Relief Society Lesson - 12/26/10

This Relief Society Lesson was taken from 3 General Conference talks from the October 2010 General Conference.

"Faith - The Choice is Yours" - Bishop Richard C. Edgley
"Because of Your Faith" - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" - Elder Richard G. Scott

Relief Society Lesson - 12/19/10

This lesson was taken from the Gospel Principles Manual Ch 22 "The Gifts of the Spirit"

Relief Society Lesson - 12/12/10

This lesson was given from the Gospel Principles Manual #21 "The Gift of the Holy Ghost"

Enjoy!

Relief Society Lesson - 12/5/10

This Relief Society Lesson was taken from the Ensign, Feb 1994 talk "Know He is There" by Elder Marvin J. Ashton

Relief Society Lesson - 11/28/10

This lesson was based on the talk "Courageous Parenting" by Elder Larry R. Lawrence (November 2010 Ensign)

Relief Society Lesson - 11/21/10

The lesson for November 21, 2010 was given from Chapter 20 "Baptism" of the Gospel Principles manual.

Here is a copy of the handout:
Quote: Today, as in the days of Jesus, there are certain principles and ordinances of the gospel that we must learn and obey. A gospel principle is a true belief or teaching. An ordinance is a rite or a ceremony. The first two principles of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel. One of the instructions the Lord gave His Apostles was, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

1. We Must Be Baptized for the Remission of Our Sins
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and are baptized, our sins are forgiven through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

2. We Must Be Baptized to Become Members of the Church of Jesus Christ
“All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized … that … have truly repented of all their sins … shall be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37)

3. We Must Be Baptized before We Can Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost
The Lord said, “If thou wilt turn unto me, and … repent of all thy transgressions [sins], and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, … ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Moses 6:52)

4. We Must Be Baptized to Show Obedience
Jesus Christ was without sin, yet He was baptized. He said His baptism was necessary “to fulfil all righteousness” (Mathew 3:15) The prophet Nephi explained that the Lord told him, “Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do … with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism” (2 Nephi 31:12–13)

5. We Must Be Baptized to Enter the Celestial Kingdom
Jesus said, “Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized … shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned” (3 Nephi 11:33-34)
Baptism is the gateway through which we enter the path to the celestial kingdom (see 2 Nephi 31:17–18)

Mosiah 18: 8-10 And it came to pass that [Alma] said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are to come into the Brotherhood and Sisterhood; of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

Yea, and are to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the resurrection, that ye may have eternal life;

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being "2 Ne. 31: 17; Alma 4: 4." in the Taking the Name of."name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a "Neh. 10: 29; TG Commitment." with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. [emphasis added]

More Precious Than Rubies Podcast

Here is the podcast of the Fireside "More Precious Than Rubies". This was a great fireside, that many of us need to be reminded of periodically. Especially at this time in our lives, and with the way the world has been changing.

In addition, here is one of the videos shared that night regarding magazines and how they influence our perception.

Some statistics that were shared with us that night:

Americans had 11 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2006 - up 7%.

More than half of teenage girls are, or think they should be, on diets. They want to lose some or all of the 40 pounds that females naturally gain between ages 8 and 14. About 3% of these teens go too far, becoming anorexic or bulimic.

The Medical Journal of Psychiatryconducted a general population study on men with eating disorders and found that 2% of men, compared to 4.8% of women, have anorexia or bulimia.

The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds, while the average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.

80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance.

Female athletes are six times more likely to develop eating disorders than other women.

80% of women say that the images of women on television and in movies, fashion magazines, and advertising makes them feel insecure.

42% of girls and first through third grades want to be thinner.

81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.

Without treatment, up to 20% of people with serious eating disorders die. With treatment, that number falls to 2 to 3%.

The average woman spends 2 1/2 years of her life washing, styling, cutting, coloring, cramping, and straightening her hair at home and in the salon.

Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women (Smolak, 1996)

The average American woman is 5 ’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5 ’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds (nationaleatingdisorders.org)

All media images and messages are constructions; they are NOT reflections of reality

Advertisements and other media messages have been carefully crafted with an intent to send a very specific message

To convince you to buy a specific product or service, advertisers will often construct an emotional experience that looks like reality Models Can’t Even Match Up

Majority of images presented in the media have been airbrushed or manipulated Average magazine cover costs $60,000 to produce & 6 months of airbrushing

56% of girls believe models have perfect bodies

40% of girls only see their flaws when they look in the mirror

Teen Ideal- 5’7 and 100 lbs, size 2, blonde hair and blue eyes