The Carpenter of Nazareth

by George Blair read by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

Enjoy & remember Jesus Christ is the Reason for the Season!!

The Nativity

Happy Birthday!

1 - Arlene Green
3 - Marie Balderas and Mary Lyon
4 - Vicky Humphrey
9 - Jessica Miller
13 - Kathleen Cooley and Len Nae Warnes
14 - Judy Lee and Emily Burcham
15 - Marilyn Buehler
17 - Julie Sandberg
19 - Teresa Ipson
20 - Marni Stuart
22 - Linda Beach and Jeanne Kurtz
23 - Corrie Hout
24 - Natalie Garcia and Jennifer Kammeyer
26 - Kaelee Crosby
28 - Cora Hudson and Mary Johnson

December Announcements

Crafts Focus Group - Dec 3, 6:30pm (overflow behind chapel)

Brunch Bunch - Dec 5, 10:00am meeting at IHOP

First Presidency Christmas Devotional - Dec 6, 6:00pm

Stake Relief Society Temple Night - Dec 10, 7:00pm and the focus will be endowments

Ward Christmas Party - Dec 12, 6:30 Bring a favorite dessert

Dry Pack Canning - Dec 17 at 7:00pm. It will be at the church on 15th and Liberty. If anyone is interested in bringing products to be canned, please let Chris Peterson or Dave Martuello know by the 10th.

Christmas Carol Sing In - Dec 20 at 7:00pm in the Ogden Tabernacle.

December Visiting Teaching Message

Nurture through Compassionate Service


How Can I Develop and Increase in Compassion?

Moroni 7:48: "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: "Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. . . . In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers" ("Happiness, Your Heritage," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119, 120).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: "We need to rescue 'all that is finest down deep inside of [us]' so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, 'If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.'

"Let us bear one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and thus keep the covenants we have made [see Mosiah 18:8–10]" ("Now Let Us Rejoice," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 116).


How Can I Nurture through Compassionate Service?

D&C 81:5: "Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "The Good Shepherd said, 'Feed my lambs.' (John 21:15.) So a woman feeds her loved ones, providing succor and sustenance just as the Savior would do. Her divine gift is to nurture, to help the young, to care for the poor, to lift the brokenhearted.

"The Lord said, 'My work and my glory [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' (Moses 1:39.) So His devoted daughter-disciple may truly say, 'My work and my glory is to help my loved ones reach that heavenly goal.'

"To help another human being reach one's celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting" ("Woman—Of Infinite Worth," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 22).

Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: "The Lord has blessed women with divine attributes of love, compassion, kindness, and charity. Through our monthly visits as visiting teachers, we have the power to bless each sister as we extend our arms of love and kindness and give the gifts of compassion and charity. . . . It is my prayer that we will pledge an increased commitment to extend our arms of love and compassion to bless, help, and strengthen each other as we go about doing our visiting teaching with a willing and joyful heart" ("Feed My Sheep," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 113, 115).

“Live in Thanksgiving Daily”

By Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on 31 October 2000.

Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love.

Think for a moment, if you will, of someone you know who is truly happy. We’ve all met those who seem to radiate happiness. They seem to smile more than others; they laugh more than others—just being around them makes us happier as well.

Now think of someone you know who isn’t happy at all. Perhaps they seem 10 years older than they are, drained of energy—perhaps they are angry or bitter or depressed.

What is the difference between them? Does he or she live in thanksgiving daily?

President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 263).

One thing I can tell you with certainty is this: You cannot predict happiness by the amount of money, fame, or power a person has. External conditions do not necessarily make a person happy. The Brethren who have had assignments in poorer countries report that despite the abject poverty, the people are very happy. The fact is that the external things so valued by the world are often the cause of a great deal of misery in the world.

Those who live in thanksgiving daily, however, are usually among the world’s happiest people. And they make others happy as well.

Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent. It forges bonds of love and fosters loyalty and admiration.

Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love. But how do we make this part of who we are? May I suggest three things that will help as we strive to live in thanksgiving daily?

First, we must open our eyes.
The second thing we can do is open our hearts.
The third thing we can do to live in thanksgiving daily is open our arms.

Don’t wait to start. Open your eyes, open your hearts, and open your arms. I promise that as you do so, you will feel greater joy and happiness. Your life will have a new level of meaning. You will forge relationships that will transcend this life and endure through the eternities.

I am grateful for this experience of mortality. I am grateful for the gospel and for the life and testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am grateful for my wonderful wife, my dear children and grandchildren. I am grateful for the support and love shown to me by countless friends and members of the Church throughout the world. I am grateful for life and even more grateful for the glorious promise of eternal life to come.

Not everyone can be a star quarterback; not everyone can be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company; not everyone can win a gold medal at the Olympics; but everyone—everyone—can live in thanksgiving daily.

As a special witness, I bear solemn testimony that Jesus is the living Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. He asks that we believe in Him, that we learn of Him, that we strive to follow His teachings, and that we adhere to the teachings of our prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. He inspires him in the direction needed for this life and life eternal.

May we follow our Savior in all we do is my humble prayer.

What are you thankful for?

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup Canned Pumpkin
1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar
1/4 cup melted Butter or Margarine
2 Eggs
2 cups All-Purpose Flour (or 1 cup all-purpose and 1 cup whole-wheat flour)
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl or bowl of an electric mixer, mix or blend the Pumpkin, brown sugar, melted butter and eggs.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir or blend only until combined. Spoon the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin lined with paper liners. Bake the muffins for 20 minutes. Makes 10 to 12, depending on their size.

PUMPKIN-CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS: Stir 1/2 cup chocolate chips into the batter before scooping it into the muffin tin.

PUMPKIN-RAISIN MUFFINS: Stir 1/2 cup raisins into the batter before scooping it into the muffin tin.

PUMPKIN-SPICE MUFFINS: Sift 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg with the flour.

Winter Enrichment Night

When: Thurday, November 12, 2009
Time: 6:30pm
Where: Cultural Hall

Come join us for a warm dinner, a "snuggly" service project and a simple craft to help with the new year.

Nursery will be provided.

November Announcements

Nov. 12 - Enrichment Night, 6:30pm @ the ward building

Nov. 18 - Book Club - 6pm @ the Ward building

Nov. 19 - Auxiliary Training, 7pm @ the Stake Center

Nov. 21 - Stake Temple Session, meet at 8am in chapel to attend next available session.

Nov. 21 - +31 Single Adult Fall Social, Thanksgiving dinner, 4pm, Stake Center. For single adults and their children. Please bring a salad or a pie.

Dec. 10 - Stake Temple Relief Society Night - 7pm - endowments

Happy Birthday!

1 - Janice Jessop and Marilyn Smith
2 - Michele Sargent and Norma Dimond
3 - Lois Kunz
4 - Karma Spaniol
5 - Helen Badger
6 - Michele Johnson and Laura Owen
7 - Mary Stogden-Ruiz
10 - Sue Wood
19 - Julie Branz, Merisa Carter and Beverley Nelson
24 - Sharon Lundell
25 - Sarah Jackson and Jennifer Bell
26 - Carol Hale
28 - June Allen
29 - Verna Price

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking sheet
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds, rinsed well, dried, and toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 11-by-17- inch rimmed baking sheet; set aside.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and honey. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is medium amber and a candy thermometer registers 280 degrees. about 6 minutes. Stir in pumpkin seeds. Cook until mixture reaches 300 degrees. about 2 minutes. Pour onto prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely. Break into pieces.

Thoughts on Visiting Teaching

When I asked Sister DeMoux if she had a favorite quote to share from Conference she replied,

"Some talks "pinch" me and cause me to ponder my dedication. This one did. I've renewed my commitment to be a visiting teacher that tries more faithfully to reach my sisters and to rely more on the Lord's guidance in what I do and say. May we watch over one another carefully."

She was referring to a quote from Sister Julie Beck's talk at the General Relief Society Meeting.

Much of the essential Relief Society work we do doesn’t happen in meetings. Let’s focus now on learning about visiting teaching. Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf. This is one duty we have in the Church where we are certain to have the help of the Lord if we ask for it. This is one responsibility that is certain to increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families as we become partners with the Lord. A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching.

Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship. We demonstrate our faith and follow a pattern established by the Lord as we report on our assignment every month. If our watchcare were primarily about reporting that every sister in the ward heard the Visiting Teaching Message printed each month in the Ensign and Liahona, it would be much more efficient to read it aloud to everyone in a sacrament meeting. Our reports are most helpful to the bishop and the Relief Society president when we inform them of the spiritual and temporal well-being of sisters and how we have been able to serve and love them.

How truly blessed we are to have such wonderful leaders, to guide us and help in our journey, as we strive to come unto Christ.

Happy Birthday!

2 - Janice Christensen
3 - Raylene Western
4 - Kim Warren
5 - Erin Woodfield
6 - Shirley Fronk
10 - Sandra Jeppesen and Leanne Morley
12 - La Dell Larkin
13 - Darlene Wood
14 - Susan Munk, Carla Nielsen and Kari Storey
16 - Margie Frazer
17 - Jacey Hulsey, Judith Olsen, Jessie Swenson and Heather Tezak
21 - Buffy Rogers
23 - Kathy Smith
24 - Sherry Fronk and Sandra Thorsted Durrant
25 - Lee Hulsey
26 - Delta Spendlove
27 - Danna Walling
30 - Patricia Fillmore
30 - Marsha Stanford
31 - Teresa Born, Elena Christensen, Michele Long and Sharon Piz

November
1 - Janice Jessop and Marilyn Smith
2 - Michele Sargent and Norma Dimond
3 - Lois Kunz
4 - Karma Spaniol
5 - Helen Badger
6 - Michele Johnson and Laura Owen
7 - Mary Stogden-Ruiz
10 - Sue Wood
19 - Julie Branz, Merisa Carter and Beverley Nelson
24 - Sharon Lundell
25 - Sarah Jackson and Jennifer Bell
26 - Carol Hale
28 - June Allen
29 - Verna Price

Pumpkin Chili

A great dish to serve on Halloween!

Ingredients:
2 T vegetable oil
½ c chopped onion
1 c chopped red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb ground meat
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can (8 oz) diced green chiles
½ c frozen corn
1 T chili powder
1 t cumin
Salt and pepper

Heat oil in large stock pot over med-high heat.
Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently 5-7 mins.
Add meat, cook until browned, drain.
Add tomatoes with juice and all other ingredients.
Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low.
Cover. Cook-stirring occasionally- for 30 mins.

Great with tortilla chips and grated cheese.

October Announcements

General Conference will be held on October 3 and 4. The morning session begins at 10AM and the afternoon session begins at 2PM.

Tri Stake Youth Dance on October 17. Dancing instructions begin at 8:30-9:30PM, Dancing from 9:30 - 11:00PM at the Stake Center.

Gospel Education Night October 21 at 7PM. North Ogden Coldwater Stake Center (770. 2100 N.). Instructor: Ron Burhley. Questions, please call Jeryldean Clark at 801-737-4467.

Stake Conference October 24 at 7:00PM and October 25 at 10:00AM, at the Stake Center.

October Visiting Teaching Message

Nurture the Rising Generation

D&C 123:11: "It is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation."

What Is My Responsibility to the Rising Generation?

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Reserved by the Lord for this time, [the rising generation] must now be preserved . . . and prepared for their special moment in human history! They have been held back to come forth at this time, but now they need to be pushed forward to meet their rendezvous. . . .

"Youth are not unlike prospective converts. There are those critical moments when their souls begin to tilt—toward the Lord or away from Him. These moments of decision cannot always be created, but when they occur, they must not be wasted. More often than not, these moments will occur in quiet and reverent conversation with parents, grandparents, a bishop, an adult leader, or a righteous peer" ("Unto the Rising Generation," Ensign, Apr. 1985, 8, 10).

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy: "Our rising generation is worthy of our best efforts to support and strengthen them in their journey to adulthood. . . . In every action we take, in every place we go, with every Latter-day Saint young person we meet, we need to have an increased awareness of the need for strengthening, nurturing, and being an influence for good in their lives" ("Our Rising Generation," Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, 47).

How Can I Nurture the Rising Generation?

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008): "Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. . . . Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried" ("Words of the Living Prophet," Liahona, May 1998, 26–27; "Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Ensign, July 1997, 73).

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: "To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. . . . Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women" ("Mothers Who Know," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 76, 77).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: "As Relief Society sisters we can help one another to strengthen families. We are given opportunities to serve in many capacities. We constantly come in contact with children and youth who may need just what we can offer. You older sisters have much good advice and experience to share with younger mothers. Sometimes a Young Women leader or a Primary teacher says or does just the thing that is needed to reinforce what a parent is trying to teach. And obviously we don't need any particular calling to reach out to a friend or neighbor" ("I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 117).

Toffee Apple Dip

We found our new favorite treat! This toffee dip is the best! It is super easy to make and a little goes a long way. Thank you so much Emily. YUM!

1 (8oz) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 (8oz) bag Heath toffee bits

Mix all ingredients together and serve with sliced apples or refrigerate till ready to serve. Makes about 3 cups.

Preparing children for General Conference

Sugardoodle.net is the best place to look if you're searching for General Conference packets and resources to use with your children. The Ensign had a great article in the March 2009 issue Preparing Children for Conference. Kate took the ideas from the article and compiled them in an easy-to-read list.

These two ideas sounded great:

• Hang the pictures of the apostles near the T.V. and each time a new speaker gets up to speak, find his picture on the poster. When the picture is found, put a sticker on that person’s picture.
• Have a bowl of small treats for each session. Next to the bowl place objects that represent key words for that session. Each time the children hear one of those words spoken from the pulpit they can help themselves to one treat.
The idea door, lds.about.com and LDS Coloring Page Blog has some great links for activites. Mormon Momma also had some great ideas.

Let us know if you have any other ideas. We would all love to hear them!

Remembering September 11th

Today is a good day to reflect on the blessings we have been given. Please take a minute to watch this Finding Hope (double click on "Finding Hope"). Remember that day, put out your flags, and be grateful for your blessings.

09/09/09

Today at 9 minutes and 9 seconds past 9 this morning it was 09:09:09 09/09/09. Today is the 252 day of the year 2+5+2=9. It is Wednesday today, Wednesday has 9 letters in it. It is September. September has 9 letters in it. A good day if your lucky number is 9!

Happy Birthday!

2 Helen Macfarlane

2 Pamela Higgins

3 Staci Freeman

4 Kathryn Horrocks

4 Marcie Gilgen

8 Mollie Swenson

9 Frances Hunter

9 Cindy Iman

9 Betty Kauwe

13 Lee Ann Premo

15 Mary Hutchens

15 Margaret Parry

19 Megan Marshall

19 Charlene Russell

21 Louise DeMoux

21 Georgia King

21 Georgia Warren

22 Aimee Dussol

24 Kally Whittle

25 Kathleen Cook

25 Barbara Hales

29 Valerie Simonich

30 Teresa Jenkins

30 Beverly Buttars

30 Loraine Garvey

September Visiting Teaching Message

Understand and Live the Gospel of Christ

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

How Can I Better Understand and Live the Gospel?

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Faithful members of the Church should be like oak trees and should extend deep roots into the fertile soil of the fundamental principles of the gospel. We should understand and live by the simple, basic truths and not complicate them. Our foundations should be solid and deep-rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted. . . .

"Spiritual nourishment is just as important as a balanced diet to keep us strong and healthy. We nourish ourselves spiritually by partaking of the sacrament weekly, reading the scriptures daily, praying daily in personal and family prayer, and performing temple work regularly. Our spiritual strengths are like batteries; they need to be charged and frequently recharged" ("Deep Roots," Ensign, Nov. 1994, 75).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: "Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be 'anxiously engaged in a good cause.' We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do" ("Now Let Us Rejoice," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 116).
2 Nephi 31:12: "Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do."
How Does Understanding and Living the Gospel Bless Lives?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: "As we strive to understand, internalize, and live correct gospel principles, we will become more spiritually self-reliant. . . . I testify as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ that He lives, that the gospel is true, and that it offers the answers to all personal and collective challenges the children of God have on this earth today" ("Christlike Attributes—the Wind beneath Our Wings," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 100, 101).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "The plan of happiness is available to all of his children. If the world would embrace and live it, peace, joy, and plenty would abound on the earth. Much of the suffering we know today would be eliminated if people throughout the world would understand and live the gospel" ("Answers to Life's Questions," Ensign, May 1995, 23).

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "We must live the gospel in such a way that we will have the Spirit to ever be with us. If we live worthily, the Spirit will always be with us. We can then teach by the Spirit. . . . The reason we pray, study the scriptures, have good friends, and live the gospel through obedience to the commandments is so that when—not if, but when--the trials come, we are ready" ("Teaching by Faith," Liahona, Sept. 2003, 10, 14–15; Ensign, Sept. 2003, 20, 24–25).

September Announcements

Stake Relief Society Temple day is Thursday, September 10 at 7:00pm; to do initiatories.

Father and Sons Camp out will be on Friday, September 11 and 12 at Camp Atoka.

CES Singles Fireside on Sunday, September 13, 6:00pm at the Institute.

Enrichment Night will be Thursday, September 17 at 6:30. We're going to have dinner and a group discussion where we help each other answer questions we may have about parenting, marriage, friendships... interpersonal relationships in general.

Dry Pack Canning training is on Thursday, September 17, 7:00pm at the Stake Center.

Court of Honors is on Thursday, September 17, 7:00pm at the Stake Center.

Stake Temple Day is on Saturday, September 19 at 8:00am.

The Brunch Bunch will be meeting on Saturday, September 19, 10:00am at IHOP (off 12th street and Washington). If you need a ride please call Jenny Venegas.

Over 35 and Single have an activity on Saturday, September 19th, 11:00am at Camp Atoka.

Book Club will meet on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00pm. They are reading Led by Faith by Immaculee Ilibigiza. For October they will read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.

Craft Group will meet on Thursday, September 24 at 6:30pm. for a Relief Society Project Night.

General Relief Society Meeting will be held on September 26. The broadcast will air at 6pm and again at 8pm.

General Conference will be held on October 3 and 4. The morning session begins at 10am and the afternoon session begins at 2pm.

August Announcements

Aug 6-8; Stake Youth Conference



Aug 13; Stake Young Single Adults Activity @ 6:30



Aug 21; Stake Center Picnic in the Park - Bowery @ Camp Atoka - 6:30pm - We are trying to carpool up so please call one of the Relief Society Presidency if you can drive or if you would be willing to ride with someone else. If you wish, you can camp over on Friday night, but will need to plan for your own meals on Saturday.



Aug 22; Ward Temple Day -Be in chapel by 5:30



Aug 23; Oquirrh Mt. Temple Dedication - 9am @ Stake Center

Visiting Teaching Message

Seek Education and Lifelong Learning

Why Should I Continually Seek Spiritual and Secular Education?

D&C 93:36–37: “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.”

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “The Lord has told us that our time should ‘be devoted to the studying of the scriptures’ (D&C 26:1) and that ‘the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given … for [our] instruction’ (D&C 33:16). Every woman can be a gospel doctrine instructor in her home, and every sister in the Church needs gospel knowledge as a leader and teacher. If you have not already developed the habit of daily scripture study, start now and keep studying in order to be prepared for your responsibilities in this life and in the eternities” (“My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 107–8).

President Thomas S. Monson: “Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. … I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.

“Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life” (“Three Goals to Guide You,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 119).

How Can I Be a Lifelong Learner?

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency: “We will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. … But remember, you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning. …

“… And since what we will need to know is hard to discern, we need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn. It also means that we cannot waste time entertaining ourselves when we have the chance to read or to listen to whatever will help us learn what is true and useful. Insatiable curiosity will be our hallmark” (“Education for Real Life,” Ensign, Oct. 2002, 18, 19).

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “A few of the basic attributes needed to become a lifelong learner are courage, faithful desire, humility, patience, curiosity, and a willingness to communicate and share the knowledge that we gain. …

“My dear sisters, don’t ever sell yourself short as a woman or as a mother. … Do not let the world define, denigrate, or limit your feelings of lifelong learning and the values of motherhood in the home—both here mortally and in the eternal learning and benefits you give to your children and to your companion.

“Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt” (“The Journey of Lifelong Learning,” in Brigham Young University 2008–2009 Speeches [2009], 2, 8–9).