Happy Birthday!

1 - Marcy Hooper
2 - Bonnie Burnett
4 - Liberty Minor
7 - Jamee Thompson and Katherine Jeanne Welch
11 - Barbara Kirchmann and Traci Brown
12 - Jennifer Sandberg and Donna White
15 - Christina Sartor
18 - Patricia Smith
19 - Lesly Rollins
22 - Jamie Dickamore and Patricia Van Drimmelen
23 - Glenda Fay Winters and Kristalynn Gilgert
25 - Brandi Hurst
27 - Shauna Maylin
29 - Stephani Petersen, Carol Brown and Rose Elaine Sutphen
31 - Roberta Moon

Strengthening Families and Homes

Strengthening at Every Opportunity

"Each of us is in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.

"No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others.

"[Once] I stayed in the home of my niece and her family. That evening before the children went to bed, we had a short family home evening and a scripture story. Their father told about the family of Lehi and how he taught his children that they must hold fast to the iron rod, which is the word of God. Holding fast to the iron rod would keep them safe and lead them to joy and happiness. If they should let go of the iron rod, there was danger of drowning in the river of dirty water.

"To demonstrate this to the children, their mother became the 'iron rod' that they must cling to, and their father played the role of the devil, trying to pull the children away from safety and happiness. The children loved the story and learned how important it is to hold fast to the iron rod. After the scripture story it was time for family prayer. . . .

"Scriptures, family home evening, and family prayer will strengthen families. We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path." ~Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.


From the Scriptures

Genesis 18:19; Mosiah 4:15; D&C 93:40; Moses 6:55–58


From Our History

From the beginning Relief Society has had a charge to strengthen families and homes. The Prophet Joseph taught sisters at an early Relief Society meeting, "When you go home, never give a cross or unkind word to your husbands, but let kindness, charity and love crown your works henceforward."

In 1914 President Joseph F. Smith told Relief Society sisters, "Wherever there is ignorance or at least a lack of understanding in regard to the family, . . . 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 We Do?

*What ideas for strengthening families and homes will you share with your sisters? As you ponder their individual circumstances, the Spirit can bring ideas to your mind.

*What priorities can you change this month to better strengthen your own family and home?

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

Announcements

Scripture Study every Wednesday at 6pm in the overflow at the church. We combine with the 3rd ward for this.

7 – Young Adult Temple Session – 7pm
17 – Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert Broadcast – Check TV schedule for time
17 – Area Youth Spectacular – WSU Stadium – Get free tickets from YM or YW leaders
17 - Stake Temple Session – 8am
21 – Picnic in the Park – 6:30
22 - Craft and Hooks 'n Needles - 6:30

No brunch in July (enjoy your 4th weekend). Next will be Aug 7th.

No book club. Next one will be Aug 17th.

The R.S. Quarterly Dinner and Activity has been postponed again. It will be August 10th at 6:30pm at the church. A Night of Service. We will be mending hymn books, quilting and writing testimonies in Books of Mormon. Dinner will be served. Childcare will be provided.

4th of July FHE lesson ideas

I did a quick search for some 4th of July themed Family Home Evening lessons. I thought I should share them...

I loved this idea from The Family Home Evening Spot.

I found a fun lesson plan at Bellaonline.

lds.families also has a good one on patroitism.

Happy Birthday!

2 - Kathryn Landon
3 - Vivian Urbick
7 - Laurie Kurtz
8 - Tori Jensen, Francella Harding, Stacey Lance
9 - Angela Keyes, Amy Levy
10 - Jeane Taylor
12 - Lindsay Cain
13 - Carol McKinley, Kay Fakhraie
14 - Sherri Gambino, Lyndee Bent
15 - Renee Keeney
16 - Brenda Dussol, Lenore Minton
18 - Breanne Carter
19 - Lace Gordon, Bonny Owen
22 - Jaycee Tilby
24 - Rachelle Miller, June Singletary
25 - Shelley child, Susan Burleson, Becky Mercier
30 - Shelley Thomas

Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament

Jesus Christ Instituted the Sacrament

"Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his Apostles, saying, 'Take, eat' (Matt. 26:26). 'This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me' (Luke 22:19). In a similar manner he took the cup of wine, traditionally diluted with water, said a blessing of thanks for it, and passed it to those gathered about him, saying: 'This cup is the new testament in my blood,' 'which is shed . . . for the remission of sins.' 'This do in remembrance of me.' . . .

"Since that upper room experience on the eve of Gethsemane and Golgotha, children of the promise have been under covenant to remember Christ's sacrifice in this newer, higher, more holy and personal way."1

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.


We Renew Our Baptismal Covenants through the Sacrament

"When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life. . . .

"Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us."2

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.


"I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, 'I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven't sinned once!' But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice. . . .

" . . . It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them."3

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.


Notes
1. Jeffrey R. Holland, "This Do in Remembrance of Me," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 67.
2. Robert D. Hales, "The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom," Liahona, Jan. 2001, 8; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 8.
3. Julie B. Beck, "Remembering, Repenting, and Changing," Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 110–11.


Helps for Visiting Teaching
As you come to know a sister and her family, look for ways you might help her renew her covenants through the sacrament. If she does not attend sacrament meeting, could you invite her to attend or offer help for her to do so (transportation, assistance with children, a friend to sit by, and so on)?


Personal Preparation
Luke 22:19–20
1 Corinthians 11:23–28
3 Nephi 18:1–12

June Announcements

Scripture Study every Wednesday at 6pm in the overflow at the church. We combine with the 3rd ward for this.

5 - Brunch Bunch ~ 10am at IHOP on 12th Street. Call Jenny Venegas if you need a ride. No brunch in July (enjoy your 4th weekend). Next will be Aug 7th.

10 - Stake Lagoon Day

16 – Ward Picnic in the Park ~ 6:30pm at the park above church

17 – Stake Single Adult Activity – Pineview Reservoir

19 – Ward Temple day

20 - Father’s Day

22 - Book Club ~ 6pm at the church. No book club in July. Next will be Aug 17th.

24 – R.S. Quarterly Dinner and Activity ~ 6:30pm at the church. A Night of Service. We will be mending hymn books, quilting and writing testimonies in Books of Mormon. Dinner will be served. Childcare will be provided.

Young Single Adult Social ~ Pleasant View Stake

27 - Single Adult (+31) Firewide ~ 6pm - Old Post Chapel - Speaker Meg Johnson

30 - Craft Group ~ 6:30pm in the overflow at the church.
Hooks `n Needles Group: 6:30pm in the overflow at the church.
Next Craft and Hooks 'n Needles: July 22