"Would you sell your soul for a nickel?"

Lesson taught by: Jeanine M.

Elder Robert C. Gay tells a story of going to the movies with his allowance, buying a ticket for 25 cents and having enough money to also buy 5 candy bars.  After he turned 12, the price of the ticket went up. He decided he looked the same as he did when he was eleven so he paid for a 25 cent ticket and still had enough for his usual amount of candy bars.  After arriving home, instead of his father being pleased with him, he posed the question,

“Would you sell your soul for a nickel?”

This question is very similar to the one Christ asked his disciples shortly after they were asked to take up the cross and follow him. He asks them, 

“what shall a man give in exchange for 

his soul?"

As we recall the events leading up to His crucifixion, the disciples deny Him and Judas Iscariot even betrays Him.

How many of us claim to love the Savior and have a testimony that He is our Redeemer and yet we compromise and justify our actions.  Elder Gay said, “As we consider the nickel...exchanges in our lives, we can either self-justify our actions, like Cain, or look to submit to the will of God.”

King Lamoni’s father was taught by Aaron and was willing to forsake all he had so he could taste of the joy and hope of the atonement.  It is sweet to feel the connection to heaven and receive this healing power.

President Eyring spoke about the times when we feel disconnected to God.  He said, “God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make Him see distant and inaccessible.  Our own desires, rather than a feeling of “Thy will be done,” create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God.”

What are the things in our lives that create pavilions? Like the extra candy bars at the movies, are they worth hanging onto in exchange for our souls?

We can rid ourselves of pavilions blocking us from God by having faith that the atonement is real and that God is truly there.  We can have a desire to know and do His will.  

Patience is closely tied to having faith.  Having faith in God’s timetable as well as his plan for us requires patience and humility to accept His will.

Book of Mormon / Alma 53

Taught by Sue G.

Moroni took command of the city of Mulek then in turn gave it unto Lehi for both commanders were to each other as counter parts.  

Lehi was one of his most trusted and efficient lieutenants.  It was the same Lehi who was with Moroni in the Battle of Riplah and also he whom Moroni had made Chief Captain of the Nephite forces at the City of Noah. (Alma 49:17) 

Lehi was a man like Moroni and they rejoiced in each others safetly.  They were beloved by each other and also beloved by all the people of Nephi.  Their love for the Lord was expressed in the greatest degree by the service they rendered to their fellow men.  They loved liberty, the land in which they lived and their wives and children. 

External trials such as the Nephites endured can sometimes point to internal needs.  

Hugh Nibley said, "So it was a blessing to the Nephites after all to have the Lamanites on their doorstep to stir them up to remembrance - Happy is the man whom God correct-eth."  No matter how wicked and ferocious and depraved the Lamanites might be, (and they were that) no matter by how much they outnumbered the Nephites, darkly closing in on all sides, no matter how insidiously they spied and intrigued and infiltrated and hatched their diabolical plots and breathed their bloody threats and pushed their formidable preparations for all out war, they were not the Nephite's problem.  They were merely kept there to remind the Nephites of their real problem, which was to walk uprightly before the Lord.

From these dangerous circumstances we are introduced to the Stripling warriors.  The stripling warriors were Lamanites by birth; the children of those converted by the missionary Ammon who had buried their weapons of war and taken an oath not to fight for their protection.  These Lamanite converts were invited to live with the Nephites.  These converts had many sons who had not taken the oath and they were willing to help the Nephites. 

These 2,000 very young men, just passing from boyhood to manhood, are often referred as the sons of Helaman.  

Helaman is the eldest son of Alma - keeper of sacred records, high priest and military leader. He is perhaps best known for his tender command of these young warriors.

Helaman is shown to be an adept spiritual and military leader like Moroni.  He boldly declared his faith, led a large army, fought for the liberties of the people and used strategy to reclaim Nephite lands and cities - preferably without the shedding of blood.

April Calendar

Announcing.......

• Two new babies born in March:

           Congratulations to Katie P. on her new baby boy named River!   

Born March 10th

           Congratulations to Cassie S. on her new baby boy named Colin!  

Born March 18th

• Our upcoming Relief Society Activity is going to be so great!

We are having a "Secret Garden" where we will learn some great "secrets" about each other.  We would like you to share a secret or short story about one of your ancestors. It can be as simple as, my great grandfather migrated from Scottland to as crazy as, my ansestor was tried and hung as a witch. 

It will be fun to hear and try to guess who's story belongs to who!

You can get us your story by: writing it on the pink paper's handed out at Church, email it to willowwoodwardrs@yahoo.com, or simply write it down on a piece of paper and give it to a member of the Relief Society Presidency.  *You can get the presidency's info on the "contact us" tab on the right side of the blog.

Whats in your "Secret Garden"??

Yeah!! The date is set.......

Women's Retreat at 

Terry's cabin this summer.

on 

August 2nd & 3rd.

 

Set your schedule now so you will be able to attend. 

All those who were able to come last year have already expressed excitement about getting to go again. For those of you who were unable to go, we hope you will be able to join us this year! It was the best time ever!!!

ApRil: 

Saturday & Sunday, 6th-7th:   General Conference

Monday, 8th:   *Empty Nester FHE

                         @ Karen Evans home

                         7:00pm *We will be discussing Conference

Tuesday's:         Book of Mormon Class  

                        @ Sue G's

                         7:30pm     

Thursday, 11th:  *Pinterest Craft Group 9-11am

                           Sue Green in charge
                           contact Sydney Garner @801-597-0431 for
                           info

Thursday, 18th:    "Secret Garden RS Activity"

                              What's in your secret garden?  

Don't Forget***MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AUGUST 2ND & 3RD!!!

For the RS overnighter  

"Project Joy" at Terry's Cabin!!!

YIPEE!!!!!!!