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