Lesson Summary from August 9th

Joseph Smith Lesson Chapter 38

The Wentworth Letter

"Mr. John Wentworth, Editor and Proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, requested information for his friend, Mr. George Barstow, who was writing the history of New Hampshire. Mr. Barstow did not include the Prophet's account in his history because he decided to cover events only through the year 1819 in his book. But the Wentworth Letter has immense value to Latter-day Saints. It is an original account by Joseph Smith testifying of his sacred call from God, his visions, and his ministry and teachings. It recounts the rise and growth of the Church and the persecutions of the Saints. It contains a prophetic declaration of the Church's future success in the earth under the protective hand of the Great Jehovah. It also contains several important details not found elsewhere in the Prophet's teachings, including a description of the gold plates and a sketch of the contents of the Book of Mormon. Significantly, it is the first time that Joseph Smith himself published an account of his First Vision. Concluding with the 13 declarations of the Church doctrine now called the Articles of Faith, it stands as a powerful witness of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith."

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."


This lesson was taught by Kathy Bradshaw

Link to lesson on LDS.org

WARD PARTY

DATE: Saturday August 15th
TIME: 4:30 - 9 pm
PLACE: Golfland Sunsplash
Meet at King James Pavillion right by the castle.
COST: Wristbands for the waterpark are only $5 per person

Ward will provide hot dogs and drinks and food sign ups will be passed around.

Check out this gallery.

Lesson Summary from August 2nd

Presidency Message

How important is the Temple?

What can we do to maintain a love for the temple throughout your life?

How can we prepare before we go to the temple? What attitude should we have so we can prepared to attend? How can the temple be a place of education?

“The temple ceremony will not be fully understood at first experience. It will be only partly understood. Return again and again and again. Return to learn. Things that have troubled you or things that have been puzzling or things that have been mysterious will become known to you....”

We should ponder the temple experience each day. Remember that the center of all temple worship is the Savior, Jesus Christ. Why is it important for us to have the temple centered in our lives? These are just a few questions to think about. Ponder them and ask yourself how important is the temple to you! President Greer has asked us to attend the temple often. I had a stake president in New Mexico who asked us to double our temple attendance. I can testify the blessings will outnumber anything you will imagine if you will make the temple important to you and your family.

Taught by Barbi Holden

Book Club

Book Club

Date: August 18th, 2009
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Diana Williams Home

Boxes of Fruit

FRUIT LIST
*****************************

PEACHES............Peaches will begin Wednesday, August 19th and continue

EVERY Wednesday through October 7th.
A 32 pound box is 27.00

TOMATOES..........Tomatoes will begin Wednesday, August 19th and continue
EVERY Wednesday through October 7th
A 24 pound box is 20.00

RASPBERRIES.....Raspberries will begin August 19th and continue
EVERY Wednesday through the end of September.
An 8 pound flat is 28.00

BLACKBERRIES...Blackberries will begin August 19th and continue
EVERY Wednesday through the end September.
An 8 pound flat is 28.00

PEARS................... Pears will begin September 9th and continue
EVERY Wednesday for a few shipments.
A 38 pound box is 28.00

FALL APPLES........Fall Apples will arrive October 28th, a few days before
Halloween. (ONE SHIPMENT)
Varieties available are Granny Smith, Rome, Jonathan, Fuji,
Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious
A 42 pound box is 26.00

YOU CAN ORDER BY PHONE (480 844-9953) OR EMAIL.. PLEASE INCUDE YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER WITH YOUR ORDER. Please be specific on the fruit and the quantity you would like. If you are coming several times for pick up, let me know that also. I will do my best!

FRUIT PICK UP.................I will have enough fruit to accommodate you throughout the season. Because of the fruit, I have grown to love so many of you. I so look forward to seeing you each year. Thank you for your kindness and friendship.

I wish I could but, I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO HOLD BOXES. SORRY! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE COMING FROM LONG DISTANCES, (White Mountains, Cottonwood, Tucson, Snowflake, Taylor, Glendale, and Prescott) PLEASE CALL ME SO I CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR PICKUP. THE TRUCK SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNINGS.AT 7:00 AM. PLEASE CALL FIRST BEFORE YOU COME, TO MAKE SURE THE TRUCK IS UNLOADED. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, PLEASE CARPOOL OR PICK UP FOR A FRIEND TO LESSEN THE TRAFFIC AND CONGESSION.

CLOTHING AND SHOE COLLECTION FOR MESA SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NEED.............If you are cleaning out your closets, I would so appreciate any contributions of unneeded clothing, shoes and accessories for Mesa school children and their families. You can drop them off any time or when you pick up the fruit. Together we can make a difference.

Thanks a bunch!

Barbie Van Cott
480 844-9953

Sun Oven Demonstration

I am excited to let you all know that the guy from Sun Oven
International in Chicago will be coming to Arizona in August and will
come and give our ward a demonstration on how to use the ovens!

Date: August 22, 2009

Time: 10 a.m.

Where: To be determined

To reserve your spot, please
email me at myrnasheppard@cox.net

Thanks,
Myrna

Joseph Smith Lesson #37

Joseph Smith Lesson Ch 37 - Charity, the Pure Love of Christ

If asked what would be some of the chief characteristics to be like God what would you say? Kind, loving, all knowing, charitable. Charity is the pure love of Christ. Who do you know that is very charitable and what did they do to become that way. "Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." pg 426

Section 2 of this chapter is titled, "We have a special obligation to love and care for those in need." Joseph Smith goes on to say that as a member of the Church we need to have charity in our hearts. It is not the total responsibility of the church to seek charity needs, but it is an individual responsibility. We also need to show charity to everyone, LDS or not.

The next section highlights the attitude and state to mind that is connected with charity. We need to not be judgmental of those in need. But perhaps if we put ourselves in the situation of those in need and serve together as sisters, we will be better able to overcome our fears and difficulties and develop a greater appreciation for another's virtue.

Finally, Mosiah 2:17 is a beautiful scripture that highlights how God feels about service to others. Charity is the backbone of Christ's message and vision. When we practice charity, our souls are enlarged. We act towards others as Christ would. As Joseph Smith say, "The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast sins behind our backs...."428-429



This lesson was taught by Michaela Huso
Link to the lesson on LDS.org

Joseph Smith Lesson #35

Joseph Smith Chapter 35- Redemption for the Dead

This lesson begins by telling us about Joseph Smith's older brother Alvin whom becomes very sick and dies. His family asked a Presbyterian minister to officiate the funeral. At which the minister makes it very clear during his sermon that Alvin will go to hell for not being a member of his church. "...but he was a good boy and my father did not like it."(403) How do you think Joseph's family felt during this funeral?

"God judges men according to the use they make of the light which He gives them." What does Joseph Smith mean by "light"? What is another word to use instead of light?

Heavenly Father loves all of us and we are all his children, think of him as our parent. He knows of all the things created in this world, He knew of the Fall of Man and his redemption. He knew the plan of salvation, knows of the living and the dead and gives as many opportunties as possible to be redeemed. "God is perfectly just and merciful to all people living and dead." (407)

The final section talks about our application. It is our duty and privilege to be baptized and confirmed for those who have died with out the gospel. Why is our duty to perform this work for those who have died? How can we benefit from doing this? With the plan of salvation we were sent here to get a body and be tested. The test includes making and keeping covenants here on earth. We have a merciful and just God that want so be fair to all and to do the same for all. That is why we need to do the same work for those whom could not do it for themselves. Scriptures that go along with this chapter include, Isaiah 24:21-22, John 3:5, 1Cor 15:29, Isaiah 49: 8-9, Isaiah 61: 1-3, John 5:25.


This lesson was taught by Michaela Huso
Link to lesson on LDS.org

Lesson Summary from July 5, 2009

Sis. Margaret S. Lifferth taught in the last April General Conference that “We teach in our homes, in missionary settings, and in the chapels and classrooms of our churches. We prepare and invite the Spirit to be with us. But to truly be able to feed His lambs and nourish His sheep with testimony and the Spirit, we must also cultivate in our homes and classrooms respect for each other and reverence for God.”

“When we exemplify respect for others, we instill in the hearts of our children that teach each of us is truly a child of God and we are all brothers and sisters through eternity”.

“We are a friendly people and we love each other, but reverence will increase if our socializing is done in the foyer and if sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music, not the opening prayer”.

“Reverence is profound respect and love. A reverent attitude toward God includes honoring Him, expressing gratitude to Him, and obeying His commandments. Reverence leads to a quiet transformation in life. The Lord will pour out His Spirit more abundantly on those who are reverent. They are less troubled and confused. They are able to receive revelation to help them solve personal and family problems. Just as reverence brings an individual close to God, irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary. Satan will tempt people to follow the world’s trend to more noise, transitory excitement, and contention and to less restraint and quiet dignity.” (lds.org, Gospel Topics, Reverence)

This lesson was taught by Kathy Bradshaw.

Wendy Dewitt Enrichment

For those of you who couldn't make it to Enrichment, Wendy counseled us--among other things--that every prophecy will be fulfilled, and it may very well be during our lifetime. She said too that it is better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared! She actually warned us that our families could starve if worse comes to worse, and especially after Pres. Monson's talk on Sunday about that poor lady whose children all starved on her trek to safety, Wendy's words really resonated with me!

Link to Wendy's Blog

Link to Wendy's Booklet

Link to Wendy's presentation on You Tube