Sunday Snippet

Angela gave our lesson this week based on talks from Elder M. Russell Ballard "Mothers and Daughters" and Relief Society General President Julie Beck "And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out MY Spirit" taken from General Conference Addresses May 2010.
We were taught the real value of women is in their nature, their talent to mother and nurture.
President Joseph F. Smith said: " It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the ...women of the world in everything that is praiseworthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and ... purifying to the children of men."

Daughters are encouraged to look to their faithful mothers for a pattern to follow and to model them, not celebrities whose standards are not the Lords standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective.
"Love your mother... Respect her. Listen to her.Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do."

"Throughout the history of the world, women have always been teachers of moral values... A mother-daughter relationship is where a daughter learns how to nurture by being nurtured. She is loved. She is taught and experiences firsthand what it feels like to have someone care enough to correct her while continuing to encourage and believe in her at the same time."

Angela also taught us about the misconceptions that satan would have us believe in regards to our bodies and our marital relationship. Heavenly Father gave us our bodies to share with our spouses and there is nothing unwholesome about that.


In five minute music Chelsea Parson played for us 'The Swan' on her flute it was beautiful
Thank you Chelsea

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday 7pm at chapel
Relief Society Activity

Sunday 29th
Bishop Youth Council

Sunday Snippet

On Sunday the lesson was Chapter 14 "Priesthood Organisation" from our Gospel Principles manual.

"When ordained to the priesthood, a man or boy automatically becomes a member of a priesthood quorum. From then on through life, it is expected that he will hold membership in a quorum of the priesthood according to his office."
"If a priesthood quorum functions properly, the members of the quorums are encouraged, blessed, fellowshipped, and taught the gospel by their leaders. even though a man may be released from Church callings...his membership in his quorum does not change. Membership in a quorum of the priesthood should be regarded as a sacred privilege."

As sisters we can help our fathers, brothers, husbands and sons fulfill their duties by being supportive, so they can magnify their callings.
What a marvelous blessing it is to have the priesthood restored to the Earth in these latter days.


In "Five Minute Music" Amy King played her harp for us, it was beautiful, thank you Amy.


Announcements
Stake Conference 13th -15th August
Friday 7pm
Stake Music Festival

Saturday
3pm Priesthood session
7pm Adult members

Sunday
9am Stake and Ward counsel
10am General Session


Tuesday 24th August
Relief Society Meeting at the Chapel 7.oopm
Healthy Eating with Karina Thorne
Then... Zumba, so wear appropriate clothing and shoes

Sunday Snippet

On Sunday our lesson was taken from the May 2010 Ensign, President Boyd K. Packer's address on "The Power of the Priesthood".
Angela gave a wonderful simile to electricity and how we may have the power in our homes but if we do not "switch" it on it will not work for us.
There are two parts to "The Power of the Priesthood" There is the authority and there is the power.
"During translation Joseph and Oliver Cowdery read about baptism. They prayed to know what to do. There appeared to them an angelic messenger, John the Baptist. He conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, 'which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.' "
The apostles Peter, James and John appeared next and conferred upon Joseph and Oliver the Melchizedek priesthood, named after the great High Priest Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes.
" This then became their authority. Through the keys of the priesthood, they had access to all of the powers of heaven."
President Packer said " Unless we enlist the attention of the mothers and daughters and sisters - who have influence on their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers - we cannot progress. The priesthood will lose great power if the sisters are neglected.
Priesthood is the authority and the power to which God has granted to men on Earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present."
"Authority in the priesthood comes by way or ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honouring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness."
As sisters we need to help the priesthood holders in our family exercise their priesthood power by asking our husbands / fathers, not the Bishop, or Area Presidency, to administer blessing to us. For those of us who don't have priesthood holders in the home we call on our home teachers to bless us.
What a wonderful blessing "The Power of the Priesthood" is and because we have that we have no need to fear the future." Fear is the opposite of faith. we move forward certain that the Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family.


In five minute music we listened to
"Cootamundra Wattle" by John Williamson


ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Relief Society Activity lastTuesday night was most enjoyable and informative. Sarah demonstrated on Sue how to massage the acupuncture points on our meridian and to warm our kidneys to help them function properly.
Andrea King cooked for us some delicious stirfrys. Sate beef and veg, Teryaki and honey chicken and pork and lime, delicious. If there had been a larger attendance and we needed to be split in to groups we would also have had Sweet and sour chicken, Barbecue beef, and another dish that I can't recall, but the recipes will be available on the blog soon.
It was a good night and thank you for providing the activity for us.

Sunday Snippet

Relief Society and Priesthood were combined this week and we were introduced to "The Addiction Recovery Program". It is being included in the church program to help members and others to overcome habits that are detrimental to their agency.

"If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, there is hope. Addiction recovery groups sponsored by LDS Family Services are available to help you and your loved ones overcome addictive behaviour and more fully enjoy the blessings of Church participation"
"Addiction is habitually turning to something other than God and which is destructive."
There are many types of addiction, we can have problems with the Word o f Wisdom, gambling, eating disorders, chastity, pornography and even television and computer games can be affecting our agency.

"If you suspect you are addicted and if you feel even the smallest desire to break free, we invite you to join us in the addiction recovery support group meetings. Participation is free and confidential."
HOBART ARP MEETINGS: Fridays 7.30pm Rosny Chapel
ARP Missionaries Elder and Sister Summerfield 62861111 or 0418343486


ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday July 25th
Gospel Enrichment Fireside

Tuesday July 27th 7pm
Relief Society Activity
42 Hillborough Road
South Hobart

Sunday Snippet

This weeks lesson was given by Nicole and the topic was "The Atonement".
Nicole divided us into 5 groups and we discussed sections of the lesson within our groups.
The topics were
1. The Atonement is necessary for our salvation.
2. Jesus Christ was the only one who could Atone for our sins
3. Christ suffered and died to Atone for our sins.
4. The Atonement and resurrection bring resurrection to all.
5. The Atonement makes it possible for those who have faith in Christ to be saved from their sins.

A spokesperson from each group then explained to the class what ideas their group had on the topic.
Nicole finished the lesson with a parable on justice and mercy, and how the only way to show mercy and to satisfy justice is to have a mediator. Someone who is prepared to pay our debts for us.

'Our sins are our spiritual debts. Without Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Mediator, we would all pay for our sins by suffering spiritual death. But because of Him, if we will keep His terms, which are to repent and keep His commandments, we may return to live with our Heavenly Father.

It is wonderful that christ has provided us a way to be healed from our sins, He said:
"Behold, I have come unto the world ... to save the world from sin."
"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a litttle child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved"
(3 Nephi 9:21-22).'

Sunday Snippet

Sorry everyone...I missed last week.  I was sick!

So this weeks post is about the lovely lesson Emi gave us on Sunday.
It was about the life of the Savior, the things he taught, the miracles he performed and the example he set.
We watched parts of two dvd's;  'Special Witnesses of Christ' and  'Finding Faith in Christ'.
Emi posed two questions:
1. How can we love God?
2. How can we love our Neighbour.

We broke in to four groups and came up with a few ideas:
know Him (through prayer, study, service)
Be obedience (the 'O' factor, how is yours?)
Acknowledge Him in all aspects of life
Trust in Him, rely on His guidance
Respect and appreciate others and all creations
Become part of His plan.  Have a sense of partnership with Him
Love unconditionally as the Savior & Heavenly Father do.
Accept & fulfill callings
Be humble
Look after our families
Care for those around us
Live the Gospel
Listen to the Spirit
Be temple worthy
Be thankful
Keep the commandments
Ask for blessings
feed our testimony
Be helpful
create opportunities to serve
Love the sisters we visit teach
Always give people the benefit of the doubt
Don't judge
Be honest with ourselves and others
Count your blessings
Learn to cook - making a meal for someone might make their day!
Make the right choices
keep on going, even when we have had enough!

Quite an extensive list.  I'm sure there's something for everyone there.

Announcements:

• Starting in July we will have RS Meetings (activities) every 4th Tuesday of the month
• Alyssa Thomasson will be getting baptised July 3 10am
• If you are participating in Week at the Temple, you MUST book in to sessions with Bro Stokes

Sunday Snippet

Announcements:

Youth Sports Activity Saturday 12 June (Huonville)

Week @ Temple schedules to Bro Stokes

Indoor Soccer competition starts Friday 11th June

On Sunday I taught and we started with a fun game then talked about the different things that are precious to us.  Friends, family, health, special trinkets, family heirlooms & the gospel were among a few we talked about.

The Gospel, and more specifically, Relief Society (RS) is precious to me and something I need in my life.

Shortly after the Church was organised Joseph Smith also organised the Relief Society.  He said, "The church was never perfectly organised until the women were thus organised...".  It's good to know that RS is an essential part of the church.  It is my desire that each of us will understand why it is essential in our lives.

What does RS do for those women who choose to embrace it as part of their life? How does it bless families, homes and individuals? This is a question that was posed on Sunday and each sister present was able to share their thoughts with everyone.  The list was a long one and included; 

leadership skills

organisation

friendship & diversity in friends, companionship

a sense of belonging

love & respect

discovery of gifts, talents, abilities

opportunities to serve (VT, compassionate service)

skills for motherhood

self-reliance

knowledge

preparation for the temple & other covenants

help in staying true

identity & self-worth

Sister Allred (of the General RS Presidency) has a daughter named Norma.  She once said, "Your attendance at relief Society Sunday meetings will bless you...but your participation in the work of Relief Society will bless the whole church."

And the General Relief Society Presidency have this message for us:

"Whether you are young or old, single or married, widowed or living in a family, we want you to bless your life and home with the influence and power of Relief Society"

Our Previous Prophet, President Hinckley had some wonderful things to say about the women in our lives.  We watched this on Sunday, it only goes for about 3 minutes.  Click to watch this short address.

I believe that one of the most useful resources we have as an organisation is each other.  I believe that Heavenly Father intended for us to teach each other, to use our talents, abilities and gifts to help and enrich each others lives. I believe that within the Hobart ward we have a goldmine of things to offer each other but I also believe that this resource is mostly untapped.  As a Presidency and with the help of our Relief Society Meeting Coordinators, we plan to change that!!

In small groups on Sunday, sisters compiled an extensive list of the talents, gifts, and abilities of those in their group.  In the same manner another extensive list was made, this one contained things people need or want to learn, experiences and activities people would like to be involved in, skills they would like to have etc.  The plan is to use these lists when we plan lessons and activities for Relief Society.  I'm guessing that the first activity will have something to do with learning how to handle 'Man Tools!'

While I was planning this lesson, I was very aware that we have many sisters who do not attend church, and are not participating in RS.  I feel very strongly that we need to reach out to these women and take up the call from our Relief Society General Presidency when they said,


"...To those of you who already attend Relief Society, we extend a call.  We ask you to go to the women who are not engaged in relief Society work in your wards and branches to teach them with love what Relief Society will do for them.  Testify to them that Relief Society will enrich their homes and personal lives.  Offer your friendship and sisterhood.  Watch over and strengthen them.  Help us reverse society's trend of disintegrating families.  Help your sisters turn to the Lord and His plan of happiness for His children.  They will find guidance, comfort, peace, understanding, and inspiration.  They will know Heavenly Father loves then and cares for them in ways beyond measure."

Blanche 

P.S If you would like to read the talk that inspired this lesson it is 'Every woman needs Relief Society' - Nov 2009 Ensign.