A Home Centered Learning Experience

We are preparing to start week three with the new Come Follow Me for Individuals & Families Curriculum.  I very  much appreciated the remarks made in Stake Conference last weekend by James Mitchell, our recently released Stake President.  He shared that his family's experience that first week was a work in progress and not perfect.  That made me feel so much better about our own rather tenuous first week's attempt.  I don't know how it's been going for anyone else, but I thought perhaps sharing our family's experiences and thoughts might be helpful to others.

Our family at home consists of just me, my husband and our 24 year old son, but for the first few days we also had our 21 year old daughter home participating.  I'll be honest it was rough starting.  That first week's material was hard to feel we were getting any real scripture reading or discussion going.  Our family has always been consistent in daily scripture reading together - granted not much discussion - but always reading together.  So that first week was VERY different from our norm.  We all agreed that we would stick with it and find our new norm.  This second week has been better.  As we read Matthew 1 and Luke 1 along with the supporting materials included in the outline, we found we were having better and less forced discussions - more sharing of ideas and insights.  I can see how this pattern will serve to strengthen our relationships.  Communicating on a deeper level is always good.

Our daughter returned to college at the end of that first week and on that Sunday evening she and her roommates held their own "family" discussion using the Come Follow Me outline.  They invited other friends and ward members to join them.  She wasn't sure going in just how uncomfortable or forced that group discussion might be.  But she shared with me the following day this: "The apartment study was really good. Ended up being small which was nice and there was really good discussion."  She is hopeful that they will be able to build on that first success and as result find a greater portion of the Spirit in their apartment and in their relationships.  She is also committed to spending more personal study time in the scriptures - looking at both the Come Follow Me materials and continuing her personal reading of the Book of Mormon.  She has learned for herself the great blessings that come from daily time with the Book of Mormon.

Our oldest daughter is married with two young daughters (ages 5 and 2).  I asked her about their experiences so far.  Here is what she shared: "I really like using the Primary manual  (Come Follow Me For Primary) as a supplement because not all the family scripture study ideas are workable for young children.  Kate came home from her first day of class and asked me directly if I had a testimony and if I would share it with her.  She has never been that direct before and it was amazing!  I complimented her incredible teacher afterward."  Our daughter also commented: "Just establishing a habit of reading and discussing the scriptures with your young kids is more important than always covering the assigned materials.  Ask questions. What does that story mean to you? Be actively reading, not passively reading."

Our oldest son is married.  He and his wife started reading and discussing the Book of Mormon as they were dating, so time with the scriptures was foundational in their relationship.  I asked them how this new approach was working for them.  They responded with: "We're really enjoying it!  We also teach Primary so we like how the lessons align for every age group and we're able to talk with our Primary kids about the same things we've been studying together."

I think for everyone this will be a work in progress.  A year from now everything will feel and look differently.  It will be an ever changing - hopefully ever improving - experience. Our family has committed to sticking with it even when it might not always be great.  We know that there will be blessings that come, unexpected blessings, simply from engaging and following our prophet.

-Lorie Pierce

Prophetic Invitations

When President Nelson spoke during the general women's broadcast of general conference, he issued four invitations to help us, the women of the Church, answer his "prophetic plea . . . to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel."

President Nelson's first invitation asks us to prayerfully consider our use of media and then "to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative or impure thoughts" to our minds. Immediately, I (and I'm sure many of you) started to assess the books I was reading, television shows I was watching, and movies I had on my watchlist. Could any of these be considered a negative influence? I think of this initial assessment as the first phase of this invitation. The second phase is the actual fast. In my experience, the first day felt as long as the subsequent nine! The more time spent away from Instagram, the easier it was not to click on that icon. The third and final phase of this first invitation from our prophet is to self-reflect. He suggests answering the following questions: "What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted--even just a little? I urge you to record and follow through with each impression." 

The second invitation President Nelson extended was to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, marking each verse that refers to the Savior, then, talking about Him with our friends and family. Wowzers! The Book of Mormon is long. 530 pages! He asked us to read it in under 3 months. During the holiday season? I don't know about you, but my mind was reeling a bit when I heard this. But listening to all of President Nelson's message, which sprinkled prophetic promises between his calls to action, and I knew I wanted to participate. "You and [your families and friends] will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen." I want those blessing for my family and friends! So, my daughters who are still at home, my husband and I are blazing through the Book of Mormon faster than we ever have. I even found that marking all the references to Christ made reading the Isaiah passages in 2 Nephi more enjoyable!

When I heard President Nelson issue his third invitation to "establish a pattern of regular temple attendance," the first thought I had was I HAD a habit of regularly going to the temple twice a month--and then it closed! Initial pouting aside, I appreciate that President Nelson didn't qualify our attendance with anything more than the word "regular." Individually, we can decide what "regular" temple attendance looks like to each of us. Driving 2 hours each way and paying $24 in tolls has certainly impacted my temple attendance, but I can still attend regularly. I also appreciate that President Nelson invited those who don't live near a temple "to study prayerfully about temples in the scriptures and in the words of the living prophets." Adding that to my personal study can be part of my new regular temple routine. In his opening remarks in general conference, President Nelson mentioned the strength of the adversary, noting that we need counter-strategies to combat Satan's. Then, in his closing address, the prophet said that our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I know I feel that on a personal level. When life's circumstances look bleak or tragedies happen to those I love, I can always count on having a peaceful heart when I am within the walls of the House of the Lord.

President Nelson's fourth and final formal invitation is  "to participate fully in Relief Society." He expanded on this by urging us to study the current Relief Society purpose statement and to study the Relief Society declaration. Did you know or remember that the Relief Society purpose statement had been revised in 2017? I didn't! Here it is: “Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and work in unity to help those in need.” As part of my study of the new purpose statement, I read the announcement on the change, found here: https://www.lds.org/church/news/sister-burton-announces-updates-to-lds-relief-society-purpose-statement?lang=eng.  The Relief Society declaration can be found here: https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/31114/31113_000_005_01-declaration.pdf?lang=eng. Before accepting President Nelson's fourth invitation, it had been an embarrassingly long time since I'd read the declaration. I feel like it is a beautiful mission statement for women who understand their divine relationship with deity.

Sisters, we are lucky to have full lives with calendars full of good ways to spend our time. But, I hope that of all the invitations and evites we receive, we jump at the chance to accept these four invitations from our living prophet. I know that as we follow our prophet, the Lord's blessings will pour down on us. I'm counting on it!

-Mendy Hunter
(Second Counselor, Stake Relief Society)

A Home Centered Church

It’s been a week since we experienced another wonderful General Conference, and I think I’m still floating on a “conference high”! I feel so energized! The Church is moving forward at an ever increasing pace, hastening the work, and preparing us for the coming of the Lord.
What a blessing to have a living Prophet, who has reminded us that the church of Christ must bear his name. We belong to His church, and it’s important that the world know where to find Him and His true gospel.

Does a Home Centered Church seem new to you? It shouldn’t. We all came from our Heavenly home where we were taught by our Heavenly Parents. We were placed on this earth in families and taught to honor our parents. We’ve been instructed over the years to raise our children up unto the Lord, to teach them right from wrong in our homes, and to counteract the things of the world. We’ve been invited to set aside one night each week for Family Home Evening, and to sit together as families in Sacrament Meeting. We have ALWAYS been a family centered Church, and the wonderful new ‘Come Follow Me’ materials and the extra time on Sunday will help us better fulfill this responsibility.

President Eyring spoke of the woman’s role in nurturing her family and administering to others in need: “As daughters of God, you have an innate and great capacity to sense the needs of others and to love. That, in turn, makes you more susceptible to the whisperings of the Spirit. The Spirit can then guide what you think, what you say, and what you do to nurture people so the Lord may pour knowledge, truth, and courage upon them.”

He went on to say: “ whatever your personal circumstance, you are part--a key part--of the family of God and of your own family, whether in the future, in this world, or in the spirit world. Your trust from God is to nurture as many of His and your family members as you can with your love and your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

And then: “You will each find ways to contribute to the outpouring of truth upon your families in the Lord’s restored Church. Each of you will pray, study, and ponder to know what your unique contribution will be. But this I know: each of you, equally yoked with sons of God, will be a major part of a miracle of gospel learning and living that will hasten the gathering of Israel and will prepare God’s family for the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What a blessing! I hope you are feeling as excited as I am! There have been lots of changes over the past year; new policies, new curriculums, new changes in responsibilities. But with each new change I have had the confirmation that we are moving in the direction that the Lord wants for his church and his people. It all makes sense!

And now, we have this amazing blessing of technology that allows us to have almost immediately, in text, what we heard from the mouths of the Prophets. We don’t have to wait a month for printed copy to arrive in a magazine. My hope is that you are already reading this new scripture and feasting upon the words of modern revelation. Apply it to your family. Mark up your Book of Mormon. Remind your friends that you are a member of Christ’s Church during these Latter days.

As always, I send you my love and prayers,
Cindy Erekson

Let The Holy Spirit Guide

In preparation to listen to Conference this weekend, I've spent the past several weeks listening the talks from the April 2018 General Conference again.  As I've pondered over the past six months of my life and how the inspiration I received during that last Conference has help guide me these past months, I have felt an anticipation for hearing the messages of this weekend's Conference.  One of the messages that sunk deep into my heart was President Nelson's talk Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives.  This sentence from that talk grabbed my attention - as I'm sure it did for many others - "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

I am grateful to know how to recognize the influence of and impressions from the Holy Ghost in my life.  But how did I come to this point and how would I help others who aren't sure if they know how to recognize that influence?  That is harder for me to answer because it is such a personal feeling - a feeling that is difficult to describe and a feeling that I know is not exactly replicated between people.  We each have the ability to recognize when we are feeling the Holy Ghost speak to our minds and our hearts, but because we are each unique that experience will be similar but not exactly the same for each individual.

I also loved the talk by President Eyring His Spirit to Be with You from the April 2018 Conference.  He helps us see the pattern to follow that will allow us to receive the Holy Ghost and recognize that influence in our lives.  "More precious than a memory of events is the memory of the Holy Ghost touching our hearts and His continuing affirmation of truth. More precious than seeing with our eyes or remembering words spoken and read is recalling the feelings that accompanied the quiet voice of the Spirit. Rarely I have felt it exactly as the travelers on the road to Emmaus did—as a soft but unmistakable burning in the heart. More often it is a feeling of light and quiet assurance.  We have the priceless promise of the Holy Ghost as a companion, and we also have true directions on how to claim that gift. These words are said by the Lord’s authorized servant with his hands on our head: “Receive the Holy Ghost.” At that moment you and I have the assurance He will be sent. But our obligation is to choose to open our hearts to receive the ministration of the Spirit over a lifetime."  He continues on from there to lay out the pattern for us to follow.

I actually wasn't planning to publish a post this weekend, but a feeling today of needing to share - an impression of what to share - kept approaching my mind and so I began to write.  There in itself is an example of the influence of the Spirit.  I could have dismissed the thought, but over my years in trying to invite the Holy Ghost to be my companion, I have found that when I simply follow the impressions - impressions that maybe I don't understand the why of, but that the motivation is good and is accompanied by the gentle persistence of a sometimes urgent but often just insistent feeling - then the action is always accompanied by a feeling of approval.  It's Difficult to put into words.  I have tried to take as a guide the verses in Moroni 7:13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ;  And I always recall the words of Sister Camilla E. Kimball “Never suppress a generous thought.” (as quoted by Sister Julie B. Beck, "Relief Society: A Sacred Work" Oct 2009 General Conference)

The two experiences that I felt impressed to share are these:

As I have pondered about Ministering and looked for ways to develop my personal ministry as a disciple of Christ, I have noticed something.  I do get impressions regarding those that I have a specific assignment for, but often I have impressions for others within my sphere of influence.  I have a young friend who has moved away from the area, but with whom I have kept in touch through messaging apps and social media.  On occasion these past few months, I have come across uplifting messages, quotes etc. and have felt a very direct impression to share these with my young friend and I have done so.  I don't know much about this friend's day to day life - what struggles they may be having, but I know the Lord does.  I will likely never know why I have felt it important to send these messages along, but I trust the Lord to know and I trust that as I continue to follow this pattern that this friend will be blessed. I believe that this trust is at the core of Ministering.  We ask the Lord to help us know what He needs us to do and He provides us direction through feelings and thoughts that we receive regarding His children.

I love family history and temple work!  I have felt that my involvement in this work is truly part of my personal ministry.  I have recently been correcting the way I have attached sources from my research on a Scottish website to FamilySearch.  In that process, I have been reviewing families that I worked on a few years ago.  Last week as I worked, a Hint for my 1st Cousin 3x Removed, Mary Ross, came up.  I opened that Hint and dismissed it rather quickly.  But within minutes the insistent thought came to my mind "look at that again".  I did and again my response was "there's just not enough here to make the connection.", so I moved on.  Again within minutes that insistent thought "look at that again" came back.  This time I said "okay if this is her - how would I prove it?"  As I began the process of deductive reasoning and mapping things out, I began to find the records that helped me prove she wasn't the mother listed on the record -- BUT -- she was the grandmother!  I had no information on her daughter who was listed in the record - didn't even know she existed.  In the end of the research process, I had found 6 cousins - NONE of which have had temple ordinances completed for them.  I went to bed that night with gratitude in my heart for the insistence of the Spirit, for my own willingness to pay attention and with a definite sense of relief and gratitude from those 6 cousins beyond the veil.  They knew I had found them and they know I will see their ordinances are completed.

Going back to President Nelson's statement: "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."   We live at an amazing time and yet a time when fear, anxiety, doubt and confusion can sweep us along in a fast and unfriendly flood.  I think about my children, my grandchildren, all my family and friends and you my sisters in the Stake and I want for them, for you to know that: I know that what President Nelson says is true.  I know because in my own hardest days, it has been and always will be the tether to the Holy Ghost that brings me peace, calms my fears, guides me to answers and gives me hope.  I offer my testimony that as we seek to do those things which invite the Holy Ghost to be our companion, we will gain confidence in recognizing His influence, in following the impressions we receive and we will be able to understand for ourselves how He speaks to us individually.  I chose the picture for this post because it reminds me in a personal way that when we stop to look, we can see the tender mercies of the Lord in the details of our lives and it is through the Holy Ghost that we recognize the Lord's tender mercies and His love.

- Lorie Pierce (Stake RS Secretary)

Written Friday, 5 October 2018 - Published Sunday, 7 October 2018