"Like a Broken vessel" by Jeffrey R. Holland

Last week's Relief Society lesson was taught by Rebecca on Jeffrey R. Holland's talk titled: "Like a Broken Vessel."  The lesson addresses the reality of depression that many people suffer from.  We also talked about how those of us who currently suffer from this condition can seek guidance and how the rest of us can reach out and better help our friends and family that may be suffering.

Rebecca began the lesson by defining depression and gave us insights to better understand what it is and how it affects people.  The type of depression this lesson focused on was not your typical bad day, but the more serious health condition that many people greatly struggle with on a daily basis.  I couldn't find the exact definition that she used, but here is one from wikipedia:

"Major depressive disorder (MDD)... is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood that is accompanied by low self-esteem and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities."

In addition to losing the ability to be happy, depression is also detrimental to one's physical health.  Rebecca then showed us a video that presented what it is like to have depression.  You can click on the link below to watch the video:

"I had a Black Dog"--Defining Depression (click here)

Rebecca then went over a list of little pieces of advice that Elder Holland had for individuals who face depression and for caretakers, or those who are acting as support for those individuals.  The list was separated into "do" and "don't do:"

For Individuals and Caretakers:

Do:

• Have faith in the Lord
• Do all necessary practices to bring in spirit
• Seek and listen to counsel of Priesthood leaders
• Ask for Priesthood blessings (Don't be afraid to do so)
• Believe in miracles
• Rely on promised blessings of the Atonement
• Trust in the Lord
• Seek professional help (One sister advised not to get too embarrassed or feel like you could have done better because there are times in life where even after doing everything you can your body may not be able to recover by itself without some help and there's no shame in seeking help)
• Be compassionate
• Be grateful
• Offer prayers, give love to others
• Be kind
• Be nonjudgmental
• Be merciful

Don't Do:

• Do not take your life
• Do not diminish your health (For Individuals this means doing everything you can to take care of your physical health in order to help strengthen your emotional health i.e., adequate sleep, diet, exercise, etc.  For Caretakers, this suggests that you need to be well yourself first before being able to help another.  Rebecca shared a physician's quote regarding the importance of maintaining your health: "If you do not take the time now to be well, you will take the time later to be ill.")

 The trials we have to face in our lives may be very difficult and excruciating at times, but the gospel can help bring peace, comfort, and strength to help you endure to the end, as well as the help of family and friends.  Those of us who are supporters will also feel the love and joy of the spirit through service.  Thank you Rebecca for the wonderful lesson and to all the sisters who contributed.

The Last Supper

Relief Society Lesson: "The Significance of the Sacrament"

Yesterday's lesson was given by Sis. Flores on "The Significance of the Sacrament" (chapter 6 of the Joseph Fielding Smith manual).  Sis. Flores outlined the three main points of the chapter on the board:

1)  The Lord has commanded us to meet often to partake of the Sacrament.
2)  We partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
3)  It is our duty to thoughtfully consider the covenant we make when we partake of the sacrament.

In regards to the first point, Sis. Flores had a few volunteers read quotes relating to the institution of the sacrament during the Last Supper.  Once such quote reads:

"...It was a very solemn occasion; there the sacrament was instituted, and the disciples were commanded to meet together often and commemorate the death and sufferings of Jesus Christ, for his sacrifice was for the redemption of the world."

                   -Joseph Fielding Smith (page 95)

Sis. Flores accentuated the importance of the word solemn used in many of the quotes and comments of the sisters.  The dignity and seriousness of the sacrament since the Lord first introduced it to his apostles long ago deserves no less than our utmost reverence today.

For the second point of the lesson, Sis. Flores mentioned how the sacrament is a wonderful opportunity for us to repent on a weekly basis.  In addition, pondering the sacrifice that the Savior made for us brings us closer to Him and refines our perspective.  In the words of the prophet:

"...If we fully appreciated the many blessings which are ours through the redemption made for us, there is nothing that the Lord could ask of us that we would not anxiously and willingly do."

            -Joseph Fielding Smith (page 99)

Sis. Flores then had someone read the sacrament prayer aloud, the rest of us with our arms folded and eyes closed to help us focus on the meaning of the words as well as the covenants we make, encompassing the third point of the lesson (for a full description of the covenants, see pages 100-101 in the Joseph Fielding Smith manual).  Sis. Flores encouraged us to be more alert and focused on pondering the meaning of the sacrament as we are blessed with the opportunity to partake of it.

She ended the lesson with the following video from Elder  Dallen H. Oaks:

"Partake of the Sacrament" (click here)

Thank you Sis. Flores for the wonderful lesson and for all the sisters who participated!

Announcements

Just a couple of reminders:

• This coming Sunday is Stake Conference. 

                           7:30-9:30 am:  Priesthood Session
                           10:00 am -12:00 pm:  Stake Conference (come early to get a soft chair!)
                            4:00 -5:00 pm:  Adult Session

• Remember to report your visiting teaching.

Also...

Viola just had her baby!!  Sign ups are going around to bring her dinners.  If you would like to help in any way, contact Heavs (Phoebe Nartker) or any member of the RS presidency.

Relief Society Lesson: "The Power, Joy, and Love of Keeping our Covenants"

Today's lesson was taught by Ana and was about "The Power, Joy, and Love of Keeping our Covenants."  The Covenants we make with the Lord act as our spiritual contracts that if we manage to keep engraved in our hearts will bring us blessings along with true joy and happiness.  “Making and keeping covenants means choosing to bind ourselves to our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. It is committing to follow the Savior. It is trusting Him and desiring to show our gratitude for the price He paid to set us free through the infinite gift of the Atonement.”

Why would keeping our covenants benefit us?  Some answers included:

“The more we keep our covenants the more it will bring us joy.”- Chelsea

“If we keep our promises, he is bound to keep His.” – Veronica

“It gives us confidence that we will be able to receive the revelation that we need.”- Melissa C.

 
Keeping our covenants can also help to give us protection in our daily lives, as stated in this scripture we read in 1 Nephi:

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."

- 1 Nephi 14:14

We were reminded of the difference between "good, better, and best," in keeping our covenants.  For example, in regards to how we want to raise our children to keep their covenants, it is good to teach them about it, better to prepare them with certain expectations, but best if we set the example by keeping our covenants for ourselves.

We also talked about the importance of the sacrament and were asked "when was the last time you rejoiced in taking the sacrament?"  When taking the sacrament, if we can truly grasp the meaning behind renewing our baptismal covenants and being able to receive the gift of the spirit it is more likely we will rejoice in the opportunities we have to participate in the sacrament.

Ana also had us read in John:

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

- John 14:21

At the end of the lesson, a talk written by Elder Holland was shared about the day of our Judgement and how the Lord will ask us a very important question, that is: "Did you love me?"

By striving to keep our covenants, surely we will experience the power, joy, and love that comes from doing so.

Thank you Ana for that great lesson and to all the sisters who contributed.


This lesson was based on a talk by Sister Burton.  If you would like to read or listen in more detail you can find it here:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-power-joy-and-love-of-covenant-keeping?lang=eng