January 2, 2011

Chesapeake Ward Relief Society

Presidency Lesson
Sister Laura Kimball
Haggai 1: 5-6
―Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your
ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye
have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink;
ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth
wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.‖

The old testament prophet Haggai, exhorted the

people to put their lives in order and to build a
temple. The blessings will follow. When we put the
Lord as our first priority, we will have the time,
energy and means to what he would have us do. Let
us ―Consider Our Ways‖ and make the essentials for
eternal life our first priorities.
Please watch the following video: ―How to Prioritize‖ by Sister Julie B Beck,
General Relief Society President. Sister Beck reviews essential, necessary,
and ―nice-to-do‖ tasks and focuses on the essential.
http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,8731-1,00.html
To watch, please click on the above link or copy and paste it in your
browser then click on the second talk listed (circled) How to Prioritize
 ―We all have limited time and
energy [with] much demand on
our personal resources, what we
choose to do [with our time] is
important.‖
- Sister Julie B Beck, General Relief Society President

The general Relief Society presidency held training for Relief Society leaders in March
of 2010 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The following is taken from a part of that
training meeting ―How to Prioritize‖ by Sister Julie B Beck, General Relief Society
President. Sister Beck reviews essential, necessary, and ―nice-to-do‖ tasks and
focuses on the essential. http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,8731-1,00.html
―These are the things we
need to do to get the
blessings of eternal life if
we fail to do these-things
we won’t make it‖
Essential implies belonging to the very nature of a
thing and therefore being incapable of removal
without destroying the thing itself or its character.
Synonyms:
Fundamental applies to something that is a
foundation without which an entire system or
complex whole would collapse.
Vital suggests something that is necessary to a
thing's continued existence or operation.
Cardinal suggests something on which an outcome
turns or depends.
Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality
of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, ―This
is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man‖ (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live
forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of
Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or
exaltation, is to live in God's presence and to continue as
families (see D&C 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is
made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
However, to inherit eternal life requires our ―obedience to
the laws and ordinances of the Gospel‖ (Articles of Faith
1:3). http://lds.org/study/topics/eternal-life?lang=eng
 Scripture Study

Prayer

Sacrament Meeting Attendance

Temple Ordinances
Scripture study:
 It is there, we receive the Lord’s word
 It is an aid to revelation
 Tells/ teaches us all the things we should do

 Why is scripture study an essential priority for you?

 How can you make scripture study more of

a priority?
 ―In this modern day and age, there is a greater need for spiritual power
than perhaps at any time before in our history. President David O. McKay
said: ―The peril of this century is spiritual apathy. As the body requires
sunlight, good food, proper exercise, and rest, so the spirit of man
requires the sunlight of the holy Spirit; proper exercise of the spiritual
functions; avoiding of evils that affect spiritual health, which are more
ravaging in their effects than typhoid fever, pneumonia, or other diseases
that attack the body‖ (Gospel Ideals [1953], 360).
Now, where do we find this spiritual power? How do we maintain our
spiritual health and find the proper exercise of our spiritual functions? I
believe the answer lies in knowing and understanding the word of God,
which we learn through a careful study of the scriptures. When we know
the scriptures, when we understand them, we get a feeling for what the
Lord has revealed to His children through the ages of time. We learn His
will for us. And we are strengthened spiritually.‖

L. Tom Perry, "―Give Heed unto the Word of the Lord‖", Ensign, June 2000, 22
http://lds.org/ensign/2000/06/give-heed-unto-the-word-of-the-lord?lang=eng
How can Latter-day Saints make scripture study a priority?
Elder Eyring: ―The only way you can be sure that a busy schedule doesn’t crowd out scripture
study is to establish a regular time to study the scriptures.‖ I have found that the beginning of
the day and the end of the day are mine. Those are times I can usually control.
When I am in situations where I break out of the pattern, it’s hard on me. Once you get used
to regular scripture study, you miss it if you don’t have it. It’s like food—you have to have it. I
know that I need the scriptures like I need food. I don’t miss a regular meal, and I don’t miss
regular scripture study.‖
What can we look forward to as we consistently study the scriptures?
Elder Eyring: In time, if you truly begin to feast upon the scriptures, you will find that they
become a part of you. I remember that with Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, who was as familiar with the scriptures as anyone I know. I would
sometimes listen to him and say to myself, ―Now is he quoting the scriptures, or are those his
own words?‖
President Gordon B. Hinckley is the same way. His ordinary speech is scriptural prose, and
even in his pleasant, easy moments, that prose is a part of him. I think he has a great literary
gift, in part because of his knowledge of the scriptures. I was with him just the other day when
he very casually pulled a scripture into the conversation and it fit perfectly. Obviously the
scriptures are in him; they’re part of him.
We all can have the dream of someday having the word of God be so much a part of us that
the Lord can draw upon it and we can learn to think as He does. And in the process we can
come unto Him.
Henry B. Eyring, "A Discussion on Scripture Study", Ensign, July 2005, 22–26
http://lds.org/ensign/2005/07/a-discussion-on-scripture-study?lang=eng
Prayer :
 Is our communication with the Lord
 Opens revelation
 Is for our safety: ―pray always lest we enter into temptation‖

 Why is prayer an essential priority for you?

 How can you make prayer more of a priority?

 ―In the personal line [of communication] we pray directly to our
Heavenly Father, and He answers us by the channels He has
established, without any mortal intermediary. We pray to our
Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and He answers us
through His Holy Spirit and in other ways. The mission of the
Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son (see John
15:26; 2 Nephi 31:18; 3 Nephi 28:11), to guide us into truth (see
John 14:26; 16:13), and to show us all things we should do (see
2 Nephi 32:5). This personal line of communication with our
Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our
testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal
guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature
of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His
children to receive a personal witness of its truth.‖
Dallin H. Oaks, "Two Lines of Communication", Ensign, Nov. 2010, 83–86
http://lds.org/ensign/2010/11/two-lines-of-communication?lang=eng
 ―Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul.
Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-
seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as
insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually,
because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He
commands, ―Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea,
before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.‖
(D&C 19:28)―
―It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor
or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we
can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be
brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended
expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has
created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet
you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer.‖
―I testify our Father will always answer your prayers in the way and
in the time that will be for your best eternal good.‖

Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer", Ensign, May 2007, 8–11

http://lds.org/ensign/2007/05/using-the-supernal-gift-of-prayer?lang=eng
 The Power of Family Prayer, John H. Groberg, April 1982
General Conference ―I know of no single activity that has
more potential for unifying our families and bringing more
love and divine direction into our homes than consistent,
fervent family prayer.‖
 How Can I Make Daily Prayer More Meaningful? D. Todd
Christofferson, October 2010 New Era ―How can I make daily
prayer more meaningful? It’s a good question, and it’s one
that applies to all of us.‖
 Pray Always David A. Bednar, October 2008 General
Conference ―Three additional principles that can help our
prayers become more meaningful‖
 Improving Our Prayers Joseph B. Wirthlin, August 2004
Liahona ―There are many reasons our prayers may lack
power. Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers
become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways
over and over so often that the words become more of a
recitation than a communication.‖
Sacrament meeting attendance:
 this is where we renew our baptismal covenants, how do we
get ready for a temple covenant? We’ve got to keep the
covenant we’ve already made!
 sacrament meeting isn’t about having more people in the
seats it is about more people renewing that covenant and
staying on that essential path.

 Why is renewing your baptismal

covenants an essential priority for you?

 How can you make sacrament attendance

more of a priority?
 ―The direct, personal channel of
communication to our Heavenly Father
through the Holy Ghost is based on
worthiness and is so essential that we are
commanded to renew our covenants by
partaking of the sacrament each Sabbath
day. In this way we qualify for the
promise that we may always have His
Spirit to be with us, to guide us.‖
Dallin H. Oaks, "Two Lines of Communication", Ensign, Nov. 2010, 83–86
http://lds.org/ensign/2010/11/two-lines-of-communication?lang=eng
 ―Paul taught that the Lord gave prophets and apostles for ―the
perfecting of the saints, … the work of the ministry, … [and] the
edifying of the body of Christ‖ (Eph. 4:12). Persons who are not fully
participating in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also
seeking a personal spiritual conversion are missing out on experiences
that are essential under the divinely established great plan of
happiness. The teachings and the work of the Church are essential to
bring to pass the eternal life of man (see Moses 1:39).‖
―Someone has said that what we get depends on what we seek.
Persons who attend Church solely in order to get something of a
temporal nature may be disappointed. The Apostle Paul wrote
disparagingly of persons who ―serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their
own belly‖ (Rom. 16:18). Persons who attend Church in order to give to
their fellowmen and serve the Lord will rarely be disappointed. The
Savior promised that ―he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it‖
(Matt. 10:39).‖
―I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state
of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are
blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out
faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may
dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness‖ (Mosiah 2:41).‖
Dallin H. Oaks, ―The Gospel in Our Lives,‖ Ensign, May 2002, 33
Going to the temple:
 ―If we don’t make and keep temple covenants then we’re not
on the path, we’ve got to do the things that help us qualify
us for a recommend and get [ourselves] there.‖

 Why is the Temple (preparation & attendance) an essential

priority for you?

 How can you make the Temple

more of a priority?
 The temple endowment blessings are as essential for each of us
as was our baptism. For this reason we are to prepare ourselves
that we may be clean to enter the temple of God.

The opportunity to enter the temple and to take upon ourselves

the sacred covenants therein is one of the greatest blessings
available to us in mortality. Then, after we take upon us those
covenants, our obedience in living them daily stands as a
demonstration of our faith, love, devotion, and spiritual
commitment to honor our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus
Christ. Our obedience also prepares us to live with Them in the
eternities. The temple’s saving ordinances are essential to—and
even the central focus of—the eternal plan of happiness.
Robert D. Hales, "Blessings of the Temple", Ensign, Oct. 2009, 46–49
http://lds.org/ensign/2009/10/blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng
 The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the ordinances
necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

The temple is a sacred edifice, a holy place, where essential

saving ceremonies and ordinances are performed to prepare us
for exaltation. It is important that we gain a sure knowledge that
our preparation to enter the holy house and that our
participation in these ceremonies and covenants are some of the
most significant events we will experience in our mortal lives.

We voluntarily came from the presence of God the Father to this

mortal probation with agency, knowing we would have
―opposition in all things‖ (2 Nephi 2:11). Our objective is to take
upon us the whole armor of God and withstand ―the fiery darts
of the wicked‖ with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit
(see D&C 27:15–18), to endure to the end, and to be worthy to
stand and live in the presence of God the Father and His Son,
Jesus Christ, for all eternity—to achieve what is called eternal
life.
Robert D. Hales, "Blessings of the Temple", Ensign, Oct. 2009, 46–49
http://lds.org/ensign/2009/10/blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng
 The Holy Temple Boyd K. Packer October 2010 Ensign ―There are many
reasons one should want to come to the temple. Even its external appearance
seems to hint of its deeply spiritual purposes. This is much more evident
within its walls. Over the door to the temple appears the tribute...‖
 Prepare for Blessings of the Temple Russell M. Nelson March 2002 Ensign
―Parents should teach the importance of the temple from a child’s earliest
days. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught members of the
Church to display a picture of a temple in their homes where children could
see it and plan from their...‖
 ―Ye Are the Temple of God‖ David A. Bednar September 2001 Ensign ―...on the
earth, but do we really understand why a body is so central to the Father’s
plan of happiness? Do we perhaps recite this answer so frequently and
routinely that we fail to recognize its true importance?...‖
 Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple Russell M. Nelson October 2010
Ensign ―Inscribed on each temple are the words ―holiness to the Lord.‖ That
statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who
enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness. As temples are
prepared for the people, the...‖
 Things as They Really Are David A. Bednar June 2010 Liahona ―...His children
could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward
perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.‖1
Please note the primary importance of obtaining a physical body in the...‖
―Be of good cheer. Take life one step at a time and do the best you can
each day. Life passes so swiftly.
When mortal life is over, each of us will return to God, who gave us
life. In a judgment interview, I doubt that He will ask a surgeon,
―How many operations did you perform?‖ or ―Do you wish you had
spent more time at the hospital?‖ But I know He will ask if Sister
Nelson and I remained faithful to our covenants to take upon
ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and always remember Him.
Think of those words ―all that my Father hath.‖ That concept is beyond
our mortal comprehension. It means that no earthly reward—no
other success—could compensate for the bounties the Lord will
bestow upon those who love Him, keep His commandments (see
Moro. 4:3), and endure to the end (see D&C 14:7).
Russell M. Nelson, "Identity, Priority, and Blessings", Ensign, Aug. 2001, 6 http://lds.org/ensign/2001/08/identity-priority-
and-blessings?lang=eng
 Matthew 6:19-22
―Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and
steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do
not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.‖
2 Nephi 31: 17-21
Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your
Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might
know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is
repentance and abaptism by water; and then cometh a bremission of your sins by fire
and by the Holy Ghost.
And then are ye in this astrait and narrow bpath which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have
entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father
and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which cwitnesses of the dFather and
the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by
the way ye should receive.
And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow apath, I
would ask if all is bdone? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far
save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken cfaith in him, drelying wholly upon
the merits of him who is mighty to esave.
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect
brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press
forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saith
the Father: Ye shall have eeternal life.
And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the away; and there is bnone other way nor
cname given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And

now, behold, this is the ddoctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the
eFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is fone God, without end. Amen