Ward Theme 2010

BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD

LOVE-SERVE-RESCUE-BECOME

Lesson highlights
The Love of God
by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Conference Oct. 2009

Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.

Love us the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.

For what we love determines what we seek.
What we seek determines what we think and do.
What we think and do determines who we are- and who we will become.

Since the beginning of time, love has been the source of both the highest bliss and the heaviest burdens. At he heart of misery… you will fine the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things.

God the Father watches over us, fills our hearts with breathtaking joy, brightens our darkest hours with blessed peace, distills upon our minds precious truths, shepards us through times of distress, rejoices when we rejoice, and answers our righteous petitions.

Think for the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount-- that is the measure of God’s love for you.

As you read God’s word recorded in the scripture, listen for His voice.
During General Conference and later as you study the words spoken [there], listen for His voice. As you visit the temple and attend Church meetings, listen for His voice.
Listen for the voice of the Father in the bounties and beauties of nature, in the gentle whisperings of the Spirit. In your daily interactions with others, in the words of a hymn, in the laughter of a child, listen for His voice.

What attribute should define us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, should, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves.

November 15 lesson, The Martyrdom: The Prophet Seals His Testimony with His Blood, chapter 46

“He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people.” The Prophet Joseph said many times that the Lord would preserve him until his mission was fulfilled. In August 1842, the Prophet said: “…He will continue to preserve me, by the united faith and prayers of the Saints, until I have fully accomplished my mission in this life, and so firmly established the dispensation of the fullness of the priesthood in the last days, that all the powers of earth and hell can never prevail against it.”

Each of us are beneficiaries of the Prophet’s devotion to his mission and are testimonies of what was said in 1842. The Church continues to be a force for good and all the powers of earth and hell have not prevailed against it!

The martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph “…has always been an inspiration to the people of the Lord. It has helped them in their individual trials; has given them courage to pursue a course in righteousness and to know and to live the truth, and must ever be held in sacred memory by the Latter-day Saints who have learned the great truths that God revealed through His servant, Joseph Smith.”

May each of us read and feel the spirit of Doctrine and Covenants, section 135. We are so blessed by the lives of Joseph and his brother Hyrum, “…they were examples of the wonderful love of which the Redeemer speaks: ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13.) This wonderful love they manifested to the Saints and to the world; …their courage, their faith, their love for the people were without bounds, and they gave all that they had for their people. Such devotion and love left no doubt in the minds of those who enjoyed the companionship of the Holy Spirit that these good men and true, were indeed the authorized servants of the Lord.”

November 8 Lesson, Joseph Smith’s Feelings about His Prophetic Mission, chapter 45

The Prophet Joseph said, “I have no desire but to do all men good.” It is remarkable that while the Prophet was enduring so much persecution and was pressured by the constant demands of the growing Church, he found time to show that he cared for each Church member as an individual. Many Saints in later years remembered the love and kindness the Prophet Joseph showed to them.

The Prophet Joseph was tall and strong, yet he was very humble and knew his life’s mission: “I am a rough stone. The sound of the hammer and chisel was never heard on me until the Lord took me in hand. I desire the learning and wisdom of heaven alone…

I prophesy and bear record this morning that all the combined powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot ever overthrow or overcome this boy, for I have a promise from the eternal.”

The Prophet’s message is for all, “I have intended my remarks for all, both rich and poor, bond and free, great and small. I have no enmity against any man. I love you all; but I hate some of your deeds. I am your best friend, and if persons miss their mark it is their own fault. If I reprove a man, and he hates me, he is a fool; for I love all men, especially these my brethren and sisters.”

The Prophet Joseph knew his time was short and in the sermons and writings of the last few years of his life, there was a sense of urgency in his words and he labored earnestly to teach the saints.

May each of us live our lives in a similar manner – with a sense of urgency to serve those in our families, our ward, and our community; with a desire to do what is right always; and be humble and God fearing.

Enrichment Night: The Three White Dresses
THURS. Sept 17th, 6:30 - 8:30PM at the Stake Center
Women and girls age 7 and up are invited. Hors d'oeuvres and dessert will be served.
A video is being created and will be shown during the evening.*** We need your blessing, baptismal and wedding photos! Please email photos to sheri@desertadobe.com to include in the video.***

Pinching Your Pennies- Get the most for your Grocery Buck!

We are all looking for ways to save money. As part of our ongoing "Provident Living" effort we would like to share with you a website that we have found which is FREE and has updated weekly specials of grocery stores in our area. It also offers FREE printable coupons for local stores as well as a wealth of information on ways to save money on your grocery bill. Pinching Your Pennies is a Utah based website that has links to Southern California stores.

Please take a few minutes to visit: http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/ You will find information on their website as well as a video clip of a woman from Pinching Your Pennies who actually uses their specials and saves over $80 on her grocery bill!

Once you are in http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/ go to "State Forums" click on "California's" (South) Screaming Deals" each grocery store is listed with sale items and coordinated coupons for your best deal. You're going to love this site! Enjoy!!!

A message from Brother Rowley

LAST RELIGION CLASS: This will be the last time I send you an announcement about class. Though our stake institute class will probably start up again in fall (I hope you will consider supporting the class at that time), I will by then be living in the Eastern U.S. with my family. During the last 2 years, it has been such a wonderful journey to learn the Book of Mormon and New Testament together. I have learned so much insight from everyone....it has been an amazing blessing for me personally. I can't thank you enough for your support. This Tuesday, we will take a unique look at the hours that took place from the time of the betrayal until the crucifixion. It should be a touching topic. I will also have a few clips to aid us in our understanding. See you Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.! Love, Brother Rowley P.S. Please bring your scripture journals.

Don't Forget, this Sunday is not our regular meeting schedule! Stake Conference will be held this Saturday June 13th at 7pm (adult session) and Sunday June 14th at 10am at the Stake Center. Elder Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be presiding on both dates. Sadly, our beloved President Hunter is being released. Our new Stake President will be sustained this Sunday. Please share this information with the sisters you visiting teach or friends who may not have heard about this special Stake Conference weekend.