March 2015 Presidency Message

In the Saturday night session of Stake Conference on 21 February 2015, Sister Tammy Runia gave her best parenting advice. She told us that when Lehi went to the tree of life in his dream (1 Nephi 8), he stayed there. And he stayed there as a happy person. He called out to his children and wife to follow but he was stayed there and waited for them to come to taste the happiness for themselves. He was filled with joy and wanted them also to partake of that fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. The fruit, of course, represents the love of our Heavenly Father. Lehi did not go wandering off and leave that fruit. He stuck with it and waited. And he did not look miserable, overworked, tired, suffering, or merely enduring. He was thrilled to be there and never wanted to leave.

I really appreciated hearing that advice from Sister Runia, who has seven children. She confided in me after the Sunday session of conference that she has a child whom she worries about. This child has tasted of that fruit but left the tree and wandered off. I mentioned that we have three of our five children like this. Then she said that today in the church there are numerous families who are in the same situation. So what do we do? Hence, her great advice—stay strong ourselves and stay happy. Feast on this great love our Father in Heaven has for us all. Call out to our loved ones. Beckon to them. And let them see how joyful life is when we remember who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Stay at the tree, and continuously feast on this great fruit—this great love.

Our Father in Heaven has a plan for each of us—not just one plan of happiness (another stake conference quote) and He loves us more than we can comprehend. The closest we come to understanding this love is examining how we feel about our own children. We love them completely even when their choices are destructive. We listen to them even when they learn a different language than the one we taught. We embrace them in the midst of both their successes and their failures. We see their potential even when they are blind to who they are and what they can become. We just love them, scraped knees, broken bones, rashes, fevers, and all.

Sisters, let us stay at the tree! And stay thrilled to be there! Others will notice and partake.

With great love from,

The Stake Relief Society Presidency

Sister Patricia Young
Sister Leilani Parker
Sister Sandy Garrard
Sister Betsy McCreary

Stake 'O Holy Night' Christmas Open House

 Sunday Dec. 14th from

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 Featuring Displays, Live Nativity and Music

Dress is Casual

(We have been invited to extend 1 invitation to an individual/family)

November 2014 Presidency Message

Joy in Thanks

Said the apostle John, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17)  The month of November brings sweet feelings of appreciation for the blessings which the Lord continually showers upon us.  We are commanded to give thanks and have grateful hearts for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.  But, have you ever stopped to notice the joy that a simple prayer of thanks opens up for you.  

     

Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church, said: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life.” He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”  Every life has peaks and shadows and if we focus on those, we may fail to notice the blessings which surround us and become sullen and despondent.  Sisters, let a smile grace your beautiful faces.  And during this wonderful season of thanks, let your pray of thanks shine bright as the morning sun that joy may fill your soul.

With great love from,

The Stake Relief Society Presidency

Sister Patricia Young

Sister Leilani Parker
Sister Sandy Garrard
Sister Betsy McCreary

October 2014 Presidency Message

When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He showed us the way we should live. Sister Eliza R. Snow, the 2^nd Relief Society General President, said: “He marked the path and led the way. He showed us how to minister – how to watch over and strengthen one another. His was a ministry to individuals, one by one. He healed and taught individuals, even spending time with each person in a multitude of 2,500 people, allowing each to receive a personal witness of His divinity.” (3 N 11:14-15; 17: 9, 21)

The Savior calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him. In Relief Society each sister has the opportunity to watch over and strengthen sisters one by one through Visiting Teaching. Sister Julie B. Beck, 15^th Relief Society General President, said: “Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf.”

Sister Elaine L. Jack, 12^th General Relief Society President, said: “In visiting teaching we reach out to each other. Hands often speak as voices can’t. A warm embrace conveys volumes. A laugh together unites us. A moment of sharing refreshes our souls. We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift her so she can bear it well.”

It is our prayer that we will pledge an increased commitment to extend our arms of love and compassion to bless, help, and strengthen each other as we go about doing our visiting teaching with a willing and joyful heart.

With great love from,

The Stake Relief Society Presidency

Sister Patricia Young
Sister Leilani Parker
Sister Sandy Garrard
Sister Betsy McCreary

Message for August 2014

—Written on August 12, 2014

The other day my husband, Lauri, and I were at Deseret Book picking up some scriptures we had engraved for our granddaughter for her birthday. At the checkout stand we made one of those "impulse" purchases. It was a CD of the BYU Men's Chorus singing missionary hymns called, "Set Apart" and it was only $3.00! Wow! What a bargain! 

Last night we drove to Bountiful to visit my widowed mother–in–law for her birthday and we played it coming back home. It was wonderful! But one of the songs really hit a "note" of truth with me. It was the hymn by Carrie Rounsefell (music) and Mary Brown (lyrics) "I'll Go Where You Want me to Go." Lauri and I are planning to go on a mission for the Church when I retire in a couple of years, but the words of that hymn made me reflect on what President Boyd has said recently in a Ward Conference I attended. He said that every day he prays to Heavenly Father and asks Him for that day what His "will" is for him. He wants to do the Father's will–wherever that might direct him and in whatever path that might take him. And the hymn, "I'll Go Where You Want me to Go," reflects that admonition. Isn’t that what we all should be doing when we get on our knees, pray to Heavenly Father, and then go about our daily activities–not just when we are on an "official" mission for the Church, but in our everyday lives?

The words of the hymn say: "But if, by a still, small voice he calls, To paths that I do not know, I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: I'll go where you want me to go." And then in the chorus it says: "I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord; I'll be what you want me to be."

One of the interesting things to me about that verse of the hymn are the words "I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine." How comforting those words are and how true!  We never do anything righteous and of His will without Him being right there by our side–holding our hands and guiding our paths. That makes the words of the final verse even more special, "So trusting my all to thy tender care, And knowing thou lovest me, I'll do thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be.”

Let's all try to do His will with a "heart sincere" knowing that He will be right by our sides, guiding and directing us for good not only for ourselves but for others as well.

I bear you my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I feel privileged to be a member of His Kingdom here on the earth.

With great love from,
Betsy McCreary,
Lehi Stake R.S. Presidency, Secretary

Clothing Exchange will be held at the Lehi Stake Center

Church Blessings of Living in the Computer Age

Have you noticed lately how “hastening the work” has been encouraged by the use of computers? It is amazing to watch. I can think of several big things that the average member does differently now than we did even two or three years ago.

1. We read our church magazines on line. It is amazing how much we can read during moments of down–time. We have more freedom to partake wherever we are, whenever we have a few minutes to spare. Conference talks from years ago are stored in memory on the church web site, so we can refer to earlier discourses that we particularly enjoyed in the past. We have more resources to study and they are so easily accessed at home on our laptops or iPads or smart phones. Entire libraries are at our fingertips, literally!
2. And not just church magazines—ditto for our standard works! So much easier to pack our tote bags for meetings with one computer device! They follow us around all day long. Hurray!
3. The worldwide training is now online. Last year when we were first called to the stake Relief Society presidency we enjoyed going to the tabernacle to watch our general leadership present training in person. It was a great experience to sit in that historic balcony and simmer in the spirit of shared testimonies from such outstanding leaders. This March there were no live meetings but we were directed to our computers and can watch and re–watch Sister Burton, Elder Ballard, and all the auxiliary presidents as they teach us how to teach and how to learn. It is nice to hit the replay button if we miss a word or two or if we need to copy the interesting material, thought and questions for later pondering. We are directed to share this information and discuss it in our councils and presidency meetings. That way we still feel the shared spirit from others. We no longer have travel time to worry about or traffic jams and road stress! And this training is open for everyone in the church—we are all leaders.
4. Family history has never been easier. Do you remember the days of submitting names through the mail for temple work? It took months to research even one name, waiting patiently for vital records to arrive back from court houses and relatives. Now there are lots of computer sites you can use to get the information you need for submissions. The newest and best is www.puzilla.org. Not very many people are aware of it, and we would encourage you to “fiddle around” there (as President Bruce Webb used to say). This site is a church site with lots of bonuses! It is connected to Family Tree, and as you enter your own name in the site and sign on, it calculates your descendants for as many generations as you desire, filling the screen with a growing “flower” with the blossoms becoming each ancestor in your tree. As you click on any ancestor, then you have the choice to see that ancestor “in the tree” (their personal data), the descendants of that person, or their ancestors. By clicking on the descendants of your great–great–great grandfather, for example, it shows not only YOU but all of your cousins—the children, grandchildren, great–greats, etc of that ancestor. It also reveals the gaps in your work and leads you to do the temple work where it is needed. It even has a link for research helps that will allow you to view birth certificates, military records, death and marriage records, census records, etc. This website has saved innumerable hours in names submission, because at this site (linked to Family Tree) you submit and then print off the paperwork to take directly to the temple to do the saving ordinances for your relatives. There is even a great tutorial here! 

It is true that we live in an incredible age and we are so grateful for the way our leaders have embraced the technology of the computer to help us. Let us all abandon our fears when dealing with this new world and freely participate with joy!

With great love from,

your Stake Relief Society Presidency

Happy Pioneer Day!

My Heart Sings

  In response to the advise of doctors and health experts, I spend hours training and exercising to keep my heart healthy and strong. And as expected, my heart has strengthened over the years and my efforts seem to have paid off. It is a great feeling to be able to run up a flight of stairs without standing there drooling and panting like an overheated sheepdog. Fitness helps me to lessen the stress and strife that life chucks at me.

 But, you know, I have found there are many challenges, which cannot be fixed with a few barbell lifts. There are those unseen struggles and questions that lurk like thieves in the chilly caverns of my soul and they insist on popping up like weeds on a sunny day. How do I rip those up and build spiritual strength to block their effect? Ah, there’s the rub.

 It must be something both effective and quick. The answer was easy. Hymns. Their message is scripture carried effortlessly into the soul with soothing sounds. Music speaks gently and opens the heart to the spirit. Sing at church, sing in your car, sing at home. You will be amazed at the change in your heart and mind. Think that you cannot sing. Think again. No one says you have to be Whitney Houston to obtain every benefit the hymns offer. If nothing else, try singing in the shower. It will lift up your day. And, if your kids think you have lost your mind, maybe just maybe, they will make you a chocolate cake. Worth it, no?

with love,

The Stake Relief Society Presidency

"Through Relief Society [and Visiting Teaching], we practice being disciples of Christ. We learn what He would have us learn, we do what He would have us do, and we become what He would have us become."   

— Sister Julie B. Beck

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day, a day filled with mixed emotions by those whom the day is supposed to honor and celebrate. The subject of motherhood is a very tender one and may evoke a large range of feelings from joy (for those first time mothers), gratefulness (for all that our mothers have done for us), guilt (for those with older children because we don’t think we have done enough or done it right), or heartache (for those who may not have yet had the opportunity to have a child.)

Instead, let us as woman toss the emotions listed above aside and instead look at the doctrine of motherhood as has been taught by the Prophets.

In her booklet, Are We Not All Mothers?, Sister Sheri Dew she reminds us that “When we understand the magnitude of motherhood, it becomes clear why prophets have been so protective of woman’s most sacred and divinely appointed role. While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity and to, in effect, limit it to that definition, in the Lord’s language the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words or titles they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” (Moses 4:26) – and they did so  before she ever bore a child. “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living; for thus have I, the Lord God, called the first of all women, which are many” (Moses 4:26).

“Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly and definitely that. It is the essence of who we are as women. Motherhood defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits, talents, and tendencies with which our Father endowed us.” (Dew, 5)

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated that “God planted within women something divine” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 387). That something is the gift of and the gifts associated with motherhood. Elder Matthew Cowley of the Quorum of the Twelve taught that “men have to have something given to them [in mortality] to make them saviors of men, but not mother’s, not women. [They] are born with an inherent right, an inherent authority, to be the saviors of human souls…and the regenerating force in the lives of God’s children.” (Matthew Cowley Speaks, 109)

“Motherhood is not what was left over after our Father blessed His sons with the privilege of priesthood ordination. It was the most ennobling endowment He could give His daughters, a sacred trust that gave woman an unparalleled role in helping His children keep their second estate.” (Dew, 6) As President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., declared, motherhood is “as divinely called, as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself.” (Our Wives and Our Mothers in the Eternal Plan, 801)

Sisters, our Father-in-Heaven and His Only Begotten Son have given us a sacred stewardship. Let us rejoice in our divine role of motherhood. May I invite you to look around to see who may need your nurturing touch, your loving support, and your gospel centered influence. In the process we will find joy for as Elder John A. Widtsoe declared, “Where women choose to magnify their motherhood, either direct or vicarious, progress and happiness is the sure result.” (Priesthood and Church Government, 90)

Love,

The Stake Relief Society Presidency

Mother's Day

General Women's Meeting

Provident Living

Dear Sisters,

I will begin by introducing myself. My name is Renee Kocherhans and my family (consisting of myself, my husband, and our 2 crazy-wonderful boys) has lived here in Lehi for just over 6 years. I recently was called to be the Stake Provident Living Specialist. I am lucky enough to reside within the 1^st Ward boundaries (where I have the chance to associate with many provident-minded people from whom I have learned much). As part of this assignment I was asked to contribute to our blog and I must admit that after having had the opportunity to attend numerous well-planned, informational provident living meetings, I don’t know that I have much to add that will seem useful to many of you who are obviously far more qualified than I am to hold such a position. Please bear with me as I try to discern what Heavenly Father expects and requires of me in this position. Also, please don’t be afraid to approach me if you have ideas or suggestions.

Not long after I was set apart I attended a Women’s Conference at another stake where we had the opportunity to hear from Sister Burton, the current Relief Society General President. As she spoke to us she challenged us that when we left the conference -- rather than feeling overwhelmed by all we have “yet to do” -- to go home and pick one thing on which we would concentrate our efforts. I had already been reading a book by Wendy Ulrich that also discussed goal setting. Both of these sisters mentioned specific parts of S.M.A.R.T goal setting. The SMART system involves establishing specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-targeted goals. When I left the conference I decided to come home and reevaluate some of the goals I have been “working on” (you may be wondering what this has to do with provident living and I promise I’ll “get there”).

In all honesty, at the beginning of this year I didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions, at least not any new ones. Instead, I decided just to reuse a previous year’s list. Not because I had failed miserably but because they still applied and I have yet to “conquer” or “finish” them. I decided that I would rework my list to make my goals SMART-er and hopefully therefore also more attainable. I decided that 3 of my goals fall into the “Provident Living” category and I will share those with you in their original context and in their original order…

1) Expand food storage (Minimum 1 trip a month to Cannery)
2) Expand Emergency Preparedness knowledge, skills, and items
3) Find/Make more time for daily personal prayer and scripture study

You will notice that with the exception of the first which includes one “measurable” aspect that these are fairly vague/generalized goals without any real way to determine if I have “succeeded” which is why I could just pick up where I left off last year. You may also be wondering how I decided that the third goal applies to Provident Living. In a talk given by President Henry B. Eyring, he said, “But there is another even more important preparation we must make for tests that are certain to come to each of us. That preparation must be started far in advance because it
takes time. What we will need then can’t be bought. It can’t be borrowed. It doesn’t store well. And it has to be have been used regularly and recently… What we will need in our day of testing is a spiritual preparation.” With that and my desire to set SMART-er goals in mind I decided to start small as Sister Burton suggested. I determined that the very first thing I must do in order to even set the goals is to take inventory of what I/we already have so that I can more accurately determine what I/we need. Although this applies to each goal individually once again, I will start small. This month I will focus on taking an accurate/honest inventory of where I’m at (spiritually and in regards to my family’s food storage and emergency preparedness) which in turn will help me determine where I need to go and how I plan to get there. This will enable me to set more specific, measurable goals. I encourage each of you to consider your own individual or family’s needs in regard to provident living and then take inventory. These are some of the questions I have begun compiling as I prepare to conduct my personal inventory. Consider these and feel free to add others as you feel they are appropriate…

Basic Spiritual Provident Living Inventory Questions:
Am I saying my individual prayers (at minimum both morning and night)?
Am I reading from the scriptures daily?
Am I fulfilling my responsibilities at home?
Am I following the Word of Wisdom?
Am I obeying the commandments?
Am I attending my church meetings?
Am I fulfilling my callings to the best of my ability?
Am I paying a full-tithe and generous offerings?
Am I living my life in such a way that the Holy Ghost is my constant companion?
Am I attending the temple regularly? If not, do I have a current temple recommend? If not, what must I do to obtain/renew one?

Basic Food Storage Inventory Questions:
Do I have food storage? If so, what do I have (consider how you will inventory, ie. # of cans, weight of food stored, # of servings)? How long is its shelf life?
Do I know if my family will eat it?
Do I have a way to prepare the food I’ve stored in the event of an emergency?
Do I have water?

Basic Emergency Preparedness Questions:
Do I have a 72 hr kit? If so, when was it last updated?
Do I have a first aid kit? If so, when was it last updated? Do I know how to use the items it contains?
Do I have a “plan?” If so, when was it last updated?

As we each inventory our preparedness we will be able to more efficiently move to the next logical step in our attempts to become more provident and prepared which is to set SMART goals. Every individual/family will not have identical goals. What may be possible or necessary for some will not be for others but as long as we are trying to live more providently we will have more opportunities to feel the peace and calm that come with being “prepared.”

It is my hope that we can all live more providently and I hope you will choose to join me in my efforts to do so.

With Love,


Renee Kocherhans

February Stake Relief Society Newsletter

As I have been reflecting on our play, “The Eternal Legacy of Relief Society,” my thoughts have continued to be filled with deep gratitude for everyone in our stake who helped or supported us in this endeavor. We all felt so blessed and filled with the Spirit throughout that night, and we also felt that this was what our Heavenly Father wanted to have happen. 

Since that evening, I have thought about all of the things I am thankful for that Relief Society teaches me…such as: We ARE beloved daughters of our Heavenly Father and He DOES love us and watch over us. He has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost, scriptures, prophets, temples, the ability to communicate to Him through prayer, opportunities to serve and to learn and grow. He has given us this incredible organization of Relief Society and opportunities to grow in our sisterhood if we so choose. He has given us the blessings of the priesthood, and family, friends and neighbors to watch over and care for…
What it all comes down to is this: 

What will I do in my life to show my love and gratitude to 

Heavenly Father for everything He has given me? 

When Elder Jeffery R. Holland spoke in General Conference, he reminded us about how the Savior asked Peter several times, “Do you love me?” Peter answered on the third time, “Lord…thou knowest that I love thee.” Elder Holland in his own words describes what he felt the Savior was trying to say when he said, “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore by these same nets, having this same conversation?

Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? 

What I need, Peter, are disciples – and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do….Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach, labor and serve…loyally.” 

In my mind, I can hear the Savior speaking to each of us Relief Society sisters…

’what I need is for each of you to feed my sheep and to save lambs… to teach,
labor and to serve… loyally through this great organization of Relief Society.’ 

And so, what I have learned from Relief Society, and will continue to learn is just what Sister Nicki Hunter’s message was in our play…it really is all about Love! It is all about that first and great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.”
And then to remember that if we love Him we will keep His commandments…
if we love Him, we will love and serve one another.

As a stake Relief Society, we want you to know of our love for you and how blessed we have felt to have this opportunity to serve you and to serve with you in this great organization of Relief Society!  May our Heavenly Father bless each of you in your lives.

With much love, 

Lisa, Barbara, Jocelyn, Kay

RELIEF SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2013

  It is hard to believe that we are starting another year!  We hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas Season with your families and we wish you the best in this New Year.  Your service and efforts don’t go unnoticed and we appreciate all that you do.

This month, in January we will be visiting the 2^nd  ward for their ward conference, as we will with all of you through the year.  When your conference is scheduled you won’t have to worry about a lesson, our Stake Presidency will teach on those Sundays.  We always enjoy hearing from them and we look forward to having them in our meetings.  How grateful we are for their Priesthood and leadership.

We hope that each ward is striving to use the manual, Daughters In My Kingdom, in your teaching opportunities.  You can just quote or read a little from it in your lessons, it seems like no matter what your subject is, you can find an experience or a teaching on the subject you prepare.

We as a stake will be coming to each of your Relief Societies this month to tell your sisters about our play to celebrate the 170 years of Relief Society.  We will also be bringing you invitations to give to the sisters.  We will be coming to your wards on the 13^th and will only take a few moments of your class time.  A lot of hard work and inspiration has been put in this production by many people and we hope that you will stress the importance of attending to those in your ward.  We feel that your time will be well spent for coming.

   

   

CALENDAR:

    Jan. 20^th        2^nd Ward Conference

   

Jan. 26^th       “THE ETERNAL LEGACY OF RELIEF  SOCIETY” 

                                  A Play Celebrating 170 years of Relief  Society.

                                    

“We are ordinary women accomplishing extraordinary things

through faith in Jesus Christ. This is our Eternal Legacy”  

We feel that each of you are ordinary sisters accomplishing extraordinary things through the small and special things you do in your wards.

We Love You All,

             Lisa, Barbara, Jocelyn, Kay

Stake Women’s Conference

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Curtain time - 6:00 pm

“The Eternal Legacy of Relief Society”

We are excited to extend to each sister within our stake, a personal invitation to join with us as we celebrate on stage…

The Eternal Legacy of Relief Society!

The time is  “quickly at hand,” only seven weeks until our production will be presented on stage at the Lehi Stake Center.

The last few months have found many women spending countless hours memorizing lines, practicing instruments, rehearsing songs, researching the lives of the women they will be portraying, attending rehearsals, preparing props, working on sound and lighting, etc. etc. etc  

We are hoping that everyone will use this play as a missionary tool and as a great learning experience about Relief Society and the great roll that we as women play in our Father in Heavens Kingdom. 

Please invite your neighbors, friends, and everyone you know that would benefit from learning more about God’s plan for His daughters in Relief Society, to join with you this coming January.

A child was born ......

Two thousand years ago, in the tiny city of Bethlehem, the event that would forever change the world unfolded quietly in the most humble of circumstances.  In all of history, Christ’s birth was unique.  Similarly, of all the holidays we celebrate, nothing can compare to the holiday that celebrates His Birth

Holly and pine boughs, candles and ornaments, peace, love, and tradition all remind us of the ties that bind us to each other and to our Savior.  Because of Christ’s divine birth, family ties can literally become eternal.

May our families feel loved this year, more because of our presence not simply because of our presents.

Merry Christmas.

With great love and admiration,  Lisa, Barbara, Jocelyn, Kay

May we all be thankful for our many blessings.

Relief Society Newletter

November 2012

At this Thanksgiving time we all need to make sure that we take time to stop and make a list of all the things we are grateful for…a gratitude list and then share it with family and friends. I know of a family that always goes around the dinner table before they eat that wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and have everyone express their gratitude for the blessings of the past year. What a wonderful tradition. We as a Presidency would hope that we don’t get so caught up in the busyness of the day that we don’t take time to reflect on the blessings that we have been given.

“This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth,” said President Monson. He went on to say, “Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help and children who obey.”

“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love,” President Monson said. Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful, if we but pause and contemplate our blessings.

May we ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give Him the divine Gift of gratitude.

May each of you and your families enjoy this wonderful holiday season by giving thanks for all that has been given to each of us.

Much Love,                                                                                                                         
Lisa, Barbara, Jocelyn, Kay