Relief Society Lesson: Trials and the Power of the Atonement

This week's Relief Society Lesson was done by the Relief Society presidency and was about trials and the power of the atonement.  A story was shared in the beginning of the lesson about a man who took his new truck to go up in the snowy mountains to cut down firewood, but when he got there the truck's tires got stuck in the snow.  He cut down trees for firewood anyway and piled them onto the truck, and when he tried again the truck was slowly able to get free and he was able to go home.  What happened was the weight of the wood gave his tires more traction (or friction) against the slippery ice allowing him to be freed.  

We all have our individual loads that we carry.  Some of the things the sisters mentioned included financial difficulty, worries about our family, or decisions about the future.  We also discussed some things could could act as a "spiritual traction" that will help us move forward as we carry our load.  These things include:

• Prayer
• Service
• Following the Lord's will
• Studying (scriptures)
• Temple
• Acceptance

The sisters pointed out that our loads, or trials, are necessary for us to not only move forward and grow as a person, but also to become humbled and strengthened in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  It helps us to get a much greater understanding of the power of the atonement that we couldn't otherwise.  May we all have the courage to continually move forward in our trials and increase our faith and testimony in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

A big thanks to our Relief Society Presidency for the wonderful lesson.

Relief Society Lesson: Baptism

Last Sunday's lesson was given by Rachel and the topic was "Baptism."  We discussed the importance of our baptismal covenants and what they were. Rachel wrote down some key points on the board as follows:

Baptismal Covenants

• Take upon us the name of the Savior
• Remember Him
• Keep the commandments
• Have His spirit to be with us
• Remission of sins
• Mourn with those that mourn
• Service
• Sustain the Kingdom of Heaven

During the discussion one sister pointed out how reminding ourselves of the first point, taking upon us the name of Christ, is a very important part of living the gospel.  By taking upon Christ's name and being His representative, we live in a way that only He would approve of with the music we listen to, the way we dress, etc.  In order to do so we must also remember Him on a daily basis.  

Many sisters discussed how the covenants we made at our Baptism are very basic but are so important because they are the foundation of everything.  Without these covenants we wouldn't be able to enjoy the blessings that we do today.  Sis. Chalmer pointed out that the big difference between those who are visitors/investigators/excommunicated and those who are members is that members have made those covenants and are living in a way that they keep those covenants that they had made and are able to enjoy the blessings that come from them as a result.  It's a very important thing that is not to be taken lightly.  But the beauty of repentance and the grace of the Lord also allows those who are not in the covenant the opportunity to participate in the making and keeping of them so that they too may partake of its blessings.

Many of us made our baptismal covenants when were 8 years old and others converted to the church later in life with each of us developing and enriching our testimonies at various points in our lives.  As Rachel pointed out, either way is amazing and admirable and we are very blessed to have baptismal covenants and be a members of this church.  Thank you Rachel for the wonderful lesson!