Stand Strong in Holy Places

Emily Cook gave today's Relief Society lesson. It was based the talk given by Elder Hales during the Priesthood session of April General Conference, "Stand Strong in Holy Places." Emily also drew from Elder Hales' April 2010 General Conference address, "Our Duty to God: the Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation."

Elder Hales commented, "Young men, your fathers and grandfathers never faced the temptations that you face on a regular basis. You are living in the last days. If your father wanted to get in trouble, he had to go searching for it. Not anymore! Today temptation finds you! Please remember that! Satan desires to have you, and 'sin lieth at the door.' How will you resist his aggressive tactics? Put on the whole armor of God."

Though he was speaking to the priesthood holders, it's easy to see that Elder Hales' remarks are just as relevant to us.

Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us that we must put on the armor of God to withstand temptation. Emily said that her son was really into playing ninjas. He made himself a paper ninja helmet. While it was creative, of course the paper helmet would never do in a real battle. Do we make ourselves paper helmets when we face our daily battles with Satan?

In his 2010 talk, Elder Hales said, "It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way. We can teach them to walk in the light, but that light cannot be borrowed. They must earn it for themselves. They must obtain their own light of testimony directly from the source of spiritual light—God Himself—through prayer and study and pondering. They must understand who they are and who Heavenly Father wants them to become. How do we help them?"

Seeking tips for helping youth, Emily went to the youth portion of LDS.org. (Smart lady!) There she found "Teaching in the Savior's Way," guidelines provided by the Church as part of teaching and learning the new curriculum in the Young Men and Young Women programs. She loved it so much that she gave us all a handout. You can access it online by clicking here, and it's well worth reading.

Emily focused on a couple of the guidelines. First, it's important to prepare. Jesus prepared to teach by fasting and praying. He sought Heavenly Father's guidance. Your personal, daily preparation may be the most important part of your service. Doctrine & Covenants 11:21 teaches us that we must seek the word before we can share it. 

Julie said that it's easy for youth today to just stumble upon bad things in the course of everyday living. We need to be proactive to defend them from the dangers out there. Bring up the hard subjects. Teach them why things are bad. Describe scenarios and give them tools to confront problems. Youth are curious. They want to try things out. They need us to help them understand why it's not a good idea to experiment with anything that could trap them in bad habits.

Valorie said it used to be enough to be a good example. Now you need to do more. Tough subjects that need to be addressed? Bring them up--and do it at an earlier age.

Sharon had a friend who was just terrified to let her teenage children go on dates and just be "out there" in the scary world we live in. Sharon told her that she had to teach them & let them go.

Terri built on Sharon's comment by saying that we must lead our children to Christ. Find ways to help them build their own testimony & feel the strength of the Lord because when temptations come, you won't be there. They'll be making decisions on their own.

Annette said that we need to prepare ourselves and fill our own wells. We need to have faith that the Holy Ghost will teach you how to teach your child. Nothing has more impact than feeling the spirit.

Sue said that we should help our children recognize that the spirit feels like, so they can get their own confirmations when they have questions. We can also teach our children that if they find themselves in a bad situation beyond their control, they can always call home for help. Make yourself available.

Elder Hales said that sometimes standing strong in holy places means you need to flee from the world.

Teaching in the savior's way requires that we teach with love. 

Elder Hales said, "It is impossible to overestimate the influence of parents who understand the hearts of their children. Research shows that during the most important transitions of life—including those periods when youth are most likely to drift away from the Church—the greatest influence does not come from an interview with the bishop or some other leader but from the regular, warm, friendly, caring interaction with parents."

Ronda said we're the ones who know our own children. We can't leave all the teaching to other people. Emily said in special education there's an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for each student. The Holy Ghost can help us develop an IEP for each of our children.

Elder Hales told of spending time with a young grandson. He loved hearing the sweet babble of the boy's voice, but he was reading the newspaper and not really paying attention to what his grandson was saying. All of a sudden, the boy popped in between the newspaper and Elder Hales' face, put his little hands on each side of Elder Hales' face, and said, "Grandpa, are you in there?" We need to pay attention to our children. Ask questions, and really listen to the answers.

Lynne said that when one of her sons was a teenager, they got an old car and rebuilt it together. Before the son left on his mission, he said that was his favorite memory of growing up--not just because it was a cool project but because he had a chance to really talk with his parents, visit, and get to know each other.

Karen said that her family spent lots of time together when her children were young. Later, her oldest son struggled with a serious drug problem that almost killed him. He has been in recovery for two years now. He said that family is what brought him back. He recently treated the whole family, including his 4-year-old son, to a trip to Disneyland and San Diego. He felt it was so important that they spend that time together. It was the first family time in 10 years that they weren't dealing with someone's jail, addictions, and other big troubles. Karen said she turned it over to the Savior and that people should always remember there is hope. (Elder Hales had a talk for that too. Click HERE.)

Elder Hales said it is never too early or too late to begin. Doctrine & Covenants 123:11-17 assures us that if we do all that is within our power to teach and guide the rising generation and those who are pure in heart, we will see the arm of God revealed.

RS Lesson from May 12th

The lesson was "Search Me, Oh God, And Know My Heart" and was given by Julie Wilkinson.

Being Mother's Day, Julie brought her Mom with her to Church and let it be a surprise that Julie would be teaching the lesson.

Julie gave the following admonition:

Pray for the power of the Holy Ghost so that we may think what we need to think, feel what we need to feel, learn what we need to learn, and do what we need to do so that we may ultimately become what the Lord yearns for us to become! Pres. Lorenzo Snow taught that we need to develop our character to become like God before challenging events occur so that our character can be relied upon in the moment of trial.

As President Brigham Young encouraged us to "be righteous in the dark", we are advised to ask ourselves the question..."How do I know if my heart is right?" Some suggestions from the Sisters included examining our intentions, prioritizing and spending our time wisely, and showing compassion, awareness and integrity.

What does the Lord expect us to do with our weaknesses? Ether 12: 27 - 28: "And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me... the fountain of all righteousness." But the Lord will not use force. The Lord gives weakness so that we will be humble and have faith that the Lord will give us the strength to overcome.

Sister Wilkinson then taught that even though we are not perfect, she believes that our "hearts" can be perfect and she advised us to do "heart check" on ourselves. She then gave us some examples of 3 people (or instances) where we have been taught by their examples:

1. The diciples at the Last Supper taught all of us humility when Jesus told them that "one of you will betray me". Their responses were "Lord, is it I?" They did not accuse or point the finger at others. They first looked to their own weakness.

2. Jonah in the Old Testament chose not to go to Nineva when directed to do so by the Lord and he tried to run away. When a storm came up and threatened the ship he was on, Jonah confessed that he was the cause of the peril. He admitted his weakness and

had the courage to take responsibility for his actions...even though it led to him getting thrown off the ship!

3. Captain Moroni in Alma 48: 11 - 17. Moroni had a perfect understanding, a heart filled with thanksgiving, labored for the welfare of his people. If all men were like unto Moroni, the very depths of hell would be shaken. He was a doer. Courageous and

strong, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Suggestions from the Sisters on ways we can develop and strengthen our character:

1. Study daily; don't slack off. It will change you from within

2. Do something that gets you out of your comfort zone.

3. Set your priorities

4. Give service to get your mind off your discouragement.

5. Ponder... as yourself the lesson to be learned from a situation or scripture

6. Take advantage of occasions to feel the spirit..

President Snow admonished us to develop a righteous character by doing good, developing godliness within us, and repenting of any wrong doing. He advised us to increase our good works.

Sister Wilkinson taught that "refining doctrines cannot be learned from a book, they must be experienced." We need to learn to "drink from the bitter cup" without becoming bitter. Ask yourself and God the question: "What lack I yet?"

Eye hath not seennor ear heard all of the blessings that God has in store for us. Jesus said "draw near to me, and I will draw near to you." In Matthew 7:7 - 8 Jesus tell us: "Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek and ye shall find; knowck, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Julie reminded us that God knows we are not perfect, but he loves us anyway. Go into your secret place, and ask God... Do a "heart check" and know that yours is in the right place.