Nancy shared a fabulous lesson with us today on the Restoration of the Gospel.
We watched this video (you can watch it below!)and she shared her strong witness that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, that Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet today and that The Book of Mormon is true. We can know these things by asking God in prayer and through the Holy Ghost. How grateful we are for these truths and God's organization and gospel restored on the earth today!
To read this week's lesson in The Gospel Principles Manual in it's entirety, click here
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
13 Ways to Study Your Scriptures
The Savior and His servants have encouraged us to read, seek, search, ponder, study, feast upon, and treasure up His words (see Isaiah 34:16; John 5:39; 2 Nephi 31:20; 3 Nephi 17:3; and D&C 11:22). The number and variety of invitations suggest that there are different ways to study the scriptures. My own experience confirms this. Sometimes I like to read from cover to cover. At other times I search for answers to personal questions or challenges. Often I study topics listed in the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures. I also enjoy researching how the Lord uses a specific word throughout the scriptures. When I am really serious, I mark phrases, underline words, or write notes in the margins of my scriptures. Occasionally, I relish in learning the Greek, Hebrew, or dictionary definitions of scriptural words. There are even times when I rush home on Sundays after church to open the scriptures, anxious to verify something taught in a lesson. One thing is certain: there is no one right way to study the scriptures. (February 2009 Ensign "Getting the Most Out of Your Scripture Study" by David B. Marsh)
I used many resources to teach my lesson on Sunday, Sept. 5th. The main resource I used was this article in the September Ensign.
LDS.org - Ensign Article - Ten Scripture Study Tools
#11: Compare Scriptural Events ot Our Own Lives One way to liken the scriptures to ourselves is to compare events in the scriptures to events in our lives. One member who learned how to liken the scriptures to himself told of his experience with Ether chapter 6. The first few times I read the chapter, I saw only an account of the Jaredites’ journey across the ocean. However, as I read it again one day, it occurred to me to liken their journey across the ocean to my journey in mortality. As I did so, I discovered insights that strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ. The stones that gave light so the Jaredites would not have to cross the ocean in darkness reminded me of prophets, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost that give me light so I won’t have to go through mortality in darkness or confusion (see Ether 6:3). I likened the wind from the Lord that moved the Jaredite vessels “towards the promised land” to the experiences the Lord provides that help me progress toward heaven (see Ether 6:5). It seemed to me that their being under the water was like my trials or times of stress (see Ether 6:6). But just as prayer persuaded the Lord to bring them ‘upon the top of the waters’ (Ether 6:7) for fresh air and sunshine, so I could pray for relief from my trials and stress.
#12 Find the Principle Being Taught Another way to liken the scriptures to our personal lives is to look past the story and find the principle being taught. For example, Nephi was commanded to build a boat. Though he had never done such a thing, he went about his task with great personal effort and received divine help. We may not be asked to build a boat, but we may be asked to do things that seem beyond our abilities. Like Nephi, we can exert our personal effort to “go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded” and exercise faith that the Lord will “prepare a way for [us] that [we] may accomplish the thing which he commandeth” (1 Nephi 3:7). One principle taught in this story is to be diligent in obeying the Lord’s commands. We can liken Nephi’s example to ourselves by diligently obeying the things the Lord asks us to do. (March 2009 Ensign "Likening the Scriptures To Our Personal Lives")
#13 Bridging the Gap Imagine a bridge. One side of the bridge is anchored in the past and is made up of three parts: (1) they—the prophets and people of the past, (2) there—the place where these people lived, and (3) then—the time period when they lived.
The other side of the bridge is anchored in the present and is made up of three parallel parts: (1) I—who live in the present, (2) here—the place where I live, and (3) now—the time period I live in.
The goal is to build a bridge from they-there-then to I-here-now, identifying common parallels between their day and ours.
Elder Jay E. Jensen explains this in further detail and with charts in this article LDS.org - Ensign Article - Scripture Stories as Patterns for Our Lives
President Hinckley said "As you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."
I used many resources to teach my lesson on Sunday, Sept. 5th. The main resource I used was this article in the September Ensign.
LDS.org - Ensign Article - Ten Scripture Study Tools
#11: Compare Scriptural Events ot Our Own Lives One way to liken the scriptures to ourselves is to compare events in the scriptures to events in our lives. One member who learned how to liken the scriptures to himself told of his experience with Ether chapter 6. The first few times I read the chapter, I saw only an account of the Jaredites’ journey across the ocean. However, as I read it again one day, it occurred to me to liken their journey across the ocean to my journey in mortality. As I did so, I discovered insights that strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ. The stones that gave light so the Jaredites would not have to cross the ocean in darkness reminded me of prophets, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost that give me light so I won’t have to go through mortality in darkness or confusion (see Ether 6:3). I likened the wind from the Lord that moved the Jaredite vessels “towards the promised land” to the experiences the Lord provides that help me progress toward heaven (see Ether 6:5). It seemed to me that their being under the water was like my trials or times of stress (see Ether 6:6). But just as prayer persuaded the Lord to bring them ‘upon the top of the waters’ (Ether 6:7) for fresh air and sunshine, so I could pray for relief from my trials and stress.
#12 Find the Principle Being Taught Another way to liken the scriptures to our personal lives is to look past the story and find the principle being taught. For example, Nephi was commanded to build a boat. Though he had never done such a thing, he went about his task with great personal effort and received divine help. We may not be asked to build a boat, but we may be asked to do things that seem beyond our abilities. Like Nephi, we can exert our personal effort to “go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded” and exercise faith that the Lord will “prepare a way for [us] that [we] may accomplish the thing which he commandeth” (1 Nephi 3:7). One principle taught in this story is to be diligent in obeying the Lord’s commands. We can liken Nephi’s example to ourselves by diligently obeying the things the Lord asks us to do. (March 2009 Ensign "Likening the Scriptures To Our Personal Lives")
#13 Bridging the Gap Imagine a bridge. One side of the bridge is anchored in the past and is made up of three parts: (1) they—the prophets and people of the past, (2) there—the place where these people lived, and (3) then—the time period when they lived.
The other side of the bridge is anchored in the present and is made up of three parallel parts: (1) I—who live in the present, (2) here—the place where I live, and (3) now—the time period I live in.
The goal is to build a bridge from they-there-then to I-here-now, identifying common parallels between their day and ours.
Elder Jay E. Jensen explains this in further detail and with charts in this article LDS.org - Ensign Article - Scripture Stories as Patterns for Our Lives
President Hinckley said "As you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
S.O.L.E.
Survivors of Life’s Experiences
Survivors of Life’s Experiences
* SOLE is a therapeutic workshop for women who have experienced the adversity of abuse or trauma (sexual, physical or emotional) in their lives.
* Workshops are run by professional therapists and contain instructions and activities, which require participation and commitment of participating workshop members.
* This program runs eight (8) consecutive weeks in 2-hour sessions.
* Enrollment is limited to 12.
* The cost of the program is $200.00 which includes a workbook.
* Call LDS Family Services office for more information 623.878.2037
This workshop will begin on Tuesday, September 14th and runs for 8 weeks. It will be a daytime group, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, held in the LDS Family Services office - 7055 W Bell Rd, Suite 21, Glendale, AZ 85308. There are still a couple of openings for women who would like to attend.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Zumba Dance Classes!
Zumba is a Latin Based Dance Exercise.
I’ll get your heart pumping, but it won’t feel like you’re exercising at all,
you’ll be having so much fun!
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!!!
Instructor: Katy Craner
When: Thursdays
Where: Happy Valley Church Building, gym
Time: 8:45pm-9:30pm
Make sure to bring
WATER!!!
Weights (3 lb. max!)
Good Shoes
Modest exercise clothing
Get Ready to Dance and HAVE FUN!!!
(all dances are within the
guidelines and standards of the LDS faith.)
Contact: katycraner@msn.com or 623.337.4773
I’ll get your heart pumping, but it won’t feel like you’re exercising at all,
you’ll be having so much fun!
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!!!
Instructor: Katy Craner
When: Thursdays
Where: Happy Valley Church Building, gym
Time: 8:45pm-9:30pm
Make sure to bring
WATER!!!
Weights (3 lb. max!)
Good Shoes
Modest exercise clothing
Get Ready to Dance and HAVE FUN!!!
(all dances are within the
guidelines and standards of the LDS faith.)
Contact: katycraner@msn.com or 623.337.4773
Monday, August 2, 2010
Missionary Work! To bless the Nations! (starting right here in North Phoenix!) RS Lesson August 1, 2010
Click on the pages below for a full-screen view of the lesson.
There is more in the outline that we didn't get to in the time we had in class.
And click below on each talk's link to read very inspired insights into missionary work and service (also referenced in the lesson). Please study this at home and prayerfully put it into practice and faith-driven action! Remember the promise of our Stake President at Stake Conference and again in Relief Society on Sunday... "as we do these things the windows of heaven will pour out upon our Stake."
M. Russell Ballard, “Write Down a Date,” Ensign, Nov 1984, 15
Clayton M. Christensen and Christine Quinn Christensen, “Seven Lessons on Sharing the Gospel,” Liahona, Feb 2005, 16
Lesson on Missionary Work_2 Aug 1 2010
We didn't have time to get to this, but here is a list of questions to ask yourself and to practice within your families or with a friend or just to go over in your mind yourself and/or write down... thought provoking practical questions to get yourself more in tune with being ready to share the gospel...
Missionary Fish Game Questions_2
"Cottage Meetings" are held every first Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. at a member of the Stake Presidency's home. We are encouraged to bring our friends for uplifting discussion on principles of the gospel.
Outside of regular weekly Sunday meetings, youth mutual activities on Tuesday nights, Activity Days and cub scouts' activities, here are some other upcoming activities to which you can please invite and bring your friends and neighbors... If you have a question about contact info for a member of a presidency in an auxiliary or any questions about activities & resources, or want to let us know of friends who will be coming to church or to a church activity, we would LOVE to be contacted and help support and serve. Please don't hesitate to contact a member of the RS presidency. (If you don't have access to our contact info on lds.org or at home, leave a comment below and we will contact you!, thanks!)
August 7: 4 p.m. baptism
August 15: Seminary Kick-Off (for youth ages 14-18) Deer Valley Stake Center
O'Connor students and parents meet at 5:30 p.m, Goldwater and Boulder Creek students and parents meet at 7 p.m.
August 18: Cannery assignment at the Mesa Cannery (wet pack) 9 a.m. sharp, 3 people from each ward
August 18th: "Daughters of Royal Birth" stake activity day (girls ages 8-11) 6:30-8:30 PM
August 19: Relief Society Meeting "Maintaining Equilibrium" Something to inspire for each stage of a woman's life... uplifting speakers and yummy refreshments as well as enjoyable social interaction - 6:30 p.m. at the Happy Valley LDS Church building
August 27: Preparedness Class 4 - Emergency Evacuations Happy Valley Building 7 p.m.
August 28: Back to School Ward Potluck and Talent Show
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A plethora of websites!
Did you know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has jumped on the www bandwagon! Here is a list of many websites now available:
http://www.lds.org/
http://www.mormon.org/
http://www.familysearch.org/
http://www.ldsjobs.org/
http://www.ldscatalog.com/
http://www.radio.lds.org/
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/
http://combatingpornography.org/
http://www.itsaboutlove.org/ (alternative to abortion)
http://pageants.lds.org/
http://www.ldsmediatalk.com
http://tech.lds.org
http://podcast.lds.org (listen to church magazines)
http://abrandnewyear.lds.org (for teens)
http://www.preservingmarriage.org
http://www.besmart.com (choosing right college)
http://www.ldsces.org (church educational system)
www.lds.org/countries/ (different languages)
http://www.polynesia.com (Polynesian Cultural Center)
http://www.providentliving.org
http://www.lds.org/units/find/ (stake and ward websites)
http://www.lds.org/
http://www.mormon.org/
http://www.familysearch.org/
http://www.ldsjobs.org/
http://www.ldscatalog.com/
http://www.radio.lds.org/
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/
http://combatingpornography.org/
http://www.itsaboutlove.org/ (alternative to abortion)
http://pageants.lds.org/
http://www.ldsmediatalk.com
http://tech.lds.org
http://podcast.lds.org (listen to church magazines)
http://abrandnewyear.lds.org (for teens)
http://www.preservingmarriage.org
http://www.besmart.com (choosing right college)
http://www.ldsces.org (church educational system)
www.lds.org/countries/ (different languages)
http://www.polynesia.com (Polynesian Cultural Center)
http://www.providentliving.org
http://www.lds.org/units/find/ (stake and ward websites)
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