The blessings of serving in the church.....

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

About a month ago, there was an enrichment meeting in our ward that featured sisters who are presently serving outside our ward.  Our ward is pretty big and there are 35 people who serve in other wards.  Some are at the two senior care centers that are in our stake boundaries and some serve in various ways in YSA wards and some even serve at the Provo Canyon Boys school.  I was really inspired to hear all the great things they are doing.  This was really good for me to hear, because I have to admit, I have felt a little resentful at times that so many of my good friends in the ward don't attend because of these other assignments, especially because now that I work full-time, I don't see a lot of these ladies at other times than at church.  So it was great to see all the good that is coming from their service.

But then that got me thinking.  You could also have a group of sisters (or men too) that are serving in our ward in different capacities and you would hear the same inspiration coming from them.  I love working in the Young Women and see great things happening and get to be involved in awesome experiences and activities going on there.  The same could be said for nursery, scouting, Primary, Sunday School, etc.  There are marvelous works and wonders going on in the church everywhere.  

(Are there also a lot of problems and conflicts?  Yes, but this is not the purpose of this blog.  Christ organizes His church through His people, who are all mortal and not perfect.)

Then I started thinking about the many opportunities I have been given to serve in the church.  There is a line from my patriarchal blessing that has helped me a lot and I think could apply to everyone.  It says that I will be blessed as I do those things I am called to do by those presiding over me.  And that as I do so, I will find, discover and develop talents and creative powers and skills.  This is true.  We are a practicing church.  We learn by doing.  We learn on each other's time.  I find that when I put my heart into whatever calling I am given, I learn to love those I serve and I do gain skills that help me in my own life, but also in helping to build God's kingdom on earth.  It is amazing to be part of something so amazing.  There is a place for each of us. 

When I think of some of the callings I have had in the church, it is incredible to think of the many and varied opportunities I have been involved with:

Primary teacher, president, counselor, chorister
Webelos leader
Young Women counselor, secretary, camp director, camp cook, advisor, youth leader such as Beehive President, Mia Maid President, Laurel President, youth conference committee member
Activities: plan and carry out ward parties
Relief Society president, counselor, teacher, chorister, homemaking committee, food chairman
Seminary council
Full-time missionary and refugee camp volunteer
Visiting teaching

Beyond these, there are many opportunities to help clean the church, help with funeral luncheons, give presentations on various topics in Relief Society or other organizations, substitute in Primary and Sunday school, give talks, sing in the ward choir.  The list can go on and on.

Some of the blessings associated with serving in the church:

• Learning talents, skills, knowledge.
• Gain self-esteem.
• Learn to love others and lose yourself in service.
• Establish friendships and relationships with those you serve and serve with.
• Gain a testimony of different areas/aspects of the Gospel or church organization.

For me, serving in the church has strengthened my marriage.  When Kevin and I were first married, we introduced ourselves to the bishop and let him know we were ready and willing to be put to work.  And our marriage has been blessed by our being willing to do whatever was asked of us.  We have always tried to support each other in the calling they have.  By doing this, it has helped us keep each other strong, committed, and focused on what is important in life.

But wait, there's more!.....


In the most recent general conference (April 2018)  Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson gave this address: Young Women in the Work

In it, she says this:
I lived in a small branch of the Church during a good part of my teen years, and I was often asked to fulfill assignments and callings that would normally have been done by adults. For example, those of us in the youth program often took the lead in helping organize and run our activities and special events. We wrote plays, formed a singing group to entertain at branch activities, and were full participants in every meeting. I was called to be the branch music leader and led the singing in sacrament meeting each week. It was a great experience as a 16-year-old to stand in front of everyone in the branch each Sunday and lead them in singing the hymns. I felt needed and knew I had something to contribute. People depended on me to be there, and I loved feeling useful. That experience helped build my testimony of Jesus Christ and it anchored my life in gospel service.


This statement is true for me, too.  I was serving in church callings, particularly Primary from the time I was 13 or 14.  Back when Primary was during the week, I helped with the children before Primary started and I was the junior primary chorister when I was still in junior high, and I think I did that for a few years.  I taught Primary and loved it!  I can remember my sister Karen and I teaching a Primary class together.  



Now that I am in my late fifty's, that means that I have been serving in the church for well over 40 years!  Wow!  It starts to add up.   And I realize that this early church service and feeling needed has helped to solidify my testimony and commitment to the church/gospel.  My life isn't over yet, but when I think about this, it has helped me to realize that serving really has saved me.  Have I loved every calling I have had?  Almost.  But even things I thought I wouldn't like to do have turned into some of my favorite callings.  I have learned how to do a lot by observing others as they serve in their callings.


And this, my friends, is my testimony of serving in the church.

  

Pondering President Monson....

So, President Thomas S. Monson passed away on Jan. 2, 2018 at the age of 90.  Since then, there has been a lot of sharing on social media and other places of favorite talks, quotes, stories, experiences he has shared.  I have loved hearing all these.  It gives me a renewed sense of awe and respect for this good man who, following the example of Jesus, "went about doing good."  I just can't get over how he literally wore out his life in the service of others.  In his memory, I want to put a few quotes and stories on this post.

I definitely "Thank Thee O God For A Prophet"!!  Feeling so blessed to live at a time in the history of the earth when prophets walk the earth and help us find out way back to God.  Though they are not perfect, it is amazing what God can make of them.

"...God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real. May we realize how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, and how much He loves us."

                                                                 Thomas S. Monson, April 2014 General Conference

“When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”

                                              Thomas S. Monson, April 1996 General Conference

The video of this talk was on facebook but I can't figure out how to load it here.  He tells of a time when something he wanted wasn't in alignment with what God wanted for him and what the prophet told him to do.  I had never heard it and I could really relate to the story he told:   https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/thomas-s-monson_decisions/

Record Keepers of the Book of Mormon

BYU Studies link

Who Kept the Records in the Book of Mormon? (By Lineages)

Explanation:

The four families of Nephite record keepers of the Book of Mormon are listed chronologically here, along with their approximate dates of birth and other important information. If a date is not found in or tied directly to a specific verse, then the information has been deduced from general historical information. This list is similar to chart 16 and can be used to document and explain the relationships between keepers of the plates of Nephi.

October 2017 General Conference Jeopardy

General Conference October 2017 Jeopardy

General Women

1- This talk by Sharon Eubank referenced the talk of  this prophet from almost 40 years ago.

 (Who is Spencer W. Kimball?)

2- Sister Neil Marriott compared herself to a pitcher and Jesus’ atonement this.  (What is cleansing water?)

3- According to Joy D. Jones, General Primary president, we always have this in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  (What is worth?)

4- This is what each of the 3 sisters were in Pres. Uchtdorf’s message, “Three Sisters”.  (What is sad, mad, and glad?)

Sat am

1- This is the nickname of the dog who traveled over 2,000 miles to find his family again.  (Who is Bobbie the Wonder dog?)

2-  In “The Needs Before Us”, Sister Bonnie Oscarson tells us we should ask ourselves this when we go to mutual instead of picking up our phones.  (Who needs me today?)

3- Elder Oaks used this document as the basis for his talk.  

(What is The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

4-  Elder John C. Pingree Jr. said that God has always used ordinary people to do this.  (What is do extraordinary things?)

5- Elder Christofferson’s message on “The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven”, he talks about this phrase that is seen on many objects.  (What is “Holiness to the Lord”?)

6- When referencing one of Jesus’ parables, Elder Holland says that 10,000 talents in current times would be equal to this amount or more.  (What is a billion dollars?)

Sat pm

1-  Elder Gary E. Stevenson mentioned these two additional risks related to social media.  (What are idealized reality and debilitating comparisons?)

2- Brother Stephen Owen said his talk was for these people.  (Who are people who may worry they are not winning in life?)

3-  In Quentin L. Cook’s message, he said that our time on earth could be compared to this.  (What is a British summer?)

4- Elder Rasband says that when we are following the Spirit, “coincidences” are often these.  (What is divine design?)

5-  Elder O. Vincent Haleck stated that he has spent most of his adult life serving the people in this part of the world.  (Where is the Pacific?)

6- President Nelson said that if you immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon everyday, you can be immunized from this.  (What are the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions?)

Priesthood

1- Elder Renlund compared the priesthood and the atoning power of Jesus Christ to this.  (What is a rocket and the payload that the rocket delivers?)

2- Elder David Evans’ mother put the responsibility for this on him.  (What is developing faith and finding answers?)

3- Elder Richard J. Maynes stated that the Family: A Proclamation to the World  teaches these 3 things about fathers.  (What is  (1) “fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness,” (2) fathers “are responsible to provide the necessities of life,” and (3) fathers are responsible to protect their families.?

4- In Pres. Uchtdorf’s message to the Priesthood, this is the reason the elderly gentleman gave for not purchasing stamps in the machine.  (What is “Thank you, but I prefer waiting. The machine won’t ask me about my arthritis.”?)

5- These are the four fundamentals Pres Eyring spoke about in telling how the Lord leads His church. 

(What is First, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church in all the earth.

Second, He leads His Church today by speaking to men called as prophets, and He does it through revelation.

Third, He gave revelation to His prophets long ago, still does, and will continue to do so.

Fourth, He gives confirming revelation to those who serve under the leadership of His prophets?)

Sun am

1-  Jean B. Bingham said that she was motivated to memorize “The Living Christ” because of her friend’s daughter who had done it that was this age.  (What is 6 years old?)

2-  In his message, “Has the day of Miracles Ceased?”, Elder Donald H. Hallstrom tells of a story about Elder Bednar asking a boy if he had faith to do this.  (What is NOT to be healed?)

3-  Elder Bednar says this is the ultimate exceeding great and precious promise.  (What is eternal life?)

4- In “Turn to the Lord” by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, this is what was unusual about a man named Hyrum Shumway.  (What is he was blind?)

5- This is the real reason a missionary in Elder Zwick’s mission wanted to go home.  (What is he couldn’t read?)

6- Pres. Eyring has read the Book of Mormon everyday for this number of years.  (What is 50?)

Sun pm

1-    In Elder Ballard’s message, The Trek Continues, he states that the rising generation must have the same kind of faith as these people.  (Who are the early Saints?)

2-  Elder Tad R. Callister says that  the Book of Mormon can be this in addition to being the keystone of our religion.  (What is your testimony?)

3- According to Elder Joni L. Koch, our words about our fellow beings should reflect this.  (What is our belief in Jesus Christ and His atonement?)

4-  In “Do We Trust Him?  Hard is Good”, Elder Ellis states that “we see that hard is the constant! We all have challenges. The variable is this.”  (What is our reaction to the hard?)

5-  Elder Alonso said that love without this is like faith without works.  (What is service?)

6-  This is the name of the painting Elder Andersen saw in the Provo City Center temple and spoke about.  (What is First Vision from Afar?)

And some quotes from conference that I want to include...

Remember in the Sunday morning session of the April 2017 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson pleaded with “each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.”  Many have responded to our prophet’s plea.

My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.

~ The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?  Pres. Russell M. Nelson

Like many of you, I heard the prophet’s words as the voice of the Lord to me. And, also like many of you, I decided to obey those words. Now, since I was a young boy, I have felt the witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that the Father and the Son appeared and spoke with Joseph Smith, and that ancient Apostles came to the Prophet Joseph to restore priesthood keys to the Lord’s Church.

With that testimony, I have read the Book of Mormon every day for more than 50 years. So perhaps I could have reasonably thought that President Monson’s words were for someone else. Yet, like many of you, I felt the prophet’s encouragement and his promise invite me to make a greater effort. Many of you have done what I did: prayed with increased intent, pondered scripture more intently, and tried harder to serve the Lord and others for Him.

The happy result for me, and for many of you, has been what the prophet promised. Those of us who took his inspired counsel to heart have heard the Spirit more distinctly. We have found a greater power to resist temptation and have felt greater faith in a resurrected Jesus Christ, in His gospel, and in His living Church.

                                              ~Fear Not to Do Good,  Pres. Henry B. Eyring

The Book of Mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold our testimonies securely in place. This book is the one weight on the scales of truth that exceeds the combined weight of all the critics’ arguments. Why? Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable because this book is true.

First, the critics must explain how Joseph Smith, a 23-year-old farm boy with limited education, created a book with hundreds of unique names and places, as well as detailed stories and events. Accordingly, many critics propose that he was a creative genius who relied upon numerous books and other local resources to create the historical content of the Book of Mormon. But contrary to their assertion, there is not a solitary witness who claims to have seen Joseph with any of these alleged resources before the translation began.

Even if this argument were true, it is woefully insufficient to explain the Book of Mormon’s existence. One must also answer the question: how did Joseph read all of these alleged resources, winnow out the irrelevant, keep the intricate facts straight as to who was in what place and when, and then dictate it by perfect memory? For when Joseph Smith translated, he had no notes whatsoever. In fact, his wife Emma recalled: “He had neither manuscript nor book to read from. … If he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me.”¹

So how did Joseph perform this remarkable feat of dictating a 500-plus–page book without any notes? To do so, he must not only have been a creative genius but also have had a photographic memory of prodigious proportions. But if that is true, why did his critics not call attention to this remarkable talent?

But there is more. These arguments account only for the book’s historical content. The real issues still remain: how did Joseph produce a book that radiates with the Spirit, and where did he get such profound doctrine, much of which clarifies or contradicts the Christian beliefs of his time?

     ~ God’s Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon, Tad R. Callister

Bonnie L. Oscarson-

“Another area of focus for our service can be in our ward families. Occasionally our children would ask us the question, “Why do I have to go to Mutual? I just don’t get very much out of it.”

If I was having a good parenting moment, I would reply, “What makes you think you go to Mutual because of what you get out of it?”

My young friends, I can guarantee that there will always be someone at every Church meeting you attend who is lonely, who is going through challenges and needs a friend, or who feels like he or she doesn’t belong. You have something important to contribute to every meeting or activity, and the Lord desires for you to look around at your peers and then minister as He would.”

 Young women and young men, next time you are at Mutual, instead of picking up your phone to see what your friends are doing, stop, look around, and ask yourself, “Who needs me today?” You may be the key to reaching out and touching the life of a peer or to giving encouragement to a friend who is quietly struggling.