Sunday Report

 Sunday's lesson was based on the conference talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve, and was given by Sister Peggy Campbell.  Entitled "As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten," the talk begins by reminding us that our Heavenly Father is a God of high expectations.  Christ told us that He desires that we become perfect, even as He and His Father are perfect.  It is necessary for us to be refined and perfected so that we can receive the gift of eternal life which They desire each one of us to attain.  We are given many things to help us as we strive to become perfect:  commandments and covenants, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Atonement and Resurrection.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks noted that the Final Judgment will not be a listing of things we have done and not done, but rather an evaluation of what we have become as a result of our acts and thoughts.  We must be willing to accept,  even seek correction  so that we can conform our lives to the pattern necessary for exaltation.  Divine chastening has three purposes:  to motivate us to repentance, to refine and sanctify us, and sometimes to redirect our course in life to a  better path.  The very experience of enduring chastening can refine us and prepare us for greater spiritual privileges.  We must be careful not to resent the very experiences that help us become more like our Savior and Father in Heaven. 

Sister Campbell used stories from the lives of N. Eldon Tanner,of the first presidency and Hugh B. Brown of the Quorum of the Twelve, to illustrate how the Lord gives us experiences that allow us to grow spiritually and be better prepared for our work here on earth and better fit for the celestial kingdom.  We must humble ourselves to act on the promptings of the Spirit and realize that often the Lord knows better than we do what will direct our lives toward eternity.  Likewise, parents must correct and chasten their children to protect them from the influences of the adversary.  Our efforts to be obedient to the correction and chastening of the Lord will bring  empowering and enabling grace to help us become even as Heavenly Father and Jesus are.

Next week is a fifth Sunday and will be presented by the bishopric.
Have a great week!

The Relief Society Presidency