Feb 20 Lesson Highlights

"Chapter 26: Sacrifice," Gospel Principles, (2009)

Given by: Emihlie Wells

The Meaning of Sacrifice

Sacrifice means giving to the Lord whatever He requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further His work.

The Law of Sacrifice Was Practiced Anciently

The ordinance was given to remind the people that Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of the Father, would come into the world. He would be perfect in every way, and He would offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

Christ’s atoning sacrifice marked the end of sacrifices by the shedding of blood. Such outward sacrifice was replaced by the ordinance of the sacrament. The ordinance of the sacrament was given to remind us of the Savior’s great sacrifice. We should partake of the sacrament often. The emblems of bread and water remind us of the Savior’s body and of His blood, which He shed for us.

We Still Must Sacrifice

Even though sacrifice by the shedding of blood was ended, the Lord still asks us to sacrifice. But now He requires a different kind of offering. He said: “Ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood, … and your burnt offerings shall be done away. … And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:19–20). A “broken heart and a contrite spirit” means that we offer deep sorrow for our sins as we humble ourselves and repent of them.

We Must Be Willing to Sacrifice Everything We Have to the Lord

The Apostle Paul wrote that we should become living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God (see Romans 12:1).

Sacrifice Helps Us Prepare to Live in the Presence of God

Only through sacrifice can we become worthy to live in the presence of God. Only through sacrifice can we enjoy eternal life. Many who have lived before us have sacrificed all they had. We must be willing to do the same if we would earn the rich reward they enjoy.

We may not be asked to sacrifice all things. But like Abraham, we should be willing to sacrifice everything to become worthy to live in the presence of the Lord.

Activities with Kids

Here are a couple of great blogs that will give you some ideas of things to do with your kids/grandkids/etc. in the Orange County area. Most of them are inexpensive ideas too!

Check them frequently, the are posting new ideas all of the time!

http://daytrippingmom.com/

http://www.just-spotted.com/

Please feel free to leave comments about things you know of that are going on in the OC :)

Feb 1, 2011 RS Meeting: Family Night!

We had so much fun sharing tips on having a successful and meaningful Family Home Evening, no matter what circumstances we are living in. Thank you to everyone who shared their tips and those who participated.

Some quick tips:

http://lds.org/family/home-evening?lang=eng

Basics

What makes family home evening successful?

• Start and end with prayer. This invites the Spirit, increases love, and teaches your family how to pray.
• Learn from the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets to help your family live the gospel.
• Add music, such as hymns and Primary songs, to create an atmosphere of love, peace, and joy. Visit the music site →
• Make it fun by playing games, acting out scripture stories, and making treats. Keep the atmosphere light and loving.
• Be consistent. Monday nights are set aside by the Church for family home evening. If that doesn’t work, find a night that does.
• Add variety. Help a neighbor in need, hold a lesson at the park, or go for a walk as a family.

We ended the evening with a craft, making FHE assignment blocks.

If you have some FHE tips you would like to share, please leave them as a comment :)

Valentine's Strawberry Cookies

Recipe from Taste of Home Magazine

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Strawberry-Valentine-Cookies

24 ServingsPrep: 50 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Ingredients:
2/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup strawberry drink mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

GLAZE:
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening

FROSTING:
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons strawberry drink mix
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners' sugar
3 to 5 tablespoons milk

Directions
In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and lemon juice. Combine the flour, drink mix, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2- to 3-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set and edges begin to brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Spread over cookies; let stand until set.
In a small bowl, beat the butter, drink mix and salt until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Add enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Decorate cookies. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Strawberry Valentine Cookies published in Simple & Delicious January/February 2008, p16

Lesson Highlights Jan 30, 2011

FAITH AND CHARACTER
Elder Richard G. Scott

Given by: Linda Sorenson


II. Read the Carrot Seed

III. What is faith?
1. true faith is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ
2. foundation, a building block of creation
3. power of obedience to the commandments
4. principle of action and power (Joseph Smith Lectures on Faith)
5. Things that are hoped for (Ether 12:6)
6. humility and willingness to be taught

IV. How do we develop faith?
1. Trust in God and in His willingness to provide help when needed, no matter how
challenging the circumstance.
2. Obedience to His commandments and a life that demonstrates that He can trust you.
3. Sensitivity to the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost
4. Courageous implementation of that prompting
5. Patience and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and when answers
come a piece at a time over an extended period

V. What are some experience you have had that helped develop your faith?

VI. How does faith develop character?
1. Obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ
2. Applied principle, doctrine, obedience
3. Faith in ideals and sacrificial devotion to them
4. Consistently being what we want to be
5. Following the promptings of the Holy Ghost
6. Choices made with trust in things as they are believed and when acted upon are confirmed
7. Confirming evidence of the spirit
8. Many correct decisions, none of which is difficult to make
9. Self control
10. Think and do righteously
11. Avoid subtle temptations
12. Patient consistent practice

VII. Our mortal life is a proving ground. How can we benefit in this life and the life hereafter because
of our life and character?
1. have every understanding
2. Every capacity for peace
3. Rich fulfillment in this life
4. Eternal happiness in the presence of the Lord
5. A testimony (character—countless correct decisions)
6. The stronger our testimony and character, the more we are able to exercise the power of
faith
VIII. Will our life be perfect because of our faith and character?
1. Struggles and difficulty will continue to test us
2. Satan

IX. What can we do today to develop and strengthen faith and character in our lives?

Huntington Beach Stake Women's Conference

Lesson Highlights Jan. 16th, 2011

Lesson Highlights Jan. 16th

"Chapter 25: Fasting," Gospel Principles, (2009)

Given by: Emihlie Wells

How to Fast Properly

Since the time of Adam, God’s people have fasted to help them draw near to Him and to worship Him. Jesus showed the importance of fasting by His own example (see Luke 4:1–4). Through latter-day revelation we learn that the Lord still expects His people to fast and pray often (see D&C 88:76).

Fasting means to go without food and drink. Occasional fasting is good for our bodies and helps our minds become more active.

The Savior taught us that purposeful fasting is more than just going without food and drink. We must also concentrate on spiritual matters.

We Should Pray When We Fast

Prayer is a necessary part of fasting. Throughout the scriptures, prayer and fasting are mentioned together. Our fasting should be accompanied by sincere prayer, and we should begin and end our fasting with prayer.

Our presidency has prayed, fasted, pondered, and counseled with prophets, seers, and revelators to learn what God would have us do to help His daughters be strong in the face of “the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth.”(Julie B. Beck, October 2010 General Conference)

We Should Fast with a Purpose

Fasting can have many purposes. We can overcome weaknesses or problems by fasting and praying. Sometimes we may wish to fast and pray for help or guidance for others, such as a family member who is ill and needs a blessing (see Mosiah 27:22–23). Through fasting we can come to know the truth of things just as did the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon. He said: “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:46).

We can fast to help others embrace the truth. Fasting can help comfort us in times of sorrow and mourning (see Alma 28:4–6). Fasting can help us become humble and feel closer to our Heavenly Father (see Helaman 3:35).

We should be cheerful when we fast and not advertise our fasting to others.

The Fast Day

One Sunday each month Latter-day Saints observe a fast day. On this day we neither eat nor drink for two consecutive meals. If we were to eat our evening meal on Saturday, then we would not eat or drink until the evening meal on Sunday.

All members who are physically able should fast. We should encourage our children to fast after they have been baptized, but we should never force them.

It is a day to pray for forgiveness from our sins and for the power to overcome our faults and to forgive others.

On fast Sunday, members of the Church meet together and partake of the sacrament. They strengthen themselves and one another by bearing testimony in fast and testimony meeting.

Fast Offerings

When we fast each month, the Lord asks us to help those in need. One way we do this is by giving through the proper priesthood authority the money we would have spent on food for the two meals.

Through our fast offerings we become partners with the Lord in administering to the needs of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters.

We Are Blessed When We Fast

Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet, wrote of the Lord’s rich promises to those who fast and help the needy. We are promised peace, improved health, and spiritual guidance. Isaiah tells us of the blessings that come when we fast: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:8–9).

Fasting Teaches Self-Control

Fasting helps us gain strength of character. When we fast properly, we will learn to control our appetites and passions. We are a little stronger by having proved to ourselves that we have self-control. If we teach our children to fast, they will develop the spiritual strength to overcome greater temptations later in their lives.

Fasting Gives Us Spiritual Power

When we fast wisely and prayerfully, we develop our faith. With that faith we will have greater spiritual power. For example, Alma (a Book of Mormon prophet) tells the story of meeting again with the sons of Mosiah many years after their miraculous conversion. He felt great joy when he learned that they had strengthened their faith and had developed great spiritual power. They had gained this power because “they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation” (Alma 17:3).

The Savior has said to those who fast properly,“Thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:18).