Holy Place, Sacred Space

Relief Society Meeting

Tuesday, June 22^nd, 2010

7:00 p.m. @ the church

Sometimes life gets busy and hecktic, and it is hard to find the spiritual and sacred in your every day life. How do you get anything out of sacrament meeting when your child is crying or hitting their sibling? How do you get to the temple when you can't afford a babysitter or your kids have nightly events that keep conflicting? How do you have a spiritual experience with family prayer or Family Home Evening when your missing family members to activities, and the ones home are squabbling?

Join us for some suggestions and hints in finding the Sacred Space and Holy Place in our lives. Sandy Steele will be focusing on the temple, Courtney Jenkins will bring ideas for your home, and Amy Frary will be sharing about Sacrament and other church meetings.

We'll see you there!

Sunday Lesson-Be Different In The World

Here are some thoughts from my lesson Sunday:

Elder L. Tom Perry gave a great talk entitled “In the World” in April Conference 1988 (Ensign, May 1988, 13). He talks about how we use the term “to be in the world, but not of the world” so often. He focused on the “in the world” part. Our prophets have told us that we are “to be mindful of our obligations while we are here in the world.” He tells us that we have a responsibility to show the world through our lives and actions what the gospel is about. We need to show them that obedience to the gospel principles brings blessings and solutions to problems.

He said, “The Lord help us to be able to prove to the world that we possess just what the world today is longing for, and when they see it, may they know, as you know, as I know, that the everlasting gospel is a light to the world…If we make the claim to hold the truth, it is obligatory upon every latter-day Saint so to live, that when the people of the world come, in answer to the call, to test the fruit of the tree, they will find it wholesome and good.”

He says that we do this by righteous living and by being distinctly different in the world which will have a great influence on those around us. In his talk, Elder Perry shares with us a way in which he avoided looking like the world and influenced other in the process.

Push play to hear in his own words (from an interview by Sheri Dew on Conversations http://radio.lds.org/eng/):



Sheri Dew, when she was a counselor of the Relief Society General Presidency said:
“Women of God who honor their covenants look differently, dress differently, and act and speak differently from women who have not made the same covenants. Thus women of God who know who they are have unusual and sometimes unexpected influence (Knowing Who You Are—and Who You Have Always Been, Sheri Dew, BYU Women’s Conference May 4, 2001).”

I have had many other similar experiences recently when I have been noticed or have noticed other people because they have been different in some way. Last summer we took a family vacation to Virginia Beach. One day we went down to the beach and played as a family. There was a family next to us that watched and smiled to us occasionally. That evening when we were at the hotel pool, the man sitting next to us at the beach came up to us and asked, “So, what ward are you in?” Not sure we heard him correctly, Phil said, “Did you just ask us what ward we are in?” The man told us that they had been watching us during the day and knew that we must be members of the church. His wife walked up and asked, “Was I right?” We told them we were LDS and she said, “I knew it. We watched you at the beach and knew you were different.” I am so glad they pointed it out to us because it has encouraged me to continue to try to be different and stand out and not try to blend in with the world.

In April this year we were in Miami at a conference for Phil’s company. At the opening dinner two couples we did not know were seated at our table. They were about our age and seemed like really nice people. They seemed “different” to me. I noticed the two women and how they were dressed. They had nice shirts on with cardigan sweaters over top. I quickly wondered if they were members of the church since, one, we were in Miami where it is warm, and two, no one else in the room (besides me) was modestly covered. They looked different than everyone else. As we continued to talk we found out that they were LDS and had wondered if we might have been also because they noticed we only had ice water at our place settings.

President Spencer W. Kimball has said:
“Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world. (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov 1979, 102)”

I know people are watching us to see if we are “different.” We have so many opportunities to be “different.” I also know that our friends, children, and our Heavenly Father are watching us. We do have influence and people will see if we are women (or people) who are different in happy ways and if we honor or covenants, or not. We should not shrink from or be ashamed of being different from the world. We should look for those opportunities to be different from the world so we can share a little bit about who we are and what we believe.

Here is a song from the 2009 EFY album by Hilary Weeks. It is entitiled "I Will" and sums up everything from my lesson.



Mindy Zeigler

Branch Relief Society President Thought

“When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds with light and knowledge, He “quickens” us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the inner man or woman. As a result we notice a measurable difference in our soul. We feel strengthened, filled with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy and enthusiasm, both of which enhance our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we otherwise could do on our own. We yearn to become a holier person.” (Keith K. Hilbig, “Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 37–39)

I know it is imperative that we feel the Spirit in our lives each and every day. It can be difficult to set aside our busy schedules and daily tasks to make room for the Spirit to fill us. Each time I feel the spirit, it motivates me to be a better person, it opens my mind to inspiration to help me with my daily struggles, it keeps me on the right track, and it makes me happy. That is why I need to feel the Spirit each day.

Something I have found to help me feel the Spirit each day is by listening to uplifting music and talks on my mp3 player while I clean the house. Anytime I do the dishes, vacuum, do laundry, pick up after the kids etc, I put my headphones on and get to work. Each and every time I do this, I feel the spirit.

Here are a few places I have found great things to listen to while I work. They are mp3 files that you can download to your computer. Right click on each link and choose “save target as” to save them.
http://www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html
-Ensign, scriptures, General Conference, other manuals, etc

http://www.byub.org/talks/
-BYU Women’s Conference talks, Education Week talks, devotionals etc.

http://radio.lds.org/eng/programs
-Mormon Channel LDS Radio Station has several programs including “Conversations” –interviews with apostles etc, “Music with a Message”-inspirational music with spiritual thoughts, and many more.

Please share with us ways you have found to invite the Holy Ghost to fill your minds each day. We would love to share your ideas too!
leave a comment or email me any ideas you'd like to share!

Mindy Zeigler

June Visiting Teaching Message

“Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament,” Ensign, Jun 2010, 7

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Jesus Christ Instituted the Sacrament
“Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his Apostles, saying, ‘Take, eat’ (Matt. 26:26). ‘This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19). In a similar manner he took the cup of wine, traditionally diluted with water, said a blessing of thanks for it, and passed it to those gathered about him, saying: ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood,’ ‘which is shed … for the remission of sins.’ ‘This do in remembrance of me.’ …

“Since that upper room experience on the eve of Gethsemane and Golgotha, children of the promise have been under covenant to remember Christ’s sacrifice in this newer, higher, more holy and personal way.”1
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

We Renew Our Baptismal Covenants through the Sacrament
“When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life …

“Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.”2
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, ‘I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice …

“… It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them.”3
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Helps for Visiting Teaching
As you come to know a sister and her family, look for ways you might help her renew her covenants through the sacrament. If she does not attend sacrament meeting, could you invite her to attend or offer help for her to do so (transportation, assistance with children, a friend to sit by, and so on)?

Personal Preparation
Luke 22:19–20
1 Corinthians 11:23–28
3 Nephi 18:1–12

Notes
1. Jeffrey R. Holland, “This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 67.
2. Robert D. Hales, “The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 8; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 8.
3. Julie B. Beck, “Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 110–11.

Modesty FHE

There is a great article in the May Friend. It is entitled "Modest at Any Age." I had a great time reading it with Ella. There is also a modesty checklist to help decipher if clothing is modest enough. A great tip from the article that Ella used this morning is to sing the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and do the motions while wearing your outfit. If you can do the motions to the song without exposing any unwanted areas, then that outfit is probably modest enough to wear.

Since we had such a good time with it, I made it into a Family Home Evening for you to enjoy too. It is a great review for all of us and our children no matter what age we are! Enjoy.

Mindy

To download the FHE click following link: Modest at Any Age FHE

New Visiting Teaching Lesson Format

New Format Helps Sisters Improve as Visiting Teachers
Ensign, May 2010, 136–37

In July 2010 Relief Society sisters and subscribers to the Liahona and Ensign magazines will find a change to the traditional Visiting Teaching Message format.

“We want every visiting teacher to understand that visiting teaching is a call from the Lord and accept her assignment to love, serve, teach, and minister to another sister with that in mind,” said Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

The new message format will help sisters understand the purpose of Relief Society, teach principles to help sisters live the purpose, provide a historical perspective, and offer suggestions on how women can more effectively watch over and strengthen other sisters.

“The Visiting Teaching Message is a tool in the hands of a visiting teacher. As she studies the messages with her sisters in mind, she will know what to share with them and what to do for them,” Sister Beck said.

On the following page is a sample of the new Visiting Teaching Message, with explanations of its new features.

Instructions Instructions help visiting teachers know how to teach and apply the message.

Relief Society Purposes The Relief Society purposes were added to remind sisters of the responsibilities of Relief Society: to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

Message The central message will now offer specific and timely counsel directly from the Relief Society general presidency.

From the Scriptures These scriptural references will help enhance the study, teaching, and personal application of the message.

Ministering Question The purpose of this question is to help visiting teachers act on inspiration to better serve the sisters they teach.

Application Question This question is meant to prompt action on the part of each individual Relief Society sister and help her apply the message to her own life.

From Our History By reading of the noble legacy of Relief Society, sisters can draw connections between the organization that existed in the early Church and the current Relief Society program. “We are inspired by their sacrifices and desire to take our part in building the Lord’s kingdom in our season of service,” Sister Beck said.

More Information Pertinent links to other resources can be found at the Relief Society Web page, reliefsociety.lds.org.

Branch Relief Society President Thought

Because the May issue of the Ensign contains a report of general conference, it does not contain a specific Visiting Teaching Message. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select a conference address to share with those they teach.

I wanted to share with you my favorite quote from conference. It is from Sister Julie B. Beck’s (Relief Society General President) talk entitled “And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit.”

The second general Relief Society president, Eliza R. Snow, said this to the sisters: “We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves, and whether few or many come forward and help to prosecute this great work, they will be those that will fill honorable positions in the Kingdom of God. . . . Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.”

This quote tells me so much and I love the bluntness about it. It makes me want to step up and refine and cultivate myself and work on something I can change in my life that will make me more Holy. I love how Sister Snow tells us not to worry if we do not get the appreciation that we feel we deserve. I challenge each of us to work on refining ourselves by finding something we can change in our lives and become better at. I promise you it will bless your life.

Mindy Zeigler

Sunday Lesson- Gospel Principles 8- Prayer

"When I was growing up, my family tried very hard to follow the advice and counsel of the prophets, we struggled through morning scripture study, family home evenings, and father daughter interviews. As parents of five kids my mom and dad would often become so frustrated with our behavior and attitudes that they would temporarily give-up; it seemed that a six month (or so) break would refresh their resolve to help strengthen our family-and so we would start the cycle again. There was one thing, however, that we never took a break from- family prayer. Every morning and evening, my family knelt, held hands and said family prayer. Sometimes we weren’t all there, and I know most mornings my mom had prayer with my older brother and sister, then my little sister and I, and finally my younger brother as we left for school in shifts. In the evenings it was a ‘one shot’ deal! Whoever was there knelt and prayed…it didn’t matter if you were part of our family or not. At times I was embarrassed by this and found myself rolling my eyes at my mom, especially if it was a new friend! Close friends became very accustomed to our family prayers; some of them were even ask to say the prayer.

Clint spent a lot of time at our house and was used to the routine. One evening we were watching a movie, dad got tired and turned the tv off and called for family prayer. We all knelt, held hands, prayed then quickly returned to the couch to finish the movie. Just as the movie started Clint said “When I get married, we’re going to have family prayer”. His comment has stuck with me all these years, and when we were first married, we made it a practice to have family prayer. We don’t kneel down and hold hands, but twice a day, whoever is in our home is ask to join us as we shut out the outside world for a few moments and pray. I am so grateful for the example set by my parents in this one simple act. As a child, I went to school every day knowing that I wasn’t alone; I had an extra blessing of protection, a plea to Heavenly Father to help me concentrate and do well in my studies. It helped me build a relationship with my Heavenly Father that has continued to grow! As a mom now, I can’t think of any better tool to send my children out into the world with. I am touched deeply every time I hear them prayer for each other and the specific activities they have going on. I am astounded when my young children prayer for another family or child without being prompted. And I am grateful for the faith they have that their prayers will be answered.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

-Courtney Jenkins

Sunday Lesson-Gospel Principles 7-Holy Ghost

The lesson this week asks us to think about times when the Holy Ghost has helped us grow in our testimony. When I was in my mid 20’s, I had a defining moment. I was married and had two little boys with another baby on the way. My husband worked at a local grocery store as the dairy manager and I was a stay at home mom. We struggled financially. To save five dollars a week seemed impossible. We even used cloth diapers because we couldn’t afford disposable ones. I was also struggling as a mom. I felt overwhelmed by my responsibilities, not sure how to parent these little ones, still trying to figure out who I was, always second guessing what I was doing. It happened to be Easter time and I was watching a movie about the life of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. I was extremely moved by this movie. It ended with the image of the actor that portrayed Christ. I remember staring into his eyes and having a deep longing to know Christ, not just facts about His life but to truly know Him. That was a defining moment. I began reading the New Testament. I didn’t understand all that I read but I began to feel hopeful and a feeling of peace. During the year that followed, our first daughter was born and Dave started college in Centerville fulltime while he continued working fulltime. He also became acquainted with a young man who was a member of the church who worked at the grocery story. His name was Richie and he was earning money to go on a mission. After Richie left for his mission he sent us a Book of Mormon and after a few months he sent the missionaries to us. Two months later, we were baptized.

Why was I baptized? When I was taught the principle of the apostasy, it felt right. Finally, I knew why there were so many churches. And it was only logical a restoration would have to follow if the true church were to be found on the earth again. I read Joseph Smith’s testimony and found he was searching just as I had. When I began to read the Book of Mormon, I felt the same peace I felt when I read the New Testament. When I was taught about the pre-existence and the war in Heaven I finally understood my relationship to Christ. I felt a closeness to Him I’ve never felt before. And when I finally prayed to know if the church were true, if Joseph Smith were truly a prophet and experienced what he said he saw, and if the Book of Mormon was true, the warmth and peace and joy my soul felt I cannot fully express with justice. This quote from the lesson explains it better than I can.

“When a manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is the Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase.” Joseph Fielding Smith

I have since felt of the Holy Ghost many times when preparing and giving lessons, within the sacred walls of the temple, during conference address, sacrament talks, and in those quiet, private moments of searching.

I recently ask this question to Elder Druck. What motivates me to stay true to gospel principles even when it is unpopular to do so and I have to stand alone? As you read his reply, look for the role the Holy Ghost played in his actions.

“My companion, Elder Yamaguchi says it is his Testimony, and I have to agree, I have seen to many things in my life that point to the fact that this church is the only true gospel on the Earth and that God has shown me through the answers to my prayers and by the promptings I have received from the Holy Ghost that this gospel is true, and I can not deny those feelings that I have received based on what others think because their words are no where near as convincing to me that the feelings I have gotten from the Holy Ghost as I have strove to do what I have felt to be right and that has meant standing alone at times, and though I may have been alone as far as the number of people standing by me, I have never been alone because I have always had the companionship of the Holy Ghost to help me through the hard times by its reassurance of the fact that what I am doing is right and that as long as I keep on enduring I will be greatly blessed for my perseverance in standing firm in what I KNOW to be the Truth!”

I invite you to think back on your life and identify when you have felt the Holy Ghost and how it helped to strengthen your testimony and then, if you would be willing, to share your experience with us.

Thank you,

Sister Kathy Geyer

MARCH VT Challenge!

Focus on your Sisters

As you talk with your sister

listen and watch for anything

that may be of burden

and take the opportunity

to encourage and uplift her!

*Reminder of March Challenge: What's your Sister's favorite candy bar/treat?