True Shepherds ~ Visiting Teaching

TRUE SHEPHERDS

Taught by Terry S.

(click on scripture references to read)

I want to start off by reminding you of all the good things we did last year!

1. Seven babies were born and meals taken in to all their families-

Dardens, Pierces, Salts, Wallaces, Beckers, Horsleys, Butterfields.

Since Rachel Butterfield was put on bed rest for about 6 weeks, many meals were supplied to them.

2. We had 2 funerals and provided the meals for them. 

3. We did a secret sister activity.

4. All of the clothing left over from our clothing swap was donated to a shelter.

5. We put together about 100 clean birth kits for third world countries.

6. Blankets and pillowcases were made and donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

7. We did the Angel Tree- Sub for Santa Project.

*Many other acts of service were performed by wonderful visiting teachers that are not advertised.

Do you think the world is a better place because of the things that we did?

How do we gain a testimony of 

visiting teaching? 

You cannot gain a testimony of visiting teaching without first doing it.

President James E Faust tells of an experience he had:  
     “When I was a very small boy, my father found a lamb all alone out in the desert.  The herd of sheep to which its mother belonged had moved on, and somehow the lamb got separated from its mother, and the shepherd must not have known that it was lost.  
     Because it could not survive alone in the desert, my father picked it up and brought it home.  To have left the lamb there would have meant certain death, either by falling prey to the coyotes or by starvation because it was so young that it still needed milk.  My father gave the lamb to me and I became its shepherd.

     For several weeks I warmed cow’s milk in a baby’s bottle and fed the lamb.  We became fast friends.  It began to grow.  My lamb would play on the lawn. Sometimes we would lie together on the grass and I would lay my head on its soft, wooly side and look up at the blue sky and the white billowing clouds.  I did not lock my lamb up during the day.  It would not run away.  It soon learned to eat grass.  I could call my lamb from anywhere in the yard by just imitating as best I could the bleating sound of a sheep.

     One night there came a terrible storm.  I forgot to put my lamb in the barn that night as I should have done.  I went to bed.  My little friend was frightened in the storm, and I could hear it bleating.  I knew that I should help my pet, but I wanted to stay safe, warm, and dry in my bed.  I didn’t get up as I should have done.  The next morning I went out to find my lamb dead.  A dog had also heard its bleating cry and killed it.  My heart was broken.  I had not been a good shepherd or steward of that which my father had entrusted to me.  
     My father said, “Son, couldn’t I trust you to take care of just one lamb?”  My father’s remark hurt me more than losing my wooly friend.  I resolved that day, as a little boy, that I would try never again to neglect my stewardship as a shepherd if I were ever placed in that position again.”

We have been told by Christ to "feed my sheep" if we lovest thou him. John 21:15-17

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk in general conference recently about this very exchange between Peter and Christ.  He elaborates on what Christ is really saying to Peter:

“What I need, Peter, are disciples- and I need them forever.  I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs.  I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith.  I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do.  Ours is not a feeble message.  It is not a fleeting task.  It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history.  It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world.”

What do you worry about most?

How does this coincide with what is most important in life?

To stay true to our desire to live with Heavenly Father again, we must find a way to work through obstacles and discover what is really important in life.

Ask yourselves these questions;

• What do I really believe, and how true to that am I really willing to live?

• How do we know if we have been truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Richard G. Scott:

“True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the circumstances.

The more I learn what it means to be truly converted, the more I wonder if I am.

Bonnie L. Oscarson:

“True conversion is more than merely having a knowledge of gospel principles, and implies even more than just having a testimony of those principles.  It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it.  Being truly converted means we are acting upon what we believe and allowing it to create “a mighty change in us, or in our hearts.”

“True conversion occurs as you continue to act upon the doctrines you know are true and keep the commandments day after day, month after month.”

I was recently watching a show on TV, and there was a woman whose teenage daughter had become interested in religion.  The daughter asked her mother what she thought about Jesus and the mother’s response was, “I think he was a man who lived 2000 years ago and has little to do with me now.”

I was really taken aback by this response.  I don’t know why-  I’m sure there are lots of people with this same attitude but I can’t imagine what my life would be like without my faith in Jesus Christ.

Elder Holland also said:

“I am asking you to re-examine and more clearly understand the commitment you made when you were baptized not only into Christ’s church, but into his life and his death and his resurrection, into all that he is and stands for in time and eternity.”

“The war is on, and we have been conspicuously enlisted, and certainly it is a war worth waging.  But we are foolish, fatally foolish, if we believe it will be a casual or convenient thing.  We are foolish if we think it will demand nothing of us.”

John 14:15

If ye love me, 
keep my commandments, Jesus said.  
So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend.  We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do.  In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.  We can’t quit and we can’t go back.

Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life.

President Monson gave a talk in the General Priesthood Meeting at the last general conference addressing home teaching.  I’m going to substitute the words visiting teaching for home teaching.  He said, ”If any of you have slipped into complacency concerning your visiting teaching visits, may I say that there is no time like the present to rededicate yourself to fulfilling your visiting teaching duties. Decide now to make whatever effort is necessary to reach those for whom you have been given responsibility.  There are times when a little extra prodding may be needed, as well, to help your visiting teaching companion find the time to go with you, but if you are persistent, you will succeed.  Ours is the sacred privilege to brighten, to touch, and to save those precious souls entrusted to our care. There is one Teacher whose life overshadows all others.  He lived not to be served but to serve, not to receive but to give, not to save His life but to sacrifice it for others.”

 

In close, I was reading in preparation to give this lesson and I came across this scripture:

Helaman 10:4-5

I want you to read it substituting your name for Nephi’s.

May the Lord bless you in your service as you give of yourself to bless those you serve.

 

Book of Mormon Class ~ 3 Nephi chapter 6

Taught by Sue Green

(click on the scripture to read)

 (3 Nephi chapter 6)

By way of quick review in chapters 3 & 4, the Nephites had gathered together in one location, by the tens of thousands, with seven years supply of provisions  (Nephi 4:4) This was in response to the  Gadiation robbers, who threatened to destroy them completely if they did not agree to surrender if they did not agree to surrender and join them 

Over the next five or so years these robbers were destroyed. Now as we begin chapter six, the Nephites return to their former lands.  They will have a time of peace and prosperity. They will even give land to their former enemies who had covenanted to be peaceful, so that they could be self supporting and maintain their Lamanite identity if they so desired.

Sadly, we will once again see the "cycle of apostasy" follow the prosperity which came upon the Nephites. and those with them.  As usual pride will be the root cause.  Therefore, if we want to avoid this cycle, we must avoid pride!

The word "prosper" in verse 4, is a word we have come to almost fear by this point in the Book of Mormon, because it is almost always followed by pride and wickedness. We must remember that this does not have to be the case, as we will see during the nearly 200 years of peace following the Saviors visit to the Nephites.

We will recall that the Nephite democracy was founded upon the laws of God, and that as the Nephites became wicked, they changed the laws of the land to reflect their personal wickedness.  Now, at the end of verse 4, we see them reform their laws and change back to righteous ones, thus, the only danger to the Nephite democracy at this time is sin and wickedness.

Mormon reminds us of the vital role of righteous elected and appointed officials in securing true prosperity to a nation.

One of the very first messages the Savior taught the Nephites after he appeared to them was, that the Spirit of contention is not of me. (3 Nephi 1:29)

Contention is a powerful tool of the devil, and we see it being employed by him in verse 10.

In fact, Mormon will show us how Satan dismantles a righteous society in just seven years. Indicating that the government was growing much faster than the population, with a resulting decrease in self-reliance, and an increase in dependency on government.

Robert L. Simpson said,"Times have not changed. Less than two months ago, most of you read the disturbing article in our newspaper about a group of individuals who have established a so-called Satanic Church, with the sole purpose to participate only in the realms of evil and darkness. They are in open defiance of, and diametrically opposed to, all of Gods holy purposes that bring us together in this great conference.  Without a goodly number of God-fearing men committed to the cause of truth, these societies of evil could well take over our society.

As Mormon continues teaching us, we will basically point out how foolish and gullible people are who allow Satan to carry them about where ever he wants to. One of Satan's greatest deceptions is to convince people that he, himself, does not exist and that they are in charge of their own lives as they submit to wickedness.  Many who do believe in the devil have a strong tendency to underestimate his influence for evil in the lives of people and societies.

Mormon points out the extremely dangerous position these people had placed themselves in because they definitely knew better.  They were in intentional, open rebellion against the Gospel.  Thus their accountability level was high.

As the coming of Christ, with the accompanying destruction of the wicked among the Nephites, got closer and closer, more opportunities to understand and accept the Gospel were provided to the people.  The same thing is happening to our day as the gospel goes forth into all the world.

 

People among the Nephites became very angry and bitterly opposed to those who preached the truth.  In a pattern also repeated in our day, those who were especially angry were corrupt high government officials, prominent religious leaders and lawyers, all of whose livelihoods and unrighteous dominions were threatened if people become righteous.

Mormon tells us of murders carried out secretly by the wicked in power because they couldn't get rid of the righteous legally. We see the reappearance of secret combinations inspired by the devil.

Christmas Social 2013

Here's a look back at the Annual Christmas 

"White Elephant Social"

We had a yummy waffle bar!!!

With lots of fresh fruit....

... the best EVER raspberry syrup!

Annnnnd yummy chocolate-hazelnut nutella!

 

Then we got started with the fun.... opening white Elephants! 

 

Hahaha,
You just never know what you will get!!! 

 

And we have a custom made BYU trophy light 

for the front porch! Priceless!!!

You can be sure there will be some hearty 

laughing involved!

This one really caught us all by surprize. Yup.... it's a urine sample bottle..... and it's full! Hahaha

Don't you think this needs to go above Karen's headboard??

I would say this is a keeper..... It's so cute and purpley!

We ended the night receiving a gift of 

'Joy' 

from the Presidency.

It is a book with the writings from each of the sisters on:

 "What brings me Joy"

It is such a fun uplifting book to read. 

It's also a fun way to get to know each other 

a little better!

You can now be dreaming of your next awesome 'White Elephant'!

Until next year.......

Strenghtening and Preserving the Family

Taught by Beth G.

I can't think of any one in this ward who doesn't already do this to the best of our abilities.  

I would like to just share ideas of how we have strengthened our own families.

President Joseph Fielding Smith is quoted saying: 
   "It is the will of the Lord to 

strengthen and preserve the family"

Is strengthening our families for the here and now? 

 It is for all of Eternity.

Joseph Fielding Smith was known as a stern man. President Smith's second wife Ethel was asked to tell something about her husband. She thought about it and decided to tell some things about him so they could get to know the true man.  She said, when her children were sick they cried for their father, he was the caretaker and comforter when he was at home. When he was there, he was the one they wanted to be with. He would think of things to do together. His favorite pie was mince meat so he learned to make that and he included the kids in making it together.  How many of us 'willingly' would do that with our children?  I always felt like it would take way to long and be a disaster to clean up! It was hard for me to include them, it had to be a good day! I make a much better Grandma than I did a Mother.  They can take as long as they want, they can lick all the beaters. As a mother we can get so caught up in our lives and all that has to be done. As we get older we realize that the time spent with our children and making those memories together is what it's all about!

The point was brought up that, "What about when you feel like you need to have your house clean for your husband?" There has to be a happy medium doesn't there? 

The best thing I ever did was go to work for two weeks while Gary took vacation to take care of the kids. He used to ask me what I did all day. I made sure to tell him when I walked out the door that first day, that I expected dinner on the table when I got home because I always had it on the table for him. Teehee.  When I got home there was no dinner on the table, Gary was asleep on the couch. He was whipped!  He never again ask me what I did all day. 

One sister shared that she has found that she has learned from her husband as she works night shift, that when she comes home he is so appreciative of what she does! Meanwhile the house is a mess from his caring for the kids, but they are so happy! He has spent real time with them, setting aside the household things. She has tried to apply that in a moderate way by not worrying about getting the house cleaned up right away, but stretching it out a little to be able to spend time with her kids.

You can ask your husband for some help with some of the duties at home,  most preferably after giving him a little wind down time and some time with the kids. It was brought up that we think that they should just notice what needs to be done, or that we need help. It is the exception, not the rule, that they will do this! Men just usually don't notice. They also work best on specifics that are ask in a loving manner. Don't give vague hints. Be direct. It removes stress from us by the help we receive and from them by our being a happier wife and mother. 

Most of us have said, "When I get married, life will be bliss!", and "My children will never do that!". As you get to those states and you find that what you thought would be perfect was a fantasy, you have to learn to adapt. It is good for us to learn that things don't have to be perfect. It was also noted that we should not worry about what other people think!

One of Joseph Fielding Smith's sons, Douglas Smith said that his father and he had a good relationship. He said that they would box and play chess. He said he always felt so wonderful when he beat his dad. He realized as he grew older that his dad had let him win. What a blessing it was in his life that his dad spent so much time with him.  

How much individual time do we 

spend with our children?

I look now, and I think how much farther ahead you moms are now than I was.  I look at my daughter who has set days that are individual date times with each of her kids.  It doesn't matter what it is, it can be anything, it doesn't need to cost, it just needs to be one on one time together.

Amelia Smith McConkie, another one of Joseph Fielding Smith's children said that it was almost fun to be sick, because their dad would take such good care of them.  He would play music on their old phonograph, dance around and sing to them to make them happy. He would march around the room to get them to smile. He would sit and peel an orange at the foot of their bed giving them one segment at a time to eat. They loved the individual attention! She also said that when they needed to be disciplined he wouldn't spank them, he would just look at them and say, "I wish my kiddies would be good", and that would be enough. They loved him enough that they didn't want to disappoint him. Surely they will be more apt to want to not disappoint you if you are spending time with them collectively and individually, showing them love and building your relationship together.

We also need to pick our battles. Most things if put in perspective can be not made a big deal. It will just cause a wedge and make it so when there is something important to strongly discipline, it will have more impact. 

Hoyt W. Brewster Jr., a grandchild of Joseph Fielding Smith, as a missionary in the Netherlands, was allowed to attend the dedication of the London England Temple.  As he and other missionaries filed into the assembly room, his grandfather saw him. Hoyt recalled: "Without a moment's hesitation, he jumped up from his chair and extended his arms, motioning me towards him. In that instance I did not see Joseph Fielding Smith, the Apostle... but a grandfather who saw one of his grandchildren for whom he had great love. I didn't hesitate to break ranks and rush to the stand where he embraced me and kissed me in front of that entire solemn assembly. That to me was one of the most sacred and memorable moments of my life".

The Family is the Most Important Organization in time or in Eternity.

Who would you want to be with in the eternities?  

Our time here on earth is a bonding time with our families.

There is strength against the adversary when we have love and support as families.

Let's build relationships and memories together where our children know without a doubt that we love them, that they are the most important thing to us above all our other duties.

Book of Mormon Class ~ 3 Nephi chapter 5

Taught by Sue Green

(click link's to read scriptures)

 3 Nephi Chapter 5

In this chapter Mormon first explains why the Nephites were so successful in repenting and how they rid themselves of the secret combinations which had come so close to destroying them completely as a people.

As to why these Nephites were so successful in repenting completely, Mormon explains that it was because they had complete faith.  This is an example of why faith in Christ has to be the first principle of the Gospel.  If we have faith in Christ and His Atonement, we then understand that repenting is worth while.

We are reminded that a change in heart brought about by the gospel of Jesus Christ is a very effective way to cut down on prison populations.  Without a true change of heart, enemies are still a danger to freedom and peace, and wisdom dictates that they be treated as such.

In verses 4-7, it is now 8 years before the destruction of the wicked and the coming of the resurrected Christ.  Mormon takes time to talk to us, in our day, about the records he is in charge of, and to introduce himself a bit more.

He also tells us a great many records were kept by the Nephites over the Centuries.

Just imagine how much work it would take for Mormon to make the delicately thin metal plates upon which he could carefully engrave his abridgement of the Nephite records.

From the accounts given buy Joseph Smiths mother, we understand that Mormons abridgement consisted of a set of gold plates, weighing about 60 lbs. and about 6 inches wide 9 inches in length and 6 inches high including the small plates of Nephi.  Such a set would contain a rather large number of individual thin sheets or plates.  While we don't know exactly how he made them, one possible scenario might be:

1- Find a source of gold and possibly other precious metals which could be alloyed with the gold for the exact qualities needed for the plates.

2- Hunt animals for hides with which to make a bellows in order to blow a fire to heat the ore hot enough to melt the metal out of it.

3- Perhaps find iron ore from which to smelt metal with which to make tools required for pounding the plates to the needed thinness.

4- Obtain the necessary metal with which to make an engraving tool which would hold up under extended use.

Whatever the process, we respect and admire Mormon for the tremendous effort required to make the plates himself, let alone for the great amount of time and effort to engrave them for our benefit.

As a side note: Pres. Joseph Smith quoted that, 

"the word Mormon means literally 

'MORE GOOD'".  

We know from (Mormon 1:15) that he was 15 years old, about AD 326, and that he was about 74 years old at the time of the final battles of his people which took place about 385 AD. (Mormon 6:5)

Mormon describes himself as a disciple of Christ . While in every instance the Nephite twelve are spoken of as disciples, the fact remains that they had been endowed with divine authority to be special witnesses for Christ among their own people. Therefore, they were virtually apostles to the Nephite race, although their jurisdiction was, as revealed to Nephi, eventually to be subject to the authority and jurisdiction of Peter and the twelve chosen in Palestine.

While Mormon's personal call was that of an Apostle, the term disciple can also have a more general definition.  A disciple is also "a follower of Jesus Christ who lives according to Christ's teaching".

The following has been written about discipleship.  The word disciple of Christ is one who is leaning to be like Christ - learning to think, to feel and to act as he does.  To be a true disciple, to fulfill that learning task, is the most demanding regimen known to man.  No other discipline compares.. in either requirement or rewards.  It involves the total transformation of a person from the state of the natural man to that of a Saint, one who loves the Lord and serves with all of this heart, might, mind and strength.  (D&C 41:5)

In addition to speaking about discipleship, Mormon may be making a statement about his authority not just as a disciple, but as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other word, it was necessary for Mormon to make his record for the prayers of past prophets to be answered, who prayed that these records would be preserved and that their descendants would have a chance to hear of them and the gospel. (Enos 1:3)

Mormon bears testimony to us of the truthfulness of his record and expresses his concern about the limitations of his written language

At the end of verse 20, Mormon reminds us that we must know the gospel in order to be saved.  Joseph Smith taught this same vital doctrine when he said, "It is impossible for a man to be save in ignorance". (D&C 131:6)

Lehi's descendants are among the "seed of Joseph" referred to in verse 21.  Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, was told that his posterity would "run over the wall", (Genesis 49:22) in other words, that his descendants would cross the ocean.  In verse 22, Mormon ties the descendants of Lehi into the blessings promised to Joseph's posterity.

Mormon prophesies of a great conversion and gathering of the descendants of Joseph, as well as all of the tribes of Israel, at some time in the future. He explains what will happen when people are converted and gathered in.  The most important cause of this "gathering" is that people will know and understand the Savior and His gospel in their own minds and hearts.

Elder Dalli H Oaks explained the meaning and purpose of the gathering, another sign of the times if the gathering of the faithful (D&C 133:4)  In the early years of this last dispensation, a gathering to Zion involved various locations in the United States: to Kirtland, to Missouri, to Nauvoo and to the tops of the Mountains.  Always these were gatherings to prospective temples with the creation of stakes and the construction of temples in most nations with sizable populations of the faithful. The current commandment is not to gather to one place, but to gather in stakes in our own homelands.  There, the faithful can enjoy the full blessings of eternity in a house of the Lord.  There, is their own homelands, they can obey the Lord's command to enlarge the borders of His people and strengthen her stakes (D&C 101:21)

In this way, the stakes of Zion are for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth (D&C 115:6)

Know Your Neighbor ~ January 2014

The Morrow Family

Eric and Keva Morrow have lived in our neighborhood for two years. Before moving to Centerville, they lived in Bloomfield, New Mexico.

Eric grew up in Bloomfield, New Mexico as the oldest of three boys. He is a lead electrician for Helmrich and Payne, which is an international drilling company. He is sent all over the world to do drilling. Right now, he is doing a job in Wyoming and next he will be doing a job in Argentina! Eric enjoys skateboarding, hunting, fishing, archery, four-wheeling…basically anything outdoors.

Keva grew up in North Salt Lake and is the second oldest in her family. She has four sisters and one brother. Keva has worked as a medical assistant, a CNA, and in phlebotomy. She is currently going to school for a degree in Health Care Administration. Keva loves spending time with her children, shopping, and gardening. Last year, her garden produced all the ingredients necessary for homemade salsa, as well as watermelons and pumpkins.

Eric and Keva met through Keva’s father. Basically Keva went on vacation to visit her father in New Mexico and never left. Her dad had a dinner and invited several people, including Eric. After dinner and a game of Yahtzee, they were hooked. They have been married 14 years and have two children.

Gage is 12 and in 6^th grade at Stewart Elementary. He enjoys basketball, videogames, and his iPhone.

Devany is 9 and in 4^th grade at Stewart Elementary. She is in the chess club and choir at school. She loves gymnastics, dance, and baking.

As a family, the Morrow’s like to go camping, travel, bowl, go to movies and play board games. They have three dogs: a Chocolate Lab named Darwin, a Daschund named Zoe, and a Yorkie Poo named Elvis. They also have a rescue cat named Katniss and several saltwater fish.

We are glad to have the Morrow family in our neighborhood.

Book of Mormon Class ~ 3 Nephi Chapter 4

Taught by Sue G.
(click on any scripture to read it)

3 Nephi Chapter 4

As we study chapter 4, we continue with the countdown to the coming of the Lord to the Nephites.  Remember that the Nephites under the direction of their leaders, have now gathered by tens of thousands (3 Nephi 3:22) into one location.  This will prove to be a most difficult problem for the Gadiaton Robbers who are used to living off of wild game as well as the efforts and products of others.

What would have happened if they would have only preserved a 2 year supply as we are asked to today?  The gathering took place in 16 AD and the final victory was between 21 -22 AD, that is between 5 and 6 years.

One of the messages which has been given a number of times already in the Book of Mormon, and one which could be considered to be sensitive and not politically correct, is that the farther people stray from God, the less modest, the more wild and bizarre their fashions, grooming and appearance become. (Enos 1:20) (Alma 3:5)

The Gadianton robbers will think that their appearance has frightened the Nephites into submission. They are mistaken.

Things are going from bad to worse among the Gadianton Robbers, they decide to give up.

Remember that Gidgiddoni was a righteous leader of the Nephite armies. (3 Nephi 3:19) This is important to keep in mind.  Otherwise a person could think that the actions of the Nephite soldiers, in verse 27, were to harsh.  Dangerous times often require no nonsense action .  The laws of self-defense (D&C 98) given by the Lord to His people through their prophets, are no doubt being applied here.

One of the most saving attributes of all, is that of gratitude.  We see a rich out pouring of this character trait in verse 33.

May we all learn the lesson of having GRATITUDE.