As members of the Church these should not be perilous times for us. If we are following the counsel of the prophets and church leaders, obeying all Heavenly Fathers commandments, living the gospel everyday and sharing the gospel with others, we will fare well.
To help us further during these perilous times is the principle of “Self-Reliance. “Self-reliance is an important area we must achieve for us to be happy in this mortal life. The first law of self-reliance is “pay your tithing.” Followed by: get out of debt, put some money away for a rainy day, live within your means (budget brands vs labels), don’t go into debt for unnecessary things (eg, a small house made beautiful is easier to pay off), etc. Education is an acceptable debt also as it will offer individuals and families greater opportunities for employment. There may be other areas that you might consider a necessary part of self-reliance.
If we are not doing these things, then now is a good time to start. Sit down with your spouse or your family and discuss how you can accomplish these things. I bear testimony to you that if you can master these particular areas of life you will have joy, happiness and peace.
In the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Dawn Hirama
Relief Society President
The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Minister
As we minister to others, we become true followers of Jesus Christ, who set the example for us. President Thomas S. Monson said: “We are surrounded by those in need. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.”
Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, taught: “With practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God’s children. To help us better [minister to] one another, I would like to suggest four words to remember: ‘First observe, then serve.’ … As we do so, we are keeping covenants, and our service, like President Monson’s, will be evidence of our discipleship.”
We can pray each morning to recognize opportunities to serve others. “Heavenly Father will guide you, and angels will assist you,” said David L. Beck, Young Men general president. “You will be given power to bless lives and rescue souls.”
Consider This
1. How can prayer lead us to be instruments in the Lord’s hands?
2. How can ministering to others help us keep our covenants?
From the Scriptures
Matthew 20:25–28;
1 Nephi 11:27–28;
3 Nephi 28:18
At the October 1856 general conference, President Brigham Young (1801–77) announced that handcart pioneers were still crossing the plains and that everyone was to help gather supplies for them immediately.
Lucy Meserve Smith wrote that women “stripped off their petticoats [large underskirts], stockings, and every thing they could spare, right there in the Tabernacle, and piled [them] into the wagons.”
As the rescued pioneers began to arrive in Salt Lake City, Lucy wrote, “I never took more … pleasure in any labor I ever performed in my life, such a unanimity of feeling prevailed. I only had to go into a store and make my wants known; if it was cloth, it was measured off without charge.”
President George Albert Smith (1870–1951) said of ministering to others: “Our eternal happiness will be in proportion to the way that we devote ourselves to helping others.”
How have you helped someone today?
1 June—Inspired Topic: “Those who are wise and faithful will be prepared when the Lord comes again.”
29 June—Teaching for our Times: “Protection from Pornography—A Christ-focused Home” Linda S Reeves (General Conference April 2014 Saturday AM session)
Sat 7 June, 2-4pm Mandurah Chapel—Stake Relief Society Activity
Thurs 19 June, 10am Chapel—Managing a Budget with Excel Spreadsheets
Thurs 26 June, 10am Chapel—RS Temple Trip carpool
Note: ALL utensils (bowl, beaters, spatulas, pans etc) MUST be grease-free, or the egg whites won’t beat up to stiff peaks.
Preheat oven to 160C (150C fan forced).
In a grease-free mixing bowl beat:
· 10-12 egg whites (about 270ml)
· 1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
· 1/4 tsp salt
Beat until stiff peaks form.
Beat in, bit by bit:
· 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
Until well-blended.
Add while beating:
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
Fold in:
· 1 cup corn flour
With a spatula, scoop batter (batter will be stiff) into an ungreased pan. Recommend either bread tin or bundt pan, if you do not have an Angel Food tin.
Bake in oven at 160C for 40-50 minutes. Top will brown and crack.
Allow cake to cool completely before loosening and unmoulding.
Best served with whipped cream and fruit.
Influential Latter-Day Saint Women
You Might Not Know
You know about Emma Smith and Eliza R Snow. Do you know these influential women from Church history?
· Sarah Melissa Granger Kimball
Student of Joseph Smith’s School of the Prophets and Suffragette
· Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon
Physician and First female US State Senator
· Jane Manning James
Early African American Saint who crossed the Great Plains with the pioneers.
· Dr Emma Liljenquist
Obstetrician and Midwife
· Amelia Telle Cannon
Early champion of education
· Grace Vlam
First missionary to preach the gospel in Indonesia.
