April Message

“Oh how lovely was the morning!” are the words from a hymn written by George Manwaring reflecting on Joseph Smiths first vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. In Joseph Smith History chapter 1 verse 14 it talks about this glorious event, “It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty.”

Throughout history, springtime has always been a time of celebration and importance. It was in the springtime that we find the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It was also in this very time of year that the world received a new witness of the true nature of God and his Son in the sacred grove. It was in April of the year 1830 in a small cabin in Fayette New York that the restoration of the true church of God was restored to this earth. In the spring of 1829, the power of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods was once again restored to the earth.   

Springtime is a great opportunity for rebirth for all of us. It is at this wonderful time of year when all of the trees and plants, that seem to be baron and dead, spring forth with new life. It is a fitting time of year to celebrate Easter, and the resurrection of the Savior as he overcame death for all mankind.  As we begin spring, we can look forward to our annual General Conference, where we have the opportunity to hear the words of a living prophet and apostles.

God has blessed us with so many wonderful things to celebrate in spring. It is our hope that in this beautiful time of year that we might all be able to awaken ourselves from the cold winter months, and rededicate ourselves to serving and helping others.

Wishing you are your family a wonderful general conference, and very happy Easter!

Love,

Christy, Saundra, Tiffany & Desi

March Message

March Presidency Message: "Keeping Covenants Strengthens, Empowers and Protects"

The covenants we make and keep, as disciples of Christ, are meant to strengthen, empower and protect us as we gain experience in mortality. Even though we make covenants individually, the way that we keep them is as a community of Christians. We keep them in families, as neighbors, as visiting teachers, and as we serve in our ward.  Keeping gospel covenants is a way of being; a lifestyle. It’s not something you do at designated points along the path of life; covenant keeping itself is the path, the only path to exaltation.

The great part is that as we start on this path, we gain the strength and power and protection necessary to stay on it through the atonement and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Referring to the Book of Mormon, Sister Burton assures us, “Nephi saw in vision the significant blessings the Lord bestows upon covenant keepers: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended … upon the covenant people of the Lord, … and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” Keeping our covenants entitles us to the many blessings which provide the strength and power we need to live in such a way that all are blessed by the gospel. The nurturing, serving, teaching and encouraging we naturally do as women is the essence of keeping our covenants and ministering as true disciples of Christ.  

It is our prayer that as sisters we can apply the recent counsel of President Wilcox to “seek the aggregation of marginal gains” in our covenant keeping. It’s striving for the 1% improvement in all aspects of life. It’s not about making a huge contribution once in a while in a certain area of life; it’s about sustained progress across the board. It’s the simple, consistent, small, good decisions we repeatedly make that build our Christ-like character. The foundational religious observances reiterated in stake conference were prayer, scripture study, fasting, temple worship, family home evening, service and bearing testimony. By humbly and frequently doing these small and simple practices, we can access the power and protection of our Savior because we will be honoring the covenants that bind us to Him and help us become like Him.

                                                                               
With Love: Jennifer, Tiffiny, Yvonne and Breann

February

For the month of February we are talking about how “Covenant Keeping is Essential for True Happiness” Happiness is a condition of the soul. This joyous state comes as a result of righteous living. Life is good, if we live in such a way to make it so. 

No one needs to feel alone on the road of life, for we are all invited to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. Happiness is the purpose of the gospel and the purpose of the redeeming Atonement for all men. 

Happiness comes as a result of our obedience and our courage in always doing the will of God, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Our happiness is the design of all blessings He gives us-gospel teachings, commandments, priesthood ordinances, family relationships, prophets, temples, the beauties of creation, and even the opportunity to experience adversity. 

As you seek to be happy, remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as you strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent for your sins, participate in wholesome activities, keeping our covenants, and give meaningful service. You will learn to have fun within the limits set by a loving Father in Heaven. 

We Love and appreciate each of you and want you each to be Truly Happy each and every day!!

             With Love,

             Jennifer, Tiffiny, Yvonne and Breann

February Lessons

February Visiting Teaching Message "The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Good Sheperd"

February 2, 2014 Presidency Message: "Covenant Keeping is Essential For True Happiness"
listen to this lesson recording
February 8, 2014 Stake Women's Conference 10AM @ Stake Center (Sunday dress, speakers and lunch)
February 9, 2014 The Plan of Salvation
listen to this lesson recording
go to this lesson on lds.org
February 16, 2014 Ward Conference
listen to the first half of RS (Pres Carlton & Br. Barnes)
listen to the second half of RS (Sis Matthews & Pres Carlton)
TOT Talk for February Be Meek and Lowly of Heart
February 22, 2014 Stake Conference- 7 PM Youth & Adult Session
February 23, 2014 Stake Conference-7 AM Priesthood Leadership Session
                                                         10 AM General Session

January Presidency Message & Theme for 2014

Theme for 2014: "Making and keeping our covenants is an expression of our commitment, to become like the Savior" -Linda K. Burton

January Presidency Message: "Keeping covenants demonstrates our love for the Savior and our Father in Heaven"

The New Year is upon us; it is a time of reflection. It is a critical point in the passage of time. We ponder what has passed and plan for what is to come. Last year our theme was “Prepare Every Needful Thing” from Doctrine and Covenants 88:119. This year we have chosen as our theme “Keeping Our Covenants”. We recognize how overwhelming it can be to accomplish these ideals, but we assure you that all things are possible with the Lord. In the General Relief Society meeting this fall, we were taught that “making and keeping our covenants is an expression of our commitment to become like the Savior.” This process begins with desire.

We choose to follow the Savior because we love Him more than we love the things of the world. We long to be close to Him; we aspire to be like Him. We choose to cultivate that love and desire. We learn what it means to be His covenant people; and then we transform, little by little, into Christ-like women. Every choice we make is enlightened by Christ’s teachings. The word of Christ uplifts every part of our life. His covenants empower and enhance our lives. As we choose to live in ways that honor our covenants, we choose to ennoble ourselves, our families and those around us.

            May we as sisters hold our covenants as the standard by which we evaluate the past year and set our course for the coming year. As we strive to more fully keep our covenants in 2014, we will be enabled to demonstrate our love for the Savior and our Father in Heaven. We can become Christ’s ‘Covenant Keepers’, noble women of virtue. This is our prayer and our promise for you this year.

                                          With Love,

                   Jennifer, Tiffiny, Yvonne and Breann

January Lessons

January 5, 2014 Presidency Message
listen to this lesson recording
January 12, 2014 Our Father in Heaven
go to this lesson on lds.org
January 19, 2014 Our Savior, Jesus Christ
listen to this lesson recording
go to this lesson on lds.org
January 26, 2014 "The Moral Force of Women" by D. Todd Christofferson
listen to this lesson recording
go to this talk on lds.org

DECEMBER PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

This year our theme has been D&C 88:119: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”

At this time of year when things seem to be ever more crazy and hectic, we are reminded of the Glory of our Savior!  We too can be glorified like the Savior.  It is the direct result of what we do with this life.  The fruits of our labors will either be good or bad, bitter or sweet.  The harvest we speak of will be what we've sown in this life.  To have part of God's Glory in the next life we must do that which adds to God's Glory in this life.

The Savior of the World came just like each of us, a babe with all the potential for good or evil. And like Jesus, by partaking of that which is good, we increase in power and glory.  We can use that power to perform miracles and help those around us.  By doing His work, we also sanctify ourselves and make ourselves like the Savior.  We can inspire others by our good, just like the Savior did.  By using our power for good we add to God's Glory and further ‘Establish a House of Glory’.  Let us focus on the glories around us this season by striving in our lives and homes to have a ‘House of Glory’.

We want to wish you a wonderful holiday season and many blessings in the New Year!

                                                                       With Love,

                                                                              Jennifer, Tiffiny, Yvonne and Breann

December's Lesson Recordings

December 1, 2013 Presidency Message: Establish a House of Glory
listen to this lesson recording
December 8, 2013 The Prophet Joseph Smith
go to this lesson on lds.org
listen to this lesson recording
December 15, 2013 Reflections on the Mission of Jesus Christ
go to this lesson on lds.org
listen to this lesson recording
December 22, 2013 "Come Join With Us" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
go to this talk on lds.org
listen to this lesson recording
December 29, 2013 Bishopric Message
listen to this lesson recording

Pressing Forward with Faith

I watched a CES fireside by Elder Bednar this morning. I know his message is true. The title of the talk is "That We Might Not...Shrink" from  D&C 19:18. He talks about how we come to earth to gain experience and become like Christ. Often people find it is easier to have faith in Christ's ability to perform miracles in our lives, but do we also have the faith to trust in His will when it seems that miracles are not part of His plan for us. He said we must learn to drink the bitter cup without becoming bitter. I've been thinking about this same idea a lot lately as I've pondered the trials I've experienced in my life and have struggled with how to help the many sisters in our ward who are currently struggling with trials in their lives.

We all are given opportunities to demonstrate our faith in various situations. We are all given opportunities to grow and develop our faith and talents and abilities. We are all given opportunities to serve and love and bear testimony. I would like to take this opportunity to express my testimony of, love for and faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for their plan of happiness and their willingness to give us this earthly experience and trust us to use the atonement in our lives.

I am grateful for the faith I developed as a young woman by following the personal progress program that prepared me for the aftermath of a car accident which left me with amnesia at 17 years old. I am grateful for the knowledge that experience gave me of the reality of our Savior, His atonement and the eternal nature of our existence which further strengthened my faith and prepared me for coping with the death of my father just 3 years later. I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord which I experienced after my father died. They assured me of our Father in Heaven's love and awareness of each of us which further prepared me for the experience of sending my husband to Iraq for a year when our daughter was only 7 months old. I am grateful for the strength and support I received from experiences where I could feel the companionship and comfort of the Holy Ghost when my home teachers served me, at general conference, during my personal prayers and scripture study.  I learned to turn to the Lord for peace and assurance which prepared me for the experience of having micro-preemies in the NICU for months. I am so grateful for the patience and endurance I developed at that time which enables me to continue to press forward with faith as a mother and wife and more importantly as a daughter of God come what may.

There is another talk that has influenced my thinking in this area, "Timing" by Elder Oaks. I have been amazed at how perfectly both the trials and blessings in my life have been tailored to my individual needs. I could never have mapped out a better plan for my life. I am so grateful for the Lord and His perfect plan for me. Of course I haven't always been the most grateful child. I have definitely had my tantrums and stubborn periods, but the Lord patiently waited for me to calm down and turn back to Him.

I only share these things as way of illustrating my faith. I can share my testimony, but without a bit of background it might come across as naive or brain-washed-sheep-like regurgitation. My point is that I know the Savior loves us and is there for us, because I have experienced loneliness, sorrow and pain. I KNOW HE IS THERE BECAUSE HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE WHEN I SOUGHT HIM. I pray that my testimony will strengthen yours and that you too can find the Savior standing near, watching over you. And I pray that the Holy Ghost will help you to recognize Satan's lies if  he tries to tell you that your situation is different or insignificant or whatever he says to try to convince you that your experience doesn't fit the Lord's plan and that He won't be there for you. I testify that He is there for you, right now! He always has been there and always will be there, no matter what! So take the time to feel His love for you and recognize His hand in your life! Pray for help to see Him and become like Him; you will be able to, I promise! In His Holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

November

November 3, 2013 Finances and Budgeting
listen to the recording of this lesson

go to "Finances" on lds.org

go to "The Guide to Family Finances" on lds.org

go to "Finances" lesson on lds.org

go to the personal finance course at byu.edu

November 10, 2013 Loving God More Than We Love the World
listen to the recording of this lesson

go to this lesson on lds.org

November 17, 2013 Doing Good to Others
listen to the recording of this lesson

go to this lesson on lds.org

November 24, 2013 "No Other Gods" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

listen to the recording of this lesson
go to this talk on lds.org

November Presidency Message: Establish a House of Thanks and Giving

Since it's November, my thoughts have been focused on the upcoming holidays. I've been pondering how we can increase both our gratitude and generosity this season. I was reading about gratitude in an article entitled Selfless Gratitude (Yoga Journal, http://www.yogajournal.com/gratitude) and I was quite surprised by what I found I had overlooked when thinking of gratitude. It is a much more complex concept than I had realized. 

Think about the variations of gratitude. Sometimes people feel gratitude in a way that is indebted or feeling like they owe something in return. Sometimes people feel gratitude in what could be described as a judgement & discernment spectrum; this happens when we compare situations. It can be a negative form, when we are comparing and contrasting what is good in our lives to what we judge to be bad in someone else's or vice versa. Or it can be positively motivated, when we prayerfully acknowledge God's hand in all we have and feel gratitude for recognizing our ability to meet another's need. We feel appreciation for our abundance which motivates selfless generosity, freely giving out of Christ-like love for Heavenly Father's children. 

This is the essence of the true spirit of the law of the fast. When Bishop challenged us to give a "more generous fast offering," some of us may have felt like we were already giving our version of the "widow's mite". With a heart full of gratitude for the Lord's blessings in our lives, we may be able to prayerfully discover that we can increase our fast offerings. Only through guidance by the Holy Spirit of truth can we honestly evaluate our circumstances and offer a sacrifice that is acceptable unto the Lord. Through careful budgeting and attention to our finances we can discern the difference between our needs and wants and keep our desires within the bounds the Lord has set. It is our prayer as a Relief Society presidency that we will each be able to Establish a House of Thanks and Giving, as we reflect on the variety of blessings we receive.

With love,

Jennifer, Tiffiny, Yvonne and Breann