Sunday's Lesson-- Extras

A friend posted this in her facebook newsfeed, and I wanted to share
it. It's an article written for the Modern Love section of the
NYTimes. I strongly agree with what she writes: that we need to stop
being harsh on ourselves as women or think that we are deficient
because we aren't dating or haven't dated in a while. It's a good
uplifter, and I'm glad to hear that other women in the world have
similar worries and introspective thoughts as we were sharing in our
Relief Society this past Sunday. I hope that nobody feels lacking or
too flawed to be attractive to men. We all have so much to offer.
Anyway, enjoy!"

See article here.

--Karli

GDG topic for Tues 23rd Aug

Forsaking the Natural Man

King Benjamin explained that “men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:18–19).

1. How do we form our own personal identity while at the same time trying to forsake the natural man?

-There often appears to be a cookie cutter mold that we beat ourselves up for not fitting into.

2. How do we have hope in God's plan, while at times the world's seems to make more sense?

3. How do we successfully avoid negative influences, and draw closer to God instead?

Acquiring Spiritual Guidance

I came across this talk today by Elder Richard G. Scott, To Acquire Spiritual Guidance , and thought it went well with Katie Bahme's lesson today on Elder Bednar's talk, and with all the new converts in our ward that received the gift of the Holy Ghost recently (even as recent as today). I encourage anyone who is looking for further insight on recognizing the Holy Ghost (which should be all of us) to read/listen/watch the talk in it's entirety, but below are some quotes that stood out to me.

President John Taylor wrote: “Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: ‘Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation.’ Then he told me never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during that day.” (John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, ed. G. Homer Durham (1943), 43–44.)

I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.

P.S. Thanks for a great lesson today, Katie!

Articles from last night's discussion :)

Hi ladies!

I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful insights and perspectives. I felt very inspired and hope that you all were as well!

Katie also passed along some awesome conference talks/speeches by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland which really help to further solidify the topics we were discussing (thank you again Katie!)...here they are:

Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence

Come Unto Me

None Were With Him

Thank you again for a wonderful discussion! Have a lovely rest of the week :)

Jenny

"Turning it over to the Lord"

Hi Everyone,‬

I came across this article written by an LDS woman that I wanted to share. She was in a similar situation as we are (single, living and working in a large city) and I appreciate her perspective.‬

‪
Here is my favorite quote that summarizes the author’s thoughts:‬

‪"I finally realized after many years," she says, "that if you lay out everything you have — your hopes and fears and desires and your own plan — and turn it over to the Lord — let it go and walk away — it is a liberating moment. It takes a lot of prayer and meditation and wanting to trust in something besides yourself. Trust in God's plan and don't focus so much on yourself. Go find someone else to help."‬

and here is her I Am A Mormon ad.


‬We are all dealing with different struggles in life, in work and in our relationships and I hope that the Relief Society in our ward can provide support for each of you.

Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help.‬
‪

Rachael‬

July 19th--GDG Topic

Our next GDG will be hosted by Jenny Sears on Tuesday, July 19th at 7:30pm at her apt.



Topic: How can we personally apply the atonement of Jesus Christ into our lives?

1. How does the atonement apply when repentance is not applicable (when suffering is not a result of sin, i.e.the suffering from depression/anxiety, etc.)?

2. What steps need to be taken to apply the atonement if our lives?

3. How do we develop/strengthen our relationship with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit during times of adversity (again, during times of suffering when sin is not factor)?

Pearls of Wisdom in Words...

I came across this BYU devotional snippet just as I was pondering some of the very topics it addresses. It's kind of a cheesy presentation, but I think the advice and wisdom that Elder F. Enzio Busche of the Quorum of the Seventy shares, are truly inspired and helpful to consider as we navigate through this life and each continue to learn and grow in our knowledge of the gospel. I hope anyone who watches gains something of value from it. Feel free to share your comments and thoughts, if you have any. Again, I hope this blog is an outlet people can feel free to share questions, insights, and beyond...



Thanks,
Stephanie