2019 Goal

2019 Goal - Strive to have the spirit guide us as we help our families on the covenant path.

Sunday, June 3, 2018

June 3rd Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?
How do we help our youth make technology their servant and not their master? -council led by Valerie

What example as parents and grandparents are we setting for our children and grandchildren when it comes to spending too much time on our phones and or tablets? We have a duty as parents to protect our children, youth, including ourselves to have self-control over what technology will be in our lives… will we let it be our servant or our master?

Some of the responses that were discussed in our RS council were “We can love it and hate it at the time”.

Other comments were that it takes a lot of time out of our day when we can possibly be doing something better with our time. Technology can be used for good in a lot of ways. Just as Bishop Mardesich said when bearing his testimony on Sunday that he received a notification that someone from New Zealand wanted to get in touch with him. He reached out to this person and found out that they were related through their great grandmothers. There are so many good things that we can be doing with technology, and yet there are many things that are addicting and evil with technology.

Statistics are a staggering 93% of boys have looked at pornography, 63% of girls have looked at pornography and 46% look at pornography daily!

What examples are we setting as parents for our children when it comes to spending too much time on our phones or tablets? Ways we can check ourselves. Check how many minutes or hours we choose to be on our devices, find better ways to use our time and teach these things to our children.

In D&C 60:13 Christ said, ….wherefore I give unto them a commandment, thus thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known.

Gospel principles are the same today as they were in the past. We need to build our foundations on these same gospel principles to help us in guiding our children and youth through troubled waters. Prepare our children for the dangers of technology. Let us as parent be a safe place for our children to come to when they come across things that are inappropriate. Make sure we are communicating with our youth. Are we telling them we love them? Are we hugging them? Showing our interest in their accomplishments? Are we listing to them? Are we leading by example?

Some suggestions made from some of the sisters to help us apply an action to our council are, set guide lines or rules for technology that apply to all in the family, encourage our youth to talk with their bishops, take away devices at certain times each day or night, have filters installed on devices to help prevent misuse, have feed back or council with our children on the best ways to avoid the pitfalls of technology, lead by example.

Additional info...
CES talks:

From President Nelson's fireside for the youth:

An informational opinion piece from the Deseret News (was posted to our ward FB page):

Council Action for June
Everyone: Do a self check with the way you use technology.
Personalize it: Be prayerful in knowing what you and your family need to do in regards to technology. In addition to the suggestions given in our council this is a great resource: Safeguards for Using Technology

Sunday's Council or Discussion
June 10th - Young Women in the Work by Bonnie L. Oscarson - Alissa Allen

Upcoming Lessons in June
June 17th - Meek and Lowly of Heart by David A. Bednar  - Julie Peterson
June 24th - The Savior is Our Perfect Example of Ministering

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy UNbirthday to us ALL!!!

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars
June 14th - Summer RS Activity
6:30pm @ Tris Martin's backyard
Bring:  Favorite Summer Salad and Lawn Chair

Come have a fun summer evening being uplifted and inspired by our own sisters Len and Kirsten Novilla.  They will share their beautiful story of their family's conversion to the gospel.  Come be spiritually fed as we feast on salads and visit with friends and neighbors.

There will not be a nursery.  If you need a babysitter that evening contact Tris Martin 801-615-1915

Ministering to the Sisters  


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. … If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit.”

Listening is a skill we can learn. Listening shows our love for others, helps build strong relationships, and invites the Spirit to bless us with the gift of discernment to help us understand others’ needs. Here are five ways we can improve how we listen.

1. Give Them Time
Many people need time to gather their thoughts before speaking. Give them time to think both before and after they say something (see James 1:19). Just because they are finished speaking doesn’t mean they have said everything they need to. Don’t be afraid of silence (see Job 2:11–3:1 and Alma 18:14–16).

2. Pay Attention
We think faster than others speak. Resist the temptation to jump to conclusions or to think ahead to what you’ll say when they’re through (see Proverbs 18:13). Instead, listen with the intent to understand. Your response will be better because it will be informed by greater understanding.

3. Clarify
Don’t be afraid to ask questions that clarify something you didn’t understand (see Mark 9:32). Clarifying reduces misunderstanding and shows your interest in what is being said.

4. Reflect
Paraphrase what you heard and how you understand the other to feel. This helps them know if they have been understood and gives them an opportunity to clarify.

5. Find Common Ground
You might not agree with everything said, but agree with what you can without misrepresenting your own feelings. Being agreeable can help defuse anxiety and defensiveness (see Matthew 5:25). 

President Russell M. Nelson taught that we should “learn to listen, and listen to learn from one another.” As you learn to listen with the intent of learning about others, you will be in a better position to understand their needs and hear promptings about how you can care for those around you as the Savior would.

"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."  

Service Opportunities
Pray for guidance for those within our ward you can serve and then act upon those promptings.
Prayers for....
Paul and Dottie Thayn's daughter passed away from cancer this past weekend. Please remember them in your prayers at this tender time for them.

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

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

LDS Tools Info
Please update your contact info.  Also, posting a picture to your LDS account is so easy!  If you have not yet done this follow these instructions.


Uplifting Comments Welcomed and Encouraged!

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