April 2018 Kanesville Stake Relief Society Message

April, 2018

Dear Sisters,

What a blessing it is to be a member of the Relief Society! As a newly called member of the Stake Relief Society Presidency I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit several wards in our stake. During each visit I have felt an outpouring of sisterhood. I’ve been touched and inspired by your love and concern for each other and your sincere desire to serve and care for the sisters and families in your wards and neighborhoods.

As I’ve reflected on my visits with you I’m reminded of the selfless love described in the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi’s husband and sons had died. She loved her daughters-in-law very much and knew that as widows their future with her would be extremely difficult. Naomi exhibited great courage and selflessly released the women from the tradition which required that they remain with her. She encouraged them to return to their families enabling them to remarry or be cared for by their kinsman.

Ruth understood the hardships that lay ahead but she loved Naomi and she loved her Heavenly Father, and so she stayed. When a grief-stricken Naomi decided to return to her own country, Ruth demonstrated her faith and love by leaving behind her home to serve and care for Naomi all her days. Although these women came from very different cultural and religious backgrounds, a sisterhood was formed. Despite hardship they were faithful, they supported each other in righteous living and they worked together to overcome the trials of life. Both Ruth and Naomi exhibited charity and compassionate service, even though the circumstances of life were bitter.

Bitter experiences come into the lives of us all. Fortunately, the Lord understands how difficult it is to meet life’s trials on our own. That is why he gave us the gospel—and that’s why he gave us each other!  Loving service as Ruth exhibited is the hallmark of true sisterhood.  Like Ruth, as we follow the example of the Savior continually reaching out in tenderness to those around us we can recognize quiet opportunities to love and serve one another.

As we pray daily for Christ-like compassion and opportunities to serve we will be led to sisters who may be lonely and isolated, to those longing for acceptance and friendship. We will be guided to others who simply feel they don’t belong or who believe that their physical, emotional, or spiritual burdens block them from full sisterhood and the blessings of the gospel. As sisters in Christ we must draw our friends and neighbors nearer to us.  Through humble service and sincere love, we can help all our Heavenly Fathers precious daughters feel welcome and wanted.

I am thankful for Relief Society and the opportunity it provides to demonstrate love in action.  I pray that we will follow the wise counsel of Sister Lucy Mack Smith who taught that “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.”  (Lucy Mack Smith, in Relief Society Minute Book Nauvoo Illinois, Mar.24, 1842)

Love,

Jill Merritt

2^nd Counselor

August 2017 Stake Relief Society Message

August 2017
Sisters,

Have you ever thought about the word “nevertheless”? It appears often in the scriptures. One example is found in 1 Nephi 4:6-7 – “And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth”.

Nevertheless. That little word. That powerful word! So easy to skim over as we read. What does it mean? The dictionary defines it as ‘even so’ or ‘in spite of’.

Nephi and his brothers were commanded to go back to Jerusalem and get the plates. Nephi tried to rally his brothers for the task – asking them to “be strong like unto Moses” and to remember that an angel had spoken unto them. He asked them “Wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up.”. So, they went up, not knowing beforehand the things which they should do. Nevertheless, they went forth.
Nephi acted, even though he didn’t know what would happen. I’m sure he was nervous, scared even – but he acted. And so must we. Elder Bednar said, “Taking action is the exercise of faith. The children of Israel are carrying the ark of the covenant. They come to the River Jordan. The promise is, they will cross over on dry land. When does the water part? When their feet are wet. They walk into the river – act – and power follows. The water parts. We oftentimes believe, ‘I’m going to have this perfect understanding, and then I’m going to transform that into what I do.’ I would suggest that we have enough to get started. We have a sense of the right direction. Faith is a principle – the principle of action and of power. True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to action”. (https://www.lds.org/…/principle-1-exercise-faith-in-jesus-c…)
Here are some other examples. I have included some of my thoughts. Consider what you might apply to your life as you study these passages:

Matthew 26:39 - “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Our Savior loves us. He was willing to suffer and give his life for us. He was willing but hoped there was another way. In spite of that (nevertheless) he submitted to His Father’s will. I think there is a great lesson in that as we make decisions in our lives.

Luke 5:5 – “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
Simon had worked all night with no result. He didn’t see that there was any reason to cast his net yet again. Even so (nevertheless) he trusted. He acted. He was bounteously blessed. From this I was reminded that things are not always as they seem. We cannot see all that the Lord sees. If we will trust him and act, he can greatly bless us.

1 Nephi 17:42 – “And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses, and also against God; nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise.”
I’m so grateful that the Lord tries to lead me even when I’m not being fully obedient. I do harden my heart from time to time. Even so (nevertheless) the Lord leads me by his matchless power. What a blessing!

Jacob 4:6-7 – “Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea. Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things.”
The Lord richly blesses us when we are obedient and when we diligently strive to learn and become close to the Spirit however (nevertheless), He will remind us that all we have and do is by His grace and power. We are instruments in his hands to do His work. The moment we lean unto our own understanding it ceases to be His work. Just because we could command the trees or the mountains or the waves of the sea to obey us, doesn’t mean we should.

Ether 2:24 – “For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.”
Some trials in my life can seem insurmountable. At times, I feel as if I’m drowning – that the waves are dashing upon me and I can’t swim or see a way to the shore. At those times, I remind myself that trials create opportunity for me to be strengthened. The waves that cause me hardship and difficulty are the same waves that are pushing me to the promised land. He does send the winds and the waves. Even so (nevertheless), He will bring us up again.
I testify of the blessings that come when we study the scriptures and liken them to our lives. I pray those blessings for you as you study, learn, and liken.

Love,
Sis. Michelle Holt
President

July 2017 Stake Relief Society Message

July 2017
Dear Sisters,
​
Do you ever ask the question "why is life so hard sometimes?" I have been struggling with this a lot lately and have been wondering where is the joy and happiness we are supposed to be feeling? In hopes of finding some answers, I have been reading past conference talks and would like to pass on what I have found.

​In the last conference Elder Holland referred to the hymn "There is sunshine in my soul today." He says, "I wish to lift out of context just one line from it that may help on days when we find it hard to sing or smile and 'peaceful happy moments' do not seem to 'roll.' Among the realities we face as children of God living in a fallen world is that some days are difficult, days when our faith and our fortitude are tested." Then in one line Elder Holland gave us something to remember, he says, "I ask you to hold tenaciously to the line in this hymn that reassures, 'Jesus listening can hear the songs [you] cannot sing.'" What a great reminder that our older Brother, Jesus Christ, knows us and knows exactly what we are going through. We are never alone.

​President Nelson addressed this subject last October in his talk "Joy and Spiritual Survival." He also reminds us that "These are the latter days, so none of us should be surprised when we see prophecy fulfilled. A host of prophets . . . saw that perilous times would come." But, he tells us, "When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives."

​In hopes of shaking off my negative feelings I have been repeating in my mind the scripture "Men are that they might have joy." Then when I read President Nelson's talk he pointed out the circumstances of that scripture and it surprised me. This principle was taught by Lehi. Lehi - who had been persecuted and his life threatened by his neighbors, who had been commanded by the Lord to leave his home and everything he owned and live in the wilderness, who lived in a tent and survived on whatever food could be found along the way to somewhere he didn't know, who watched two of his sons rebel against the teachings of the Lord and attack and threaten to kill their two other brothers. President Nelson tells us, "Clearly, Lehi knew opposition, anxiety, heartache, pain, disappointment, and sorrow. Yet he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: 'Men are, that they might have joy.'"

​So, how did Lehi feel joy with all that he dealt with? President Nelson gives us the answer, "My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When we focus our lives on God's plan of salvation and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy." He tells us that "Christ is the source of all joy . . . Christ offers peace . . . Christ assures us that our 'afflictions shall be but a small moment' and be consecrated to our gain." Then he tells us that we can claim that joy by "giving thanks for [Jesus Christ] in our prayers and by keeping covenants we have made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us . . . our joy will increase."

​I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who has given us great leaders who teach us what we need to know to be happy. I encourage you all to read and study these two talks. I know that there is a much bigger picture than just today in Heavenly Father's "Plan of Salvation." I just needed to be reminded. How I feel my Heavenly Father and Savior's love for me when our leaders are inspired to say the things I need to hear.

love,

Sister Dana Call, Stake RS Secretary
​
Here are some scriptures to go along with your study of this subject:
​Psalms 16:8, 11
​Psalms 30:5
​Isaiah 35:10
​Matt 25:21
​Mark 10:27
​John 14:27
​John 15:9-11
​2 Nephi 8:3, 11
​2 Nephi 9:18
​Mosiah 2:41
​3 Nephi 17:17-18
​D&C 3:36
​D&C 11:13
​D&C 18:13
​D&C 51:19
​D&C 121:7
​D&C 122:7
​D&C 138:15-17

February Stake Relief Society Message

February 1, 2017
A few weeks ago, I was talking with my dad on the phone and he began telling me about his experience at a big box store that day.  He began walking to the back of the store. Near the deli area he began running out of energy.  He looked around for a chair to sit down but found nothing.  He was walking past a lady that was giving out samples.  She smiled and asked if he would like to try some mango salsa. Well, by this time my dad was very tired and very frustrated because he needed to sit down.  He quickly said. “No, I don’t need any salsa, I need a chair! I had a stroke a while back and it’s hard for me to get in and out of these stores without sitting down”.  She said “Oh, I understand how you feel sir”.  My dad interrupted her and said. “You can’t possibly know how I feel.  I had to learn to walk again after my stroke and it just about does me in walking through a store this size.”  She looked at him, and smiled and said, “Yes, I know strokes can be hard, in fact I’ve only been back to work a few weeks since my stroke and I have to be on my feet for 4 hours at a time”.  This embarrassed my dad, but it also got him thinking about this poor woman that had to stand on her feet for hours at a time after suffering from a stroke so he set off on a quest to find another person to complain to.  He grabbed his items and walked to the front of the store.  He placed everything on the counter and the clerk began ringing it up.  My dad said to the clerk. “Your store needs to be a little more considerate of us old people.  I had a stroke a while back I had to learn how to walk again.  It took me months just to be able to walk out to get my mail.  You young kids will never understand.” Just then the man walked from behind the counter pulled up his pant leg to show my dad his prosthetic leg. “Sir, I understand” he said.   My dad sheepishly handed the gentlemen his money and ran as fast as he could out to his car.

Each of us is given a choice to be an optimist or a pessimist.  Having a sense of humor facing daily tasks is something many of us have to work on daily.  All of us have or will experienced hardships such as loss of job, marital issues, health problems, the list goes on and on.  During these times we have a choice to find the good things in a bad situation or continue to focus on the bad. 

Gordon B. Hinckley once said.  “Don’t be gloomy. Do not dwell on unkind things.  Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.  Even if you are not happy, put a smile on your face.  ‘Accentuate the positive.’  Look a little deeper for the good.  Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, with great and strong purpose in your heart.  Love life.” 

Love life!  We were all meant to be happy in life.  These everyday hardships are what gently lead us to rely on our Savior.  As we remember Him and include more of his attitudes into our lives, we become more like Him.  There is so much to be happy about in this world.  And when we fail to see the world around us for the wonder and joy that it has to offer and we don’t see the hope and light everywhere around us, we aren’t seeing the world as our Heavenly Father see’s it.

 Sisters, having to try to stay positive is something I know a lot about, the story I just shared that Dad was and is the Dad I lived with and love.  He’s a wonderful man and probably will always see the cup as half empty but I love him for it. Being his daughter I have obtained a lot of his traits and characteristics good and not so good.   These are things that I go to my Father in Heaven with in prayer. And when I read the scriptures and read about the Savior and all the wonderful things he did I want to be better and do better, and I find joy.  I know the Savior lives and loves each one of us.  He wants us to be happy.  I know our Savior will help us through all of our hardships if we ask.

Love,                                                                                                                                                                          Patty Mark                                                                                                                                              Kanesville Stake Relief Society 2nd Counselor

                                                         
I wanted to include a few scriptures related to finding joy.  It’s so important that we know that the Savior wants us to be happy and what we have to do to find joy.
A condition of great happiness coming from righteous living.  The purpose of mortal life is for all people to have joy (2 Nephi 2:22-25).  A full joy will come only through Jesus Christ (John 15:11; D&C 93:33-34; 101:36).
The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord: Isa. 29:19; (2 Nephi 27:30;)
I bring you good tidings of great joy: Luke 2:10;
Your joy no man taketh away from you: John 16:22;
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace: Gal. 5:22;
The fruit thereof filled my soul with exceedingly great joy: 1 Nephi 8:12;
Men are that they might have joy: 2 Nephi 2:25;
The joy of the righteous shall be full forever: 2 Nephi 9:18;
They may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness: Mosiah 2:41;
I will give up all that I possess that I may receive this great joy: Alma 22:15;
Perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance, and this is my joy: Alma 22:15;
What joy, and what marvelous light I beheld: Alma 36:20;
My spirit shall fill you with joy: D&C 11:13;
How great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father: D&C 18:15-16;
In this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full: D&C 101:36;
In this life I shall have joy: Moses 5:10-11;

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Oct - Sisterhood - Even in the darkest times, blessings come IF we look for them.

Hello Kanesville, my name is Debbie L, and I live in the Fair Grove Ward. Patti W asked me to share a conversation I had with her but it has taken a few months since I have been so sick recently. Over the last ten years or so my health has been in a steady decline. I spend most of my time in bed. I have multiple auto-immune diseases, which started with a diagnosis of MS. 

This isn't where I thought I would be at this stage of my life, but I want to tell you some 

of the things that my Heavenly Father has done for me. When I was first diagnosed with MS, I asked for a priesthood blessing. As I listened to the words of that blessing, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that this was part of Heavenly Fathers plan for me. I came to understand that my illness would in some way be a blessing from my heavenly Father. I don't fully understand all of the ways that this would be accomplished, but I feel strongly that this is for my benefit as well as my family.

As I have become weaker and unable to leave my bed most days, I have felt of Heavenly Fathers love and the power of the Atonement. I know the Savior suffered for my sins and also took upon Himself my grief's, sorrows, and weaknesses. I know that with his stripes we are healed, as was prophesied by Isaiah. 

I have been blessed these past years in ways great and small. To enjoy the company of my children and grandchildren who are so beautiful to me. Recently during boisterous game of tag with my grandchildren , one of them tagged me It. before I could even think about moving, another ran to me and held out his hand to let me tag him. We had such fun playing together. On a bad day, all I have to do is visualize their beautiful faces and I am comforted. 

When I got to the point where getting up for more than a few minutes became difficult, Heavenly Father sent a pair of birds to nest outside my bedroom window. They have nested in a very difficult place, and every spring I am graced with enjoying their nesting, hatching, and fledging of the chicks. It is a constant source of joy. 

 I now have unlimited hours to work on my family history and ready names for temple ordinances. The Family Search indexing program is another great gift to me. This is just one example of how with Heavenly Fathers help we can turn weakness into strength.  Even as limited as my circumstances allow, I am still blessed with the ability to serve.

I know that in different ways, life is difficult at times for all of us. I am convinced that even in the darkest times, blessings come to buoy us up if we look for them.

I am truly blessed to have the Gospel in my life. It teaches us how to live, and reminds us that Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful.

It has been difficult to write this because I believe most people have learned this lesson far earlier than I have. We are all on the same journey with trials and tribulations all around us. When we look for them our Fathers tender mercies are all around us.

This is a wonderful community and many of you have helped me in some way. I thank you all for that. 

These are sacred experiences to me, and I leave you with them in the name of Jesus Christ our blessed Savior.