Cupcake Visiting Teaching Conference

Our Visiting Teaching Conference this year was based on a Cupcake Recipe. We were inspired by the Camarillo 2nd Ward Blog and their Cupcake Visiting Teaching Conference. We used their idea and just tweaked the message a bit to fit all Sisters. We still did the Cupcake Decorations up big-style. A BIG Thank You to Lynette and Shelli! 

We sang a fun song, "Three Months of Visiting Teaching" (to the tune of, "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean") that included all of the sisters in one part or another. It was a LOT of fun! We are good singers!

The main focus of the Conference were the parts read by Shelli H., Jamie B., Melanie E., May C., Susan L. and Hannah A. that were based on the Cupcake ingredients. A Special Thank You to them for their participation in our Conference! Their parts are shared below....

The Relief Society Room smelled soooo good! Like a delicious Cupcake Bakery! Hmmm! Hmmm! We aren't used to that on Sundays!

CHARITY: Just as the egg is the binding agent in cupcakes, Charity is a binding ingredient in our lives. Charity is the pure love of Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:1-4, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long and is kind, charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself is not puffed up."

President Heber J. Grant said, "There seems to be a power which a woman possesses in shaping the life of others, and this almost without exception....After all it is by love, real genuine love of our fellows, that we accomplish the most. A woman's love seems to be the most perfect and the most sincere, the strongest of any love we know."

FAITH: Just as baking powder is a leavening agent, faith helps us to rise to new heights.

 

Alma 7:24 “And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.”

 

“In visiting teaching we reach out to each other. Hands often speak as voices can’t. A warm embrace conveys volumes. A laugh together unites us. A moment of sharing refreshes our souls. We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift her so she can bear it well” (Church News, 7 Mar. 1992, 5)

PATIENCE:  Every recipe calls for a little salt. Only a little is needed, but if you leave it out, it will ruin the recipe.

D and C 101: 38 “And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.” “One moment of patience may ward off a great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.” An old Chinese Proverb.

 President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "It is my prayer that patience will be a defining characteristic…that we will courageously trust the Lord's promises and His timing; that we will act toward others with the patience and compassion we seek for ourselves; and that we will continue in patience until we are perfected."

PEACE: Just as Peace is sweet so is the Sugar that is needed in our recipe. Sugar represents the sweetness of Peace that we need in our lives.

"If there is righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation there will be peace in the world." Chinese Proverb

President Thomas S. Monson said,   “World peace, though a lofty goal, is but an outgrowth of the personal peace each individual seeks to attain. I refer not to the peace promoted by man, but peace as promised of God. I speak of peace in our homes, peace in our hearts, even peace in our lives. Peace after the way of man is perishable. Peace after the manner of God will prevail.”

 SERVICE: Often we shed tears as we sacrifice and serve. Just as our tears are water, we need water in our recipe to moisten our batter allowing the other ingredients, like baking soda, to work. 

Proverbs 31: "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies...She...worketh willingly with her hands...She riseth also while it is yet night,and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor....Strength and honor are her clothing...She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit."

(Sorry. It's blurry. I must have been excited by the Cupcakes.)

HUMILITY is an essential ingredient, just as the flour is essential for our recipe to be a success.  Jesus Christ, the staff of life, is the perfect example of humility. He came to serve, not to be served and He did serve-God first, others second and Himself last. 

D and C 12:8- “And no one can assist in this work except (she) shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to (her) care.”

President Thomas S. Monson said, “As we go about our daily lives, we discover countless opportunities to follow the example of the Savior. When our hearts are in tune with His teachings, we discover the unmistakable nearness of His divine help. It is almost as though we are on the Lord’s errand; and we then discover that, when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help.” 


We ended with singing OUR version of, "As Sisters in Zion", by Janice Kapp Perry and arranged by Lynne Perry Christofferson. It is the one that we sang in the closing session of the Stake Women's Conference  last month. It is such a beautiful arrangement. We are spectacular together!


The Fun, Crazy Song...

THREE MONTHS OF VISITING TEACHING

(Tune: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”)

Everyone sings the Bold part

My husband is sick with pneumonia.

My children have measles, you see.

The dog’s throwing up in the kitchen.

Oh please send my V.T.’s to me!

Please send, please send, Oh please send my V.T.’s to me, to me.

OH PLEASE! Send Oh please send my Visiting Teacher to me.

Oh Sister I’m sorry to hear this.

If only my time were just mine.

But look how the sun it is shining,

I have to hang clothes on the line.

Sorry, sorry,

I’m sorry we can’t come today. today.

Sorry, sorry,

I’m sorry we can’t come today.

This broken leg’s getting so pesky,

I can’t do my work, you can see.

I’d call up somebody to help me, but my telephone’s lost in debris.

Please send, please send, Oh please send my V.T.’s to me, to me,

OH PLEASE! Send Oh please send my Visiting Teacher to me.

Oh mercy, you have quite a problem,

But I really don’t know what to do.

I fear that I have an appointment,

And my hairdresser, she needs me too.

Sorry, sorry,

I’m sorry we can’t come today, today.

Sorry, sorry,

I’m sorry we can’t come today.

My husband is not here – he’s working.

My kids are at school all the day.

So here I sit, sad and lonely,

And this is when you’ll hear me pray:

Please send, please send, Oh please send my V.T.’s to me, to me,

OH PLEASE! Send oh please send my Visiting Teacher to me.

Dear sister, we know how you’re feeling.

Our sympathy, we’ll give you some.

Our hearts are just filled to o’erflowing,

But that doesn’t mean we will come.

Sorry, sorry,

I’m sorry we can’t come today, today.                                                  

Sorry, sorry,

                                                                            I’m sorry we can’t come today.                                                                                                                                     

Whenever your sisters have problems,                 

And turn with those problems to you;                   

Be ready and willing and able      

To do all you can possible do!

Gladly, gladly, YES!

Gladly we WILL come today, today.

Gladly, gladly, YES!

Gladly we WILL come today, today.

October Visiting Teaching Message

The October 2010  Ensign is a special issue focusing entirely on temples. The issue will not contain a specific First Presidency Message or Visiting Teaching Message. Visiting Teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the contents of this special issue.

September Visiting Teaching Message

Our Responsibility to Nurture the Rising Generation
Ensign, September 2010

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

From the Scriptures: Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Enos 1:1; Alma 53:20–21; 56:47; 57:27
Without nurturing, our rising generation could be in danger of becoming like the one described in Mosiah 26. Many youth didn't believe the traditions of their fathers and became a separate people as to their faith, remaining so ever after. Our rising generation could likewise be led away if they don't understand their part in Heavenly Father's plan.
So what is it that will keep the rising generation safe? In the Church, we teach saving principles, and those principles are family principles, the principles that will help the rising generation to form a family, teach that family, and prepare that family for ordinances and covenants—and then the next generation will teach the next and so on.
As parents, leaders, and Church members, we are preparing this generation for the blessings of Abraham, for the temple. We have the responsibility to be very clear on key points of doctrine found in the proclamation on the family. Motherhood and fatherhood are eternal roles and responsibilities. Each of us carries the responsibility for either the male or the female half of the plan.
We can teach this doctrine in any setting. We must speak respectfully of marriage and family. And from our example, the rising generation can gain great hope and understanding—not just from the words we speak but from the way we feel and emanate the spirit of family.
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

From Our History
Addressing the sisters at the general Relief Society meeting on September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "The world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. Shrill voices call out for one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior."¹ President Hinckley then went on to introduce to the sisters, the Church, and ultimately people everywhere "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."
In subsequent years this prophetic document has been translated into many languages and distributed to world leaders. It asks citizens and government leaders "to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."²
The proclamation has become the foundation for Latter-day Saint beliefs about the family, a statement to which we can hold fast and know that by living its precepts, we are strengthening our families and homes.

What Can I Do?

1. How can I help my sisters use "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to nurture the rising generation? You might consider sharing a copy of the proclamation and helping your sisters identify and mark those passages that would best teach key doctrines.
   
2. How can I nurture the rising generation? You might consider reaching out to members of your ward, branch, family, or community who could benefit from your attention and love.

For more information, go to www.reliefsociety.lds.org.

Notes
1. Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 99.
2. See "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.

August Visiting Teaching Message

Our Responsibility to Be Worthy of Temple Worship

From the Scriptures

Isaiah 2:2–3; D&C 109:22–23; 110:8–10

"The covenants we make with the associated ordinances we receive in the temple become our credentials for admission into God's presence. These covenants elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective. We make covenants to show our devotion to build up the kingdom. We become covenant people as we are placed under covenant to God. All the promised blessings are ours through our faithfulness to these covenants. . . . "

"What can the women of the Church do to claim the blessings of the temple?

"Through His prophets, the Lord invites those who have not yet received the blessings of the temple to do whatever may be necessary to qualify to receive them. He invites those who have already received these blessings to return as often as possible to enjoy again the experience, to increase their vision and understanding of His eternal plan."

"Let us be worthy to have a current temple recommend. Let us go to the temple to seal our families eternally. Let us return to the temple as often as our circumstances will permit. Let us give our kindred dead the opportunity to receive the ordinances of exaltation. Let us enjoy the spiritual strength and the revelation we receive as we attend the temple regularly. Let us be faithful and make and keep temple covenants to receive the full blessings of the Atonement." Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.  "Holy Temples, Sacred Covenants," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 113, 114.

From Our History

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) taught that Relief Society grew out of sisters' desire to worship in temples:

"During the construction of the Kirtland Temple the women were called upon to grind their china into small particles to be mixed with the plaster used on the walls of the temple, which would catch the light of the sun and the moon and reflect that light to beautify the appearance of the building."

"In those times, when there was very little of money but an abundance of faith, the workmen gave of their strength and resources to the construction of the Lord's house. The women supplied them with food, the best they could prepare. Edward W. Tullidge reported that while the women were sewing the temple veils, Joseph Smith, observing them, said, 'Well, sisters, you are always on hand. The sisters are always first and foremost in all good works. (My emphasis) Mary was first at the resurrection; and the sisters now are the first to work on the inside of the temple.' . . "

"Again in Nauvoo, when the temple was under construction, a few women joined together to make shirts for the workmen. It was out of these circumstances that twenty of them gathered on Thursday, 17 March 1842, in the upper room of the Prophet's store."Gordon B. Hinckley, " 'Ambitious to Do Good'," Ensign, Mar. 1992, 2.

What Can I Do?

1. What support can I offer to help my sisters prepare for and attend the temple?
2. How can I exemplify the heritage of the early sisters who sacrificed to receive temple blessings?
3. How can I claim the blessings of the temple?

June Visiting Teaching Message

We Renew Our Baptismal Covenants through the Sacrament

“When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life. …

“Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.” “The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 8; Ensign, Nov. 2008, 8.
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

 
“I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, ‘I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice. …
“… It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them.”“Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 110–11. Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.