Quote of the week
"With great love
and admiration for the many disciples of Jesus Christ who are not members of
this Church, we humbly declare that angels have returned to the earth in our
day. The Church of Jesus Christ as He established it anciently has been
restored, with the power, ordinances, and blessings of heaven. The Book of
Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ."
—Neil L. Andersen, "What Thinks Christ of Me?"
Random Fact: 20 years
ago today Apr 25, 1993, President Hinckley dedicated the San Diego Temple.
LESSON REVIEWS AND
PREVIEWS
12 and 13 Year Old
Class
Review
We discussed how we can
recognize the difference between truth and
error, especially now when much of the world has wavering values and
views on what is acceptable or true. We discussed that truth and error
can be recognized by studying the scriptures, praying, and being
attentive to the influence of the Holy Ghost. We watched a video about
Wilford Woodruff and his search to find gospel truths and Christ's
true church. We discussed that there are still many people searching
for truth like Pres. woodruff was, and that we can help lead them to
the truth.
error, especially now when much of the world has wavering values and
views on what is acceptable or true. We discussed that truth and error
can be recognized by studying the scriptures, praying, and being
attentive to the influence of the Holy Ghost. We watched a video about
Wilford Woodruff and his search to find gospel truths and Christ's
true church. We discussed that there are still many people searching
for truth like Pres. woodruff was, and that we can help lead them to
the truth.
The youth were invited to
remember the principles we
discussed throughout their lives and as they are faced with situations
when it might be difficult to recognize the truth.
discussed throughout their lives and as they are faced with situations
when it might be difficult to recognize the truth.
Preview
" How can I liken the
events of the Apostasy and the Restoration to my Life"
To liken the scriptures
means to see how scriptural events and circumstances are like the events and
circumstances in our lives. Even though the events of the Apostasy and the
Restoration occurred long ago, we can find ways to learn from these events and
relate them to us today.
15 – 16 year old class
Review
The past two weeks have
been focused on understanding the apostasy and the causes of how active members
can slip into personal apostasy. These are never big life changes, but
subtle and coerced decisions to place distance between yourself and the Lord.
We shared two stories to
stand as examples. The first is from the story of "The Smile Behind
the Devil's Eyes." In this story an FBI officer is investigating a
drug house and sees the evidence needed upon entry. His guard is down as
he goes past the first occupant because of the smiling face. He turns in
time to disarm this first man and save both his life and his partner.
Upon reflection, he realized he had been tricked into a calm because he
wasn't met with a direct challenge. Satan will use these tricks to make
his presence in our life greater.
The second story was about
snakes attacking birds and the family realizing that what they had done to
prepare while adequate for most known dangers at their home, were not enough to
fully protect them and their property. Satan will come to our homes to
try and make his way in little by little. We must be prepared for those
big challenges and careful of the more subtle risks we face.
We discussed the dangers
of peer pressure and the ways things we know are wrong become packaged into a
more attractive package that we will be tempted with. Class members
likened their challenges to those from the story. We not only
need to control our outer self but be cautious of who is let in to our inner
circles.
Personal apostasy comes in
a variety of forms. We know this generation is
truly challenged to a level we have never seen and cannot fully
comprehend. It is our role to help them prepare for the day when they are
faced directly with the challenge to choose the right.
Preview
This
week for the 14-15 year olds we will be learning about "Why is it
important to teach pure doctrine?"
We will cover why it
is important to teach doctrine that we know and feel in our hearts through the
spirit to be true. It was prophesied that there will be false teachings
by false prophets. We must learn and teach with the spirit and with the
scriptures.
Challenge:
Re-memorize an article
of faith. This will help us remember the truths of the gospel and what we
believe in.
16-18 year old class
Review
Outline: "What
does Joseph Smith's example teach me about learning the Gospel?"
We discussed
experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith, especially relating to the First
Vision, and class members shared related personal experiences. We also
discussed what his example teaches us about how to learn truth (especially
gospel truths) and how his experiences apply to them in their life.
The
invitation/challenge was extended to take some time after church to remember
and think about experiences experiences when they have wanted to know or feel
something like Joseph Smith did and their experiences with having their prayers
answered. Class members were also challenged to apply something
they've learned from Joseph Smith's example of studying and learning
truth in their scripture study this week.
Preview
Lesson preview: How
can I liken the events of the apostasy and restoration to my life?
We will compare the great apostasy to a personal apostasy, and we will discuss the importance of likening the scriptures to our own lives.
Gospel Doctrine
Review
Lesson 14 "The
Law of Consecration"
We talked a lot this
week about the purposes of the law of consecration. We found that dedicating
our time, talents and possessions to the work of the Lord isn't as far out of
reach as we might of thought. Our everyday actions is a way to live the law of
consecration. Accept the callings that are extended to you. Lord knows you and
He has asked you to accept the call.
Challenge: Find ways in which you can more fully live the law of
consecration in your home. It is very easy to see how to do it for the ward,
but not always what you do in your home. Look around and see what you are
doing well and how you might more fully commit to dedicate your time, talents
and all that you posses to the work of the Lord there.
Preview
Lesson 15: “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”
Reading assignment: Doctrine and
Covenants 46; Articles of
Faith 1:7; 1 Corinthians
12–13;Moroni
10:8–18; Our Heritage, pages 42–43,47–48, 63.
Gifts of the Spirit are spiritual blessings or abilities
that are given through the Holy Ghost. These
gifts were taken from the earth during the Great Apostasy, but God restored
them in the early days of this dispensation. God gives at least one of these
gifts to every faithful member of His Church who has received the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Which spiritual gifts are listed in D&C
46:13–25? What are some purposes of the gifts of the Spirit? (See D&C
46:8–9, 11–12, 26.)
What can you do to seek gifts of the Spirit? (See D&C
46:7, 9, 30–33.)
How can a patriarchal blessing help us in understanding what
blessings or gifts the Lord may have given us or may yet give to us?
Scripture Chain: Gifts of the Spirit
