Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Thoughts From Our Presidency

RS Pres Bonnie Burnett ~ Relief Society was organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith in March 1842. R. S. was "divinely made, authorized, instituted, and ordained of God". The purpose of Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life
by helping increase their faith and personal righteousness; strengthen families and homes; and helping those in need. We pray for you sisters daily and want you to know we love you.

RS 2ND Counselor Colleen Benson ~ RS is a worldwide circle of sisterhood. Boyd K Packer stated, "This great circle of sisters will be a protection for each of you and for your families. The RS might be likened to a refuge--the place of safety and protection--the sanctuary of ancient times. You will be safe within it. It encircles each sister like a protecting wall." We love and pray for you daily.

RS Secretary Melody Stuart ~ As sisters we need to make our homes a safe and happy place to be. We can do this through establishing good and healthy routines at home. Always making sure, no matter how young or old your family is and no matter how busy your family is that you make time for daily prayer and scripture reading. We are enjoying getting to know all of you and pray for you daily.

Announcements

*Ward Picnic in the Park will be on Wednesday, Aug 15 at 6:30. We will be gathering at Rolling Hills Park (just above the church). Bring your lawn chairs!

*Book Club will meet on Aug 22 at 6:30. We are reading “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett.

*Every Saturday, Zumba, 8am, at the Stake Center.

*Every Thursday at 12:00 at the Rolling Hills Park, Mamas' play dates.

*Open house tickets become available July 30.

*Brigham City Temple open house starts Aug 18.

*Dedication of the Brigham City Temple will be Sept 23.

Happy Birthday!


1 - Iris McCrary
3 - Alisa Valletta
4 - Betty Adams
6 - Julie Balkcom, Marcie Moore, Lydia Chatelain
7 - Rachel Budge, Fawn Etta Bennett
12 - Maria Epperson
13 - Melanie Corbin
14 - Heather Turner
18 - Michelle Wilkinson
20 - Brandy Tucker, Daniela Quintana
21 - Lynette Marsee
22 - Brook Fowers
23 - Julie Brewer, Jennifer Keys
24 - Colleen Benson
25 - Megan Brey
28 - Jeanette Pope
29 - Randi Rollins
31 - Donna Kearney, Erin Wilson

Taking Action in Time of Need

As visiting teachers, one of our purposes is to help strengthen families and homes. The sisters we visit should be able to say, “If I have problems, I know my visiting teachers will help without waiting to be asked.” In order to serve, we have a responsibility to be conscious of the needs of the sisters we visit. When we seek inspiration, we will know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister we are assigned to visit. Then, using our time, skills, talents, prayers of faith, and spiritual and emotional support, we can help give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.1

Through the help of reports from visiting teachers, the Relief Society presidency identifies those who have special needs because of physical or emotional illness, emergencies, births, deaths, disability, loneliness, or other challenges. The Relief Society president then reports her findings to the bishop. Under his direction, she coordinates assistance.2

As visiting teachers we can have “great reason … to rejoice” because of “the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work” (Alma 26:1, 3).


From the Scriptures

Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:29–37; Alma 26:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19


From Our History

In the early years of the Church, membership was small and centralized. Members could respond quickly when someone was in need. Today our membership is over 14 million and is spread throughout the world. Visiting teaching is part of the Lord’s plan to provide help for all His children.

“The only system which could provide succor and comfort across a church so large in a world so varied would be through individual servants near the people in need,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“… Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon,” he continued. “She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.”3


For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.


What Can I Do?

1.
Am I using my gifts and talents to bless others?

2.
Do the sisters I watch over know that I am willing to help them when they have a need?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July!

May we be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to those of our own.
~ President Thomas S. Monson

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Getting to Know Our New Presidency

RS Pres - Bonnie Burnett ~ I was born and raised in Ogden. I have 3 children (twin daughters and a son), and 5 grandchildren who are the loves of my life!! I coached the girls' soccer team at Ben Lomond for ten yrs and I'm currently working for Homecare and Hospice as a hospice RN. I enjoy doing anything outside from biking, swimming to working in the garden. I'm gluten free and non-dairy along with several of you sisters. I love you and love getting to know you!!

RS 1ST Counselor - Shanna Dayton ~ I was born in Ogden and grew up in Garland, Utah. I married Dave 27 years ago. We have three daughters and two grandchildren. We raised our family in the south, while living in: Mississippi (twice), Arkansas, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, Tennessee twice and now Utah. Besides my family, my greatest loves are baking, reading cookbooks and blogs about food!

RS 2ND Counselor - Colleen Benson ~ I was born in Utah County and moved to Ogden when I was 6. I graduated from Ben Lomond. I married Bryce and have lived in Idaho, South Carolina & Tennessee. We have 5 children (4 sons and a daughter) ages 30 to 19. We are expecting our 1st grandchild in September. I love to swim, dance, read, sing and have fun with family and friends!

RS Secretary - Melody Stuart
*Ward Picnic in the Park will be on Friday, July 18 at 6:30. We will be gathering at Rolling Hills Park (just above the church). Bring your lawn chairs!

*Every Saturday, Zumba, 9am,at the Stake Center.

*Every Thursday at noon at the Rolling Hills Park, Mamas' play dates.

Looking forward;
*Brigham City Temple open house starts Aug 18.
*Dedication of the Brigham City Temple will be Aug 23.

Happy Birthday!


1 - Marcy Hooper
2 - Bonnie Burnett
3 - Jenny Cochran
4 - Liberty Minor
5 - Ashley Palmer
6 - Shana Rae Swain
7 - Katherine Welch, Jamee Thompson
8 - Cassie Chlarson
11 - Barbara Kirchmann
12 - Donna White
15 - Christina Sartor
16 - Patricia Smith
17 - Monica Bradbury
19 - Lesly Rollins
22 - Patricia Van Drimmelen, Jamie Dickamore
23 - Glenda Fay Winters, Kristalynn Gilgert
25 - Brandi Hurst, Kolbi Lords
27 - Nicole Bean
29 - Carol Brown, Rose Sutphen
31 - Roberta Moon, Johanna Roberts




Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service

Throughout His mortal life, Jesus Christ showed His love for others by ministering to them. He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). He set the example and wants us to “succor those that stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:16). He calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him.

Our service as visiting teachers will closely resemble the ministry of our Savior when we show our love for those we visit teach by doing the following:

• Remember their names and the names of their family members and become acquainted with them.
• Love them without judging them.
• Watch over them and strengthen their faith “one by one,” as the Savior did (3 Nephi 11:15).
• Establish sincere friendships with them and visit them in their homes and elsewhere.
• Care about each sister. Remember birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptisms, or other times that are meaningful to her.
• Reach out to new and less-active members.
• Reach out to the lonely or those in need of comfort.
From the Scriptures
3 Nephi 11; Moroni 6:4; Doctrine and Covenants 20:47

From Our History
“The New Testament includes accounts of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ. … These women became exemplary disciples. … [They] journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death and Resurrection, [they] continued to be faithful disciples.”

Paul wrote of a woman named Phebe, who was “a servant of the church” (Romans 16:1). He asked the people to “assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many” (Romans 16:2). “The kind of service rendered by Phebe and other great women of the New Testament continues today with members of the Relief Society—leaders, visiting teachers, mothers, and others—who act as succorers, or helpers, of many.”

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

What Can I Do?
1. How am I increasing my ability to nurture others?
2. What am I doing to ensure that the sisters I watch over know that I love them?

Friday, June 29, 2012

Fundraiser for Griffin Shaw

Cinepointe 6 is generously sponsoring a fundraising event for Griffin Shaw. Tickets are $3 and are good for ANY movie showing on Thursday JULY 12th, 2012 You must purchase through a fundraiser representative ( Laura Shaw, Travis Shaw, Heather Turner) OR Tickets may be purchased through Ebay by going to http://www.ebay.com/sch/griffincancerfund/m.html?hash=item27c8966093&item=170869022867&pt=US_Tickets_all_in_one&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2562

TICKETS PURCHASED DIRECTLY AT THE CINEPOINTE BOX OFFICE WILL NOT BE GIVEN CREDIT TO GRIFFIN'S FUNDRAISER. THE TICKET MUST BE SPECIFIED THAT IT WAS PURCHASED THROUGH THE FUNDRAISER.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Announcements

*Game Night will be on the 19th at 6:30, at the church bring a
favorite game to play.

*Ward Picnic in the Park will be on Friday, June 20 at 6:30. We will be gathering at Rolling Hills Park (just above the church).

*Book Club meets on the 27th at 6:30pm. We are reading “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. We are not meeting in July. For August we will be reading “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett.

*Coed Softball: Contact Janis Matthews
*Every Saturday, Zumba, 9am,
at the Stake Center.

*Every Thursday at noon at the Rolling Hills Park, Mamas' play dates.

Looking forward;
*Brigham City Temple open house starts Aug 18.
*Dedication of the Brigham City Temple will be Aug 23.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Happy Birthday!



Landon, Kathryn – 2
Urick, Vivian - 3
Butler, Sydney – 4
Dayton, Annie – 5
Kuntz – Laurie - 7
Harding, Fran – 8
Jensen, Tori – 8
Levy, Amy – 9
Taylor, Jeane - 10
Cain, Lindsay – 12
Fakhraie, Kay – 13
McKinley, Carol - 13
Bent, Lyndee – 14
Keeney, Renee - 15
Dussol, Brenda – 16
Minton,Leonore - 16
Carter, Brianne – 18
Owen, Bonny – 19
Stephens, Lacey – 19
Stuart, Elizabeth - 23
Miller, Rachelle - 24
Burleson, Susan – 25
Child, Shelley – 25
Mercier, Becky – 25
Thomas, Shelly - 30

Visiting Teaching — a Sacred Assignment

As visiting teachers, we have an important spiritual mission to fulfill. “The bishop, who is the ordained shepherd of the ward, cannot possibly watch over all of the Lord’s sheep at one time. He is dependent on inspired visiting teachers to help him.” Seeking and receiving revelation as to who should be assigned to watch over each sister is essential. Inspiration begins as members of the Relief Society presidency prayerfully discuss the needs of individuals and families. Then, with the bishop’s approval, the Relief Society presidency gives the assignment in a way that helps sisters understand that visiting teaching is an important spiritual responsibility. Visiting teachers sincerely come to know and love each sister, help her strengthen her faith, and give service when needed. They seek personal inspiration to know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister they visit. “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.”

From the Scriptures
Matthew 22:36–40; John 13:34–35; Alma 37:6–7

From Our History
Eliza R. Snow, the second Relief Society general president taught, “I consider the office of a teacher a high and holy office.” She counseled visiting teachers “to be filled with the Spirit of God, of wisdom, of humility, of love” before they visited homes so they would be able to ascertain and meet spiritual needs as well as temporal ones. She said, “You may feel to talk words of peace and comfort, and if you find a sister feeling cold, take her to your heart as you would a child to your bosom and warm [her] up.” As we go forth in faith as the early Relief Society sisters did, we will have the Holy Ghost with us and be inspired to know how to help each sister we visit. “Let [us] seek for wisdom instead of power,” said Sister Snow, “and [we] will have all the power [we] have wisdom to exercise.”

What Can I Do?
1. How can I improve in my ability to fulfill my important responsibility as a visiting teacher?
2. As a visiting teacher, how can I help other sisters fulfill their responsibility as visiting teachers?

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Announcements

*Book Club meets on the 30th at 6:30pm. We are reading “The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho by Immaculee Ilibigiza. For June we will be reading The Giver by Lois Lowry.

*RS Monthly Meeting will be on the 10th at 6:30pm. Salads, Service and Sundaes! Help us knit hats using looms and finish tying a quilt, all to be donated to the women's shelter; and/or help deep clean the church's kitchen. There will also be the trash-to-treasure table & child care provided.

*Game Night will be on the 15th at 6:30, at the church bring a favorite game to play.

*Stake Conference will be on the19th at 7pm, & on the 20th at 10am at the Stake Center

*Ward Community Garden is starting! If you are interested in joining, please contact Jenny Venegas.

*Every Saturday, Zumba, 9am, at the Stake Center.

*Every Thursday at noon at the Rolling Hills Park, Mamas' play dates.

Happy Birthday!


1 Denece Eggert
4 Kathy Mason
5 Bonnie Smyth, Venice Turner
6 Linda Noorda, Monica Robinson, Laura Scott, Laura Shaw
8 Lisa Marie Erickson
9 Josette Whetton, Jessica Brady, Gayla Pengelly
14 Diane Craghead, Sandy Hunter, Ethel Puhl
15 Melissa Mayberry, Carol Mortensen
16 Candice Holmes, Laura Maki, Hilary Wygal
17 Judy Hultgren
18 Sara Bills, Adrie Feller, Cassadie Lee, Leah Miera
19 Claudette Nielsen
20 Laraine Gardner, Francie Widdison
21 Wanda Millsa
22 Leann Jackson
24 Rebecca Morgan
29 Janis Mathews
31 Dione Jones

Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen

Like the Savior, visiting teachers minister one by one (see 3 Nephi 11:15). We know we are successful in our ministering as visiting teachers when our sisters can say: (1) my visiting teacher helps me grow spiritually; (2) I know my visiting teacher cares deeply about me and my family; and (3) if I have problems, I know my visiting teacher will take action without waiting to be asked. How can we as visiting teachers love, watch over, and strengthen a sister? Following are nine suggestions found in chapter 7 of Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society to help visiting teachers minister to their sisters: • Pray daily for her and her family. • Seek inspiration to know her and her family. • Visit her regularly to learn how she is doing and to comfort and strengthen her. • Stay in frequent contact through visits, phone calls, letters, e-mail, text messages, and simple acts of kindness. • Greet her at Church meetings. • Help her when she has an emergency, illness, or other urgent need. • Teach her the gospel from the scriptures and the Visiting Teaching Messages. • Inspire her by setting a good example. • Report to a Relief Society leader about their service and the sister’s spiritual and temporal well-being. From the Scriptures Luke 10:38–39; 3 Nephi 11:23–26; 27:21 From Our History “Visiting teaching has become a vehicle for Latter-day Saint women worldwide to love, nurture, and serve—to ‘act according to those sympathies which God has planted in [our] bosoms,’ as Joseph Smith taught.” A sister who had recently been widowed said of her visiting teachers: “They listened. They comforted me. They wept with me. And they hugged me. … [They] helped me out of the deep despair and depression of those first few months of loneliness.” Help with temporal tasks is also a form of ministering. At the October 1856 general conference, President Brigham Young announced that handcart pioneers were stranded in deep snow 270–370 miles (435–595 km) away. He called for the Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City to rescue them and to “attend strictly to those things which we call temporal.” Lucy Meserve Smith recorded that the women took off their warm underskirts and stockings right there in the tabernacle and piled them into wagons to send to the freezing pioneers. Then they gathered bedding and clothing for those who would eventually come with few belongings. When the handcart companies arrived, a building in the town was “loaded with provisions for them.” For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org. What Can I Do? 1. How can I know what my sisters need? 2. How will my sisters know that I care deeply about them?

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Oh No! April is gone :(

I need to apologize! I had the April posts written and scheduled to post on April 1st. But Blogger updated its system and they were deleted. I haven't noticed until I started working on May's posts. I am so sorry! I will be more on top of things from here on out!! Thanks for your patience!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

General Conference

Just a reminder that March 31 & April 1 at 10am, 2pm on KSL channel 5.

Loved this idea to remind us to prepare
so we can get the most out of conference.
Just double click on the picture.




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!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Announcements

Saturdays - 9am - Women's basketball

2nd Sunday - Singles 31+ religion class - 7pm

March 4 - CES fireside - 6pm

March 8 - Relief Society Birthday Party, 6:30pm

March 18 - Stake General Priesthood Meeting - 7am

March 24 - YW General Meeting - 6pm

March 25 - Fast Sunday

March 25 - CES fireside, 6pm

March 31 - General Conference, 10am, 2pm

March 31 - General Conference Priesthood Session - 6pm

Daughters in My Kingdom

We are daughters of our Father in Heaven. He knows us, loves us, and has a plan for us. Part of that plan includes coming to earth to learn to choose good over evil. When we choose to keep God’s commandments, we honor Him and acknowledge our identity as daughters of God. Relief Society helps us remember this divine heritage.

Relief Society and its history strengthen and support us. Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, said: “As daughters of God, you are preparing for eternal designations, and each of you has a female identity, nature, and responsibility. The success of families, communities, this Church, and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness. … [Our Heavenly Father] intended Relief Society to help build His people and prepare them for the blessings of the temple. He established [Relief Society] to align His daughters with His work and to enlist their help in building His kingdom and strengthening the homes of Zion.”

Our Father in Heaven has given us specific work to help build His Kingdom. He has also blessed us with the spiritual gifts we need to accomplish this specific work. Through Relief Society, we have opportunities to use our gifts to strengthen families, help those in need, and learn how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said of discipleship: “By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God’s will rather than ours.”

Let us remember we are daughters of God and strive to live as His disciples. As we do so, we will help build God’s kingdom here on earth and become worthy to return to His presence.

From the Scriptures
Zechariah 2:10; Doctrine and Covenants 25:1, 10, 16; 138:38–39, 56; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129)

From Our History
On April 28, 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith said to the sisters in Relief Society: “You are now placed in a situation in which you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in [you]. … If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”

Recognizing the power of Relief Society to serve others and to help individuals increase in faith, Zina D. H. Young, third Relief Society general president, promised the sisters in 1893, “If you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find, with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of this work.”

What Can I Do?
1. How can I help my sisters reach their potential as daughters of God?
2. How can I apply in my life the counsel and warnings given to women in Doctrine and Covenants 25?

Happy Birthday!


2 - Victoria Fritz
3 - JoDee Keyes
4 - Lorraine Vause & Candice Kunz
5 - Charlene Christensen, Kim Thorpe & Linda Dabb
7 - Jeanette Stones & Jennifer Keener
12 - Jill Wheelwright
17 - Shamara Hartmann
19 - Lorrie Goldsberry
22 - Shanna Dayton
24 - Marcell Kearney, JoAnn Cordova & Liandra Dittmore
25 - Catherine Anderson & Lorene Little
27 - Pamela Rischen
29- Lori Lucero, Michelle Elzinga & Rashae Swain
31 - Lynette Love & Julie Montgomery

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Happy Birthday!


1 - Mary Ann Peterson & Jenifer Argyle
2 - Melody Stuart
4 - Cynthia Ford & Carol Fuhriman
6 - Shannon Jeffords & Jann Keefer
8 - Jeanette Sandstrom & Rykki Neale
9 - Kit Garcia
10 - Monica Sparrow
11 - Marla Hamilton & Julie Fisher
12 - Erin Jeffords, Dawn Workman & Logan Stringfellow
14 - Ruth Fishburn
15 - Clela Madsen & Jamie Waite
18 - Lessa Pittman
19 - Elaine Barton
20 - Linsey Kunzler & Mellissa Kuns
24 - Pam Thompson & Gloria Mansfield

February Announcements

Feb. 9 - Evening R.S. activity - Your Happily Ever after - decorated valentines cookies and lots of fun and friendship
Feb. 14 - Valentines Day
Feb. 17 - Ward Dinner 6:30 - Cultural Hall
Feb. 18 - Ward Temple Day, Bountiful Temple, meet in the Temple Chapel at 10am.
Feb. 19 - Ward Conference
Feb. 22 - Book Club: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 6:30 - ward building

Ongoing announcements
North Ogden Single Adult Coordinating Council Religion Class - 2nd Sunday at Mt. Lewis Stake Center, 7p. Refreshments
Women's Basketball - Saturday mornings, 9 at Stake Center

Guardians of the Hearth

“You are the guardians of the hearth,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) as he introduced “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in the general Relief Society meeting in 1995. “You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God.”

For almost 17 years now this proclamation has reinforced that our most significant responsibilities are centered in strengthening families and homes—no matter our current circumstances. Barbara Thompson, now second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, was in the Salt Lake Tabernacle when President Hinckley first read the proclamation. “That was a great occasion,” she remembers. “I felt the significance of the message. I also found myself thinking, ‘This is a great guide for parents. It is also a big responsibility for parents.’ I thought for a moment that it really didn’t pertain too much to me since I wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. But almost as quickly I thought, ‘But it does pertain to me. I am a member of a family. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a niece, and a granddaughter. I do have responsibilities—and blessings—because I am a member of a family. Even if I were the only living member of my family, I am still a member of God’s family, and I have a responsibility to help strengthen other families.’”

Fortunately, we are not left alone in our efforts. “The greatest help,” says Sister Thompson, “we will have in strengthening families is to know and follow the doctrines of Christ and rely on Him to help us.”

From the Scriptures
Proverbs 22:6; 1 Nephi 1:1; 2 Nephi 25:26; Alma 56:46–48; Doctrine and Covenants 93:40

From Our History
“When Sister Bathsheba W. Smith served as the fourth Relief Society general president [from 1901 to 1910], she saw a need to strengthen families, and so she established mother education lessons for Relief Society sisters. The lessons included counsel on marriage, prenatal care, and child rearing. These lessons supported President Joseph F. Smith’s teachings about the Relief Society helping women in their roles at home:

“‘Wherever there is ignorance or at least a lack of understanding in regard to the family, duties of the family, with regard to obligations that should exist and that do rightfully exist between husband and wife and between parents and children, there this organization exists or is near at hand, and by the natural endowments and inspiration that belongs to the organization they are prepared and ready to impart instruction with reference to those important duties.’”

What Can I Do?
1. How can I help the sisters I watch over to strengthen families?

2. How can I be a righteous influence in my family?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Word of Wisdom

WHAT the Word of Wisdom is About:
• For the benefit of the saints
• Not by commandment or constraint
• Adapted to the capacity of the weak
• In consequence of evils of conspiring men

Not for the Body:
• Wine
• Strong drinks (alcohol)
• Tobacco
• Hot drinks (coffee/tea)

For the Body:
• Wholesome herbs in their season
• Fruit in their season
• Flesh of beasts and fowls (sparingly)
• All grain

Blessings:
• Health
• Wisdom
• Strength
• Destroying angel shall pass by

WHY to exercise

Spiritual: “There is a close relationship between physical health and spiritual development. When one’s physical health is impaired by disobedience to God’s eternal laws, spiritual development will also suffer.” (Elder Delbert L. Stapley, Oct. 1967)

Emotional: “Emotional and physical endurance are inseparable. So-called physical fatigue can destroy personality, shorten the concentration span, and make us impatient, unable to focus on the problems at hand and incapable of expressing love, kindness, and inspiration to those we serve.” (Clarence F. Robinson)

Psychological: Dr. Leonard Himler, a noted psychiatrist stated, “I have never in thirty-five years of practice treated a man or woman who has had a recreational hobby that involved regular large muscle exercise. And what’s more, I never will, because physical exercise provides the escape for pent-up emotional pressures.”

Relationships: I have found that participating in physical activities with people can bond you in a way that other things can’t. Going on walks with your kids and spouse can create opportunities for conversations that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Confidence: Ann Madsen, grandmother of four, who was using swimming as therapy to overcome a crippling back problem said, “Any woman who can swim a mile nonstop can pass exams or write a thesis,” and she did – first the mile, then the master’s graduate exams, then the thesis. “In an interesting way, swimming has given me greater confidence and discipline in all aspects of my life.”

Parenthood and leadership: “To lead youth, you must keep ahead of them. You cannot drive them or push them from behind and really be a leader. Youth are drawn naturally to the teacher, the adviser, the bishop who can keep pace with them”.

Opportunities:
Stake athletics are every Saturday morning at the stake center at 9:00 a.m. Currently we are playing basketball. That will continue until the end of February. I am hoping to start a mix of pilates, yoga, zumba, aerobics, etc. in March some time. More details to come – make sure and give me (Janis 801-645-6837) your input, and your expertise so you can come help us out. We are also looking into playing futsal (indoor soccer).

Every morning from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on BYUtv is an excellent program called Total Body Workout, a mix of yoga and aerobic workouts. These are free, cover a broad range of ability, and no one is wearing a teeny leotard.

Other ideas to help overcome the obstacles of lack of time, money, desire, etc.:

Have kids?: Find someone else that has kids and trade off watching the kids while one swims laps in the pool, runs around the track, or goes to a zumba class.

Feel too old?: Remember that physical activity actually slows the effects of aging and will help keep your strong and flexible to prevent injury. Of course adapt to your current physical abilities. You may not be able to do everything you used to, but I bet you can still do a lot more than you realize, if you build up to it.

No time?: It just may be worth getting up an hour earlier once or twice a week, because exercise really does overcome fatigue and give you more energy. You may just find yourself less tired than before (after exercising regularly for a few weeks). There may be something you can get rid of in your life that would benefit you more if it was replaced with exercise. Also, consider multi-tasking, such as a stationary bicycle while doing homework, or walking or biking to work.

No money?: It doesn’t take money to exercise. Be creative. And the classes offered at the city rec. center are surprisingly cheap, around $2 a class. But there are plenty of opportunities surrounding us with our mountain out the back door for hiking, and the bike path within minutes.

General tips:
Warm up, stretch, do some aerobic (at least 15 minutes, three times a week is suggested), and then some strength training, and remember to cool down. Drink water. Have fun. Don’t overdo it. Work around your own personal interests and limitations.

(Thank you Janis for putting together some wonderful information we all can use!)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Book Club



Wednesday, Jan 18, 6:30pm at the church.
We will be discussing The Twelveth Angel By Og Mandino.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Watchcare and Ministering through Visiting Teaching

“Charity [means] far more than a feeling of benevolence,” taught President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. “Charity is born of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is an effect of His Atonement.” For Relief Society sisters, visiting teaching can be charity in action, an important way to exercise our faith in the Savior.

Through visiting teaching, we provide watchcare by contacting each sister, sharing a gospel message, and seeking to know her and her family’s needs. “Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages,” explains Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president. “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.”

As we provide consistent and prayerful watchcare, we learn how to best minister to and meet the needs of each sister and her family. Ministering can take many forms—some large and some not so large. “Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person’s family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief telephone call,” taught President Thomas S. Monson. “If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings which come to us, we can accomplish much good. … Countless are the acts of service provided by the vast army of Relief Society visiting teachers.”

From the Scriptures
John 13:15, 34–35; 21:15; Mosiah 2:17; Doctrine and Covenants 81:5; Moses 1:39

From Our History
In 1843, Church members in Nauvoo, Illinois, were divided into four wards. In July of that year, Relief Society leaders appointed a visiting committee of four sisters for each ward. The visiting committees’ responsibilities included assessing needs and collecting donations. The Relief Society used these donations to provide for the needy.

While visiting teachers no longer collect donations, they do retain the responsibility to assess needs—spiritual and temporal—and to work to meet those needs. Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), second Relief Society general president, explained: “A teacher … should surely have so much of the Spirit of the Lord, as she enters a house to know what spirit she meets in there. … Plead before God and the Holy Ghost to get [the Spirit] so that you will be able to meet that spirit that prevails in that house … and you may feel to talk words of peace and comfort, and if you find a sister feeling cold, take her to your heart as you would a child to your bosom and warm [her] up.”

What Can I Do?
1. What am I doing to help my sisters feel that I am a friend who loves and cares for them?

2. How can I become better at watching over and caring for others?

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Happy Birthday!!



5 - Myrna Benson & Rachael Neal
6 - Megan Jeppsen & Narlene Mathie
10 - Sandra Mirza
21 - Danielle Hodges
23 - Shirley Porter
24 - Adrienne Mercier
26 - Betty Jeffs
27 - Jeanette Barnes
28 - Chelsea Bauer
29 - Heather Bowen, Ashley Olsen & Alexandria Olsen
30 - Sandy Stuart
31 - Elaine Maltby & Nikki Tonks