said what he felt and disregarded the outcome, or so it seemed. but.....He was a better man than me. 

I think, it is what you do that defines you....Hopefully treating people with respect and kindness will count also as doing.  So doing the numbers on good deeds, may be the defining factor, not the fact you are a nice guy and have become Christ like in your behavior.

 Or if you are Christ like in your behavior, maybe you are always serving people in different ways. Can  you serve with a bad attitude and it still be good?

If you are a Billonaire and give away millions and travel around helping people are you better off than the billionaire that gives away his billions to the poor and only keeps a few million for himself. Do you have to like people and be friendly to enter the kingdom of God or just keep the commandments. Can you love one another and not want to be around people? Can you treat people like shit and enter the kingdom of Heaven, if you do good deeds constantly?  What da ya think? Is not being a people person ok? Is being a Jerk ok? 

Doug

Doug,



Here are my thoughts.



Everyone has the right to believe what they want. I do not judge. Everyone is at different places on their journey back to God.

I think the discussion boils down to doing good works vs. the development of Christ-like qualities. And how does personality play into it. And is a person always showing their faith when they do good works.

I don’t see in the discussion below any references to scripture, only what you might refer to as practical application. Can you back up your arguments with scripture? Please do.

There are a preponderance of scripture that say both: the development of Christ-like attributes and doing good works.

It is my belief that one generally follows the other. It works the other way too but not as well. Gaining a hope in Christ or reconciling yourself to Christ is one’s first ‘work’. Permitting Christ to dissolve our anger, our discontent, our lust, our desire for retaliation, our intransigence – is the first step and also a lifelong process. It is called faith in Christ. Since we will never be perfect, we need Christ’s grace as long we sojourn on this earth. Now, let’s reverse the order: works first and then faith. It doesn’t work as well. One always exercises faith first or they would never to the work. So, it boils down to what we prioritize as most important. Is the first step releasing all our burdens to the Lord or is it just jumping into good works?

I tried the works approach for 30 years. And I received the results, some good some bad. I blessed the lives of others grudgingly, I did all the Church laws, but much of the time faith and love were not attached. I focused on outward works, being a good ‘faithful’ Mormon but didn’t focus on the inward. The results: I didn’t curb my bad habits until the last ten years. The outer vessel looked all clean and white but my inner vessel (lack of what you call being ‘soft’) was still full of refuse and unhappiness. Now, this was mostly due to growing up in a dysfunctional home environment developing and internalizing bad habits. It is the fallen man.

Mormon says, “For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. (Moroni 7:8-10)”

If I choose to believe the scriptures, they seem to indicated to work on the inner vessel first. Giving with a bad attitude means nothing to God.

Christ’s commandments are the inner commandments (3 Nephi 15:10). See chapters 12-15 for Jesus’ commandments.  See also 3 Nephi 12:20. Doug, when you refer to commandments, I’m not sure what you are referring to. Christ’s wants to heal the billionaire just like he wants to heal you. Jesus did talk in very specific terms about the rich, having to give it all up (you interpret this as keeping his millions for himself – and I don’t judge the interpretation). The rich must give a whole lot and do it because they want to – to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That is what the scriptures say. Again, the key is to work on gaining a hope in Christ.

Good works flow from all ‘soft’ people that have sought the kingdom of God first. Works flow from faith. The inner changes that we must make are the main work, at least at first. Let me know if you would like more scriptures to show this to be the case.



Scott

Waiting for the Prodigal HP Group Lesson, Oct 2015

Waiting for the Prodigal, By Elder Brent H. Nielson, Of the Seventy


LEARNER READINESS

SAY: A friend my mine related a story of one of his friends who had a rebellious child.  This friend had contact with a General Authority and ask him what he should do about his child.  The General Authority responded with, "Don't do anything".

SAY: With those in our lives that have gone astray, we want so badly to tell them all the reasons to be in the Church and the Gospel, be we soon learn that we end up pushing them further away from the Church and the gospel.

SAY: Elder Brent H Nielson's main thought at the beginning of us talk is, "May you and I receive the revelation to know how to best approach those in our lives who are lost."
SAY: So, my goal for you, is that may apply one or two things from this lesson when working with those that are lost.

READ A

A - The Savior Jesus Christ spent His earthly ministry teaching of His healing and redemptive power. On one occasion in Luke chapter 15 in the New Testament, He was actually criticized for eating and spending time with sinners. The Savior used this criticism as an opportunity to teach us all how to respond to those who have lost their way.

Q: Why would the Savior be spending time with sinners?

READ B

B - He replied to His critics by asking them two important questions:

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” (Luke 15:4).

“What woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?” (Luke 15:8).

The Savior then teaches the parable of the prodigal son. This parable isn’t about 100 sheep or 10 pieces of silver; it is about one precious son who is lost.

SAY: E. N. then tells of a similar experience to the parable of prodigal son in his how family.

READ C

C - My family had a similar experience. My two faithful brothers, wonderful sister, and I were raised by exemplary parents. We were taught the gospel in our home, we successfully made it to adulthood, and all four of us were sealed in the temple to our spouses. However, in 1994 our sister, Susan, became disenchanted with the Church and some of its teachings. She was persuaded by those who mocked and criticized the early leaders of the Church. She allowed her faith in living prophets and apostles to diminish. Over time, her doubts overcame her faith, and she chose to leave the Church. Susan has given me permission to share her story with the hope that it might help others.

SAY: He then tells of the devastation he, his brothers and their mother had.  It seemed to breaking his mother's heart.  Let's read some excerpts from his story.  While you are listening, think of things that were done to rescue E.N.'s sister.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ D

D - My brothers and I had served as bishops and quorum presidents, and we had experienced the joy of success with ward and quorum members as we left the ninety and nine and went after the one. However, with our sister, our persistent efforts to rescue her and to invite her back only pushed her further and further away.

Q: What was the result of their persistent efforts?
Q: Why does this sometimes happen?

READ E

E - As we sought heavenly guidance as to how we might properly respond to her, it became evident that we had to follow the example of the father in the parable of the prodigal son. Susan had made her choice, and we had to figuratively let her go—but not without her knowing and feeling our sincere love for her. And so, with renewed love and kindness, we watched and we waited.

Q: What did they have to do? (sought guidance, watched and waited, continued feeling love and kindness toward her) [BOARD]

Q: What else?
Q: Why is it important to continue feeling love and kindness toward the person?

SAY: This has been hard for me.  Especially when my son sometimes mocks the church and shows disdain towards me.

READ F

F - My mother never stopped loving and caring for Susan. Every time my mother attended the temple, she placed Susan’s name on the prayer roll and never lost hope. My older brother and his wife, who lived closest to Susan in California, invited her to all family events. They prepared dinner in their home each year on Susan’s birthday. They made sure they were always in touch with her and that she knew of their genuine love for her.

Q: Even though they had to let Susan go, what did the family do? (prayer role, never lost hope, remember her birthday.)
Q: Why is it important to never lose hope?
Q: If miracles were to occur, what are the predicated on?

At this point you may need to start summarizing

____________________________________________________________________________

YOU READ or SAY: The continued involving her and her children.  The home teachers never gave up.  They always invited Susan to family events.  The created family events specifically for Susan and her family.  

My younger brother and his wife reached out to Susan’s children in Utah and cared for them and loved them. They made sure that her children were always invited to family gatherings, and when it came time for Susan’s granddaughter to be baptized, my brother was there to perform the ordinance. Susan also had loving home teachers and visiting teachers who never gave up.

As our children went on missions and were married, Susan was invited to and attended these family celebrations. We tried diligently to create family events so that Susan and her children could be with us and they would know that we loved them and that they were part of our family. As Susan received an advanced degree at a California university, we were all there to support her at her graduation. Although we could not embrace all of her choices, we could certainly embrace her. We loved, we watched, and we waited.

Q: What is the difference in embracing her but maybe not some of her choices? [BOARD]

YOU READ or SAY, this rescuing effort went on for 15 years.  .....

In 2006, after 12 years had passed since Susan left the Church, our daughter Katy moved with her husband to California so he could attend law school. They were in the same city as Susan. This young couple looked to their aunt Susan for help and support, and they loved her. Susan helped care for our two-year-old granddaughter, Lucy, and Susan found herself helping Lucy with her nightly prayers. Katy called me one day and asked if I thought Susan would ever come back to the Church. I assured her that I felt she would and that we needed to continue to be patient. As another three years passed, with continued love, we watched and we waited.

Q: Anything that stands out? (involving her, continue to be patient) [BOARD]

READ (if there is time), the outcome is not important (SUMMARIZE)

Six years ago this weekend, my wife, Marcia, and I were sitting on the front row of this Conference Center. I was to be sustained as a new General Authority that day. Marcia, who is always in touch with the Spirit, had written a note to me that read, “I think it is time for Susan to come back.” My daughter Katy suggested that I leave and call Susan to invite her to watch general conference that day.

Prompted by these two great women, I walked to the foyer and called my sister. I got her voice mail and simply invited her to watch that session of general conference. She got the message. To our delight, she felt impressed to watch all the sessions of conference. She heard from prophets and apostles she had loved in earlier years. She found new names she had not heard before, such as President Uchtdorf and Elders Bednar, Cook, Christofferson, and Andersen. During this and other unique heaven-sent experiences, my sister—like the prodigal son—came to herself. The words of prophets and apostles and the love of her family moved her to turn and begin the walk back home. After 15 years our daughter and sister who was lost had been found. The watch and the wait were over.

_________________________________________________________________________________

LEARNER APPLICATION #1 (the prodigals in our life)

Q: What are some of the underlying threads in the story? (look at board)

Love,

Acceptance

Hope

Patience

Waiting

SAY: Let's read Susan's description of the stark contrast between being in the mist of darkness and being in light of the gospel and church.

READ H

H - Susan describes this experience just as Lehi described it in the Book of Mormon. She let go of the iron rod and found herself in a mist of darkness (see 1 Nephi 8:23). She states that she did not know she was lost until her faith was reawakened by the Light of Christ, which brightly magnified the stark contrast between what she was experiencing in the world and what the Lord and her family were offering.

Q: Do you believe in this contrast be between darkness and light/
Q: What are we offering?

LEARNER APPLICATION #2 (I am the prodigal son)

READ

Perhaps the most important lesson the Lord taught me through this process happened during our family scripture study after my sister had left the Church. Our son David was reading as we studied together Luke 15. As he read the parable of the prodigal son, I heard it differently that day than I had ever heard it before. For some reason, I had always related to the son who stayed home. As David read that morning, I realized that in some ways I was the prodigal son. All of us fall short of the glory of the Father (see Romans 3:23). All of us need the Savior’s Atonement to heal us. All of us are lost and need to be found. This revelation that day helped me know that my sister and I both needed the Savior’s love and His Atonement. Susan and I were actually on the same path back home.

Q: Are we all the prodigal son in some ways?
Q: Why a righteous man like E. N. consider himself, some ways, the prodigal son?
Q: Even as active members of the Chruch, why do we need the Savior's Antonement to heal us?  Aren't we already healed?

Q: How does this healing through the Savior's atonement occur in our lives?

READ the Roman's paraphrase about admitting you need rescuing.

Q: Do we need rescuing?

Q: How do we make Christ's atonement more personal for us?

CONCLUSION

May you and I receive the revelation to know how to best approach those in our lives who are lost and, when necessary, to have the patience and love of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, as we love, watch, and wait for the prodigal. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Redeeming the Dead - Richard Scott

The Joy of Redeeming the Dead


By Elder Richard G. Scott

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“He shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.”

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith sublime doctrine concerning the sacred ordinance of baptism. That light came when other Christian churches taught that death irrevocably, eternally, determined the destiny of the soul. They taught the baptized were rewarded with endless joy while all others faced eternal torment without hope of redemption.

The Lord’s revelation that through proper priesthood authority, baptism could be performed vicariously for the dead preserved the justice of His statement: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”1 Vicarious baptism can mercifully provide this essential ordinance for all worthy deceased who did not receive it in mortality.

This glorious doctrine is another witness of the all-encompassing nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He made salvation available to every repentant soul. His Atonement conquered death, and He permits the worthy deceased to receive all ordinances of salvation vicariously.

In an epistle written over 150 years ago, Joseph Smith stated: “The Saints have the privilege of being baptized for … their relatives who are dead … who have received the Gospel in the spirit, through … those who have been commissioned to preach to them.”2 Later he added, “Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.”3

The prophet Elijah committed the keys for vicarious work to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple4 to fulfill the Lord’s promise that “he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.”5

Through further revelation to Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets, there has come an understanding of and the provision for temple work and the family history effort that supports it. Every prophet since Joseph Smith has emphasized the imperative need to provide all ordinances for ourselves and our deceased ancestors.

Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts. They are connected together like the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Some members may not be able to do both works because of health or distances to temples.

President Howard W. Hunter taught:

“We must accomplish the priesthood temple ordinance work necessary for our own exaltation; then we must do the necessary work for those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in life. Doing work for others is accomplished in two steps: first, by family history research to ascertain our progenitors; and second, by performing the temple ordinances to give them the same opportunities afforded to the living.

“Yet there are many members of the Church who have only limited access to the temples. They do the best they can. They pursue family history research and have the temple ordinance work done by others. Conversely, there are some members who engage in temple work but fail to do family history research on their own family lines. Although they perform a divine service in assisting others, they lose a blessing by not seeking their own kindred dead as divinely directed by latter-day prophets. …

“I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing.”6

Father in Heaven wants each of us to receive both parts of the blessing of this vital vicarious work. He has led others to show us how to qualify. It is up to you and me to claim those blessings.

Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. The First Presidency has declared, “Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors.”7

Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life.

In the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission the youth were invited to each index 2,000 names and then qualify at least one name from their own families for temple ordinances. Those who accomplished this goal were invited to go on a long journey to the new Kyiv Ukraine Temple. One young man shared his experience: “I was spending a lot of time playing computer games. When I started indexing, I didn’t have time to play games. At first I thought, ‘Oh no! How can that be!’ When this project was over, I even lost interest in gaming. … Genealogical work is something that we can do here on earth, and it will remain in heaven.”

Many faithful Saints have done the work of researching their family lines and are using the reserve feature of FamilySearch to hold the ordinances for their own family members to serve as proxy. The intent of reserving names is to allow a reasonable period of time for individuals to perform ordinances for ancestors and collateral lines. There are currently 12 million names and millions of corresponding ordinances that are reserved. Many names have been reserved for years. Ancestors who have been found are no doubt anxious and thrilled when their names are cleared for ordinances. They, however, may not be very happy when they have to continue to wait for their ordinances to be performed.

We encourage those of you who have a large reservation of names to share them so that members of your extended family or ward and stake can help you in completing that work. You can do this by distributing temple cards to ward and stake members willing to help or by using the FamilySearch computer system to submit the names directly to the temple. This latter option is something Cindy Blevins of Casper, Wyoming, has been doing for years.

Sister Blevins was baptized as a teenager and has been the only member of her family to join the Church. She has completed a vast amount of genealogical work. But there are far too many names for her and her immediate family to complete. Consequently, Sister Blevins has submitted the names to the temple, which, she reports, are often completed in a matter of weeks, usually at one of the two temples closest to her home. She says she likes to think that friends and neighbors in her own ward and stake may be among those helping to complete the work for her ancestors. She appreciates their doing so.

My beloved wife, Jeanene, loved doing family history research. When our children were young, she would trade babysitting time with friends so she could have a few hours every few weeks to work on researching our family lines. After our youngest child left home, she recorded in her personal journal: “I have just made a decision and I want to stand up and shout about it. Mike’s old bedroom has become my genealogy workroom. It is well equipped to organize the records and work in. My life will now focus on vital family research and temple name submissions. I am so excited and anxious to get going.”8

Another journal entry reads: “The … miracle for me occurred in the Family History office of Mel Olsen who presented me with a printout of all my known ancestral pedigrees taken from the update of the Ancestral File computerized records sent into the genealogical society. They came mostly from the records of the four generation’s program the Church called for many years ago. I had been overwhelmed with the thought of the huge task ahead of me to gather all my ancestors’ research records from family organizations to get them all in the computer for the first computerized distribution of the Ancestral File. And there they all were, beautiful, organized and laser printed and sitting there on the desk before me. I was so thrilled and so overwhelmed I just sat there stunned and then began to cry I was so happy. … For one who has doggedly, painstakingly researched for thirty years, the computerization of all these records is truly exciting. And when I think of the hundreds of thousands of people who are now or soon will be computerizing huge blocks of censuses and private research disks … I am so excited. It is truly the Lord’s work and He is directing it.”9

I have tasted enough of the fruits of this sublime work to know that the keys Elijah restored to Joseph Smith permit our hearts to be bound and each of us linked to those of our ancestors who are waiting for our help. Through our efforts in holy temples here on earth using the authority delegated by the Savior, our progenitors receive the saving ordinances that allow them to enjoy eternal happiness.

In the past, motivated by a deep conviction of the sanctity of the work, individuals have valiantly faced a challenge that seemed like single-handedly endeavoring to harvest all the grain in Nebraska. Now, many mighty combines are at work. Together we can and will accomplish the required work.

I testify that the Spirit of Elijah is touching the hearts of many of Father’s children throughout the world, causing the work for the dead to accelerate at an unprecedented pace.

But what about you? Have you prayed about your own ancestors’ work? Set aside those things in your life that don’t really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences. Perhaps you have been prompted to look for ancestors but feel you are not a genealogist. Can you see that you don’t have to be anymore? It all begins with love and a sincere desire to help those beyond the veil who can’t help themselves. Check around. There will be someone in your area who can help you have success.

This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. Begin now. I promise you that the Lord will help you find a way. And it will make you feel wonderful. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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