February Visiting Teaching Message

     Alright ladies! It's a new month. Time to get out the calendars and schedule time withe your sisters. Let's all think of a way we can serve our sisters this month and show them our love.

February Visiting Teaching Message

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Good Shepherd

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Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Faith, Family, Relief

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, taught:

“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? …

“I say unto you, that … joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:4, 7).

As we come to understand that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, our desire increases to follow His example and serve those in need. Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. … And I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14–15). Because of Christ’s Atonement, none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot find our way home (see Luke 15).

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Ours is the responsibility to care for the flock. … May we each step up to serve.”¹

From the Scriptures

Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:11; Mosiah 26:21

From Our History

Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who attended the first Relief Society meeting, said of her conversion in 1830: “As soon as I heard the Gospel as the Elders preached it, I knew it to be the voice of the Good Shepherd.”² Elizabeth followed the voice of the Good Shepherd and was baptized and confirmed.

We too can hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and share His teachings with others. President Monson said, “We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.”³

Just as a shepherd seeks out a lost sheep, parents may seek after a child who has wandered. President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “To those brokenhearted parents who have been righteous, diligent, and prayerful in the teaching of their disobedient children, we say to you, the Good Shepherd is watching over them. God knows and understands your deep sorrow. There is hope.”⁴

What Can I Do?

1. 1. How does knowing that the Savior is the Good Shepherd bring peace into our lives?
   
2. 2. How can I support parents whose children have wandered from living the gospel?
   
   
   

   Notes

   1.   1. Thomas S. Monson, “Heavenly Homes, Forever Families,” Ensign, June 2006, 102.
      
   2.   2. Elizabeth Ann Whitney, in Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 128.
      
   3.   3. Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86.
      
   4.   4. James E. Faust, “Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered,” Ensign, May 2003, 68.
      

Sunday Lesson, 26th January 2014

Last Sunday's Lesson

     We had another fantastic lesson on Sunday. Please share the lesson with the Sisters you teach if they were not able to make it to Relief Society.

Come, Join with Us

     This past lesson was on the talk given by President Uchtdorf at the Oct. 2013 General Conference. Personally, it was one of my favorites! Certainly, it is worth reading through again if you haven't done so recently. 

     President Uchtdorf said, "Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church."

 

     This statement just gives me so much comfort! The word COME has no qualifiers. It's not "come if" or "come only when." It's just COME. No matter where you are in life, Christ wants you to come, to follow Him. It may be hard, it will be hard, but it will most certainly be worth it. At this time in the world, it seems unpopular to attend church or confess to religious worship, but this church continues to grow, and there are reasons for it. Sister Shingleton provided a fantastic scripture chain: Matt 16:18 Helaman 10:7 This Church was restored in our day by Jesus Christ Himself. Here you will find the authority to act in His name—to baptize for the remission of sins, to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to seal on earth and in heaven. Doctrine and Covenants 84:20 This is Christ's church where we receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God. We can feel His power in our lives. 2 Nephi 33:10 Here we can learn the teachings of Christ. Learn of Him and learn to be more like Him. Articles of Faith 1:11 "This Church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves." Mormon 8:17 Do not judge the church harshly; the gospel is perfect, people are not. "A perfect church run by imperfect people." Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21 The faith spoken of here is an ACTIVE FAITH, not a passive wish. "The acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding."

Jacob 2:8 "If you expect to find perfect people here, you will be disappointed. But if you seek the pure doctrine of Christ, the word of God “which healeth the wounded soul,” and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, then here you will find them. In this age of waning faith—in this age when so many feel distanced from heaven’s embrace—here you will find a people who yearn to know and draw closer to their Savior by serving God and fellowmen, just like you. Come, join with us!" John 6:66-68 There was a time when many of His followers abandoned Christ and His truths, just as so many seam to do today, but we can say with Peter "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." In this gospel we have the opportunity to go forth and serve with Christ at our side because this is His work. Matthew 16:24 As stated before, it will be hard, but it will be worth it.

     

     I'd like te close with President Uchtdorf's words, because they seem so perfect:

"If you seek truth, meaning, and a way to transform faith into action; if you are looking for a place of belonging: Come, join with us!

If you have left the faith you once embraced: Come back again. Join with us!

If you are tempted to give up: Stay yet a little longer. There is room for you here.

I plead with all who hear or read these words: Come, join with us. Come heed the call of the gentle Christ. Take up your cross and follow Him.

Come, join with us! For here you will find what is precious beyond price.

I testify that here you will find the words of eternal life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to peace and happiness.

I earnestly pray that your own search for truth will impress upon your heart the desire to come and join with us. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Sunday Lesson, 19 January 2014

Last Sunday's Lesson

     Hello all! Sorry it took so long for me to get this up; it's been a crazy few days. Well, last Sunday's lesson was from the Teachings of President Joseph Fielding Smith manual. Please, share with your sisters who were not able to make it to class. As always, these are the points I got out of class. Feel frees to share your own.

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith Chapter 2: Our Savior, Jesus Christ

     President Smith said, "“Let it be uppermost in your minds, now and at all times, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God who came into the world to lay down his life that we might live. That is the truth, and is fundamental. Upon that our faith is built.” 

     Put on display for all the class to see was this painting: 

(Please let me know who the artist is. Thank you.)

     She asked us to really contemplate the painting and what it conveys. It tells more than just the Bible story we all know. See the boat in the distance? See the Savior's firm grasp on Peter? The calm look in the Savior's face? Do you see that though the waves are rough and the clouds gather, there is yet a bright spot in the sky, a light of hope? 

     Sometimes we are like those on the ship, in rough times, but on firm footing. Sometimes we are like Peter, feeling as though we have lost all footing, that the waves and tempests will soon overcome us, but we should not forget that the Savior is ALWAYS there for us, He will never forsake us. All we have to do is reach out to Him and He will lift us up. There is always hope, always a bright spot in the clouds, if we would only look for it.

     Sometimes it may be hard to see the helping hand of the Lord. In hard times, look for the little moments in our day where we allow the Lord to touch our hearts. It can be while driving with the radio off, folding the laundry, taking time to look up at this sky or the beauty of nature, or just passing a picture of our Savior, like this. Keep these moments, store them in your hearts and they will be the evidence of Christ's love when you need it most. 

     Of course, we must remember that the Lord often acts through people. A phone call, a note, an unexpected helping hand, or just a smile and a kind word. If you have ever been touched by the simple love and service another has given you, them please, take the time to look for those moments that the Savior can touch your heart, follow his promptings, and be a blessing in the lives of your Sisters. 

     As President Smith said, "We must pattern our lives  after the life of Jesus Christ." Our Savior had many dark and tough days. He knows how we feel when we go through trials. Following His example, we can overcome our trials by trusting in our Father and serving others.

Sunday Lesson

Sunday's Lesson

     Hello ladies! I am hoping to put up, every week, a summary of the Relief Society lesson. These, I am hoping, you will share with your sisters who were not able to make it to class - either because their calling keeps them away from Relief Society on Sunday, or because they were sick or just not able to make it that day. I will do my best to get the points that really hit me the most. Feel free to add any of your own in the comments.

Teachings of President Joseph Fielding Smith Lesson #1 

Our Father in Heaven

     This past Sunday, Sister Ivy Clinger started us off on the new Teachings of the Prophets book. If you haven't read the lesson, I highly recommend you do so. It is filled with wonderful teachings that I am sure will touch all of us differently at different points in our lives. 

     President Smith said, “It is my desire to remind you of the nature and kind of being that God is, so that you may worship him in spirit and in truth and thereby gain all of the blessings of his gospel.” 

     One of the great blessings we have in this gospel is our continuing revelation. Through this the "mysteries" of our universe, our creation, and our Father in Heaven can be made clear. President Smith pointed out  that through "Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the true knowledge of God has been restored in our day. … God had become a mystery, and both Father and Son were considered to be one unknowable effusion of spirit, without body, parts, or passions. The coming of the Father and the Son placed on the earth a divine witness who was able by knowledge to restore to the world the true nature of God."

     There are many in the world who believe that faith in God, or any "higher being", is  foolish, believing that to be truly educated means giving up on faith. For many in the world, they put their faith in science, in what is "proven" and "tangible", but science and religion don't have to be mutually exclusive. It is possible to be a "man of faith" and a "man of science". Sister Clinger shared a fantastic church video on science and faith. (Please watch the link) Dr. Lewis is a renowned scientist who advises the European and NASA space programs, and he points out that science can explain the "hows" of this universe, but not the "who or why." My favorite point he makes is that science is our "second witness" to the truth of our Heavenly Father.

     Heavenly Father gave us so many ways to learn of Him, to grow close to Him and know that He is there. He gave us the opportunity to be come parents ourselves so we may better understand His love and care for us. Sister Clinger shared another fantastic video, one of 2013's "Mormon Messages", entitled Earthly Father, Heavenly Father. It's truly touching.

     There is so much to this lesson that I cannot fit here - these are only my highlights. Please read the lesson if you haven't, and you can look to D&C sections 20 and 93 for more. Thank you for reading, feel free to comment with your feelings, and share with your sisters.

Reporting time!

Get your reports in!

     Hello ladies! As per the new instructions received yesterday, I will be needing your reports by the third Sunday of every month. That is coming upon us quickly now. Please don't make me hunt you down. ;) I know that not all of your visits will be finished by then, but if you have an appointment at least scheduled for that last week, I need to know so I can put it in my report.

     This reporting change has happened because we have a lovely and sweet Relief Society President who is dedicated to making sure all the sisters under her care know that they are loved. Apparently, the R.S. Presidency and the sister missionaries are going to contact the sisters that don't get visited. They are amazing. We all know the Presidency has a ton of obligations, and we don't want to make their jobs more difficult by not doing our own. SO, when you visit, take treats, call, send a card, do ANY kind of service for your sisters, please let me know.

     Sisters, through the work of our hands and the love in our hearts we can all grow closer, we can bring joy to our lives by serving those that God has put within our circle of influence. Every time we do with our hands the service He needs us to do, God smiles down on us. I, personally, would like to contribute to as many of God's smiles as I possibly can. We all need blessings in our lives, and the best way to get them is to be a blessing in someone else's life.

     Thank you for all the work you do and all the service you give!

Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching Message, Jan. 2014

Thank you for all your hard work in getting this message out to our beloved sisters!

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Exemplar

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Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

     As we understand that Jesus Christ is our example in all things, we can increase our desire to follow Him. The scriptures are full of encouragement for us to follow in Christ’s footsteps. To the Nephites, Christ said, “For the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do” (3 Nephi 27:21). To Thomas, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

     Today our leaders remind us to set the Savior as our example. Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, said, “When each of us has the doctrine of the Atonement written deep in our hearts, then we will begin to become the kind of people the Lord wants us to be.”¹ 

      President Thomas S. Monson said, “Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our Exemplar and our strength.”²

     Let us resolve to draw near to Jesus Christ, to obey His commandments, and to strive to return to our Heavenly Father.

From the Scriptures

2 Nephi 31:16; Alma 17:11; 3 Nephi 27:27; Moroni 7:48

From Our History

     “He marked the path and led the way,” wrote Eliza R. Snow, second Relief Society general president, of the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ.³ He ministered to individuals—one by one. He taught that we should leave the ninety and nine to save the straying one (see Luke 15:3–7). He healed and taught individuals, even taking time for each person in a multitude of 2,500 people (see 3 Nephi 11:13–15; 17:25).

     Of Latter-day Saint women, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “You wonderful sisters render compassionate service to others for reasons that supersede desires for personal benefits. In this you emulate the Savior … . His thoughts were always tuned to help others.”⁴

What Can I Do?

1. Why and how is Jesus Christ my exemplar?
   
   
2. How can ministering to the sisters I visit help me follow the Savior?
   

   Notes

   1.  Linda K. Burton, “Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 114.
   2. Thomas S. Monson, “Meeting Life’s Challenges,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 71.
      
   3. “How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” Hymns, no. 195.
      
   4. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Happiness, Your Heritage,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 120.
      
      For the original link, click here.
      
      
      

Welcome!

Welcome to my Blog for Castle Rock Ward Visiting Teaching.

(district 5, to be specific)

I am really hoping this will be a great platform for us to really connect over this most important service! I will be adding the Visiting Teaching Message every month, as well as other uplifting and inspirational posts every week (I hope).

Through this blog, you can contact me with Visiting Teaching reports, concerns, questions, pleas for help - whatever you need. This is a trial run, and I've never done anything like this, so I will need your help in making it work. Thank you for your support!
       
            ~ Esther