"Relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance--relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of a woman."
--John A Widtsoe

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Relief Society Lesson Schedule - Apr-June 2014

January-March 2014 Quarter 1

We encourage you to read through the lessons before each Sunday to enrich your Sabbath experience. See links below to individual lessons. Alternatively download the magazines and manuals to your smartphone or data tablet device through the Gospel Library app. Subscriptions to hardcopies of the Ensign and copies of "The Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith" manual are available as well.

1st Sundays - Inspired Topics from the RS Presidency
2nd & 3rd Sundays - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Joseph Fielding Smith
4th Sundays - Teachings for Our Time - Taken from Conference Talks April 2014 General Conference.
5th Sundays - Bishopric's Messages

Accurate as of 4 May 2014. This information is subject to change, especially as TfoT subjects become available.
________________

6 April
Inspired Topic

13 April
General Conference Videos (Sat 12 April & Sun 13 April)

20 April
Ch 8: The Church and Kingdom of God

27 April
Teaching for our Times:  TBA

4 May
Inspired Topic: Getting the Whole Family Involved in Family History (Intro to "My Family: Stories that Bring Us Together")

11 May
Ch 9: Witnesses of the Book of Mormon

18 May
Ch 10: Our Search for Truth

25 May
Teaching for our Times:  TBA

1 June
Inspired Topic

8 June
Ch 11: Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith

15 June
Ch 12: The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

29 June
Teaching for our Times: TBA

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Relief Society Birthday Party!

Come join us for the Relief Society Birthday Party.

Theme:  Tropicana!  Wear something tropical.
Where: Rockingham Chapel
When: Saturday 22 March, 6:30 for 7:00pm dinner.  Entertainment after.

Fun planned. Come enjoy our program, including dance, lovely food, poetry, music, and a birthday cake!

Note: this is a change of venue from Cottesloe beach, as previously mentioned in the newsletter.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Being a Wise Servant

Today's text:  D&C 58:26-29

Prior lessons:

  • Forgiveness
  • Hope
  • Characteristics of Christ
  • Plan of Salvation

Think upon these as you study the following:


Part of the Plan of Salvation is that we're here to learn. Experience teaches us, but also as we gain wisdom with that experience, we can apply it to even greater things.

We are gods in training. We are working to become like our Heavenly Father, to grow up and inherit his kingdom. Our Heavenly Father is omniscient, omnipotent, all-wise, all-knowing.

Now, when do you think he started learning all this?  See, we're not just on this earth to do "whatever".  We're here to maximise our capacity.

Think of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25). Sums of money (known as silver talents) weren't given to the servants simply for safekeeping.  Every single one of them kept their talents safe. Not a single one was lost. They all did the bare minimum that was required of them.

But two of them improved on theirs. They were not instructed precisely what to do with them.  Obviously, they were to keep them safe.  But two servants went above and beyond. Not only did they keep their talents safe, they increased them.

As the seed of deity, we need to do our best to grow. We're quite amazing beings, us humans. We are smart, we are clever, we can achieve such marvelous things.

So why do some of us sell ourselves short?  When we are faced with a quandary, we should say, "Let me apply myself. I can solve this, one way or another." We should not whine, complain, or murmur. These do not avail us one bit. Sometimes life can get us down, but we must choose not to let it, no matter how hard that choice may be. And sometimes, it is hard. Very hard.

Sometimes we must fall to our knees and ask the Lord for help.  He won't solve our problem completely. That is for us to do. But he will give us aid, enough to give us the winning edge, then leave the rest up to us. After all, we are clever children.

D&C 58:26-29

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

________________________________
Notes:

"O Be Wise" - M Russell Ballard, October 2006 Conference

Speaks about innovation. We have been given the opportunity to exercise our moral agency and our own God-given intelligence to become greater than we were before.

"Best Time to Plan a Tree" - Dieter F Uchdorf, Ensign, January 2014

Speaks about bringing out the best in ourselves.

"Good, Better, Best" - Dallin H Oaks, Oct 2007 Conference

Speaks about weighing our choices and wisely considering the better/best option over merely "good". We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

RS Newsletter - March 2014

March 2014

I hope you enjoy these few words of encouragement from one of my most favourite apostles, Boyd K Packer.
             He quotes the apostle Paul, as Paul described ‘our day’ in these words. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
President Packer said that “For many it may be quite disturbing, even discouraging. Nevertheless, when I think of the future, I am overwhelmed with feelings of positive optimism.” So why is he so positive in a world full of turmoil? He says “The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Saviour and Redeemer. They teach us where to go and what to do.”
So let’s you and I set to and begin reading the Book of Mormon so that we can read it twice this year. Let us also read our assignments for the Old Testament and our Relief Society lessons, so that we too can be filled with optimism knowing that God loves us and watches over us always.


As we come to understand that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, we will increase our faith in Him and become a light to others. Christ testified of His role as “the true light that lighteth every man [and woman] that cometh into the world” (D&C 93:2) and asked that we “hold up [His] light that it may shine unto the world” (3 Nephi 18:24).
Our prophets have also testified of the Light of Christ. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World. … You will reflect to others the Light of Christ in your life.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said of our being a light to the world: “We need to protect our families and be at the forefront together with all people of goodwill in doing everything we can to preserve light, hope, and morality in our communities.”
From the Scriptures
John 8:12; Doctrine and Covenants 50:24; 115:5

"In ancient days the balm of Gilead was an aromatic spice used to heal and soothe. Made from a bush or a tree that grew plentifully around Gilead, it was a popularly traded commodity, always in high demand... In Relief Society we hold constant the virtues relating to women, mothers, families, and righteous living. At peace with this God-defined direction, Relief Society sisters can bring this balm of Gilead to troubled times. We have the spiritual resources of faith, hope, and compassion to apply as the balm..."
 "My sisters of Relief Society, we are the bearers of the balm of Gilead. May your Relief Society sisterhood soothe and bless you. May you know how I support you in all you do for and with your families. May you feel the ameliorating influence, the balm of Relief Society." 
~ELAINE L. JACK "Relief Society: A Balm in Gilead"


News Release —  7 February 2014
The Church announced changes in their organizations that will help meet the global needs of women and girls ages 8 and older:

1
- The newly-formed Young Women general board now has 5 members who live outside of Utah (Africa, Brazil, Japan, Peru, and New York) and 4 from the Wasatch Front.
2 - The Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary leadership training seminars previously held in the Spring in Salt Lake will now become online training available for Latter-day Saint women leaders around the world in multiple languages. The training will now take place after general conference so it can focus on the priorities and the words of our prophets at general conference.
3 - (As announced previously) the Church will hold a twice-yearly general women’s meeting rather than two separate annual meetings for women and young women. This meeting will include girls ages 8 and over.


Mini Omelette Muffins
Ingredients:
12 eggs, beaten & seasoned with salt and pepper
Mix-ins:
Diced ham, bacon, green onions, red bell peppers, mushrooms, shredded cheddar cheese or your choice.

Method:
Preheat oven to 180C. Line muffin tins with cupcake papers & spray with cooking spray. Break all eggs in a bowl & whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Fill muffin tins with mix-ins of your choosing starting with meat & finishing with cheese then fill the tins with the eggs. The muffins will puff up a little when you bake them so make sure you leave a little space at the top of each cup. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until you can poke them in the centres with a knife & it comes out clean (or almost clean). Cool completely & store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Simply warm in the microwave for a quick ‘breakfast on the go’.

8th        3-5pm STAKE CONFERENCE Priesthood Session - Mandurah Chapel
              6-8pm STAKE CONFERENCE Adult Session - Mandurah Chapel
9th        10-12pm STAKE CONFERENCE Session - Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
22nd      Relief Society 172nd Birthday, Cottesloe Beach, departing chapel @ 8:15am to get a            nice spot. Carpooling, $5/person for fuel. Bring a plate to share.
25th      12pm, Friendship luncheon @ Sis. Lee’s home (PM for address)
27th      Relief Society Sister’s Temple trip, Departing 9:45am for 11:30am session


2nd        Presidency Inspired Topic
9th         STAKE CONFERENCE
30th       Combined Relief Society/Priesthood

Trivia

1. What invention by a member of the church is owned by 99% of American households?
2. What is the only uniquely “Mormon word” in the Dictionary?
3. What Famous National Monument was carved by the son of LDS immigrants from Denmark?
 (Answers below)


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Trivia Answers

Trivia Answers

1. The Television—invented by Philo T. Farnsworth
2. Telestial
3. Mount Rushmore