Because of Him

As today was a 5th Sunday, the lesson in each unit would have been different, so there is no lesson on the blog today.  However, please take a moment to watch and share this beautiful Easter video from the Church...#Because of Him.

We hope you have all had a wonderful month of March as we have celebrated the 173rd Birthday of the Relief Society.  Here are a few photos of the Ipswich Ward RS Activity:

Joseph Smith

Today in RS we had a ward choice for Teachings of Our Times - one of our wards studied Elder Neil L. Anderson's talk 'Joseph Smith'.

Jesus Christ chose a holy man, a righteous man, to lead the Restoration of the fullness of His gospel. 

He chose Joseph Smith.

 

 

 

'Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration.  His spiritual work began with the appearance of the Father and the Son, followed by numerous heavenly visitations.  He was the instrument in God's hands in bringing forth sacred scripture, lost doctrine, and the restoration of the priesthood.  The importance of Joseph's work requires more than intellectual consideration, it requires that we, like Joseph, ask of God.  Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers from God.'

 

Elder Anderson warned that in the world there is an increasing dismissal of the Lord and in turn of Joseph Smith and the Restoration - 'we are especially saddened when someone who once revered Joseph retreats from his or her conviction and then maligns the Prophet.'

 

So what can we as sisters in the gospel do, to ensure our own testimonies remain strong and how should we react to those who do not believe.

 

'To questions about Joseph's character, we might share the words of thousands who knew him personally and who gave their lives for the work he helped to establish.....We might remind the sincere inquirer that Internet information does not have a "truth" filter.  Some information, no matter how convincing, is simply not true.

 

'Years ago I read a Time Magazine article that reported the discovery of a letter, supposedly written by Martin Harris, that conflicted with Joseph Smith's account of finding the Book of Mormon plates.  A few members left the church because of the document.  Sadly, they left too quickly.  Months later experts discovered (and the forger confessed) that the letter was a complete deception.  You may understandably question what you hear on the news, but you need never doubt the testimony of God's prophets.'

 

'Each believer needs a spiritual confirmation of the divine mission and character of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  This is true for every generation....Brothers and Sisters, let me give you a caution: you won't be of much help to others if your own faith is not securely in place.'

 

A few weeks ago I boarded a plane for South America.  The flight attendant directed our attention to a safety video.  It is unlikely, we were warned, but if cabin pressure changes, the panels above your seat will open, revealing oxygen masks.  If this happens, reach up and pull a mask toward you. 

Place the mask over your nose and mouth.  Slip the elastic strap over your head and adjust the mask if necessary. 

Then this caution:

Be sure to adjust your own mask before helping others.'



'The negative commentary about the Prophet Joseph Smith will increase as we move toward the Second Coming of Jesus Christ....There will be family members and friends who will need your help.  Now is the time to adjust your own spiritual oxygen mask so that you are prepared to help others who are seeking the truth.'

Jesus Christ - Our Saviour and Redeemer

Today's lesson was taken from Chapter 6 of The Teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson: Jesus Christ, Our Saviour and Redeemer.

A most priceless blessing available to every member of the Church is a testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His Church.  A testimony is one of the few possessions we may take with us when we leave this life.

To have a testimony of Jesus is to possess knowledge through the Holy Ghost of the divine mission of Jesus Christ.

A testimony of Jesus is to know the divine nature of our Lord's birth - that He is indeed the Only Begotten Son in the flesh.

A testimony of Jesus is to know that He was the promised Messiah and that while he sojourned among men that He accomplished many mighty miracles.

A testimony of Jesus is to know that the laws which He prescribed as His doctrine are true and then to abide by these laws and ordinances.

To possess a testimony of Jesus is to know that He voluntarily took upon Himself the sins of all mankind in the Garden of Gethsemane, which cause Him to suffer in both body and spirit and to bleed from every pore.  All this he did so that we would not have to suffer if we would repent.

To possess a testimony of Jesus is to know that He came forth triumphantly from the grave with a physical, resurrected body.  And because He lives, so shall all mankind.

To possess a testimony of Jesus is to know that God the Father and Jesus Christ did indeed appear to the Prophet Joseph Smith to establish a new dispensation of His gospel so that salvation may be preached to all nations before He comes.

To possess a testimony of Jesus is to know that God the Father and Jesus Christ did indeed appear to the Prophet Joseph Smith to establish a new dispensation of
His gospel so that salvation may be preached to all nations before He comes.

To possess a testimony of Jesus is to know that the Church, which He established in the meridian of time and restored in modern times is, as the Lord has declared, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.

Having such a testimony is vital, but of even greater importance is being valiant to that testimony.

A testimony of Jesus means we that we accept the divine mission of Jesus Christ, embrace His gospel, and do His work. 

 

" We need more men and women of Christ who will always remember Him, who will keep His commandments which He has given them.  The greatest yardstick of success is to see how closely we can walk each moment in His steps." 

 

Great Work !!

Look at these wonderful items sisters have been making towards our Service project:

Beautiful Angel Baby Burial Gown - made by Sister Claire Chell in Colchester from the precious fabric from her wedding dress.

An abundance of crocheted squares to be made into blankets - all made by Sister Cherie Hart in Tendring

Beautifully made hygiene bags, made by Sister Kim Spencer in Ipswich Ward

 

A variety of blanket strips made by various Sisters from the Stake

 

Don't forget every little bit helps, if you can donate a toothbrush or a bar of soap or knit a 6inch square, it will improve the life of one of these African mothers and children, and assist the parents of the tiny angel and premature babies.

 

Thank you for the wonderful enthusiasm you have given to our service project



Because He Lives Easter initiative

Sisters, please note we have received details as below:

A worldwide Easter 'Because He Lives' initiative will begin on 27th March 2015, focusing on Jesus Christ and the importance of Him and His Atonement in our lives.

 A video will be available on March 27th which we encourage you to share with friends and family at the following link.  You can sign up here for more information:

http://www.mormon.org/easter/teaser

There will be media available to share on Social Media beginning the 28th March.   Please use the #BecauseHeLives in each item you share.  Please note there is also an article in the March Ensign / Liahona from Russell M Nelson regarding this topic which you can read HERE.

Through this initiative, members can find creative ways to invite others to learn more about the Saviour Jesus Christ and "discover His sacrifice, embrace His teachings, and share His joy." (Russell M. Nelson). 

True Repentance

Todays lesson was taken from Chapter 5 of the Teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson: Principles of True Repentance.

What part does Repentance play in your life? 

When President Benson was called he felt a great prompting from the Lord to teach the principle of repentance.  He taught that it was better to "prepare and prevent that it is to repair and repent" but knew that every one of us would need to use the wonderful gift of repentance.  He taught the Saviour's role in helping us change as follows:

 

 

President Benson spoke of six important concepts he felt every one of us needed to know and understand:

Concept One:  The Gospel Principles are the steps and guidelines that will help us find true happiness and joy.

"One of Satan's most frequently used deceptions is the notion that the commandments of God are meant to restrict freedom and limit happiness.  You people especially sometimes feel that the standards of the Lord are like fences and chains, blocking them from those activities that seem enjoyable in life.  But exactly the opposite is true...we must come to realise that wickedness never did, never does and never will bring us happiness."

Concept Two: We must understand that there is an important relationship between faith and repentance.

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation."

Concept Three: Repentance involves nor just a change of actions, but a change of heart.

"Can human hearts be changed?  Why, of course!  It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church.  It is one of the most widespread of Christ's modern miracles.  If it hasn't happened to you - it should"

Concept Four: Godly sorrow leads to true repentance.

"Godly sorrow is a gift of the spirit.  It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God.  It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behaviour caused the Saviour, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering.  Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore.  This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having 'a broken heart and a contrite spirit'.  Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance."

Concept Five: No one is more anxious to see us change our lives that the Father and the Saviour.

"The power of sin is great.  If we are to extricate ourselves from it, especially serious sin, we must have a power greater than ourselves...No one is more anxious to help you flee from sin that your Heavenly Father.  Go to Him.  Acknowledge your sin, confess your shame and your guilt and then plead with Him for help.  He has the power to help you triumph....He will come to our aid."

Concept Six: We must not become discouraged and lose hope.  Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit.

"Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life.  They live quiet lives of goodness, service and commitment...We must not lose hope.  Hope is an anchor to the souls of men.  Satan would have us cast away that anchor....The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him.  Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope."

"For those who pay the price required by true repentance, the promise is sure.  You can be clean again.  The despair can be lifted.  The sweet peace of forgiveness will flow into your lives."

Being Obedient

Our lesson today was taken from the 12 Principles of Self-Reliance - No 3. Be Obedient:

A question was posed:  What laws must I obey to become more self-reliant?

We then watched a wonderful message from President Monson - Obedience Brings Blessings - which can be viewed HERE

The remainder of the lesson can be viewed under Lesson three on the Self Reliance tab above.  Please take time to review this important principle and teaching with your family.

Sisters - we are so excited to see the enthusiasm many of you are showing with our Stake RS Service project.  It has been wonderful to see how keen our sisters are to serve and show such compassion for those in need.  Here are some photos of our wonderful Colchester Sisters as they met together this week to begin knitting their colourful blanket strips.  You can see more info of what is needed on the Big Heart tab at the top of the page.