August

August 4, 2013 Presidency Message "Establish a House of Learning"

August 11, 2013 Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God
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August 18, 2013 "That We May Become One"
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listen to this lesson recording
August 25, 2013 STAKE CONFERENCE

August Presidency Message "Establish a House of Learning"

It’s that time of year again; school is just around the corner! This month we’re focusing on Establishing a House of Learning. I love President Kimball’s quote in July’s visiting teaching message about women needing to become scripture scholars to facilitate the nurturing and teaching in which we engage. As we personally learn the gospel from the scriptures, conferences, temple attendance and other worthy sources, we are also under covenant to nurture testimony growth in those around us. The Doctrine and Covenants reminds us of the need to gain knowledge and wisdom before we can teach and preach the word. Additionally, there are multiple references to the importance of acquiring secular knowledge in our eternal progression (see sections 6, 88, 90, 93 and 130). How do we find time to fit it all in and how do we avoid being overwhelmed by all there is to know? The scriptures teach us to pray always, use wisdom and order in all things and allow the Spirit to guide us. We are also counseled to apply both study and faith in the process of learning. In her talk titled “Rowing Your Boat,” Sister Chieko Okasaki compares study and faith to the twin oars used in rowing a boat. The visual imagery she invokes is that of moving in circles when one neglects to use both oars as needed to progress in the desired direction. Maybe we should also remember not to try to “row” faster than we have strength. Lent Hadley Read points out some of the benefits of learning, “Fortunately, in addition to the duty and responsibility associated with learning, we also gain pleasure from learning [and the] pursuit of learning…leads away from sorrow and despair.” (Learn and Live, Ensign. Sep 1991) We testify that you will find joy and fulfillment as you renew your efforts to Establish a House of Learning in this season of your life.