April 29th Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?
5th Sunday was combined with RS and Elders Quorum.  A new Elders Quorum Presidency was sustained by the brothren....
President - Dave South
1st Counselor - Clyde Witham
2nd Counselor - Brent Slade
Secretary - David Wright

Bishop then discussed ministering.  As you might have guessed we'll be discussing much more about ministering now and in the future as we learn to minister the way the Savior did.  It will also be our 4th Sunday topic for the next 6 months covering different aspects of it.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Frequently asked Questions (If you haven't already read through them.)
• Ministering is a step up, the next level on our covenant pathway.
• Build sincere, loving relationships with those you minister to.
• Pray for your sisters by name and be specific to their needs.  Learn their needs by getting to really know them.
• As you pray for your sisters listen for revelation in how you can minister to them.
• Each sister has different needs unique to them. You will come to know what those needs are as you truly minister as our Savior did.
• Learn how our Savior ministered by reading in 3 Nephi.  Go to topical guide and look up ministering and go to the scriptures listed in 3 Nephi.

Council Action for March and April
This Sunday is our May council - what experiences have you had with our last council action? Please consider sharing an experience this Sunday.
Everyone: Build a stronger relationship with your Father in Heaven.
Personalize it: Choose one thing that you need to work on to become closer to Heavenly Father.
Examples: attend the temple more often, spend more time in the scriptures, have more meaningful prayers, read and reread your patriarchal blessing, study conference talks, use positive talk about yourself, etc.

Sunday's Council or Discussion

May 6th - Council led by Yvonne on How do promptings of the Holy Ghost strengthen our faith?
Question to ponder for the council:  How does the Holy Ghost guide you through what the Apostle Paul called the "perilous times" in which we now live?

Upcoming Lessons in May
May 13th - Mother's Day Celebration and treats with ALL Sisters 

May 20th - "Small and simple things" by Dallin H. Oaks (Julie Petersen)
May 27th - What does it mean to minister?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

May 2nd - Kimberley Miller
May 3rd - Tris Martin

Ministering to the Sisters  

If you didn't get a chance to read about ministering and watch the videos go to the Ministering Website.

"When we engage in service to others we think less about ourselves, and the Holy Ghost can more readily come to us and help."  -Henry B. Eyring 

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way."  -President Nelson

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

May10th @7pm

Latin Night - Come learn about some Latin customs and bring a sampler of your favorite Latin dish to share.

Babysitting will be provided.

Prayers for....
Tris Martin is recovering from gallbladder surgery and pancreatitis.  Please continue to pray for a quick recovery.

Do you know of anyone in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities
Pray for guidance for those within our ward you can serve and then act upon those promptings.

Pray for opportunities to show kindness each day.

Just Serve

Good News

Please share with us any good news you have - we can all use a bright spot in our week!

LDS Tools Info

Posting a picture to your LDS account is so easy!  We currently have 30 sisters that have a picture and 93 that don't.  If you have not yet done this follow these instructions.

Institute Class

Every Tuesday Morning

10:00am - 11:15am

Tanner Lane Stake Center in RS room (use south entrance)

Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel

Taught by Betsy Jones and Sue Spencer

No babysitting

All sisters welcomed!

Uplifting Comments Welcomed and Encouraged!

April 22nd Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?
The Voice of the Lord by Neil L. Anderson discussion led by Dottie Thayn 

Words of the Lord and revelation through our prophets should be a part of our lives.

Elder Oaks delivered an address in Uganda while Brother and Sister Thayn were serving their mission there.  He was very specific in his remarks to the African Saints regarding the "evil traditions of their fathers" and encouraged them to establish the "traditions" of the culture of Christ in their lives.  Some were very grateful for his instruction but many were not ok with what Elder Oaks had said.  Some of their responses were, "Well, the brethern don't live in Africa, they don't understand us and our culture."  And, "What was said really doesn't apply to our situation, things are different for us."

Have we ever felt this way in regards to what the prophet and apostles have taught us?  Do we only hear what we want to hear and disregard the things we don't want to apply to our lives?  Often times our rebellion keeps us from some of the gospel blessings.  If we question what is being taught, we should pray for revelation to know if these things are true.

D&C 1:38  What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken.....whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

Our prophets and apostles teach us what we need to know.  We have a living prophet today to that guides us and instructs us for what we need to do today!

Regarding the Book of Mormon, Elder Anderson quoted President Nelson, "I promise you that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day..."

Elder Hales last words that were shared by Elder Anderson, "When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God.  Our faith prepares us to be in the presences of the Lord."

Elder Anderson concluded by saying, "I promise that as you hear the voice of the Lord to you (through his servants) in the teachings of general conference, and then act on those promptings, you will feel heaven's hand upon you and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed."

Council Action for March and April
Less than 2 weeks until our next council - have you had an experience you are willing to share?
Everyone: Build a stronger relationship with your Father in Heaven.
Personalize it: Choose one thing that you need to work on to become closer to Heavenly Father.
Examples: attend the temple more often, spend more time in the scriptures, have more meaningful prayers, read and reread your patriarchal blessing, study conference talks, use positive talk about yourself, etc.

Sunday's Council or Discussion

April 29th - 5th Sunday discussion on ministering combined with Elders Quorum 

Upcoming Lessons in May
May 6th - Council led by Yvonne on How do promptings of the Holy Ghost strengthen our faith?

May13th - Mother's Day Celebration and treats with ALL Sisters 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
April 24th - Savannah Phillips

April 25th - Kirsten Novilla

April 25th - Melanie Williamson

Ministering to the Sisters  

If you didn't get a chance to read about ministering and watch the videos go to the Ministering Website.

What are the needs of those you minister to?

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way."  -President Nelson

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

May10th @7pm

Latin Night - Come learn about some Latin customs and bring a sampler of your favorite Latin dish to share.

Babysitting will be provided.

Prayers for....
Do you know of anyone in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities
Pray for guidance for those within our ward you can serve and then act upon those promptings.

Pray for opportunities to show kindness each day.

Just Serve

Good News

Please share with us any good news you have - we can all use a bright spot in our week!

LDS Tools Info

Posting a picture to your LDS account is so easy!  We currently have 30 sisters that have a picture and 93 that don't.  If you have not yet done this follow these instructions.

Institute Class

Every Tuesday Morning

10:00am - 11:15am

Tanner Lane Stake Center in RS room (use south entrance)

Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel

Taught by Betsy Jones and Sue Spencer

No babysitting

All sisters welcomed!

Uplifting Comments Welcomed and Encouraged!

April 15th Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?
In our RS discussion on Sunday our Topic was on The Book of Mormon: What would your life be like without it? By Russell M. Nelsen now president of the church. Taught by Tiffany Sorensen and the Laurels.

President Nelson was invited to give a special lecture in Accra Ghana to some dignitaries. One among them was an African tribal king. "The king spoke to me only through his linguist, who then translated for me. I responded to the linguist, and the linguist then translated my responses to the king."

After President Nelson's lecture, the Tribal king made his way to him and asked in perfect English, “What can you teach me about Jesus Christ?" He then asked the King, "What do you know about Jesus?" He responded that he was a serious believer in the bible and loved Him.

As president Nelson opened the Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 11, The king became astonished. He said, “You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sisters, what would you choose, really choose, diamond and rubies or the Book of Mormon? In what ways can we cherish this book over rubies and diamonds? We can learn more about our loving Savior and Heavenly Father in the Book of Mormon and build our relationships with them as we study it.

What would you not know or not have without the book of Mormon? We had the opportunity to hear from our sweet Laurels about the time they took the challenge to read the book of Mormon in 13 hours. These were some of their responses: "It strengthened my testimony." "I wouldn’t be able to understand God and have a relationship with Him." They found that while listening to each other read, even without looking for specific teachings, the spirit was still so strong that their testimonies were strengthened as they became more converted to this wonderful book.

What other revelations can we receive from reading the Book of Mormon? Some of the sister’s responses were, that our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ are tangible beings, it gives us purpose, principles to live by and answers to questions that we have. We are promised that if we faithfully read the Book of Mormon we will never fall away. 

Ask yourself.... what is the Book of Mormon to you? Some but not all answers might be, light, truth, comfort, prophecy to us today, and protection. It is a witness of Jesus Christ along with the Bible. It helps us understand more plainly His teachings.

Council Action for March and April
Less than 3 weeks until our next council - have you had an experience you are willing to share?
Everyone: Build a stronger relationship with your Father in Heaven.
Personalize it: Choose one thing that you need to work on to become closer to Heavenly Father.
Examples: attend the temple more often, spend more time in the scriptures, have more meaningful prayers, read and reread your patriarchal blessing, study conference talks, use positive talk about yourself, etc.

Sunday's Council or Discussion

April 22nd - The Voice of the Lord by Neil L. Anderson discussion led by Dottie Thayn 
Questions to Ponder for Sunday's lesson: 

In what ways has our recent General Conference influenced you in your daily living - because something said seemed to be just for you?

How has the study of the Book of Mormon immunized you to live in the world, but not be of the world?

What strength do you find in the Proclamation to the Family?

Does your faith in God and in His Son become strengthened because you "Listened to a Prophet's Voice"?

Upcoming Lessons in April 
April 29th - 5th Sunday discussion combined with Elders Quorum 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
April 16th - Scarlett Graham - graduating to RS soon...welcome!

April 19th - Kasey Huggans

April 20th - Brooke Mickelsen

Ministering to the Sisters  
What is ministering?  As found on lds.org under ministering....

The Savior showed by example what it means to minister as he served out of love for His Father and for each person.  He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him, inviting all to follow Him.  As Church members minister, they prayerfully seek to serve as He would - to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort," "watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them," "visit the house of each member, and help each become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

As members minister, they determine through communication and inspiration the frequency and type of contact they have with those to whom they give care.  They counsel with and render an account to their leaders at least once a quarter regarding their service and the needs and strengths of those for whom they have been invited to care.  Leaders report these ministering interviews each quarter; they no longer report the number of visits or contacts made to individuals and families.  In addition, through a priesthood link to each member, ministering brothers and sisters form a communication network leaders may use in a time of danger or emergency.

This is only one question/answer.  Please click this link to Ministering to read all question and answers.  While you are welcomed to read through all of the Q&As, please read specifically Q&As 9-20.  To learn more through watching videos click here. 

If you don't have time to read through Q&As right now but you are wondering how to proceed....just keep watching over the sisters you minister to (previously known as the sisters you visit and teach.)  No changes have been made as of yet.  If changes are made you will be contacted by a member of the RS presidency.  And then please, when you have time, go read through the Q&As as doing so will help you understand more clearly what is expected.

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way."  -President Nelson

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

Our next Activity is on May 10th. More info to come.

Thanks to all who attended April's RS Activity. It was a fun time!

Prayers for....
Thank you to everyone who has recently helped care for the Hartleys as well as helping with the luncheon in all capacities. Brother Hartley's funeral was a beautiful tribute to him. Please continue to pray for Linda as she adjusts to this new chapter in her life and follow any promptings in reaching out to her in the weeks and months ahead.

Do you know of anyone else in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Thank You and Welcome

We want to send out a VERY BIG THANK YOU and a job well done to Roberta Sherman as our visiting teaching coordinator and Tammy Ballard as our RS activities coordinator!

We are excited to have Julie Peterson as a RS instructor, Tris Martin as RS activities coordinator and Melanie Kehl on the RS activities committee!

Service Opportunities
Pray for guidance for those within our ward you can serve and then act upon those promptings.

Pray for opportunities to show kindness each day.

Just Serve

Good News

Please share with us any good news you have - we can all use a bright spot in our week!

LDS Tools Info

Posting a picture to your LDS account is so easy!  We currently have 30 sisters that have a picture and 93 that don't.  If you have not yet done this follow these instructions.

Institute Class

Every Tuesday Morning

10:00am - 11:15am

Tanner Lane Stake Center in RS room (use south entrance)

Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel

Taught by Betsy Jones and Sue Spencer

No babysitting

All sisters welcomed!

Uplifting Comments Welcomed and Encouraged!

April 8th Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?
What another amazing weekend with uplifting messages from our Stake Presidency and Elder Norman Nemrow as well as others.

Take time to review the notes you took for your own personal revelation. What spiritual goals do you have for yourself and for your family? What can you do moving forward to go to the next level of faith?

We should think more about our eternal future. We have a glorious future! Never give up and keep loving and getting to know our Savior.

How can we get to know our Savior on a deeper level? Read this Blog Post from President Nelson from a little over a year ago and accept the challenge to do the same.

Council Action for March and April
How are you doing?
Everyone: Build a stronger relationship with your Father in Heaven.
Personalize it: Choose one thing that you need to work on to become closer to Heavenly Father.
Examples: attend the temple more often, spend more time in the scriptures, have more meaningful prayers, read and reread your patriarchal blessing, study conference talks, use positive talk about yourself, etc.

Sunday's Council or Discussion

April 15th - The Book of Mormon:  What would your life be without it? by Russell M. Nelson discussion led by the laurels and their leaders

Upcoming Lessons in April 
April 22nd - The Voice of the Lord by Neil L. Anderson discussion led by Dottie Thayn

April 29th - 5th Sunday combined with Elders Quorum discussion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
April 9th - Taylor Jaussi

April 12th - Linda Bright

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars
THIS THURSDAY
April 12th - RS Activity meet at church at 6:30pmPrivate tour of BYU Museum of Art Exhibitions:
M.C.Escher - Other Worlds
Tiffany Glass - Painting with Color and Light
Aundrea Frahm - We Revolve Ceaseless

March 17th through April 28th Jordan River Temple Open House 

Reserve tickets now.

Ministering to the Sisters  
Continue to minister to the sisters you have been.  You will be notified of any changes if any.

Ministering means loving as the Savior loves.

President Nelson announced at General Conference:  "For months we have been seeking a better way to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of our people in the Savior's way. We have made the decision to retire 'home teaching' and 'visiting teaching' as we have known them.  Instead, we will implement a newer, holier approach to caring and ministering to others.  We will refer to these efforts simply as 'ministering'.  

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way." 

To learn more visit:  Ministering

Prayers for....
I asked Linda what we could pray for specifically for them. She said: Pray that Brother Hartley can pass peacefully and that she and her family will be strengthened in the Gospel. They appreciate all of the love and concern from all of you and feel strengthened by your prayers.

Do you know of anyone else in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities
Pray for guidance for those within our ward you can serve and then act upon those promptings.

Pray for opportunities to show kindness each day.

Just Serve

Good News

Please share with us any good news you have - we can all use a bright spot in our week!

LDS Tools Info

Is your info in LDS Tools up to date?  Do you have a current picture of you, your family and/or both?

Institute Class

Every Tuesday Morning

10:00am - 11:15am

Tanner Lane Stake Center in RS room (use south entrance)

Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel

Taught by Betsy Jones and Sue Spencer

No babysitting

All sisters welcomed!

Uplifting Comments Welcomed and Encouraged!

April 1st Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?
How to summarize conference in one word...WOW!  Yes, there were a lot of changes made but if you put that aside, what inspiration and revelation did you receive for yourself and for your family?  While I could share my thoughts, I think it is more important for you to reflect on your own thoughts and what the spirit taught you.

We challenge you to write down your thoughts and things said that stood out to you.  We challenge you to go back and listen and read the talks. Study them. Take the words of our church leaders and apply them in your life.

What a blessing it is to have Prophets and Apostles living on this earth today to give us the guidance and direction we need in these latter days.

Council Action for March (and April)
Everyone: Build a stronger relationship with your Father in Heaven.
Personalize it: Choose one thing that you need to work on to become closer to Heavenly Father.
Examples: attend the temple more often, spend more time in the scriptures, have more meaningful prayers, read and reread your patriarchal blessing, study conference talks, use positive talk about yourself, etc.

Sunday's Council or Discussion

April 7th (Saturday) Adult session of Stake Conference 6:00pm Stake Center

April 8th - Stake Conference 10:00am attend in our chapel

Upcoming Lessons in April
April 15th - The Book of Mormon:  What would your life be without it? by Russell M. Nelson

April 22nd - The Voice of the Lord by Neil L. Anderson

April 29th - 5th Sunday combined discussion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
April 3rd - Heather Cannon

April 4th - Judy Dunston

April 5th - Janel Tuckett

April 7th - Lisa Putnam

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars
April 12th - RS Activity meet at church at 6:30pm
Private tour of BYU Museum of Art Exhibitions:
M.C.Escher - Other Worlds
Tiffany Glass - Painting with Color and Light
Aundrea Frahm - We Revolve Ceaseless

March 17th through April 28th Jordan River Temple Open House 

Reserve tickets now.

April 7th & 8th - Stake Conference - see more info above

Ministering to the Sisters  
President Nelson announced at Sunday afternoon conference session:  "For months we have been seeking a better way to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of our people in the Savior's way. We have made the decision to retire 'home teaching' and 'visiting teaching' as we have known them.  Instead, we will implement a newer, holier approach to caring and ministering to others.  We will refer to these efforts simply as 'ministering'.  

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way." 

To learn more visit:  Ministering

Prayers for....
Continue to pray for Bill and Linda Hartley. They appreciate all of the love and concern and prayers in their behalf at this time.

Do you know of anyone else in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities

From our Stake Relief Society...

(click to enlarge)

Pray for guidance for those within our ward you can serve and then act upon those promptings.

Good News

Please share with us any good news you have - we can all use a bright spot in our week!

LDS Tools Info

Is your info in LDS Tools up to date?  Do you have a current picture of you, your family and/or both?

Institute Class

Every Tuesday Morning

10:00am - 11:15am

Tanner Lane Stake Center in RS room (use south entrance)

Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel

Taught by Betsy Jones and Sue Spencer

No babysitting

All sisters welcomed!

Comments Welcomed

Uplifting comments encouraged!