A new year and a new semester means it was time again for a leadership training. So on January 23 we got all the ward presidencies together and had a stake leadership training. I began our portion of the meeting with this talk/training:
As I was listening to the past October General Conference and a talk by President Uchtdorf on my way to work a couple of weeks ago, something struck me really strongly—the Lord wants us to get back to the basics--the fundamentals of the Gospel. As I study the new handbook it tells me, we need to get back to the basics. When I think about the course of study that we have had in Relief Society and Priesthood the last year and again this year, we have been studying the basics. We need to look at and remember the true and simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In his talk, President Uchtdorf said, “The search for the best things inevitably leads to the foundational principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ—the simple and beautiful truths revealed to us by a caring, eternal, and all-knowing Father in Heaven. These core doctrines and principles, though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life. There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions. . . . . When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its plainness and simplicity the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Then, turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom.”
--you don’t have to do things that are over the top—simple and basic. I love the scripture that says, by small and simple things, great things come to pass. I believe as you teach the simple truths of the gospel, that the testimonies of the sisters in your ward will be strengthened, their faith will grow and obedience will become a way of life.
Pres. Uchtdorf told the story of a legendary football coach who started out training his team by teaching them the very simplest fundamental principles first. What is a football, how it is shaped and held etc etc. What is a football field and it’s dimensions etc. etc. All the basic rules of the game. He was teaching this to men who had been playing the game for years. Because he knew that even these experienced players could become great only by mastering the fundamentals. “I think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more enticing.
Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets—all helpful if used properly—can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation. . . . . . Yet amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee stands with hands outstretched, waiting. His is a simple message: “Come, follow me.” 5 And He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice. 6 It is so easy for the basic gospel message to get lost amidst the deluge of information that hits us from all sides.
The holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give emphasis to the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel. The reason we return to these foundational principles, to the pure doctrines, is because they are the gateway to truths of profound meaning. They are the door to experiences of sublime importance that would otherwise be beyond our capacity to comprehend. These simple, basic principles are the key to living in harmony with God and man. They are the keys to opening the windows of heaven. They lead us to the peace, joy, and understanding that Heavenly Father has promised to His children who hear and obey Him.”
My dear sisters, we need to follow the council of this great man, who is ordained as a prophet, seer and revelator.
Let’s follow the basic fundamental principles of the gospel.
*Study your scriptures.
*Read the conference talks.
*Listen to the words our prophet gives us. CES Firesides & BYU Devotionals are specifically for you
*Get on your knees daily and pray to Heavenly Father for understanding and guidance.
*Live worthy of a temple recommend. USE IT
**Teach the sisters in your wards to do the same; to love the Savior; to learn of Him; to follow His example.
A little change in direction:
Think about what stood out to you as you were reading the handbook? I want to talk about a couple of things that stood out to us, the stake Relief Society Presidency:
Please study the handbook at each presidency meeting
Handbook: Chapter 1: What did you get from this chapter? What stood out to you?
The family is the fundamental unit of life!! This life is all about having and being a family. The church provides the priesthood that supports and administers the ordinances so that we can be eternal families. The church is a support to families. The church cannot function properly without the family and the family cannot function properly without the church. We need both! We came from a family before our earthly experience, we are in a family now—no matter how dysfunctional it may be, and we will be in a family after this life.
The Role of Church leaders: (1.2.2)
Teach and Testify of Jesus Christ
Strengthen families and Individuals
Provide Counsel, support and opportunities to serve
Temple Marriage is mandatory for exaltation in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom.
We are commanded to have children. Read 1.3.2 1st paragraph, last sentence
Several times the Family Proclamation is quoted—tells me the importance of that proclamation and that we should know it and understand it. Christina’s Sealing—given a copy of the Proclamation to the World.
Read 1.3.3 Both paragraphs. This is a beautiful promise. And whether we like it or not, there will be some who will never get the opportunity to marry in this life. And will never have the opportunity to have children in this life. But as long as they keep the covenants that they have made, they can attain all the promised blessings in the next life.
Read 1.4.3 Help those who don’t have the support of a family. “Mary” is a young girl who comes from a dysfunctional family. She is an only child. Her parents are divorced. She lives with her mother and they live in the basement of her grandparents home. Her grandparents are very active in the church. Her mother hasn’t been since she was a teenager. When “Mary” was 12ish she wanted to be baptized. She went through the missionary discussions and was baptized. She had a testimony and enjoyed the benefits of the young woman’s program. But as she grew older, she realized that she didn’t have what the other girls had and knew she never would, as far as a family is concerned. Slowly she felt like she didn’t fit in and she has now stopped going to church. It was just too painful. She has started hanging around kids that are a bad influence and she has gotten into trouble with the law and with drugs. Why did this happen? Because she didn’t fit the “mold” of an LDS family. Because someone somewhere didn’t help her to see that she could one day have the blessings of an eternal family, even if she didn’t have it now.
We must teach that Every Member of the Church can have ALL the blessings of eternal life exalted in a family forever.
In a world that sees marriage as a thing of the past and children as nuisances, we must teach the importance of families to the sisters in our wards. This is the training ground and preparation time for all of you to prepare for your own families. But in doing so we must also be sensitive to those that do not have the ideal family and be supportive and understanding of them in their individual needs and relationships.
How does this relate to you and your calling? Will you go home and pray about that very question? Will you ask Heavenly Father to show you how this relates to your single sisters in your ward? Ask Him what He would have you to do?
Summary: Small & Simple—Fundamentals—Basics: Study this great handbook! It has SO much!
Teach them the importance of marriage and family and children.
Teach them the importance of having a home where Christ can dwell.
Teach them the importance of living a righteous life.
Teach them the importance of priesthood authority and ordinances we can obtain because of the priesthood.
