Visiting Teaching: If We Do Not Doubt

October's Visiting Teaching Message:

If We Do Not Doubt

"Challenging times cry out for strong parents and examples who teach the truth that Helaman’s warriors knew: “If they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47). Teaching and exemplifying this truth today requires vigilance. However, we need not fear. When we know who we are and who God is and we have made covenants with Him, we—like these mothers of warriors—will have great influence for good."

- Julie B Beck

Click here to read the entire message and other related articles.

You can also listen to a Mormon Channel program expounding on the principles of the message:

Relief Society: Episode 11 - October - The Book of Mormon and Our Personal Testimonies

Sunday Lesson: Gathering of the House of Israel

Lesson 42: The Gathering of the House of Israel

“The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. People can be ‘brought to the knowledge of the Lord’ [3 Nephi 20:13] without leaving their homelands. True, in the early days of the Church, conversion often meant emigration as well. But now the gathering takes place in each nation. … The place of gathering for Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; the place of gathering for Nigerian Saints is in Nigeria; the place of gathering for Korean Saints is in Korea; and so forth. Zion is ‘the pure in heart.’ [D&C 97:21.] Zion is wherever righteous Saints are”

-Elder Russell M. Nelson

Watch the General Relief Society Meeting

The General Relief Society Meeting will be broadcast to the Stake Center tonight at 6:00pm.

You may also watch online by clicking on this link.

Visiting Teaching: Strengthening Families

September's Visiting Teaching Message:

Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality

"There has grown in me an overwhelming testimony of the value of daughters of God ... I have felt that there has never been a greater need for increased faith and personal righteousness."

- Julie B. Beck

Click here to read or print the entire message.

You can also listen to a Mormon Channel program expounding on the principles of the message:

Relief Society: Episode 18 - September - Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality

Sunday Lesson: Temple Work and Family History

You never know what you may find when researching your family history ...

Sister Tami Nielson gave a beautiful lesson on

Lesson 40: Temple Work and Family History.

We talked about:

the sealing power

the importance of finding our ancestors and performing their work

how to find our ancestors

the blessings of participating in family history and temple work

"All temple ordinances are performed by the power of the priesthood. Through this power, ordinances performed on earth are sealed, or bound, in heaven. The Savior taught his apostles, 'Whatsoever thou shalt bound on earth shall be bound in heaven.' (Matthew 16:19)"

-Gospel Principles Manual

Some ideas shared for those starting out:

Complete a 4-generation chart

Collect items you may have at home such as birth certificates, journals, etc.

Talk to Sister Markham or Brother Davis

Try out the Family Search website

What if "all your genealogy has been done?"

Make sure the information on the Family Search website is correct

Start collecting personal histories and photos for your posterity

Help someone else with their family history

Continue to serve in the temple

Work on extended family lines (siblings, other spouses, etc)

For Additional Study:

"Getting Started" Webpage

Who Can Help Me?

Blessings

Family History Game for Children

Free Online Classes

Care Packages

No, we didn't get our holidays mixed up!

As you may have heard, the Relief Society is collecting items for care packages to send to missionaries and members of the military.

The theme of this service project is

"THANKING THOSE WHO SERVE"

Look for the display on Sunday!

The last day to bring items will be October 1st.

Some ideas for items to bring include:

notes of encouragement

drink mix (powerade or hot cocoa type)

hymns on cd

candy, nuts, pretzels

mints

chapstick

pens, small notepads

stickers

please, no chocolate or home baked goods!

September Birthdays

02 - Tana Conde

05 - Michele Jones

05 - Carol Koelliker

08 - Kandise Forsberg

08 - Ruth Ann Schulz

12 - Carrie Watters

12 - Lorraine Watkins

15 - Ximena Freeland

23 - Tiffany Crawford

25 - LaRinda Hills

27 - Maija-Liisa DeBirk

29 - Mindy Fowler

*Make sure to wish these sisters a Happy Birthday if you see them!*

Sunday Lesson: Generations of Testimony

On Sunday, R.S. President Mary Norwood gave a beautiful lesson on having a testimony of the Book of Mormon. She taught about what a testimony is and the blessings of gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Sisters from the ward shared how they gained their testimonies.

The introduction to the Book of Mormon states: "Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”'

For further study:

Mormon.org Book of Mormon Page

A Testimony of the Book of Mormon - Russell M. Nelson

A Living Testimony - Henry B. Eyring

Pure Testimony - M. Russell Ballard

Sunday Lesson: Temples

"Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort."

-President Thomas S. Monson-

We had a beautiful lesson on Sunday on the talk: The Holy Temple - A Beacon to the World by President Monson from this year's April Conference. You can read, listen to, or watch this message by clicking on the link above.

Below is a short video on the Blessings of the Temple

Visiting Teaching Conference

COUNT THE CARING

VISITING TEACHING CONFERENCE

May 26, 2011

7:00 pm

All are invited to join us for an evening of sisterhood

We are meeting in the chapel, so Sunday dress is appropriate

Refreshments in the cultural hall to follow

Girl's Night In

GIRL'S NIGHT IN

Come tonight (Thursday May 5) for a good time with the girls.

7pm at Sarah Seamon's house.

Bring any unfinished craft projects or just come and have fun!

Activities Week of March 20-26

There are several things to be aware of this week:

Thursday - Provident Living Group

Meet at the church at 7pm

Topic: Healthy Living, Physically and Emotionally

Friday - Ward Temple Night

Meet at the church at 6:15 or meet at the temple for the 7pm session

Saturday - Scouting for Food

Place your bag of non-perishable food items outside your front door for pickup beginning 9am

Birthdays March 1 - 6

We Would Like to Wish a Very Happy Birthday to:

Misty Silva - 3

Robyn Oler - 4

Mary Wright - 4

Vonda Eagle Horse - 5

Kristina Halstead - 6

Girl's Night In March

Thursday, March 3rd @ 7pm

Come and join the craft group for a night of crafting!

Bring your own project to work on

OR

Learn how to knit or crochet

(Please bring your own hooks or knitting needles)

Meet at Sara Schultz’s house,

2655 South 800 East

Light snack will be provided

RS Lesson - Feb 27

We invite you to watch, read or listen to this general conference talk by Elder Christofferson, in preparation for our Sunday RS Lesson.

"To consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny." - Elder Christofferson

Provident Living Group - February

On Feb 17 the Provident Living Group met at the church.

Kari led a great discussion. We talked about how provident living starts in our own lives. As we develop self-reliance, including developing our talents and confidence, we are then able to bless our families. When we have strong, self-reliant families we can then reach out to those in our wards and communities. We will feel joy and find our testimonies and character strengthened as we serve those around us.

We can develop emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical self-reliance. We will all be at different levels in these areas, and our ability to be self reliant will change as our circumstances change. But as we prepare and strive to do our best, Father in Heaven will bless us with the help we need.

We invite you to visit the church's Provident Living website to learn more!