Living What We Believe

Relief Society Lesson on January 8th

A special thank you goes to Sister Shelly Rigby for her time and efforts to teach us from “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith” #2. It was very inspiring to see the love George A. Smith had for his neighbors and everyone.

OUR RELIGION MUST FIND EXPRESSION

When George Albert Smith was 34 years old he made a list of resolutions that became his personal creed. Brother Bryant S. Hinckley wrote of George Albert Smith: “His religion is not doctrine in cold storage. It is not theory. It means more to him than a beautiful plan to be admired. It is more than a philosophy of life.... His religion must find expression in deeds. It must carry

over into the details of daily life.”

What resolutions do we live in our lives?

What "new resolutions" would we add to our lives?

Shelly then led us in a discussion about what it means to live our religion. How can we show that we live our religion?

• • • •

Look for the good in others and celebrate and "gossip" about the good things people do. Make sure that we live our religion in the small things--especially for our children to see.

Keep the "Armor of God" on even though we live in a predominately LDS community. Keep trying and help each other.

From the Relief Society History Daughters in My Kingdom, Shelly quoted Sister Julie B. Beck: “Through Relief Society we practice being disciples of Christ. We learn what He would have us learn, we do what He would have us do, and we become what He would have us become.”

Ask yourself--Think of someone you know who has a strong testimony of the gospel. How does that person's life give evidence of his or her testimony? What can you do to give evidence of your testimony?

George Albert Smith: "Now let us examine ourselves. Are we doing as much as we should? And if we are not, let us turn around and do better. If we are doing as we should, if we are reaching out in all directions to do good to the children of our Father, then we will bring to ourselves the blessing of an all wise Father, and we will rejoice in the good that we accomplish here.

In the Spotlight

Kimber Dameron and her family are new members of the Ward. Kimber feels that her most important work is that of a wife and a mother. Kimber also works as a Paramedic, with the Rexburg Fire Department and teaching at BYU-Idaho. She also works as a flight paramedic in Idaho Falls. In her work Kimber has seen many people go through all types of trials. She has seen people in the many different stages of grief. And during times of crisis, Kimber has watched as people let all the unimportant things melt away from their minds as they realize that what is important is their family and their faith. In D&C 24:8 we are reminded “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.”

Kimber has learned that she needs to prepare herself spiritually before going to work. She will do this by praying, reading scriptures and by listening to podcasts of programs from the Mormon Channel. Kimber testifies that with preparation, staying close to the Lord and doing our part, we can receive help in our trials.

(By Deanna Pooley)

In Relief Society this week. . .

(A summary of the lesson, discussion, and comments each week)

On January 1^st the Relief Society lesson was taught by four different sisters. Because we all have different experiences, each one of us can share and teach from lessons we have learned.

Konda Fullmer is currently serving in a Stake Relief Society Presidency of a College Single’s Stake. Konda has been impressed with the faith and dedication that is shown by these young student Relief Society sisters in

their service. Konda has seen the hand of the Lord directing the Gospel in the lives of these students. Relief Society builds sisterhood in our lives that we all need. Konda also testified that the Lord helps her as she strives to do her best in her calling and believes, “Who the Lord calls, he qualifies.” Through prayer and inspiration, Konda has received help in her calling to serve with these students.

Janice Call taught us about what she has learned through health challenges. With eight different points, Janice helped us to understand what we can do to work through difficult times.

1. The Lord will have a humble people. We need to learn to be humble so that we are teachable. Ether 12:7 reads—“if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

2. With health issues, you will grieve. You need to move through the grieving process steps such as denial, anger and resentment—to be able to move on.

3. Saying, “if only,” doesn’t work. Don’t do “if only”—it doesn’t help.

4. The Lord still words through imperfect people. We will learn from our experiences.

5. Learn to live with pain and suffering. It will make saints out of us. Pain and suffering can be a great teacher.

6. Don’t compare our efforts with those of others. Work according to our own powers. As President Utchdorf said in September 2011, “we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.”

7. God knows exactly what He is doing.

8. Remember, I can choose my attitude. Live positively in a negative world. Endure to the end—positively.

Remember “I can do all things through Christ” and Elder Bednar’s counsel about the Enabling Power of the Atonement. Pray for help in carrying the load. Change the focus of our hope—focus on the Savior and his promises (Moroni 7:41). Elder Holland—“God never leaves us alone.”

Lark Luke and Peggy Rogers taught us about their work in the Temple. They work with the name cards that record the ordinances done in the Temple. Lark and Peggy have the responsibility to make sure that the ordinances are recorded properly. They also are two witnesses to the work being done. As witnesses they continually watch for any errors that might occur. Lark and Peggy are responsible to train any student workers that come and they can also be called upon to be “runners” to collect records that are completed. Lark and Peggy love the work that they do with the records in the Temple.