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

January 2018 Kanesville Stake Relief Society Message

Dear Sisters,

         I am excited about the new changes that will start next Sunday in our Relief Society meetings.  I can see great opportunity for growth with the new pattern we will be following.

         In the article of the Ensign that presents this new curriculum it says, "In these latter days, God has restored the priesthood and organized priesthood quorums and the Relief Society to help accomplish His work (see Moses 1:39). So each Sunday when we gather in Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society meetings, we gather to discuss and plan how we will accomplish His work. That is why these meetings need to be more than classes. They are also opportunities to counsel about the work of salvation, learn together from the teachings of Church leaders about that work, and organize to accomplish it. These changes to our Sunday meetings will help us fulfill these purposes."

         My favorite part is "each Sunday when we gather . . ., we gather to discuss and plan how we will accomplish His work."  Heavenly has a great work for us to be apart of.  I know if we prepare and invite the spirit as we gather and discuss together we will know what we can do to be apart of His work.

         Our leaders have outlined a pattern for our meetings:

         1- Share experiences - By doing this we will become more united in our efforts.  We will better know how to support one another.  We will be following "the Savior's Way" in caring for one another.

         2- Counsel together (1st Sunday) - To be prepared for our Sunday meetings we need to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost and be prepared to share thoughts and experiences.  It will be a time to counsel together about our responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges as we do His work.

         and Learn together (second, third, and fourth Sundays) - Sister Bingham, General RS Pres, tells us:  "The point I’d like to make is that they are not lessons anymore. They are facilitated spiritual discussions. Again, when we teach in the Savior’s way, we are much more engaged, much more able to learn, because our mind and our heart are invested. . . We come prepared to share, having already read the conference talk."

         3- Plan to act - This is where we need to ask ourselves, "What can we actually do after leaving this meeting as a result of our discussion?" and then follow through with the plan.

         When we were baptized we were given the "Gift of the Holy Ghost" as a constant companion.  I think this new pattern for our meetings will help us learn how to better use this "Gift."  The many changes that have happened in the church in the last few years - many, many more temples; age of missionaries lowered increasing our missionary numbers; "Teaching in the Saviour's Way" methods of learning; younger age for temple officiating, etc. - show us that the "work is hastening."  Heavenly Father needs us to know how to better use this "Gift" He has given us to do His work.

         I am grateful that Heavenly Father feels we are up to this task and ready to be stretched in this manner.  I look forward to being apart of awesome things that can be accomplished by following this pattern together.

love,

Sister Dana Call

Stake RS Secretary

December 2017 Stake Relief Society Message

Sisters,
As we enter this Christmas season I want to share my testimony of the reality of the Savior. I hope you know He is YOUR Savior. I hope you KNOW Him. I hope you know that his Atonement was for YOU and that you never feel that you are the exception to the reaches of his love and sacrifice. I challenge you to do what you need to do to truly know him. There is a difference between knowing about Jesus Christ and knowing Jesus Christ.

Let me give some examples of what I mean:

Christ was born of Mary, but do you know that He chose to come, because He loves you so much that he couldn’t bear to not have there be a way for you to return to your eternal home? That He loves you so much that he was willing to suffer ALL things for you? Christ prayed in Gethsemane, but have you felt the depth and sincerity of those prayers on your behalf? Have you exercised, through the Savior, the power of His Atonement in your life? Do you believe, do you KNOW that His Atonement applies to you, no matter what? Christ died on a cross, but do you know that He allowed His life to be taken on a cross because he loves you? THE CROSS. The cross that you and I now don’t have to bear – if we will come to know Him and follow Him?

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. Knowing him comes through serving others and learning charity and long suffering. I encourage you to take time this month to study “The Living Christ”. Study the scriptures included there and pray about how you can liken them to your life. Pray for your testimony of the Savior to be strengthened and pray to know him versus only knowing about Him.
I know He lives! I hope he can be the Master we serve, that our thoughts are riveted on Him and His Gospel. Most of all, I hope you can feel and know 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