March 2018 Kanesville Stake Relief Society Message

March 2018

How many of you at the end of the day say : “Where did the time go? I didn’t get done what I needed to do. I need more hours in a day!” I think we all wish we had more hours in the day and could accomplish more with what precious time we have. As we review our days, we may need to take note of things that may be stealing our precious time that are inconsequential, time-wasting things that are not bringing us closer as a family and to the Lord. We all need downtime, but we need to make sure that we prioritize well and start removing things from our lives that we truly don’t need.

As we think about our time, we can think of many things that may or may not detract from the spirit, but don’t improve us and/or our family. We not only need to review our lives, but those of our family and those around us as well.

Elder Donald L. Staheli of the Seventy has warned: “Distractions and discouragement are some of Satan’s most effective tools. He finds ways to help us make excuses about why we can’t do this or that. He gets us involved in wasting our time and resources in things that lead us away from improving our lives and developing our talents. He blurs our focus by diverting our attention. This can happen to the very best of you.”

Elder M Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated: “One of the ways Satan lessens your effectiveness and weakens your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your time doing things that matter very little.”

Our lives are surrounded and inundated with time-wasting activities. Without a review of our lives, it is so easy to just go along in our busy lives thinking that there is no way to change or fit one more thing into our lives. It is amazing, though, how we can find/make time to do certain things that come up that we really want to participate in, but we can’t fit time into our schedule for things that the Lord wants us to do. Some items we participate in can even become addictions and take over our lives without us even noticing.

Elder M Russell Ballard also reminded us, “We need to limit the amount of time our children watch TV or play video games [including smartphones] or use the Internet each day.” Of course, this counsel to limit the time we dedicate to media applies to parents as well! We can do this by establishing reasonable time constraints for online recreational activities. Then, if the attraction of the activity begins to pull us beyond our own guidelines, we can recognize a potentially dangerous situation and stop participating in the activity. As Elder Ballard counseled, “Virtual reality must not become [our] reality.”

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy has taught, “When we are out of balance, we have a choice. We can delay making changes and experience the tragedy of a failing family or the sorrow of losing our own spirituality; or we can be attentive and continually nudged by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit to make necessary adjustments. Seeking balance among the essential responsibilities of life is preparatory to salvation.”

President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught this idea when he said, “Addiction has the capacity to disconnect the human will and nullify moral agency. It can rob one of the power to decide.”

President James E. Faust taught, “While some addictions require professional clinical help, let us not overlook the spiritual help available to us through priesthood blessings and through prayer. The Lord has promised us, ‘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’ (Ether 12:27). Let us remember that the power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God.”

Even though the following questions apply to video games, we need to take them into consideration when checking to see if any hobby or habit has become an addiction.

·       Do you play compulsively?

·       Do you play for long periods of time (often longer than you had planned)?

·       Once online, do you have difficulty stopping?

·       Do you play as often as you can?

·       Do you sneak or violate family rules in order to play, even when facing punishment or loss of privileges for doing so?

·       When you are not playing, do you obsess about the game, plotting and planning your next opportunity to play?

·       Do you sacrifice real-world things for your online world?

·       Is your gaming negatively affecting your relationships with family members or other non-gamer friends? For instance, if you are a parent, does it cause you to neglect your children’s needs? If you are a child, does it cause you to distance yourself from your parents and siblings?

·       Do you consider other online gamers (even those whom you’ve never met in real life) to be among your best friends?

·       Is your school or work suffering because of the time and energy you spend gaming?

·       Are you having a difficult time deciding to serve a mission because of the extended break from the game that will naturally result?

·       Do you neglect personal hygiene?

·       Have your sleep patterns changed since you became involved with online gaming? Are you staying up extremely late or getting up in the middle of the night to play?

(Charles D. Knutson, BYU Computer Science Dept, and Kyle K. Oswald, LDS Family Services)

They further state, “If your loved one plays excessively, to the point of neglecting important aspects of his or her life (such as school, work, family life, church attendance, and church service), intervention may be merited. Seek counsel from priesthood leaders or professional counselors to know how best to approach your loved one. Since every situation is unique, these people can be a valuable resource as you prayerfully seek the Lord’s help.”

The key is to seek the Lord’s help. As with any addiction, it is almost impossible to overcome it alone. Whether the problem is with video games, TV, computer and internet usage, or even pornography, we need help from family, priesthood leaders, and perhaps even professional help to overcome the problem and take back our lives.

The more that electronic devices take over our daily lives, the more Satan wins by sidetracking us from what is really important…the church, our families, and our personal righteousness. Use these tools for righteousness. Use them to read scriptures, study the gospel, do genealogy, gain a higher education, manage your family and your time. Make each fleeting minute of every day useful.

Here are three of the ideas found in “Personal Time Management: One Key to a Leader’s Effectiveness,” by Rex W. Allred:

Focus on results. We often race at high speeds all day only to discover that we have been doing things rather than getting things done. Keeping the end goal in sight will enhance our capability to be effective rather than only quick.
Keep a time log. If your time log reveals that you have not been spending your time effectively, make plans and commitments to change your behavior accordingly.
Set priorities. Figure out the best use of your time. Consider using a personal planner or smart phone to aid your efforts.
The challenge to better utilize our time grows continuously as we take on more of life’s roles and responsibilities. Seeking the skill of effective time management will strengthen your contribution to the Lord’s work and help you accomplish far more in life.

May we bring the Lord into our lives as we seek him in prayer on ways to help us overcome and improve. May we not only help ourselves, but those around us find the Savior and have his spirit help us overcome addictions. May we make the most of our precious moments here upon the earth, I pray. We love you and pray for you!

Love,

Valyn Tucker

1^st Counselor - Kanesville Stake Relief Society Presidency

February 2018 Kanesville Stake Relief Society Message

My Sisters,
I want you to know that the messages we share with you each month are things that the Lord knows you (and we) need. We strive to listen for the whisperings of the Spirit as we decide on topics and prayerfully put words to paper in hopes that you, too, will feel the Spirit and gain some insight that uplifts you and brings you peace and joy. Sometimes the words come easy. Sometimes not! As I studied and prayed about what to share this month, I read again the message I shared with you in December. I asked a question, referring to Jesus Christ, and provided one possible answer, “How can we come to know Him? Knowing Him comes through studying His word – learning about Him so we can come to know Him. Knowing Him comes through applying and likening the scriptures to our lives and praying to recognize His hand in our lives – for, once we know Him, we can become like Him.”

Are you coming to know Him? Do you know how loved you are by the Savior of the world? I pray for each of you daily. I hope you know and can feel His love for you!
One of the names for our Savior is “The Good Shepherd”. Why? One reason is that he declared himself so, in John 10:11 when He said, “I am the good shepherd.” We know that Jesus often taught in parables. John 10:1-18 contains one such parable, where Jesus talks of shepherds, sheep, sheepfolds, thieves, robbers, strangers, and voices. What do shepherds, or any of these things, have to do with Jesus Christ and why would he declare himself “the good shepherd”? Though His parables are sometimes hard to understand, I have found that understanding can come when we become familiar with some of the customs and practices of his day. As I have studied, I have learned some things about the Palestinian shepherds of Jesus’ time. Knowing these things has helped me to understand how Christ shepherds me, how he loves me, seeks after me, and saves me.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave the following description of ancient shepherds: “In Jesus’ time, the Palestinian shepherd was noted for his protection of his sheep. Unlike modern sheepherders, the shepherd always walked ahead of his flock. He led them. The shepherd knew each of the sheep and usually had a name for each. The sheep knew his voice and trusted him and would not follow a stranger. Thus, when called, the sheep would come to him. At night shepherds would bring their sheep to a corral called a sheepfold. High walls surrounded the sheepfold, and thorns were placed on top of these walls to prevent wild animals and thieves from climbing over. Sometimes, however, a wild animal driven by hunger would leap over the walls into the midst of the sheep, frightening them. Such a situation separated the true shepherd – one who loved his sheep – from the hireling – one who worked only for pay and duty. The true shepherd was willing to give his life for the sheep. He would go in amongst the sheep and fight for their welfare. The hireling, on the other hand, valued his own personal safety above the sheep and would usually flee from danger.”

I encourage you to read and study the parable found in John 10. Some questions you could ask include:

• Who/what is the door to the sheepfold and through what ordinance(s) do I enter?
• What could the sheepfold represent?
• What is the significance of sheep being led vs driven and how can I liken it to myself?
• Who/what are the strangers I should flee from?
• How is the Savior like a true shepherd?
• How does Christ shepherd me?
• How does Christ seek after me?
• How does Christ save me?
Some other references for information and study:
• Hymn 221 – Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd
• Bible video “The Good Shepherd and Other Sheep I Have” - https://youtu.be/iKwabH-k2fg
• LDS Religion Course Manual “The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles”, chapter 15, section 15-6 (The Symbolism of the Good Shepherd).
• Bible Dictionary – Sheep
• Video of a shepherd calling his sheep - https://youtu.be/Coq_grSFlNs

Like the shepherd loves his sheep and knows their names, so Jesus Christ loves each of us. He knows our names. He calls us. Do we know his voice? Do we hear him and come unto him? I know He lives! I am striving to know his voice and come when he calls. As you do likewise you will be blessed to know him, his voice, and his love for you!

Love,
Sis. Michelle Holt
President

October 2017 Stake Relief Society Message

Dear Sisters,

“Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I’ll try again tomorrow”.

What beautiful words of encouragement from our dear Prophet. Don’t we all have days like this,

I know I do. In his message Living the Abundant Life he encourages all of us to live a life filled

with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings and he offers his own ABC’s to help.

Have a Positive Attitude.

A refers to Attitude. William James, a pioneering American psychologist, wrote, “The greatest

revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes

of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.

Charles Swindoll author, educator, and christian pastor said “Attitude to me, is more important

than the past, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other

people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill it will make

or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day

regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”

Believe in Yourself.

B is for believe in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles.

Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. One who was not honest

with God until it was too late was Cardinal Wolsey who, according to Shakespeare, spent a long

life in service to three sovereigns and enjoyed wealth and power. Finally, he was shorn of his

power and possessions by an impatient king. Cardinal Wolsey cried: Had I but served my God

with half the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age have left me naked to mine

enemies.

Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do.

Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. Trust and believe and have

faith.

Face Challenges with Courage.

C is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not

so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently.

Said the American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Whatever you do, you need

courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are

wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right.

To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a

soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”

There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are

defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like

David trying to fight Goliath. But remember-David did win!

Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater

courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.  Have the determination to make the effort, the single mindedness to work toward a worthy goal,

and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second

effort, should such be required. “Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day

saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

Sisters I love this message from President Monson and I am looking forward to hearing more

from him and our other wonderful leaders during General Conference. Sharon Eubank the First

Counselor of the Relief Society General Presidency, speaks of courage by encouraging us to

“use your voice and your power to articulate what you know and feel on social media, in quiet

conversations with your friends, when you’re chatting with your grandchildren. Tell them why

you believe, and what it feels like, if you ever doubted, how you got through it, what Jesus Christ

means to you.”

God knows us. He knows what makes us laugh, what makes us cry, things that excite or make

us anxious, He knows and wants us to share these moments with him. He wants us to find

peace and joy through getting to know Him and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we all

have the courage to reach out to those who need to hear “I know God lives”.

Patty Mark

2nd Counselor

Kanesville Stake Relief Society

December 2016

December 2016

 

Dear Sisters,

 

Do you ever ask yourself “Am I good enough?” 

 

For some reason, we as women, put grand expectations on ourselves and then get discouraged when we feel we don't measure up, especially this time of year when we have to have the perfect gift, or plan the most fun party, or have the best decorations, etc. We over burden ourselves with the excitement of the holidays and try to do everything. And then, we compare ourselves to others and think “I can never be as good.”

 

Somehow, we need to quit getting down on ourselves and remember who we are, and whose we are. WE ARE THE DAUGHTER OF A KING! We have a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we can comprehend. He has created a perfect plan for us to be able to become like Him. He believes in us. He intends for us to return to Him in eternal glory. And, He has given us the best gift: His Son, our brother and Savior, to ensure that we can make it. This is what we need to remember. This is where our focus needs to be. We have a Savior who has shown us how to live to be truly happy. We need to learn His ways and make them ours. I can't wait for the day when I

can sit at His feet and thank Him.

 

We, the Stake RS Presidency, love you and wish you the happiest of holidays!

 

Love,

 

Sister Dana Call, Secretary

November Stake Relief Society Message

November 2016

Sisters, I was so excited to have the opportunity to write the November message, especially after watching General Conference. After a weekend of inspiring messages, everything just seems a little easier. I sat down and wrote my message and I just wasn’t satisfied, so I tried again and the same thing happened. Two more messages later and I realized I wasn’t able to portray the messages that I felt so strongly about. Because I can’t put the whole weekend of talks into one message, I wanted to focus on President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s O How Great the Plan of Our God conference address. 
 

He talks about how it seems to be human nature that as we become more familiar with something, even something miraculous and awe-inspiring, we lose our sense of awe and treat it as commonplace. He goes on to say:

“Think of how you felt when for the first time you believed and understood that you are truly a child of God; that Jesus Christ willingly suffered for your sins so that you may be clean again; that priesthood power is real and can bind you to your loved ones for time and for all eternity; that there is a living prophet on the earth today. Isn’t that wonderful and amazing?

Considering all of this, how could it ever be possible that we of all people would not be excited about attending our Church worship services? Or get tired of reading the holy scriptures? I suppose this could be possible only if our hearts were past feeling to experience gratitude and awe for the sacred and sublime gifts God has granted us. Life-changing truths are before our eyes and at our fingertips, but sometimes we sleepwalk on the path of discipleship.”

We have answers! I am grateful as well that the gospel of Jesus Christ has answers to the most complex questions in life. The Lord has provided answers that are true, plain, straightforward, and easy to understand. It is so simple, that the answers are often referred to as “Primary answers”, but it can take courage to trust in the guidance of the Spirit and choose the right.

I still remember the time when I was sitting in sacrament meeting after not attending a church meeting for over 17 years. I felt the spirit so strongly that I began to cry. It was a feeling of coming home. I am extending President Uchtdorf’s question to all of us. “What shall we give in return for the flood of light and truth God has poured out upon us?” How blessed we are to have the knowledge of the Plan of Happiness! May we share it with those that have never heard it and those that have forgotten. I feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing women. You are truly my sisters!

Love, 
Patty Mark 2^nd Counselor 
Kanesville Stake Relief Society Presidency