"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
-Margaret D. Nadauld

All the Single Ladies

Teachings for Our Time Lessons! Prepare for Janae's Fourth Sunday Lessons

Cypress California Stake

“Teachings for Our Time” Guidelines

Fourth Sunday Lessons for Priesthood & Relief Society

November, 2010 through April, 2011

The fourth Sunday lesson, called Teachings for Our Time, for the Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society, are taken from the October, 2010, General Conference sermons.

The following are the lesson topics, with related talks, that the Stake Presidency has selected and request be taught in the Cypress Stake.  Lessons 1 through 5 are to be taught in all Wards according to the accompanied schedule.

Bishoprics, we have received feed back from your auxiliaries to the effect that the decision as to which lesson to teach in which month is often made too late for meaningful lesson preparation. 

For that reason, we now ask that you teach Lessons 1 through 5 according to the accompanying schedule. 

For April, 2011, Bishoprics are to prayerfully choose from any of the sermons given in the October, 2010 General Conference. For this month, the Stake Presidency has elected not to include any recommendations for selection. 

The Guidelines stress the value of having the priesthood and Relief Society all study the same topics on the same Sunday.

Stake members use the November, 2010, Ensign as the fourth Sunday “lesson manual.”  Lesson participants are to be encouraged to read the sermon in advance of the lesson, and to bring with them the Ensign on the fourth Sunday.

Ward leaders are encouraged to be certain all members have access to the Ensign, or see to it that selected sermons are printed out from the Church’s web sight at www.lds.org.

Lesson No. 1 – November, 2010:  Remaining Faithful

“Never Leave Him” by Elder Neal A. Anderson

 

Lesson No. 2 – December, 2010:  Gratitude in Our Lives

“The Divine Gift of Gratitude” by President Thomas S. Monson

Lesson No. 3 – January, 2011:  Following the Prophets

“Obedience to the Prophets” by Elder Claudio R. M. Costa

(To Be Studied Along With the Companion Message – “Fourteen Fundamentals of Following the Prophet” by President Ezra Taft Benson)

Lesson No. 4 – February, 2011: 

Pride Goes Before the Fall

“Pride & The Priesthood” by President Deiter F. Uchtdorf

(To Be Studied Along With the Companion Message – “Beware of Pride” by President Ezra Taft Benson)

 

Lesson No. 5 – March, 2011:  A Life of Consecration

“Reflections on a Consecrated Life” by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

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Optional Lesson:

To be selected from the October, 2010, Conference Sermons by Ward Bishoprics.

Awesome Quote from President Eyring

Evidence of the Atonement

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT

"If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost today, you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life. For that reason and many others, you would do well to put yourself in places and in tasks that invite the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost works both ways: the Holy Ghost only dwells in a clean temple, and the reception of the Holy Ghost cleanses us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the service of the Lord. And with that companionship you will be strengthened against temptation and empowered to detect deception." Henry B. Eyring, "Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times," Ensign, June 2007, 23

Day Thirteen

Remember Who You Are

Esther 4: 12-14

And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?


Spiritual Growth

“You are a daughter of God, and he has sent you here. Thus, it is essential that you learn why you are here. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “Unless (the Saints of God) have an actual knowledge that the course they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint.”(Bonnie D. Parkin)
Live your life today as you are in Heavenly Father’s presence. Record the joy of today’s journey in your journal.

Day Twelve

Raise Our Sights

Enos 1: 1-4
Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man-for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord-and blessed be the name of my God for it- And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

Spiritual Growth
Focus on righteous examples of your forefathers and your parents that have helped you gain a testimony of God the Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
Spend time with a member or members of your family and share with them your experiences which have helped strengthened your testimony of the Godhead and the restored gospel.

Day Eleven

Pre-Mortal Character

John 17: 5
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Spiritual Growth
It is important for us to truly understand where we came from and what attributes we came with to this mortal journey on earth. Take a moment to ponder and journal how you understand the importance of knowing and accepting your character that you brought with you from the pre-existence.

Day Ten

Prayer

Alma 37: 36 & 37

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affection of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning, let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Spiritual Growth

Begin to spend more time in communication with Heavenly Father. Really communicate – tell Him what you need and feel. Then listen for His counsel and answers. Record this in your journal.

Suggested reading: Enos 1: 1-8.

Crochet!

I am so impressed with all of you!
Remember, everyone is invited to work on their shawls together at Carolyn and my house on Tuesday nights. You might want to bring some snacks.