July 29th Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now? 

Women’s Role in the Priesthood

The world often tries to challenge women’s roles within the church, using claims of inequality based on the fact that women do not have the priesthood.   They try to paint a negative narrative that the men in the church treat us as 2^nd class citizens, but this could not be further from the truth.   Using M. Russell Ballard’s talk ‘Men and Women and Priesthood Power’ as a discussion point, we broke down 6 key points that help us to know our role when it comes to Priesthood Power.

1.  The Father and Son desire our exaltation – Our Heavenly Father created both women and men, who are His spirit daughters and sons.   This means gender is eternal.   His plan is designed to help all who choose to follow Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, to achieve their destiny as heirs of eternal life. 

  

2.  The Church is governed through priesthood keys – Just as a woman cannot conceive a child without a man, so a man cannot fully exercise the power of the priesthood to establish an eternal family without a woman.   In an eternal perspective both the procreative power and priesthood power are shared by husband and wife.

3.   Men and women are equal in God’s eyes – Men and women are equal in God’s eyes and in the eyes of the church, but equal does not mean the same.   A husband and wife righteously working together complete each other.

4.   All of God’s Children have access to Priesthood Power – When men and women go to the temple, they are endowed with the same power, which by definition is Priesthood Power.   Joseph Fielding Smith said “The blessing of the priesthood are not confined to the men alone.   These blessings are also poured out upon…all the faithful women of the church.  …The Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons.”

5.   Priesthood Authority - …It is truly said that Relief Society is not just a class for women but something they belong to – a divinely established appendage to the priesthood.

6.  The Church needs the voice and faith of women – Sisters, your sphere of influence is a unique sphere – one that cannot be duplicated by men.  No one can defend our Savior with more persuasion or power than you – the daughters of God who have such inner strength and conviction.

We are given many responsibilities within the church, all of which influence and work in partnership with the priesthood.  Never forget sisters that women have been called the glue that bind families together.   We are all given divine gifts and though we use them differently our Heavenly Father has a great purpose for us and loves each of us!  President Gordan B Hinkley once said that ‘women are the secret weapon of the church’.  Never question if you hold an import place within the Church or in the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Men and Women and Priesthood Power - M. Russell Ballard

The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood - Dallin H. Oaks

Council Action for July - what experiences have you had this month?
Everyone:  Decide what kind of minister you are going to be.
Personalize it:  Where do you need to improve?  Pray for those you minister to?  Listen for revelation in what your sister(s) need?  Act on promptings? Get to know your sister(s) better? etc.

Sunday's Council or Discussion

August 5th - Council - Slow Down and Breathe - led by Stephanie

Upcoming in August

August 12th - His Spirit to Be With You by Henry B. Eyring

August 19th - Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by Pres. Nelson

August 26th - The Worth of Souls is Great in the Sight of God

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  

July 29th - Kaylee Williamson 

August 2nd - Angie Phillips

August 3rd - Cheryl Mackay

August 3rd - Jenn Miller

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars No RS Activity in August - enjoy summer family time!

Next RS Activity September 13th

Ministering to the Sisters  

August Ministering Principles:  Building Meaningful Relationships

“I truly believe there is no significant change without significant relationships.  And for our acts of service to be transformational in the lives of others, they must be “rooted in the sincere desire to heal and listen and cooperate and respect.”  Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

Have you completed the reading of Teaching in the Savior's Way?  The stake has asked each sister to read this. You can read it in the Gospel Library app or if you would like a hard copy, contact a member of the Sunday School Presidency.

"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."  

MINISTERING WEBSITE

Service Opportunities 

BYU Education Week Volunteers

Hosting volunteers are needed for BYU Education Week, August 20-24, 2018.  Volunteers receive Monday-Friday admission in exchange for their service, which includes greeting students, checking tickets, and taking attendance counts.  Hosts serve one shift each day, Tuesday through Friday, and are free to attend classes when they are not serving.  Hosting shifts generally last 3 hours and 45 minutes.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.  Sign up online at https://edweek.byu.edu/volunteer or call 801-422-6214

Just Serve 

Prayers for....

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

LDS Tools Info

1.  Are you using LDS Tools on your phone or tablet? 

We encourage you to use LDS Tools to access the ward directory, Your Ministering Assignments, Calendar, Temple Info, Missionary Info and more!

2.  Do you have a current photo of you and/or your family? 

Please take a few minutes and follow these instructions. 

3.  Is your contact info correct?  

If not and you need to change or update your info, go to your name in the directory (on a mobile device) and touch the red circle with a pencil and you can edit from there.  If you are signed on at lds.org, click on your name and then the edit button.

4.  Do you know how to access your ministering assignment?

On your mobile device click on your name.  Directly underneath your name is a blue bar that says:  contact, household, membership information, callings and classes and ministering (you must scroll across to access each of these headings.)  Click on ministering and it will list those that minister to you and who you minister to.

Do you have any other questions about LDS Tools?