RS Lesson - The Parable of the Sower

Today's lesson is taken from Elder Dallin H Oaks April 2015 Conference talk "The Parable of the Sower."  It's really good. Go have a read.

This parable was for the Saints, or those who have already received the gospel. "It is up to each of us to set the priorities and to do the things that make our soil good and our harvest plentiful."

Today we asked the question: What do we do with the Savior’s teachings as we live our lives?

The parable speaks of stony ground with very little soil. Seeds may sprout here, but the moment the relentless heat of the sun or strong winds (adversity) come along, the seeds whither. Pride, stubbornness, hubris and other poor attitudes can create a stony heart. The gospel cannot flourish in a stony heart.

Then there is the ground taken up by thorns. Seeds may sprout and start to grow, but the thorns of worldliness and deceitfulness can choke out the gospel so it cannot bear fruit.

But the rich soil of a good ground nourished constantly by living the gospel, or as Christ explained, “the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).

Your Homework:

How nourished is your soil? Does the gospel of Jesus Christ flourish in it?
On a piece of paper, write down the ingredients of Good Ground.

The Ingredients of Good Ground
What I do Acknowledge what you are doing right	What I want to do? How can you improve? Everyone has room for improvement.
Read scriptures? prayers?

Lesson: Setting and Achieving Goals - 2015

(Notes from Hilary Seymour's Relief Society lesson 7 June 2015)

As it is half-way through the year, it is time to reflect upon our goals. How are we doing?

Review, Re-Evaluate, Revise, Realistic, Refocus, Re-energise

3rd Article of Faith states: "We believe in that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Laws - by following laws, we grow closer to God.

4th Article: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, repentance, third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, fourth laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Principles & Ordinances will help us get to where we are going.

A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you to making decisions. -- Pres Boyd K Packer

What we do here and now is so important in the Eternities.

Increasing our personal faith and righteousness.  

What are our goals?

Faith is a principle of action and power. When you work towards a worthy goal, you exercise faith.

Have trust in yourself when you set a goal. You can achieve it. Don't be discouraged if you don't reach your goals in the boundaries you've set. This is where faith comes in.

How does the Temple help us in the achieving of our goals? It gives us vision, direction and knowledge of our eternal purpose and plan. Set up holy habits and routines. These are the little goals that will help us achieve great ones.

The Gospel can fortify us and give us the strength for all our endeavours.

Keep an eternal perspective and reflect on the good things you have accomplished.

Reflect on your goals and actions:

• Is it true? 
• Is it uplifting? 
• Is it edifying?

"I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves." --Joseph Smith.  

The Lord will guide us, but we will need to act.