January Presidency Message - Sarah

Sisters-

When I was in my youth, I remember working on papers for school. I would begin writing and make it through a couple sentences and make a mistake. Instead of erasing my mistake and continuing on with my work, I would crumple the paper up…throw it away…and start with a new sheet of paper. I didn’t want any sign of my mistake to be evident. I wanted a blank canvas…a clean start…and the appearance that it was perfectly and flawlessly written. As I progressed through my years of school and the assignments grew larger – it became clear to me that I would not be able to continue in my need for perfection and would have to get comfortable with using my eraser.

I look back on my years of young Motherhood and how I longed to be a “good” mom. When I was first pregnant, I thought of my child and KNEW that I would never raise my voice at her. I would have the patience of Job. We would go on walks, take naps together, share smiles and cuddles…all while the dishwasher was silently humming and the laundry was doing itself. The reality of Motherhood set in and the moment came, which I remember clearly. The dishes were piled up…the laundry was piled up…the dog had an “accident” on the floor…and my baby had been screaming, nonstop.

I remember my frustration and exhaustion and THINKING….”JUST STOP!!!” Even though the words weren’t SPOKEN…those emotions were so strong and I was ashamed of myself. In that moment, that POSTPARTUM moment, I was convinced that I had already failed as a mother. I had fallen short of what I had expected of myself.

Thanks to friends, family, and my sisters at church – I came to realize that not only was I not a “failure”…but I was quite “normal”. Through raising children and maturing, myself, I have come to understand some precious truths. The Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, allows us to crumple up the moments when we have fallen short…toss it out…and start fresh. Through his blood, we can erase those things in our life that have brought us shame, guilt, or disappointment in ourselves. We can have these things TRULY blotted out.

We can start fresh…with hope of a better day.

Satan, that seeks to take away all peace and happiness, is crafty in his ways. He would have us believe that our shortcomings are too great to be overcome. That author of lies would have us believe that perfection is expected and anything less than that lessens our value in God’s eyes. Satan would lead us to a place of despair. One in which we would “crumple up” – but never try again.

How blessed we are to have each other to help recognize the deception of the adversary in our lives and to turn back to the Lord…to His unconditional love…and to His promises.

Julie Beck said, "Every day, Relief Society sisters around the world experience the entire range of mortal challenges and experiences. Women and their families today live face to face with unrealized expectations; mental, physical, and spiritual illness; accidents; and death. Some sisters suffer loneliness and disappointment because they do not have families of their own, and others suffer from the consequences of poor choices made by family members. Some have experienced war or hunger or natural disasters, and others are learning about the strain of addictions, unemployment, or insufficient education and training. All of these difficulties have the potential to bleach the bones of faith and exhaust the strength of individuals and families.... In every ward and branch, there is a Relief Society with sisters who can seek and receive revelation and counsel with priesthood leaders to strengthen each other and work on solutions that are applicable in their own homes and communities. ("What I Hope My Granddaughters (and Grandsons) Will Understand about Relief Society," General Relief Society Meeting, September 2011; Ensign November 2011.)

I pray for each of you and the struggles you face. I do not pray that you will be free from times of difficulty or despair…but that you will always know that you have Sisters who care for you and are here to help you navigate the challenges of life. I pray we can each be gentle with ourselves – not be downtrodden or ashamed of where we currently stand…but ever reaching for the arms of our Lord and Savior…casting our burdens on Him and keeping our hearts open and soft – with His name forever written upon them.

I love you, sweet sisters.

Sister Allred

Lesson Summary Jan/12/2014 - Ronny Cerniga

Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, (2013), 35–47

1) Beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the true knowledge of God has been restored in our day.

Joseph Smith beheld the Father and the Son; therefore he could testify with personal knowledge that the scriptures were true wherein we read: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him...” [Genesis 1:27.] This was to be understood literally, and not in some mystical or figurative sense.5

2) To exercise faith in God and worship Him, we must have an understanding of His characteristics.

He has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s (D&C 130:22), and he is the literal and personal father of the spirits of all men. I say also that he is an infinite and eternal being, and as an unchangeable being, he possesses these perfected powers and attributes from everlasting to everlasting, which means from eternity to eternity.

3) God is a personal being and the Father of our spirits.

We are the spirit children of God our Heavenly Father. … We are members of his family. … We dwelt with him for long ages in our premortal life. … He ordained a plan of progression and salvation which would enable us, if faithful and true in all things, to advance and progress until we become like him.

4) Heavenly Father loves us and is interested in each of us.

Man is the most important of all our Father’s creations. "...all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them"([Moses 1:35–37).

5) Heavenly Father weeps over His disobedient children.

“And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should choose me, their Father; but behold they are without affection, and they hate their own blood” (Moses 7:32–33). Make sure to remember the moments you have felt love from our Heavenly Father or others. Focus on the good.

6) Heavenly Father has provided the way of redemption so we can be brought back to His presence.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he received from his Father the power to ransom men from the spiritual and temporal death brought into the world by the fall of Adam. I say to you, and to the whole Church, and, for that matter, to the whole world, that a gracious and loving Father has in these last days spoken again from heaven to his servants the prophets.