Sunday, June 24, 2018

R.S. Meeting: June 24, 2018




Today in Relief Society, we talked about “Be With and Strengthen Them” by Elder Holland. Here are the two main questions and some of the thoughts expressed by the sisters.

What is ministering?

Friendship:
We’re building a relationship. Because Heavenly Father has called us to visit those particular sisters, we already have a connection & we need to trust in the Lord that He knows what He’s doing. There’s a reason we’re given those sisters.

No judgment:
Even if your house is messy with things all over the floor, let them in! Don’t deny them (or yourself) the blessings.

Baptismal covenant:
Ministering is part of the covenant we made when we were baptized. See Mosiah 18:8-9

Listen and act/resources:
An important part of ministering is listening. If there’s a need, either help to fill it or help them find the resources they need.

Instrument in the Lord’s hands/acting as an agent:
We’re acting in the stead of Christ. If we keep that in our minds, we become more Christlike and the people we minister to can have that touch of Christ if we’re truly acting the way we should.

Extension of your family:
It helps to know that family members who don’t live close by have someone that they can go to. It’s what ministering is all about.

Stay in tune with the Lord and act on promptings:
If you have a feeling (like you need to stop by to see someone), do it. We don’t know why. Just stay in tune because Heavenly Father knows better than we do.

Scripture study and prayer daily:
This ties into the last thought. Scripture study and prayer are spiritual fuel for the day and will be a massive help as we try to hear and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Bless them in whatever way you can/be there:
Often, we’ll minister to people who don’t really need any help. We don’t have to come with an agenda, just be their friend, find a need, and fill it.

Friendship/welcome:
People like knowing that someone is happy to see them. We can be the happy face that welcomes our sisters to church.

Love:
We’re going out to just love them, learn their name, who their kids are… hopefully you just do it because you want to know that person – that’s where I would start. This is one more way to keep the commandment to “love one another.” (Here’s a great video about that)





One-on-one (finding the lost sheep):
Jesus is one-on-one. I feel like when we’re ministering, we’re looking for that one sheep.

Perseverance:
Don’t stop asking/inviting but follow the promptings of the Spirit so you know when to back off. We can be “stubborn” about serving people.

Two-way (reciprocal) relationship:
If your ministering sisters aren’t coming, you can approach them too. Ministering goes two ways. If they don’t do their part, you can help them do it.  We should try to be the redwood forest with our roots intertwined. As soon as we put limits on things, we limit ourselves, too.

Why is it so difficult?

Not a set lesson anymore:
True, but there are “ministry principles” in the Ensign. Here’s the one for July.



Not necessarily monthly/we’re left on our own:
We’re left on our own, to make our own decisions, which is usually what we want to do. I think it’s going to be a lot more successful. It’s nice to have the flexibility to customize our ministering relationships to best meet the needs of our sisters.

Forming friendships:
Elder Holland’s talk helps with this one. He said, “The Church provides us a structured way to live the second commandment better—to love, serve, and develop relationships with our brothers and sisters that help us move closer to God.”

It’s intimidating:
We need to keep helping and encouraging each other. We just have to keep working on it so that everybody can feel like they still matter – like they’re important. Just because you want to do it doesn’t mean it’s easy to do. You might fail several times until you get it right. The point is to keep trying until you change your nature.


I know that as we minister to our sisters, we will form friendships and strengthen the bonds that hold us together, so we can help lift each other and become (as Elder Holland says) “more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be.”


Question for discussion:
What are some successful ways you’ve found to minister to your sisters?

Monday, June 4, 2018

R.S. Lesson: May 27, 2018




We talked about testimony-building experiences when we've received personal revelation.  Sisters talked about receiving personal revelation as an answer to prayer, and as a preparation for things to come (whether good or bad), and in their patriarchal blessings. 

We know that He wants us to grow and He wants us to be strengthened for a larger purpose, which is eternal life. 

 


President Nelson said, “Whatever our Church calling, we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small.”



We should talk to Heavenly Father when we’re upset, even if we’re angry at Him. He already knows our hearts and minds, so we can’t surprise or shock him. 
Prayer is a wonderful healing gift for our lives. 
We shouldn't allow negative emotions to sever our lines of communication with Heavenly Father.






President Nelson said, “I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.”





“Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”




Question for Discussion:  When you have a question or problem, what do you do to make it easier for you to receive inspiration from the Lord?