From our Lesson Today -
Heather Godfrey taught our lesson today centered on President Russell M. Nelson’s address from our Women’s conference - “Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel”
My dear sisters, you have special spiritual gifts and propensities. Tonight I urge you, with all the hope of my heart, to pray to understand your spiritual gifts—to cultivate, use, and expand them, even more than you ever have. You will change the world as you do so.
President Nelson extended “a prophetic plea” to the women of the Church, to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel. He extended 4 invitations to us–
First, I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind. Pray to know which influences to remove during your fast. The effect of your 10-day fast may surprise you. What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little? I urge you to record and follow through with each impression.
Second, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.
As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Then, be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen.
Third, establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. This may require a little more sacrifice in your life. More regular time in the temple will allow the Lord to teach you how to draw upon His priesthood power with which you have been endowed in His temple. For those of you who don’t live near a temple, I invite you to study prayerfully about temples in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Seek to know more, to understand more, to feel more about temples than you ever have before.
My fourth invitation, for you who are of age, is to participate fully in Relief Society. I urge you to study the current Relief Society purpose statement. It is inspiring. It may guide you in developing your own purpose statement for your own life. I also entreat you to savor the truths in the Relief Society declaration published almost 20 years ago. A framed copy of this declaration hangs on the wall in the office of the First Presidency. I am thrilled every time I read it. It describes who you are and who the Lord needs you to be at this precise time as you do your part to help gather scattered Israel.
My dear sisters, we need you! We “need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.” We simply cannot gather Israel without you.
Ministering -
Ministering Interviews will be held next Sunday, October 21st right after Relief Society, starting at 2:15. This month will be interviews for those companionships in District #1.
(Taken from Oct. 2018 Ensign)
Getting help to help others
How do we involve others when we need help in our efforts to minister? Participate in ministering interviews and first-Sunday council meetings.
As we come to know the needs and strengths of those we serve, we may find that we need help to help meet their needs. Ministering interviews and first-Sunday council meetings are two opportunities to discuss how to appropriately involve others.
Ministering Interviews
These quarterly interviews between ministering sisters and the Relief Society presidency or ministering brothers and the elders quorum presidency are the only formal report we make regarding those we minister to. The interview is an opportunity on at least a quarterly basis to (1) counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned families and individuals; (2) determine what needs the quorum, Relief Society, or ward council might assist with; and (3) learn from leaders and be encouraged in ministering efforts.
Four tips for ministering brothers and sisters:
Go to the interview seeking counsel. Be ready to learn.
Be prepared to discuss needs that you may need help meeting.
Focus on the individual’s strengths and abilities, not just needs.
Contact the presidency to counsel between quarterly interviews as needed.
(More on First Sunday Councils next week!)
Announcements -
Women’s Volleyball!!! - Each Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. at the stake center. Come have fun playing with other sisters in our stake.
October 18th (Thursday) at 7 p.m. is our Scripture Study Class with Jeanne Davis. It will be held in the Primary room. Our topic this month will be “Patterns in the Scriptures”. Bring your favorite scripture pattern. It does not need to be elaborate. Simple is great! **This class will be held every 3rd Thursday at 7 p.m.
October 28th will be our Regional Stake Conference at 10 a.m. This will be broadcast in our building from USU.
New Building Cleaning assignments have been made for the next quarter. Please see the chart posted on the September 30th blog. ****If you are going to be unable to keep your assignment, please call and make an exchange with another family.
Released -
Kaden and Traicen Potter as Primary teachers
Reed Baldwin as Stake Athletic Director
Called -
Isaac and Alyssa Short as Primary Teachers
Brent Haslam as Stake Athletic Director
Congratulations to Rachel Atkinson for earning her Young Women’s Recognition Award
Relief Society Lessons -
October 21 -
October 28 - Regional Stake Conference
Birthdays -
October 15 - Angela Loertscher
October 17 - Diana Atkinson, Natalie Phillips, Stephanie Roos
October 19 - Pauline Kurek
October 19 - Victoria Marrott
October 20 - Jeanne Skaggs
