Sunday's Lesson- ""The Joy of Redeeming the Dead"

Sunday’s Lesson—January

“The Joy of Redeeming the Dead” by Richard G Scott

Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 93–95.)

 

Sister Diane Bland..filling in for Sister Ivie taught our lesson today.

 

A Few Quotes from the Lesson:

 

Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts. They are connected together like the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Some members may not be able to do both works because of health or distances to temples.

 “I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing.”6

Father in Heaven wants each of us to receive both parts of the blessing of this vital vicarious work. He has led others to show us how to qualify. It is up to you and me to claim those blessings.

Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. The First Presidency has declared, “Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors.”7

 

Sister Bland led us in a discussion about what prevents us from getting involved in our family history……and then gave us

4 keys that will help us in overcoming these obstacles:

1- Evaluate your Priorities

2- Decide on what and where you will Sacrifice

3- Ask Heavenly Father for help

4-Be diligent—and do it!

 

She also passed out bookmarks with some great quotes about the importance and opportunity of getting our children and youth involved. 

 

 “Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors.”—Elder Richard G. Scott

 

Quote from Sister Dalton

Young women and young men worldwide have been invited by prophets, seers, and revelators to search out their ancestors and take their own family names to the temple to perform baptismal ordinances for them. (See David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 24–27; Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 93–95.) As more and more temples are built, the youth will be blessed and protected against the deceptions of the world as they engage in the work of salvation for their own family members and use technology for the purpose of turning the hearts of the children to the fathers and making their salvation possible. Doing this work will be a protection to our youth, and it is clear that the youth will play a great role in hastening the Lord’s work in these latter days.

 

We watched a short video from the church website and she showed us how to get into Youth and Family History on the LDS Website.

 

Rita Isabell  and Diane from our RS.. Temple and Family History Committee have offered to come to your homes….to help get you started or to help in any way.  Contact Rita to set this up.  

 

A New Year: Guidance on Goals

A New Year is here. It's an exciting time of fresh beginnings and renewed hope. Following are several quotes about goal setting. This was taken from the Deseret News in 2011. Click here for the full article.

"We can become the masters of our own destinies by practicing self-discipline and by setting worthy goals that will lead to higher ground so that we can become what our Heavenly Father wants us to become."

                

Elder M. Russell Ballard, May 2003 New Era

                

                

You must avoid blindness of mind by setting goals. ... I have long contended that the person who sets goals and who strives to attain such is the master of his own fate."

                

Elder Carlos E. Asay, May 1985 New Era

                

                

"When it came to setting goals, my father had three rules. First, we had to have worthwhile goals. Second, we could change our goals at any time. But third, whatever goal we chose, we had to work diligently toward it."

                

Elder Gene R. Cook, April 2008 Liahona

                

                

"Set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced, not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals, and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting."

                

Elder M. Russell Ballard, May 1987 Ensign

               

                

"I believe in goals, but I believe that the individual should set his own. Goal setting should cause us to stretch as we make our way."

                

President Spencer W. Kimball quoted by Elder Marvin J. Ashton, November 1983 Ensign

                

                

"May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones."

                

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, September 2009 Liahona

                

                

An August 1998 Liahona article entitled "Strengthen Your Sense of Self-Worth" gave suggestions about setting goals:

                

Keep your goals realistic, not so high that they’re impossible to attain.

                

Set some little goals. The more you achieve, the better you’ll feel about yourself.

                

Write down each of your goals. Remember, a goal not written is only a wish.

                

Share your goals with a friend, and encourage that person to set some, too. You can motivate and applaud each other.

                

Be committed to your goals. Do what you have to do to achieve them, and don’t become discouraged if they’re challenging.

                

Don’t compete with others. Compete with yourself. Don’t make your goals depend on another’s performance. Decide to attain a level of personal excellence no matter what others achieve.

                

Share your goals with Heavenly Father. Talk to him in prayer. Ask for help in reaching your goals or in understanding why you didn’t. He’ll help you feel good about the positive things you achieve.