"Humility and Gratitude" by Karen Maughan
(Go to LDS.org to see the talk by Pres. Uchtdorf "Pride and the Priesthood")
"Humility does not mean convincing ourselves that we are worthless, meaningless, or of little value. Nor does it mean denying or withholding the talents God has given us. We don’t discover humility by thinking less of ourselves; we discover humility by thinking less about ourselves. It comes as we go about our work with an attitude of serving God and our fellowman." - Pres. Uctdorf
We develop humility by thinking less about ourselves and thinking more about others. When our thoughts are focused on pride, our thoughts are turned inward. When we live in the spirit of humility, our thoughts are turned outward to others.
Comparison leads to pride and dissatisfaction. If pride enters our heart, then it takes the place of gratitude.
Karen made bookmarks for us that said, "God will have a humble people. Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble. Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can." - Pres. Ezra T. Benson
Thanks for that great lesson Karen!
Showing posts with label lesson review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lesson review. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Lesson Review for June 5th
"Let There Be Light" given by Annie Bush
Annie gave this lesson based on a talk by Elder Cook from the October 2010 Conference. She talked about how over history we had the Dark Ages, then the Reformation and Renaissance, then the Restoration of the Gospel and now is the Last Days. She talked about how when she was a little girl they had "Black Out" every night in France so the bomber planes wouldn't be able to find their targets at night and it was such a dark time in the history of the world during the war.
There are so many things in the world that try to stifle the light of Christ. There are so many opposing forces to light and truth, so how do we make sure to fight against the dark and stand for the light?
- Pam Slaughter said we need to be proactive and stand for what we believe. She recommended writing to our politicians about issues that we want to stand up for.
- Karen Maughan said we need to Teach children how to recognize the light of Christ. We can ask them how they feel when they listen to different types of music, for example.
- Be Honest - people who are opposing our beliefs will take any chance they can get to jump on our imperfections, so these kinds of people watch carefully to make sure we are honest. If we are being honest, they will know that we represent Jesus Christ.
By sanctifying ourselves, our homes, our families, by basking in the light of Christ, we can accomplish much in maintaining light, hope, and morality. The reward will be peace in troubled times.
Annie closed with this quote by Elder Cook, "Free hearts will sing when the light comes on again."
Thanks Annie! I really enjoyed your lesson and appreciated your hard work and preparation!
Annie gave this lesson based on a talk by Elder Cook from the October 2010 Conference. She talked about how over history we had the Dark Ages, then the Reformation and Renaissance, then the Restoration of the Gospel and now is the Last Days. She talked about how when she was a little girl they had "Black Out" every night in France so the bomber planes wouldn't be able to find their targets at night and it was such a dark time in the history of the world during the war.
There are so many things in the world that try to stifle the light of Christ. There are so many opposing forces to light and truth, so how do we make sure to fight against the dark and stand for the light?
- Pam Slaughter said we need to be proactive and stand for what we believe. She recommended writing to our politicians about issues that we want to stand up for.
- Karen Maughan said we need to Teach children how to recognize the light of Christ. We can ask them how they feel when they listen to different types of music, for example.
- Be Honest - people who are opposing our beliefs will take any chance they can get to jump on our imperfections, so these kinds of people watch carefully to make sure we are honest. If we are being honest, they will know that we represent Jesus Christ.
By sanctifying ourselves, our homes, our families, by basking in the light of Christ, we can accomplish much in maintaining light, hope, and morality. The reward will be peace in troubled times.
Annie closed with this quote by Elder Cook, "Free hearts will sing when the light comes on again."
Thanks Annie! I really enjoyed your lesson and appreciated your hard work and preparation!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Lesson Review for May 15th
"Developing Talents" lesson #34 taught by Ester Grover
Esther's lesson about talents was really great! Her lessons are always interesting and fun. Here are some of the notes I took:
God gave us talents to benefit ourselves and others. Some talents are easy to spot in others or ourselves, such as musical talent, athletics, making things with our hands, etc. But some talents aren't as obvious, like a talent for leadership, cheerfulness, sympathy , or patience.
How can we develop talents? Some suggestions from the sisters were to serve in the church, and to practice. In the manual it lists 6 ways to develop talents. They are on p. 197-198:
1. Discover talents, helps if you ask family and friends what they think you're talents are
2. be willing to spend the time and effort
3. Faith in yourself and faith that Heavenly Father will help you
4. Be willing to learn the skills necessary by taking a class, asking a friend for help, etc.
5. Practice. "The mastry of a talent must be earned"
6. Share. It is by using our talents that they grow.
Because we are mortal, we have weaknesses. But God can help us overcome our weaknesses. Ether 12:27, 37 Talk about how our weaknesses can be made strong. One example Esther gave was of Beethoven who composed some of his greatest works after he was deaf. Also, Enoch was slow of speech, but he was a great prophet (Moses 6:47)
Esther told the story of Shelly Mann who was an Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer. When she was 5 years old, she was diagnosed with Polio. But she still wanted to swim. She started off by just swimming the length of the pool, then added more and more distance until she was a great swimmer. Years later, she won the Gold Medal doing the Butterfly stroke, which is the most difficult stroke.
Esther then invited Lori Francis up to tell the parable of the Talents in her own words. Lori told about the three servants who received talents, and they each did something different with their talents. The servant who did nothing with his talent had that talent taken away. Lori said you don't just get blessings in heaven, but you get blessings from sharing your talents with others.
Next we had three sisters share their talents with us. Sandra Chatterly read us some of her poems that she has written. An artist friend of hers once told her that "sharing your work is like riding a bike down the middle fo the street with no clothes on", and we all got a good laugh because it is so true! Next, Maureen Beeston showed us her balloon animals and told a story about a little girl she sat next to in the waiting room at her Doctor's office last week. She made the little girl a pink flower with balloons and the little girl hugged it and smiled, and said "I've really been having a rotton time lately, and this flower just made my day." Maureen said how happy it makes her to see the children happy and smiling because of the balloon animals she makes them. Next, Jenny Rasmussen played a beautiful piano piece by Edward Grieg called, "The Butterfly" It was really fun and uplifting to see all these sisters among us share their talents with us.
Esther displayed an amazing quilt she made. She made the quilt during a time in her life when her husband was going through school, so making the quilt brought her peace and comfort, and she could feel the Lord helping her as she worked on her talent. She closed by saying that talents are "filling our own needs, and filling the needs of others".
Thanks to Esther for that wonderful lesson!
Esther's lesson about talents was really great! Her lessons are always interesting and fun. Here are some of the notes I took:
God gave us talents to benefit ourselves and others. Some talents are easy to spot in others or ourselves, such as musical talent, athletics, making things with our hands, etc. But some talents aren't as obvious, like a talent for leadership, cheerfulness, sympathy , or patience.
How can we develop talents? Some suggestions from the sisters were to serve in the church, and to practice. In the manual it lists 6 ways to develop talents. They are on p. 197-198:
1. Discover talents, helps if you ask family and friends what they think you're talents are
2. be willing to spend the time and effort
3. Faith in yourself and faith that Heavenly Father will help you
4. Be willing to learn the skills necessary by taking a class, asking a friend for help, etc.
5. Practice. "The mastry of a talent must be earned"
6. Share. It is by using our talents that they grow.
Because we are mortal, we have weaknesses. But God can help us overcome our weaknesses. Ether 12:27, 37 Talk about how our weaknesses can be made strong. One example Esther gave was of Beethoven who composed some of his greatest works after he was deaf. Also, Enoch was slow of speech, but he was a great prophet (Moses 6:47)
Esther told the story of Shelly Mann who was an Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer. When she was 5 years old, she was diagnosed with Polio. But she still wanted to swim. She started off by just swimming the length of the pool, then added more and more distance until she was a great swimmer. Years later, she won the Gold Medal doing the Butterfly stroke, which is the most difficult stroke.
Esther then invited Lori Francis up to tell the parable of the Talents in her own words. Lori told about the three servants who received talents, and they each did something different with their talents. The servant who did nothing with his talent had that talent taken away. Lori said you don't just get blessings in heaven, but you get blessings from sharing your talents with others.
Next we had three sisters share their talents with us. Sandra Chatterly read us some of her poems that she has written. An artist friend of hers once told her that "sharing your work is like riding a bike down the middle fo the street with no clothes on", and we all got a good laugh because it is so true! Next, Maureen Beeston showed us her balloon animals and told a story about a little girl she sat next to in the waiting room at her Doctor's office last week. She made the little girl a pink flower with balloons and the little girl hugged it and smiled, and said "I've really been having a rotton time lately, and this flower just made my day." Maureen said how happy it makes her to see the children happy and smiling because of the balloon animals she makes them. Next, Jenny Rasmussen played a beautiful piano piece by Edward Grieg called, "The Butterfly" It was really fun and uplifting to see all these sisters among us share their talents with us.
Esther displayed an amazing quilt she made. She made the quilt during a time in her life when her husband was going through school, so making the quilt brought her peace and comfort, and she could feel the Lord helping her as she worked on her talent. She closed by saying that talents are "filling our own needs, and filling the needs of others".
Thanks to Esther for that wonderful lesson!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Lesson Review for May 1st
Cindy Rees gave a great lesson derived from Julie B. Beck's talk from Women's Conference 2010. Here are some of my notes and things I liked. She talked about being a "Lioness at the Gate" meaning that whatever good happens in the home, happens because the woman helped make it happen. One quote I liked went something like this, "Oh how we need each other, young need old and old need young." You have been placed in a ward family.
Cindy went to Women's Conference and realized that she already knew the things that people were teaching about. Every woman there had already heard those things before, but the reason for repeating the lessons was so that the women could learn and apply. Cindy talked about the "Essential, Necessary, and Nice to do" things in life. As women, and as the "Lioness at the Gate" we need to realize what things in our lives are essential, such as prayer, scripture study, taking the Sacrament, "basking in the Spirit", and doing other things that will help us have eternal life. We also need to prioritize time wisely and realize that we can't do all the shifts. Cindy told a story of a woman who realized the importance of the "afternoon shift" when people get home from school or work and they are hungry, tired, etc. This is a special time that people are also the most teachable, so maybe this is the "shift" that we could put the most effort into. She said "Don't expect to use your strength on all the other shifts"
"The only person you have to be better than is the person you were yesterday." The Lord knows you, he knows your responsibilities, and he knows how you can fulfill them. There are so many good tings we can do with our time, but we have to prioritize essential, necessary, and nice to do in order to truly be a "Lioness at the Gate".
Thanks for the wonderful lesson Cindy!
Cindy went to Women's Conference and realized that she already knew the things that people were teaching about. Every woman there had already heard those things before, but the reason for repeating the lessons was so that the women could learn and apply. Cindy talked about the "Essential, Necessary, and Nice to do" things in life. As women, and as the "Lioness at the Gate" we need to realize what things in our lives are essential, such as prayer, scripture study, taking the Sacrament, "basking in the Spirit", and doing other things that will help us have eternal life. We also need to prioritize time wisely and realize that we can't do all the shifts. Cindy told a story of a woman who realized the importance of the "afternoon shift" when people get home from school or work and they are hungry, tired, etc. This is a special time that people are also the most teachable, so maybe this is the "shift" that we could put the most effort into. She said "Don't expect to use your strength on all the other shifts"
"The only person you have to be better than is the person you were yesterday." The Lord knows you, he knows your responsibilities, and he knows how you can fulfill them. There are so many good tings we can do with our time, but we have to prioritize essential, necessary, and nice to do in order to truly be a "Lioness at the Gate".
Thanks for the wonderful lesson Cindy!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Lesson Review
"Being Active in the Gospel and realizing our Divine Destiny" by Kari Wardrop
Kari's lesson was so great! She reviewed and emphasized the main principles we discussed last week at Ward Conference. She talked about how we can be active in the church verses being active in the gospel. She said that being active in the gospel is more than just coming to church meetings and activities. It means that we do those things in our personal life to build our spirituality. Some suggestions of how we can be more active in the gospel included: personal scripture study, personal prayer, pondering what we have learned from scriptures and prayer, attending the temple.
She lead into the next part of her lesson which was about our Diving Nature. She asked us "What is your divine destiny?" We are literal daughters of our Heavenly Father, and we need to think about what he wants us to do in our lives and think of ways to be closer to him so that we can return to live with Him one day.
Kari's lesson was based on this section from Handbook 2: Administering the Church
Think about: What is your divine destiny?
Kari's lesson was so great! She reviewed and emphasized the main principles we discussed last week at Ward Conference. She talked about how we can be active in the church verses being active in the gospel. She said that being active in the gospel is more than just coming to church meetings and activities. It means that we do those things in our personal life to build our spirituality. Some suggestions of how we can be more active in the gospel included: personal scripture study, personal prayer, pondering what we have learned from scriptures and prayer, attending the temple.
She lead into the next part of her lesson which was about our Diving Nature. She asked us "What is your divine destiny?" We are literal daughters of our Heavenly Father, and we need to think about what he wants us to do in our lives and think of ways to be closer to him so that we can return to live with Him one day.
Kari's lesson was based on this section from Handbook 2: Administering the Church
Families and the Church in God’s Plan | |
| 1.1 God the Father’s Plan for His Eternal Family | |
| 1.1.1 | The Premortal Family of GodThe family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in eternity. Even before we were born on the earth, we were part of a family. Each of us “is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents” with “a divine nature and destiny” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,”Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). God is our Heavenly Father, and we lived in His presence as part of His family in the premortal life. There we learned our first lessons and were prepared for mortality (see D&C 138:56). |
Think about: What is your divine destiny?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Lesson Review
"Consecration and Obedience" taught by Karen Maughan on Jan. 23rd
Most of the lesson refers to a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson "Reflections on a consecrated life"
Most of the lesson refers to a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson "Reflections on a consecrated life"
Elder Richard L. Evans said, “Life offers you two precious gifts—one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will. You are free to exchange your allotment of time for thrills. You may trade it for base desires. You may invest it in greed. …Yours is the freedom to choose. But these are no bargains, for in them you find no lasting satisfaction." Karen shared her experience of receiving a Book of Mormon when she went on a tour at the Salt Lake Temple visitor center with a friend, and later decided to come to college in Utah. While she was attending the U of U, she became converted and baptized.
Consecration is an application of celestial law here and now. True success comes from consecrating our lives and our time to God's purposes.
5 elements of a consecrated life:
1. Purity: our perfect example of purity is our Savior, he was sinless. Sinlessness leads to repentance. Replace stubbornness with submission, and replace rationalizations with yielding to the Spirit.
2. A Consecrated Life is a Life of Labor: To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man is not a work that will end! We need to always labor to do this. All honest work is the work of God. Work enables us to survive the trials and tragedies of the human experience. A sister in our Relief Society shared and experience she went through in her own life. She told us that her life was going really well, and she felt everything was going smoothly. She said a prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for blessing her so much, and asked for an experience to learn and get more light. She wanted to become more like Him, and knew that it is through our hard experiences we do so. Shortly thereafter, her little boy became very ill with what they thought might be Leukemia and also her father was dying. She learned a lot from that time and felt that the Lord did bless her with light.
3. Respect for our physical bodies: Having a body is essential for eternal life. Some bodies will be malformed, some bodies will last for years, some only for minutes, but life will be long enough for each body to receive celestial exaltation.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your abody is the btemple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not yourcown?
For ye are abought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." President Monson said that if we think of our bodies as a gift, we won't defile them.
4. Service: John 13:14-15 "If I then, your Lord and aMaster, have bwashed your feet; ye also ought to cwash one another’s dfeet.
For I have given you an aexample, that ye should do as I have done to you." Develop a listening ear so you can hear even the faintest whisperings of the Holy Ghost prompting you to serve someone in need.
5. Integrity: It is not naivety, it is an accountability to God. Don't sell your integrity cheaply (ex: doing something you wouldn't do if others were around) "One who lives a consecrated life does not seek to take advantage of another, but will turn the other cheek and give the cloak also". Honor is the rich soil where the seed of integrity thrives. Future generations will take courage from our consecrated lives if we live them. "Arise therefore, and be doing. The Lord is with thee."
Think about: How can living a consecrated life impact your family? What is one thing you can change to live a more consecrated life?
Think about: How can living a consecrated life impact your family? What is one thing you can change to live a more consecrated life?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Lesson Review
Chapter 26 “Sacrifice” taught by Esther Grover on Jan. 16th
Our willingness to sacrifice shows our devotion to God. When we give service expecting a certain response from others, we’ll probably be disappointed. Look to the Savior for recognition, acceptance, and the words “Well done”. What motivates us to sacrifice? Love.
Do we give the Lord our time, efforts, etc. first? or do we just give him our time if we have any left over after everything else?
D&C 64:33-34”Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”
Think About: What are some sacrifices made by your ancestors, early church members, people in our ward, and people in the scriptures that have helped to build the Kingdom of God? How did their sacrifice bless your life? And, what are you willing to put on the Alter?
Next Month’s Lessons:
Lesson 27 “Work and Personal Responsibility”
Lesson 28 “Service”
Our willingness to sacrifice shows our devotion to God. When we give service expecting a certain response from others, we’ll probably be disappointed. Look to the Savior for recognition, acceptance, and the words “Well done”. What motivates us to sacrifice? Love.
Do we give the Lord our time, efforts, etc. first? or do we just give him our time if we have any left over after everything else?
D&C 64:33-34”Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”
Think About: What are some sacrifices made by your ancestors, early church members, people in our ward, and people in the scriptures that have helped to build the Kingdom of God? How did their sacrifice bless your life? And, what are you willing to put on the Alter?
Next Month’s Lessons:
Lesson 27 “Work and Personal Responsibility”
Lesson 28 “Service”
Lesson Review
Chapter 25 "Fasting" taught by Pam Slaughter on Jan. 9th
How do we fast properly? Have a purpose for your fast, begin with prayer, fast for 24 hours, give a generous fast offering, bear testimony (or write it down), serve others, and end with prayer.
How do we fast properly? Have a purpose for your fast, begin with prayer, fast for 24 hours, give a generous fast offering, bear testimony (or write it down), serve others, and end with prayer.
Concentrate on Spiritual matters instead of just going without food. Pray when you fast, and fast with a purpose. Fasting invites enlightenment and companionship of the Holy Ghost, see Isaiah 58:8, 9, and 11. Fasting helps subdue the natural man, and teaches discipline. Fasting intensifies prayer. Fasting prepares us to bear testimony. Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
We are blessed when we fast. We are given spiritual power to resist temptation, receive revelation, do righteous acts, develop our faith, improves our lives and gives us added strength. Fasting helps us to live other principles of the gospel because it draws us nearer to the Lord.
Think About: What blessings have you received from proper fasting?
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