The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints - No Matter Where You Are!

Today was a very interesting day.  This weekend my sweet husband and I were staying in Park City, Utah for a short get away.  We had been having a wonderful weekend that began Friday and will end Monday when we leave at mid-day and head to the LDS Temple Open House in Ogden.  We are going through the Temple with our children and grandchildren that haven't already gone through it.

My reason for this post isn't about what we did for fun this weekend, or that we are going to the Ogden Temple Open House.  It's about something that happened this morning, something that made me feel so blessed.

You see in our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), the same lessons are being taught all over.  So if I go from Utah to say Canada or Japan, it will be the same lesson I would have been taught in my own ward.  This is a very wonderful thing as it is a world wide continuity.  I knew that this happened all over the world, but hadn't really given it much thought.  Then this morning happened.

You see, we wanted to attend a ward in Park City, Utah.  So we looked up the closest ward meeting (church house) to our timeshare and decided that this is where we would attend.  We got there about 20 minutes early and found out that this ward held a special "Visitor's" Sacrament meeting and that is what we would be attending.  We spoke to one of the men in the bishopric (the men that preside over the meetings).  He was very kind and welcoming.  As we sat there, all sorts of people began to come in and be seated.  They were people from all over the country as well as several from other cities in Utah like ourselves who were just on vacation.  And as I sat there and several men were asked to help bless and pass the sacrament I got the sweetest confirmation in my heart that this church is true.  Where else can you go and feel the same spirit and be taught the same things as you would in your own home ward and hear the same truths spoken?  The priesthood is the same no matter what ward you attend.  It was incredible to me how fast things came together and so flawlessly.   I sat there and thought that this could be my home ward, these people were all so happy and kind and willing to serve.  I knew none of them, but I felt such a sweet connection to them all.

It was a testimony builder to me.  How our Heavenly Father really does care and wants us to learn the truth, no matter where we are.  I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend this Sunday with others of my same faith and be taught the same things that were being taught in my home ward.  Today my spirits were lifted and I felt so very blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Relief Society Lessons - Lessons in Life

I taught a lesson yesterday in Relief Society (a class for women in our church).  It was on Raising our Children in Truth and Light.  Yes, most of my children have moved out of our home and are on their way to making their own lives, but there are still times when I as a mother and grandmother can teach them.

This lesson was a teaching of one of the Prophets.  It was by Joseph Fielding Smith.  He talked about his love for his father and what a blessing his father's influence had been, but he also gave thanks for his mother and told of what a great woman she had been and how he had been taught at her knee.  It then spoke of how his daughter felt about President Smith, and how he used to walk her to school when it was possible teaching her truths along the way.

The lesson progressed and gave 7 things that we as parents need to do to help our children.

1. Set a righteous example.  How can our children know how to be if we don't show them?
2. Begin teaching them when they are young.  I know they are small, but they aren't stupid.  They understand more that we realize!
3. Teach children to pray.  This is so important that they know that they can communicate with our Heavenly Father.  He loves them and will answer their prayers.
4. Introduce children to the Scriptures.  These are Heavenly Father's words.  We all need to read them.
5. Hold Family Home Evening.  This can be not only fun times, but spiritual times too.  This brings unity.  In the lesson it says, "Parent's who ignore the great help of this program are gambling with the future of their children."  WOW, who would want to do that with the lives of their children?
6. Teach virtue, chastity and morality.  We all know the pitfalls of not teaching this to our children. 
7. Prepare our children to be witnesses of the truth and to serve missions.  I loved how it stated that our children are a choice and chosen generation that have a divine destiny.  They will be the ones to usher in the second coming of our Savior.

At times teaching this lesson I know I fell short in teaching my own children.  I'm sure everyone has. But I also know that we do the best we can with what we know.  I know my parents did.  They taught me a love of the Gospel, a great work ethic, and how to be honest.  And I am so grateful to them.  

As I reflected on this lesson and the opportunity it gave me pause to think on what has been and what I can still do.  I feel so grateful for the life that I have lived so far and for the difference that I can still make.  I am truly grateful!!