5th week - RS announcement

1.  Memories, letters, pictures, etc. for the Lyon family memorial book need to be sent to lyon.memorial@gmail.com.  The deadline for submissions is September 30th.


2.  September is ward temple month!  Dates are:


Friday, September 14th at 5 PM - Temple Baptisms
Wednesday, September 19th at 6 AM - Initiatories
Friday, September 28th at 6 PM - Chapel session before 6:30 Endowment session
Saturday, September 29th, new time TBA - Temple Sealings


3.  Relief Society Super Saturday is October 13th, 5 - 9 PM.  Be sure to check out the table of examples and sign-ups outside the Relief Society Room on Sundays.


4.  Stake Conference begins Thursday, September 6th with Stake Temple Night.  It will continue Saturday and Sunday the 8th and 9th at the Inter-Stake Center.


5.  Calling All  Visiting Teachers!!
BUSY LIVES  call for creative time management.  That certainly applies to getting visiting teaching done.
If you and your partner are not able to visit your sisters for whatever reason...please do one of the following instead.
1.  An old fashioned card in the mail.  It's pretty exciting to get a personal card in the mail these days! 
2.  A phone call visit
3. Drop off a treat or note on their doorstep where appropriate
4. Facebook privately
5. Email
6. Go alone if your partner can't make it
This shouldn't be the ONLY way to visit your sisters.  A personal visit with a message is great when possible.
The point is to do SOMETHING, not NOTHING.
Your visiting teachee's will appreciate it!!!

Have a great day!  :)

3rd week - RS lesson

Chapter 16: “Offer Up Thy Sacraments upon My Holy Day”

Keeping the Sabbath day holy and worthily partaking of the sacrament bring us increased spiritual strength. 36786_000_016

From the Life of George Albert Smith

As a child, George Albert Smith learned the importance of honoring the Sabbath day. Often on Sundays a group of neighborhood boys would come to his house after Sunday School to invite him to play ball. “I was like the boys,” he said. “I thought it would be lots of fun to play ball and to play other games. But I had a wonderful mother. She did not say, ‘You cannot do it,’ but she did say: ‘Son, you will be happier if you do not do that. …’ I want to tell you I am grateful for that kind of training in the home.”¹ The impact of his mother’s teachings can be seen in President Smith’s frequently reminding the Saints that keeping the Sabbath day holy brings great blessings.

As a General Authority, George Albert Smith had the opportunity to attend Sunday services of the Church in numerous locations. As he observed the Saints worshipping together on the Sabbath, he was pleased with their reverent attitude toward the sacrament: “I feel that a comprehension of the sacredness of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is important to the members of the Church. … I rejoice when I find our brethren and sisters coming to the sanctuary and partaking of these emblems … worthily.”² [See suggestion 1 on page 177.]

Teachings of George Albert Smith

God’s commandment that we keep the Sabbath day holy is not a burden but a blessing.

[The Lord] has taught us that we must observe the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. One day of the seven he has set apart as his day, and in consideration of all his blessings bestowed upon us on the other days it would appear to me that we ought to find joy in doing the things that he asks us to do on his holy day, and I believe that unless we do we will find no happiness. … He wants us to be happy and has told us how we may earn that happiness.³

We should think of the purpose of the [Lord’s] day and partake of the influence of worship. What would it accomplish for the world if all the children of our Heavenly Father—and we are all his children—would respect his desire that the Sabbath should be a day of worship. There is no way of estimating what a beneficial change might be wrought, not only in our own nation, but in all nations of the world if we honored the Sabbath Day and kept it holy.⁴

The Sabbath has become the play-day … —the day set apart by thousands to violate the commandment that God gave long, long ago, and I am persuaded that much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting and will continue to afflict mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored his admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy.⁵ [See suggestion 2 on page 177.]

One of the first sermons that were preached in this [the Salt Lake] valley was by President Brigham Young, and he warned the people to honor the Sabbath day and to keep it holy, and no matter how difficult their circumstances they were not to go out and do manual labor on the Sabbath day. … The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has encouraged its people to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy because it is pleasing to our Heavenly Father that we do so.⁶

Let us teach these boys and girls [of the Church] as they grow up to do the things that the Lord would like to have them do on the Sabbath day, and it will be surprising the influence they can have in the communities that they live in. Unless the world repents of its carelessness and indifference, unless we the Latter-Day Saints, in many cases, repent of our attitude of indifference toward the holy day of our Heavenly Father, there will not come to us all the joy and happiness we desire to enjoy here, and it will not be with us in eternity.⁷

Some people appear to think that if they have attended religious meetings or performed some portion of the service required of them on Sunday, they are then at liberty to pursue pleasures and engage in activities incompatible with the spirit of the Sabbath and still continue to enjoy the favor of our Father. I say to you that if the members of the Church, knowing better, persist in desecrating the Sabbath day in the pursuit of worldly pleasures, they will lose their faith; and the Spirit of our Heavenly Father will withdraw from them.⁸

It is not an insignificant thing to violate the Sabbath day. I want to say that you lose every time you violate the Sabbath day, you lose more than you can gain, no matter what you may think you are going to gain.⁹

To forget that it [the Sabbath day] is the Lord’s day, as some of us appear to do, is ungrateful. He has set apart one day in seven, not to make it a burden, but to bring joy into our lives and cause that our homes may be the gathering place of the family, that parents and children may assemble around the family hearth increasing our love for one another. …

Honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy, Latter-day Saints, and it will bring to you great joy and our Heavenly Father will bestow upon you the blessings that result from obedience to his advice and counsel.¹⁰

Attending church is an important part of keeping the Sabbath day holy.

If we do what our Heavenly Father would have us do we will go to his holy house upon the Sabbath day and there partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the sacrifice that was made for us by the Redeemer of mankind.¹¹

This [the Sabbath day] is the Lord’s holy day; this is the day that he has set apart in which we are to worship him, and in this latter day he has given an additional commandment that we shall go to the house of prayer and fasting upon his holy day, and there acknowledge our faults and bear our testimonies in the presence of one another [see D&C 59:9–12]. …

In this marvelous age when people can sit comfortably at home and hear the music of the world and listen to public addresses, and sermons, they will remain at their own fireside and perhaps feel that they are receiving all that they could receive were they to go to the place appointed for religious services.

The Latter-day Saints need not be deceived in this matter. It is not only the word that we hear that is profitable, but it is the influence that pervades our houses of worship that comes from our Heavenly Father that is essential. We may have a radio receiving set in our home, but we will not benefit by it spiritually, as much as if we go to the house of the Lord upon his holy day, where we are permitted to partake of the Sacrament and where we pray and invoke the blessings of our Heavenly Father and receive [a] witness of the truth calculated to save mankind.¹² [See suggestion 3 on page 177.]

It is a sacred privilege to partake of the sacrament on the Sabbath day.

I think perhaps most of us realize what a gift has come to us on those occasions when we are permitted to assemble in peace and in quiet, to meet together and partake of the emblems of the broken body and the shed blood of the Master. It should be, and I presume [it] is, in the minds of every one of us a most sacred and solemn occasion to realize that we are renewing our covenants with him who gave his life that we might be resurrected and exalted. When we partake of these emblems, I am sure we all realize that the sacrament, established by him before he passed away, is to be to us an uplift and inspiration and a blessing throughout eternity.¹³

The sacrament is of great importance. The Lord Himself ordained that we partake of these emblems. There are many people who believe it is necessary to be baptized, and to have other ordinances of the Gospel performed in their behalf, and yet they become indifferent and careless regarding the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. It was regarded of such importance by our Father in Heaven that, through His beloved Son, and the apostles and prophets, as recorded in the scriptures, the Saints were admonished to partake of it regularly. Three of the evangelists [Gospel writers] refer to it [see Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20], and we find that the scripture, in many places, teaches the importance of it, as it was taught by the Lord Himself when He dwelt in the flesh. Our Father in Heaven does not give us commandments or advice that are not of importance. He teaches us for our uplifting, for our growth and development, and if we will follow His counsel it will prepare us to go back into His presence. … Each Sabbath day we are expected to meet together and partake of the emblems of the body and blood of our risen Redeemer. …

We also find reference to this in the 18th chapter of Third Nephi, where the Savior is instructing the people on this [the American] continent, just as He had taught His disciples in the old world to observe the sacrament. It reads as follows:

“And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, He said unto the disciples, behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread, and bless it, and give it unto the people of my Church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.

“And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread, and blessed it, and given it unto you.”

… The next verse reads as follows:

“And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father, that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me, ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.” [3 Nephi 18:5–7.]

… In addition to that, we find that in our own day the Lord has given us revelation upon that subject. In section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord gives unto us instructions upon the matter. In that revelation, beginning with the 75th verse, He says:

“It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;

“And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel, with the church … and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying—”

Note the beautiful prayer that follows … :

“O God, the Eternal Father, we ask Thee, in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto Thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of Thy Son, and always remember Him and keep His commandments which He has given them, that they may always have His Spirit to be with them. Amen.” [D&C 20:75–77.]

The prayer and the blessing upon the water is somewhat similar [see D&C 20:78–79].

How sacred, how profoundly sacred, are the thoughts expressed in the sacrament prayer. I admonish you, my brethren, that when we officiate in administering the sacrament, we repeat … the exact words given by revelation, and that we do so with the Spirit of the Lord. When we repeat these prayers, we should feel the sentiments expressed by the words that we speak.¹⁴

I fear sometimes that as the sacrament is administered in some of our meetings there is not the solemn atmosphere that there should be. It is such a sacred privilege. … Those who [partake] of the sacrament should have in their minds the obligation that is indicated in the prayer.¹⁵ [See suggestion 4 on page 177.]

Worthily partaking of the sacrament renews our spiritual strength.

We partake of physical food—that is, we partake of bread and water etc., to nourish the physical body. It is just as necessary that we partake of the emblems of the body and blood of our risen Lord to increase our spiritual strength. It is observed that men and women who go from year to year without partaking of the Lord’s Supper, gradually lose the Spirit of our Heavenly Father; they forfeit its companionship where they have had opportunity to participate in that blessing, but have failed to take advantage of it. …

I have turned to a passage of scripture in the 11th chapter of First Corinthians, beginning with the 23rd verse, which reads as follows:

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread:

“And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.

“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.

“Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” [1 Corinthians 11:23–30.]

… I desire to call your attention to the fact that there is danger if we do it [partake of the sacrament] unworthily. Before partaking of this sacrament, our hearts should be pure; our hands should be clean; we should be divested of all enmity toward our associates; we should be at peace with our fellow men; and we should have in our hearts a desire to do the will of our Father and to keep all of His commandments. If we do this, partaking of the sacrament will be a blessing to us and will renew our spiritual strength. …

… We should consider seriously the covenants we make with our Father. Let us pay strict attention to those covenants, and let us see to it that we eat and drink worthily, for the blessings of our souls and for the increase of our spiritual strength. These blessings are for you, my brethren and sisters, who are of the household of faith. Let us appreciate them, and live worthy of them, that by our lives we may exemplify our belief. Let none of us be under condemnation by partaking of the sacrament unworthily, thereby being deprived of the companionship of the Spirit of our Father.¹⁶

We should partake of it [the sacrament] in humility, with preparation of clean hands and pure hearts, and with a desire to be acceptable to our Father; then we will receive it worthily, and rejoice in the blessing that comes to us.¹⁷

May the Lord bless us; may His Spirit continue to be poured out upon us. May we love each other, as our Father commanded that we should do. If we can partake of the sacrament worthily, we can love each other, even as our Father has ordained; remembering that He has said unto us: “If ye are not one, ye are not mine.” [D&C 38:27.]¹⁸ [See suggestion 5 on page 177.]

Suggestions for Study and Teaching

Consider these ideas as you study the chapter or as you prepare to teach. For additional help, see pages v–vii.

1. 1.Read the last paragraph on page 169. If the President of the Church were to attend your sacrament meeting, what do you think his impressions would be? What can you do personally to show greater reverence for the Lord and the sacrament?
2. 2.Ponder President Smith’s words in the second and third paragraphs on page 170. How would society in general benefit if more people honored the Sabbath day? What are some appropriate ways to help our families and others see Sabbath-day observance as a blessing rather than a burden?
3. 3.What are some of the benefits of worshipping together on Sunday that we don’t receive by simply studying the gospel in our homes? (See page 172 for some examples; see also D&C 59:9–12.)
4. 4.As you read the section that begins on page 172, ponder what you can do to make the ordinance of the sacrament a more meaningful part of your life. What are some effective ways to help children prepare for the sacrament and treat it with reverence?
5. 5.As you read the last four paragraphs of teachings (page 176), look for what President Smith says qualifies us to worthily partake of the sacrament. Why do you think worthily partaking of the sacrament increases our spiritual strength?

Related Scriptures: Exodus 20:8–11; Isaiah 58:13–14; Matthew 18:20; 3 Nephi 18:1–12; 20:8–9; Moroni 6:5–6

Teaching help: “A skilled teacher doesn’t think, ‘What shall I do in class today?’ but asks, ‘What will my students do in class today?’; not, ‘What will I teach today?’ but rather, ‘How will I help my students discover what they need to know?’” (Virginia H. Pearce, in Teaching, No Greater Call, 61).

 

3rd wk - Book of Mormon

Lesson 30: The Great Plan of Happiness

•What happens to our spirits between death and resurrection? (See Alma 40:11–15, 21; see also D&C 138.)

•What would happen to us if we were subjected only to justice? (See Alma 42:14.) What is required to satisfy the demands of justice so we can return to dwell in Heavenly Father’s presence? (See Alma 42:15.) How did the Atonement of Jesus Christ “appease the demands of justice”? (See Mosiah 15:7–9.) What must we do to be able to receive the fulness of God’s mercy? (See Alma 42:13, 23, 27, 29–30; see also Alma 41:14; D&C 19:15–18.)

Suggestion for Family Discussion

To help family members understand Alma 42, read Elder Boyd K. Packer’s parable of the Mediator, which is found in chapter 12 of Gospel Principles (31110). You may want to have different family members read the narration and the parts of the debtor, the creditor, and the debtor’s friend.

 

3rd week - RS announcement

1.  Please visit www.lyonfoundation.com for information and service opportunities for the Lyon family.


2.  If you would like to add memories, a note, or pictures to the memorial book that we are preparing for the Lyon family, please email lyon.memorial@gmail.com.


3.  Bishop Lyon was very anxious that every member of our ward participate in our ward temple month in September.  There will be 5 different days to participate in different ways.  If you do not have currently have a temple recommend you may want to make it a goal to get a temple baptism recommend or a full recommend in our Bishop's honor.


4.  Hot August Nights is August 25th!  It is a 50's themed event to raise funds for our youth programs.

 

Super Saturday

Reserve Saturday!!
October 13th
5:00 - 9:00PM

 

Hot August Nights

Saturday, August 25, 5pm
Overlook Chapel
2369 Overlook Dr, Walnut Creek

Free admission!
Free indoor movie!
1-3 Tickets: Carnival games, watermelon, cotton candy, shave ice
4-6 Tickets: Face painting, adult jumpy house, dunk tank
7-12 Tickets: Sliders, Chicken sandwiches, Hamburgers

5 extra tickets for every $50 you spend
(in pre-sale only)

 

2nd wk - Book of Mormon

Lesson 29: Give Ear to My Words

•Alma 36–39 contains Alma’s testimony as expressed to his sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. Why is it important for children to hear their parents bear their testimonies? In what ways have your parents’ testimonies influenced you?

Review the following scripture passages, which show the importance of parents’ counsel to their children:

• Alma 36–39
• Alma 57:21, 26–27
• 2 Nephi 1–3
• Helaman 5:5–14
• Enos 1:1–3
• D&C 68:25–28
• Mosiah 1:1–8
• D&C 93:39–50
• Alma 56:47–48

• •How has your life been affected as you have endeavored to follow the counsel in Alma 37:36–37?
• •How did Corianton’s sinfulness influence others? (See Alma 39:11, 13.) Why is it important for Church members to set good examples? How might your actions influence others’ opinions of the Church?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Ask a family member to read Alma 37:6–7. Then display a nail, a bolt, or another small object that holds things together.

• •How is this object a “small and simple” thing? How can this object be used to accomplish great things? What might happen if we didn’t have this object?
• •What are some “small and simple things” that hold our family together? What are some “small and simple things” we can do as a family to show our love for Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and each other?

 

2nd week - RS lesson

Chapter 15: Advancing the Work of the Lord

God directs His work, and He calls upon every member of the Church to participate in moving it forward. 36786_000_015

From the Life of George Albert Smith

When George Albert Smith was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1903, Church membership stood at just over 300,000. By the end of his service as President of the Church, it had surpassed 1 million. President Smith rejoiced in such growth because it meant that the message of salvation was reaching more and more people. “How happy we should be,” he said to a general conference audience in 1950, “not that we have increased in numbers in the organization that we belong to, but that more of our Father’s children, more of his sons and daughters, have been brought to an understanding of the truth, and are coming into his organization that he prepared to teach us the way of life and lead us along the pathway of eternal happiness.”¹

Between 1903 and President Smith’s death in 1951, the Church faced many challenges to its progress worldwide. Events such as World War I, World War II, and the Great Depression (a widespread economic crisis) severely limited the number of missionaries that could be sent abroad. Despite these difficulties, George Albert Smith remained confident that the Church would continue to grow and realize its destiny to “fill the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35). In 1917, at the height of World War I, he told the Saints: “I do not become discouraged because this truth does not find its way more rapidly. On the contrary I see in the events of today the hand-dealing of an all-wise Father to prepare the way for the spread of the gospel that he has restored to the earth in our day.”²

While the first half of the 20th century saw significant challenges, it also brought new technologies that President Smith believed would further the Lord’s work. He was a strong proponent of the aviation industry and saw it as a way to fulfill his travel assignments as a General Authority more efficiently. He also supported the Church’s use of radio and television to take the word of the Lord to a broader audience. “We ought to regard these [inventions] as blessings from the Lord,” he said. “They greatly enlarge our abilities. They can indeed become blessings if we utilize them in righteousness for the dissemination of truth and the furtherance of the work of the Lord among men. The great challenge facing the world today lies in the use we make of many of these inventions. We can use them to destroy, as we have sometimes done in the past, or we can utilize them to enlighten and bless mankind, as our Heavenly Father would have us do.”³

In a general conference address in 1946, President Smith prophesied about the use of such technologies: “It will not be long until, from this pulpit and other places that will be provided, the servants of the Lord will be able to deliver messages to isolated groups who are so far away they cannot be reached. In that way and other ways, the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord, the only power of God unto salvation in preparation for the celestial kingdom, will be heard in all parts of the world, and many of you who are here will live to see that day.”⁴ [See suggestions 1 and 4 on page 166.]

President Smith understood that the work of the Church is successful because it is the Lord’s work, and he taught the Saints that the opportunity to participate in that work is a blessing the Lord offers each member of His Church. During the first general conference after he was set apart as President of the Church, he said: “I realize the great responsibility that is upon my shoulders. I know that without the help of our Heavenly Father, the organization with which we are identified cannot be successful. No man or group of men can make it successful, but if the members of this Church will continue to keep the commandments of God, live their religion, set an example to the world, [and] love their neighbor as themselves, we will go forward, and increasing happiness will flow to us.”⁵

Teachings of George Albert Smith

There is ample opportunity for every member to participate in the work of the Lord.

The responsibility for the conduct of this work does not devolve alone upon [the President of the Church], nor upon his counselors, nor upon the quorum of the Apostles; but it devolves also upon every man and woman who has been baptized by the servants of God and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … We cannot shift the responsibility if we would; our Father has placed it upon our shoulders, and we must round them up and help to carry it off triumphant.⁶

I believe in you, my brethren and sisters. I have confidence in your faith and in your integrity. … Each of you also [is] responsible to [the Lord] for the promotion of this work, as are those who preside over you. I cannot say, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” I cannot shift the responsibility … , but standing in the ranks of the children of our Father I must bear my portion, I must carry that part of the load that the Lord places upon me, and if I shirk, then I realize that I forfeit the blessing that would come to me by obedience to the commandments of our Father.⁷

How anxious we should be to go about doing good. It is a slothful servant who waits until he is commanded in all things. [See D&C 58:26–27.] Our Heavenly Father expects us to magnify our calling, no matter where it may be, no matter how humble our lot in life may be.⁸

It is not necessary that a man should be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, or the Presidency of the Church, in order to obtain the greatest blessings in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. These are but offices required in the Church, and there are many faithful and devoted men worthy to fill these offices whose time and talents are needed throughout the Church. … Remember that in the ranks and throughout the Church there is ample opportunity for every man and for every woman to do something for the blessing of their fellows and for the advancement of the work of the Lord.⁹

There is a disposition on the part of some who hold the priesthood and of some who hold positions in the Church, to neglect sacrament meetings and other important duties, and to confine their labors to some special calling. They may be officers and teachers in the Sunday School, and when they perform their Sabbath school labor, consider that sufficient; or, they may be [Young Men or Young Women], or Primary, or genealogical, or welfare workers, or have some other such assignment, and if they discharge their obligations in that regard they consider their whole duty done.

Much as we love and bless all such for the great service they render, we are obliged to remind ourselves that it is required of all of us to live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of our Father in heaven [see D&C 84:44]. Generally speaking, special assignments do not relieve us of our other obligations; and special meetings do not usually replace or supersede the general meetings of the Church. And quite beyond our special obligations and assignments, we are expected to conduct ourselves day by day as Latter-day Saints in the broadest meaning of the term, so that if we see distress or want, or need of advice and counsel on any occasion, we should forthwith act as servants of the Lord in very deed.

And then there are those who accept nominal membership in the Church but who seem to feel themselves exempt from rendering any kind of service. But sooner or later they find themselves uneasy in their hearts, and doubtful in their thoughts, as we all do when we fail to do what we know to be our full duty. A man who is living in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ is never in doubt about its success; but the man who neglects his duty, who fails to keep his covenants, loses the Spirit of the Lord, and then he begins to wonder what will become of Zion. …

Whenever you are doing your full duty, you will know, as you know that you live, that it is our Father’s work, and that he will bring it off triumphant.¹⁰

Can you not see how a marvelous work and a wonder has been going forward? Can you not see how we as individuals have only contributed our mite, but the multitude has united, and the word of the Lord has been disseminated among the children of men; not in a militant way, but in kindness and in love, with a desire to bless all mankind?¹¹ [See suggestion 2 on page 166.]

Opposition will not stop the progress of the Church, because it is the work of God, not of man.

The Church began with only six members. It has grown day by day in spite of the opposition of the adversary. But for the powerful arm of righteousness, but for the watchcare of our Heavenly Father, this Church would have been crushed like a shell long ago. However, the Lord has said that he would safeguard us, and has promised us protection if we will honor him and keep his commandments.¹²

The growth of this Church has not come because it was popular. It has been in spite of the opposition of the wise men of the world; it has been in spite of the opposition of religious teachers, and it has continued to gather here and there choice spirits who have lived in such a way that they could comprehend the truth.¹³

I have been reading a journal of my grandfather, George A. Smith. … I have read his personal experiences, some most painful and others miraculous. In his youth he was sent out to preach the Gospel of our Lord. His was the experience of other men who have been called to the ministry. Those of evil minds made false accusations against him and his associates but he continued faithful and the Lord vindicated them and magnified them in the eyes of the people and gave them a testimony of the divinity of this work that was so positive that no task was too difficult for them to undertake for the dissemination of truth.

Grandfather was among the group sent to England to preach the Gospel in 1839. There the adversary sought to discourage them in every way. Their journals written at the time disclose the fact that they were misrepresented by evil men and attacked by evil spirits, but the Lord preserved them and they performed a great labor. Eight of the Quorum of the Twelve were there at that time. Among those called to go to England were men without means to pay their way but they started from their homes on foot. Due to prolonged illness one of these men was too weak to walk two miles to take a stage coach but was helped that distance by a friend. They had faith in God; they knew that this was his Church and so they went their way and friends not of the Church were raised up to give them money and pay their passage across the ocean, where they delivered their message and many faithful people accepted the truth as a result of their ministry.¹⁴

This is God’s work. It is not the work of any man. No man or set of men could have carried it forward and made it successful in the face of the opposition of the world. Many times they [who oppose the work] have felt that the end of the Church had come, and each time by the majesty of his power, the Lord has lifted it up, and it has gone forward from city to city, from village to village, from nation to nation.¹⁵

I know that there are many problems and there will be greater problems as the days come and go, but the same Father in heaven that led the Children of Israel, that saved Daniel and the three Hebrew children from destruction, the same Heavenly Father that preserved our forebears that came into [the Salt Lake Valley] and established them here, and blessed them and made it possible in the poverty of the people to have this great [Salt Lake] temple and other great temples, … that same Father, your Father and mine, is ready to pour out his blessings upon us today.¹⁶

There is no occasion for discouragement. The gospel of Jesus Christ continues to roll forth. We have the promise from our Heavenly Father that it will continue to roll forth. No other dispensation has had the assurance that we have. In the dispensations of the past the Gospel has been taken from the earth. When it was restored in our day it was with the promise that it will never again be taken from the earth or given to another people. So I beg of you who have put your hand to the plow, do not turn back. Serve God and keep his commandments.¹⁷

We need not feel anxious about the progress of Zion, for the good old ship will sail proudly on, and those who are faithful and true will land with her safely in the harbor of God, crowned with glory, immortality and eternal life. I have no fear for these aged men and women that have kept the faith. I have no fear for the boys and girls who are walking in obedience to the commandments of the Lord. … But the Latter-day Saints who knowing the will of our Father have not done it, those who hear the teachings of the Lord from time to time and turn their backs upon them, I fear they will not reach the goal unless they turn and repent with all their hearts.¹⁸

His work is progressive, we must be active if we would keep pace with it. Every passing year, since the organization of the Church, has seen it grow stronger than the year before. Today the prospect of continual success is better than ever before. More people are learning the truth about us, and our attitude towards them. The prejudice due to ignorance is being overcome, as the light is disseminated among the masses. …

It should be evident to all, and it will be some day, that the opposition to this work would have overcome it long ago if it had not been divine. Let all the world know that it cannot be overthrown, for “it is the power of God unto salvation unto all those who believe.” [See Romans 1:16.]¹⁹ [See suggestion 3 on page 166.]

God adjusts conditions in the world so that His work can spread throughout the earth.

[God] has determined that the message that was proclaimed by his servants in ages past, renewed and promulgated by his servants in the latter days, shall be heard, and by the power of his might he will level the conditions of this world and humble the children of men until they are repentant and willing to listen. The truths that we are teaching, that is, the truths that God required us to teach in the world, are finding their way.²⁰

The Lord revealed to one of his prophets that at the coming forth of the Book of Mormon he would commence his work among the nations for the restoration of his people. [See 2 Nephi 30:3–8; 3 Nephi 21:1–14; 29:1–2.] When we realize with what speed the gospel of Jesus Christ may be disseminated now as compared with the year 1830, we can see that the Lord has set his hand and the opportunity to know is offered to men. It will not be long now, until in every part of this world the gospel may be heard through the servants of the Lord proclaiming it in power. Our Heavenly Father will adjust conditions in the world so that the gospel may be preached.²¹

The Savior said this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come! [See Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31.] The Lord would not require an impossibility. He is removing the obstructions, and the gospel “shall be preached.”²²

Zion will be redeemed, and the world, which now misunderstands the work of “Mormonism,” will live to know that it is the power of God unto salvation to those who will keep the commandments of our Father. My testimony is that the work grows apace, and that the children of men are receiving “Mormonism” in their souls; that it is the work of our Father. We may be puny and weak of ourselves, but if we will be virtuous and pure in our lives, if we will do what we know to be right, men and women will be raised to continue the work of the Lord, until our Father’s work will have been done in the way that He desires. Those who misunderstand us now will know us better. Those who believe we have selfish motives will be undeceived, and our brothers and sisters of the world, who desire the truth and wish to know what the Lord wants of them, will be pricked in their hearts and accept the Gospel. Zion will rise and shine, and will become the glory of the whole earth, the Lord God of Israel has so decreed.²³ [See suggestion 4 below.]

Suggestions for Study and Teaching

Consider these ideas as you study the chapter or as you prepare to teach. For additional help, see pages v–vii.

1. 1.President Smith prophesied that “the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord … will be heard in all parts of the world” (page 159). What technologies are helping to make this possible? In what other ways are new technologies or scientific advancements contributing to the Lord’s work?
2. 2.As you read the first section of teachings (pages 160–62), think about your current calling or assignment in the Church. How does fulfilling your calling allow you to participate in “the advancement of the work of the Lord”? How do your efforts as a home teacher or visiting teacher contribute to this work? In what ways can we all participate beyond our formal callings and assignments?
3. 3.On pages 162–64, President Smith bears his testimony that the Lord directs the work of His Church. What experiences have you had to show you that this is true? How does teaching and living the gospel in our homes demonstrate our faith in the Lord’s work?
4. 4.On pages 159 and 165–66, look for things that President Smith said the Lord will do to prepare the way for His gospel to be preached. What evidence do you see that these things have happened or are happening in the world today?

Related Scriptures: Daniel 2:44–45; Joel 2:27–28; Mosiah 27:13; Doctrine and Covenants 64:33–34; 65:1–6; 107:99–100; Moses 1:39

Teaching help: “There may … be times when you do not know the answer to a question. If this happens, simply say that you do not know. You may want to say that you will try to find the answer. Or you may want to invite learners to find the answer, giving them time in another lesson to report on what they have learned” (Teaching, No Greater Call, 64).

Taking Action in Time of Need

As visiting teachers, one of our purposes is to help strengthen families and homes. The sisters we visit should be able to say, “If I have problems, I know my visiting teachers will help without waiting to be asked.” In order to serve, we have a responsibility to be conscious of the needs of the sisters we visit. When we seek inspiration, we will know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister we are assigned to visit. Then, using our time, skills, talents, prayers of faith, and spiritual and emotional support, we can help give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.¹

Through the help of reports from visiting teachers, the Relief Society presidency identifies those who have special needs because of physical or emotional illness, emergencies, births, deaths, disability, loneliness, or other challenges. The Relief Society president then reports her findings to the bishop. Under his direction, she coordinates assistance.²

As visiting teachers we can have “great reason … to rejoice” because of “the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work” (Alma 26:1, 3).

From the Scriptures

Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:29–37; Alma 26:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19

From Our History

In the early years of the Church, membership was small and centralized. Members could respond quickly when someone was in need. Today our membership is over 14 million and is spread throughout the world. Visiting teaching is part of the Lord’s plan to provide help for all His children.

“The only system which could provide succor and comfort across a church so large in a world so varied would be through individual servants near the people in need,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“… Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon,” he continued. “She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.”³

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

What Can I Do?

1. 1.Am I using my gifts and talents to bless others?
2. 2.Do the sisters I watch over know that I am willing to help them when they have a need?

2nd wk - RS announcement

1.  Our ward temple visit is this upcoming Saturday.  We are no longer having a temple morning, but a temple afternoon.  Plan to attend the 4:00 PM session this Saturday!


2.  Reserve August 25th for Hot August Nights - a 1950's themed fundraiser for our youth, complete with classic cars, 50's music, a dunk tank, a movie, games, food, etc.!


3.  Visiting Teaching Interviews are currently going on before Sunday's on Church.  Plan to sign up in a time slot for your interview!


4.  September is our ward's temple month that Bishop Lyon was very excited about.  His goal was to get every member involved in some way.  There are 4 different days and times planned to attend the temple.  If you do not currently have a temple recommend, please make it a goal to get one - whether it is limited use or full use.  Let's all connect with our loved ones on the other side of the Veil in the temple in September.