Social Media Splits

The third Saturday each month has been set aside in the Maryland Baltimore Mission - which includes our Stake - as Social Media Splits Saturday.  What a great opportunity for us to interact with the missionaries and provide opportunities for them to interact with our friends.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught, "Sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before....Perhaps the Lord's encouragement to 'open [your] mouths' might today include 'use your hands' to blog and text message the gospel to all the world!" (Ensign, May 2011, "Waiting on the Road to Damascus")

The following is from the Maryland Baltimore Mission blog regarding Social Media Splits:

Objective: Local members savvy in social media will work with missionaries and chronicle their day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine, YouTube and other social media outlets.

This effort will help others understand that

• We believe in Jesus Christ and worship our Father in Heaven through Him
• Missionaries are hard-working young men and women who are good and friendly neighbors
• The missionaries and members work together to serve their communities. Mormons believe in being good citizens

Elder David A. Bednar has taught, "The Lord is hastening His work, and it is no coincidence that these powerful communication innovations and inventions are occurring in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Social media channels are global tools that can personally and positively impact large numbers of individuals and families. And I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father, His plan of happiness for His children, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world; to proclaim the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days; and to accomplish the Lord’s work."

The following are links to the talk that quote is from.  The first is a short video of his presentation and the second text.  It is well worth reading or viewing.

Elder Bednar - Examples of Using Social Media for Good

Elder Bednar - Sweep the Earth as With a Flood

There is also a great video, created by Oakli Wright, posted on the Columbia Maryland Stake Public Affairs Facebook page.  Due to technical issues, we aren't at this point able to embed it here for you to view.  But it is really a great example of what Social Media Splits "look" like.  You should use the link to that Facebook page to view it!

Talk with your ward or branch missionaries about doing Social Media Splits with them.  They will be excited and you will blessed for the association and the effort.

Did You Know? Family Priority Times for Temple Baptisms

Did you know there are baptism times at the Washington DC Temple designated for families and individuals to do baptisms for their deceased ancestors?

What an amazing opportunity this is for ourselves and for our youth!  There are great blessings that come from searching for your ancestors and then taking their names to the temple to give them the opportunity for those ordinances - beginning with baptism.  My daughter and I have been going regularly together for her to do baptisms for women we have found.  She always liked going with the youth baptism trips, but going during the family priority times has become a sweeter experience - a more personal experience for her and a wonderful preparation for when she will be able to enter the temple prior to her mission and receive her endowment.

The following is taken from a letter of instruction sent from the Washington DC Temple Presidency to the area stake presidents.  It provides all the information you need to arrange to use the Family Priority Times.

Tuesdays at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm
Wednesdays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Thursdays at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Fridays at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm
Saturdays at 5:00 pm.

To assure orderliness in the work of the temple, members are strongly encouraged to make appointments in advance by calling the temple at (301) 588-0650.  Scheduled appointments will be given priority over walk-ins, and if the Baptistry is already scheduled to capacity, any who come without appointments may be asked to return at a later time.

However, we are anxious to provide families the opportunity to do this sacred work, so it should be understood that the above times are not the only times family file patrons may make appointments.  Baptistry appointments may be made any time the temple is open, naturally subject to our capacity at the Baptistry.

Please note that individuals and groups with appointments will not necessarily have exclusive use of the Baptistry.  To assure opportunity for as many as possible to perform proxy baptisms, we may schedule other groups, or individuals, at the same time.

If you don't know where to begin in searching out your ancestors and preparing their names for temple ordinances, there are two starting points:

1.  Ask your bishopric/branch presidency who the Family History Consultants are for your ward/branch.  Then arrange to meet with them.  Their calling is to help you get going.

2.  Visit familysearch.org using your lds account login.  On that site you will see FamilyTree - that is where you will find all the tools you need to begin your search and prepare your ancestor's names.

"As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives.

As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace which will transcend any other feeling which could come into the human heart. We will grasp the true meaning of the words of the Savior when He said: 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'"    -- President Thomas S. Monson, Blessings of the Temple, April 2015 General Conference

Such a promise!  Don't we all need more peace in our lives?

-Lorie Pierce

Keeping A History

In sifting through the large stack of papers inherited with my calling as Stake Relief Society Secretary, I came across a brief history entitled "History of Columbia Maryland Stake".  At the end of each year, secretaries in the quorums and auxiliaries are asked to submit a brief history of their unit.  This paper appears to have been the submission for the year 1992 and was likely written by the Stake Relief Society Secretary at the time, Kay Paulson.

As I read that brief history, my mind was turned to a talk given by Sister Julie B. Beck when she was serving as General Relief Society President.  It was her introduction to the publication of Daughters in My Kingdom.  (If you haven't read that book - you really should.  It is an amazing work!)  I went back and re-read her talk.  It is powerful and the principles she teaches not only apply to Relief Society, but to our families and our family histories as well.

She makes four important points:

History Teaches Us Who We Are
There is a worldwide hunger among good women to know their identity, value, and importance. Studying and applying the history of Relief Society gives definition and expression to who we are as disciples and followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

History Teaches Us What We Are To Do
Through our history we learn how to prepare for the blessings of eternal life.

History Unites Faithful Women
The history of Relief Society is a Spirit-filled story of strong, faithful, purposeful women. As a part of the Lord’s restored Church, Relief Society can now be found in nearly 170 nations.

Knowledge of History Can Help Us Change
Ultimately, the value of history is not so much in its dates, times, and places. It is valuable because it teaches us the principles, purposes, and patterns we are to follow, it helps us know who we are and what we are to do, and it unites us in strengthening the homes of Zion and building the kingdom of God on the earth. 

You can use the link below to listen to or read the entire talk for yourselves.

Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society, Julie B. Beck, General Conference October 2010

Looking back at that yellowing paper, typed on an actual typewriter, I have thought of the women who have come before us.  The sisters who have served faithfully by increasing their faith & testimony, strengthening their families, providing relief to those in need and helping to further the Lord's work in the Columbia Maryland Stake over the past 23 years.  I would like to compile a history of our Relief Society for them and us.  I plan to publish it via this blog.  I need help in tracking down names, dates, pictures, recollections, etc.  I'd like to start by finding out the names of each Stake Relief Society Presidency & Secretary and when they served.  If you can help supply details for me, I would greatly appreciate it.  Please send whatever you may have to columbiastake.rs.sec@gmail.com.

- Lorie Pierce

Come To The Temple!

Saturdays are oh so busy!  Yesterday was no exception for the sisters in our stake.  We are grateful for the 73 sisters who were able to join us at the Washington DC Temple Visitors' Center in the morning for our Stake Relief Society Activity - Come to the Temple.  It was a unique opportunity to hold our activity at the Visitors' Center and we are especially grateful for the help of the missionary staff for all their support.  For the sisters who were unable to join us - you were missed!

We began our morning with a welcome from Sister Susan Reinsch, our Stake Relief Society president.  Following her, we had the privilege of receiving a special welcome from President Kent Colton, the Washington DC Temple president.  He provided some insights on the purposes of the temple and temple worship.  He encouraged us to ponder three things as we attend the temple.  First, the opportunity to be endowed with power from on high.  Second, the significance of the sealing power.  Third, that the temple ordinances are centered on the Atonement.

We were then blessed to be instructed by Sister Deborah Hirschi of the Savage Mill Ward.  She taught us about the history of temples and temple worship beginning with ancient scriptures all the way up to our dispensation with the building of the Kirtland Temple in Ohio.  She reminded us that the temple anciently and today is literally the House of the Lord.  She taught us how the purposes of the temple anciently and today are the same.  Temples teach the Lord's people, prepare them for His coming, sanctify them, allow them to make covenants with Him, provide a house of prayer, and point us to His Atonement.  She talked about how the commandments and rituals of the ancient temple reminded the Israelites of their covenant with God, just as our current temples do for us.  She taught us about specific ancient symbols in Old and New Testament temples that pointed to Christ such as the door and the stone.  She reminded us that as we participate in temple ordinances and ponder the symbols there, it can help us strengthen our understanding and relationship to Christ.  That just as with the people in ancient times, our temples are sacred places wherein we can receive guidance, peace and sanctification.

After those great messages, we then had time to write letters to missionaries, learn about indexing, mingle and view the exhibits in the Visitors' Center.  A big THANK YOU goes to Sister Becky Harms, Brothers Scott Bullock and Clarence Johnson, Sisters Michele Van Gieson and  Rosanna Hamilton for helping us with missionary writing opportunities and the indexing!  For those who didn't have a chance to see what a great service opportunity indexing is, you can visit familysearch.org and learn all about it.  Indexing is a significant support to all of us as we search out our ancestors to provide temple ordinances for them.

For our final hour, we were uplifted as we heard from Brother & Sister Brian and Sue Swinton, former Washington DC Temple president and matron.

Sister Swinton shared the story of Esther from the Old Testament as told by Sister Hinckley, which ended with "and they lived happily ever after".  She taught us that as sisters, we are as Esther, members of the house of Israel and entitled to the blessings of that covenant and the blessings of the temple.  She said that like Esther, the Lord takes us where we are and puts His arm around us to lead us along.  She instructed us that the temple endowment teaches us how to get home, back to the presence of God.  She reminded us that Heavenly Father loves His daughters.  She said it is the Lord's desire that we get on the path and stay on the path back to Him.  This is His work and His glory. (Moses 1:39)  Sister Swinton encouraged us to remember that all the Lord requires of us is that we do our best, that we do all we can do.  She recalled the story of the Widow's Mite and how even though what she gave appeared small, it was all she could do and was enough.  She concluded her remarks by encouraging us to study D&C 109 and focus on the promises that we can go forth from the temple in His name, armed with power, with His glory round about us and with angels to have charge over us.  Finally, she reminded us that our "happily ever after" is possible through making and keeping temple covenants.

Brother Swinton was our concluding speaker.  He referenced President Monson's most recent General Conference talk - Blessings of the Temple and encouraged us to review it.  He, like Sister Swinton, referred to D&C 109, specifically verse 13 and taught us about the significance of "crossing the threshold" of the temple.  He told us that as we do so, we can feel the power of the Lord as we leave the world outside and enter the environment where the Lord can speak to us.  He reiterated that it is the Lord's house and encouraged us to "just let the Spirit help us".  Brother Swinton then instructed us concerning the purpose of this life and that the need for physical bodies is to be able to receive the saving ordinances of baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, endowment and sealing.  He concluded by sharing the following from President Thomas S. Monson:

"If you have not yet been to the temple or if you have been but currently do not qualify for a recommend, there is no more important goal for you to work toward than being worthy to go to the temple. Your sacrifice may be bringing your life into compliance with what is required to receive a recommend, perhaps by forsaking long-held habits which disqualify you. It may be having the faith and the discipline to pay your tithing. Whatever it is, qualify to enter the temple of God. Secure a temple recommend and regard it as a precious possession, for such it is. Until you have entered the house of the Lord and have received all the blessings which await you there, you have not obtained everything the Church has to offer. The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God." (The Holy Temple - a Beacon to the World, General Conference, April 2011)

Our activity ended with a group photo taken by Sister Reagan Dickson of Eldersburg Ward and lunch.  Not just any lunch, but a delicious box lunch of chicken salad on croissants with fruit, veggies, chips, and cookies.  With "Come to the Temple" magnets tucked inside it was like a grown-up 'happy meal'.  Although it was a bit nippy outside, most of the sisters stayed to picnic together at tables behind the Visitors' Center.  Many thanks to Sister Debi Bullock from Columbia Second Ward and all the sisters on her committee.

We are so blessed to live near a temple of God.  Our activity was uplifting and a sweet reminder of the blessings so close at hand and available to all who are willing to qualify.  Again, we express our gratitude to all those who assisted in any way to making this activity happen.

FYI - digital copies of the group photos will be sent to ward/branch presidents and secretaries.

Temple Visitors' Center - Not Just For Non-Member Friends

Sister Reinsch and I went to the Temple Visitors' Center this week to discuss final plans for our upcoming Stake Relief Society Activity.  While there, we visited with Sister White and Sister Fowler.  We learned that they love having Church members come to the Visitors' Center.  They told us that one of the main purposes of the Visitors' Center is to strengthen Church members.

Sister White gave us a tour of the new Children's Exhibit.  This exhibit is designed to provide families teaching & learning opportunities.  There is a photo booth with a mural of the Washington DC Temple as the backdrop.  Families can have their picture taken "in front of the Temple".  Photos can then be emailed to the families.

There is a huge tree with digital screens hanging on it.  The photos taken in the booth are uploaded there.  At the base of the three is a large Book of Mormon storybook.  Parents can sit with their children and read the stories.  Around the base of the tree are stumps for the children to sit on and digital screens with activities, such as coloring pages, which are also uploaded to the branches of the tree.

On the other side of the tree is a mini theater.  The children can watch scripture stories or sing along to Primary songs.

The hope of the Visitors' Center missionaries is that families will bring their young children to the exhibit and use it's tools to teach their children about the Gospel and how the Temple and the Book of Mormon help us become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am so impressed with this Children's Exhibit.  It is amazing!  I wish my grand-daughter lived near by.  I know she would love it!

-Lorie Pierce

Did You Know? - Use of Online Resources in Church Callings

Did you know that the Church has a set of guidelines for using online resources, such as social media and blogs, in our Church callings and assignments?

"When carefully used, the Internet can help coordinate the work of the Church, strengthen faith, and minister to the needs of others. The Internet can also help with missionary work as people connect with friends and family and share Church content. However, electronic communication should not replace face-to-face contact."  lds.org

Click on this link to review the guidelines:  Use of Online Resources in Church Callings

Technology can be a great tool as we serve in our Church callings.  The internet provides quick access to information and to people.  If we are wise in our use of the technology available, we can serve more productively in many ways - hopefully in a way that saves valuable time.  As Stake Relief Society leaders, we hope to use these resources to provide information and to uplift & connect with our sisters.

If you are on Facebook and haven't joined our Columbia Stake Sisters group, please feel free to use the link on the side bar of this blog.  That will take you to a request to join page.  Please note, if your Facebook name is different from what is listed in the stake directory on lds.org, your request will likely be denied.  But you can contact us in advance, so we will be aware.  Send any messages about the Facebook group to columbiastake.rs.sec@gmail.com.

Save the Date! April 25, 2015

We are excited about our upcoming Spring Stake Relief Society Activity on Saturday, April 25, 9am-1pm.  "Come to the Temple" is our theme and we hope that many of our sisters will come and will bring their friends.  This activity is being held at the Washington DC Visitors' Center.  Dress is Nice Casual.  We recommend arranging carpools within your wards/branches.  It's always more fun to travel with friends and parking will be crowded there on a Saturday.

We are looking forward to a couple of great presentations pertaining to the temple and a service project.  There will of course be time for mingling and visiting the exhibits.  If you haven't yet seen the cut-away exhibit of the Washington DC Temple - this will be a great chance.  It is amazing.

We plan to have a photographer on hand for a group photo, who can also take small group pictures.  Feel free to bring your own camera phone and fill social media that day with uplifting photos #cometothetemple.

Lunch will be served.  You're welcome to bring a blanket to eat outside and enjoy the hopefully wonderful spring weather.

Postcards will be arriving in your wards/branches for distribution on April 12 and 19. There should be enough for you to take for inviting friends or sisters you visit teach, who aren't there. Thanks to Celesta Hubner from the YSA Branch for her great design!