Relief Society Lesson

We had a wonderful RS lesson today, "Open Your Soul to the Lord in Prayer", taught by Jann D.. I was very impressed with several of the quotes, so I am posting them for you. R

"Prayer is one of the most precious gifts of God to man. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to talk with Him as we would our own Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, "Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private." Elder Richard G. Scott

Alma 34: 26 and 27

26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

"When I hear "pour out your soul", I think of "emptying" ourselves before God, opening ourselves. I think we all have "secret places" in our souls- hidden fears, shame, scars and pain. We might put on a brave face in public, but "in the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see". (From the Hymn, "Lord, I Would Follow Thee") I wonder if God is asking us to meet him there, in that secret place in our soul, in our own private wilderness. I wonder if he is asking us to trust him with ourselves." (Isn't that good? Maybe, even GREAT? R)

"Seldom will you receive a complete response (to prayer) all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grown in capacity. As each piece is followed in faith, you will be led to other portions until you have the whole answer. That pattern requires you to exercise faith in our Father' capacity to respond. While sometimes it's very hard, it results in significant personal growth." Elder Richard G. Scott

Wendy's Relief Society Challenge

Last week Wendy R. taught a wonderful Relief Society lesson on Missionary Work.  At the end of the lesson, she challenged us to have 3 "missionary type" experiences this week.  Experiences could be:  

• Preparing to answer church related questions (by reading the "preach my gospel" manual)
• Bearing your testimony to your children or family of what you know to be true
• Inviting a friend, neighbor, acquaintance to FHE, or RS get-together
• Give a copy of Book of Mormon away
• Have a gospel related conversation
• Etc., etc., etc.  

There are so many ways to share your love of the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let us all strive to be more like the Apostle Paul and "catch" the sharing spirit because the gospel is "contagious"!  


So, how are you doing on The Challenge? Let's give it an honest try!

Work and Personal Responsibility

A quote by F. David Stanley from our Relief Society lesson on work taught by Jann D.:

"Hard work is a blessing of God. It involves going after it "with all your heart, might, mind and strength". That alone is the difference between the average and the excellent."

"Great athletes are hard workers. Point, rebounds, assists, tackles, goals and home runs areall the result of long hours of painstaking practice and hard work. The bulk of that practice will always be on your own, away from the coach. Victory is brought to pass by one's personal diligence and commitment to hard work. The view of a champion and the glory that surrounds him, must never be overshadowed by the long process of becoming one.  There is a time of preparation and a time of victory. The second mile of hard work is what makes the difference between the exhilaration of achievement and the acceptance of mediocrity."