Sunday Report

Dear Sisters,

Sunday's Ward Conference gave us much to ponder on how truly blessed we are to be members of the Lord' church. The cornerstone of the Gospel is the Savior, and the center point, the heart of the gospel, is the family. The family is the source of our greatest joy, and because we are all human, can also be the source of our greatest worries and concerns. 

Sunday's lesson was given by the Stake Relief Society as a continuation of our Ward Conference.  Sister Penny Knott built on the foundation theme of the importance of the family in Heavenly Father's plan for His children.  She spoke on how we as women fit into this plan and what our role is in His work of bringing to pass the eternal life of each of His children.

She talked of Father Abraham and his desire to obtain the " blessings of the fathers"  which she identified as the temple blessings, which were had by all the righteous fathers (and mothers) from the days of Adam.  These blessings, including the blessings of posterity, were a central element in the restoration of all things, brought by the prophet Elijah as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 2.  These blessings are essential to the gospel plan for they provide the way for the families of the earth to be linked together into the eternities.

As we think of the sacrifices of the Saints of the early days of the restored Church, we can see that they were able to grasp the importance of these temple blessings. The building of temples became a priority among a people who were persecuted and driven from place to place because of their beliefs.  They built the Kirtland temple, and received priceless keys and knowledge, but were forced to abandon the temple and flee for safety.  Later they began a beautiful temple in Nauvoo at great sacrifice and expense, but before it was complete the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were martyred and persecution again threatened the Church.  They completed the temple, though they know they would be leaving soon.  Before their arduous journey to the Salt Lake Valley, they needed the fire of testimony in their hearts that could only come when they had received the blessings of the temple covenants that they could make only in the temple.  Once in Utah, one of the first things Brigham Young did was locate the place for the building of the temple.

They recognized the need for the covenants that could only be made in the House of the Lord, for the trials that they would face.  Do we, as women, realize that same truth for ourselves and our loved ones in an increasingly wicked world where our youth are constantly bombarded by the lures that Satan has placed here in an  effort to thwart Heavenly Father's plan?  Relief Society can help us to cleave together and strengthen one another as we seek to do the work of bringing ourselves and our loved ones to the temple, to make those protecting covenants that will give us the power to overcome the world and hold firmly to the iron rod. 

We are the ones that have so much influence in creating within our homes and families, and within all of our relationships, a culture of faith and righteousness, that will become a refuge for  those we love from the constant temptations of the world.  It will not be easy, but when we grow weary or discouraged, or unsure how to proceed, we can remember the words of Isaiah:  "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Let us learn to wait upon the Lord that we might be able to do the work that we have been given in His kingdom.

Next week the lesson will be Chapter 45 in the Gospel Principles book
Have a great week! 

Find that elusive great value on a beautiful Thanksgiving turkey!

The Relief Society Presidency