SSYS

Sister Felt gave a great lesson on how the small and simple things in our lives bring great things.  She led the lesson with the acronym SSYS.

SS stands for small and simple.  We were challenged to figure out YS.  

In Alma 37:6 it says:  Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 

What is the one great thing we would like to come to pass?  

Exaltation for us and our family.

What can we do to ensure our exaltation?  Some answers given:

partaking of the sacrament, obedience, scripture study, prayer, tithing, family home evening, church attendance, temple attendance, visiting teaching, service, magnifying our callings, faith, modesty, keeping the word of wisdom.  One sister pointed out that even if we do all these things, it's all for nothing if we don't speak with love and kindness in our homes.  

Sister Felt pointed out that all these things can be found in the Strength for Youth.  It applies to all of us.  

Is there one of these things that we could ignore without it effecting us spiritually?  One sister pointed out that it's these small and simple things that add the oil to our lamps.  

While we may always have the desire to do what is right, but at times we get distracted from doing the small and simple things.  Satan does a good job of convincing us we don't have time to do all these things or convinces us to do them later or that our time will come later in our lives.  We live in a world where we can be easily overwhelmed.  Satan works by getting us to give up one little things at a time.  Eventually it builds.  

Now to complete the acronym:

SMALL AND SIMPLE YET SIGNIFICANT

As women in the gospel, we have to make a stand.  There were many instances shared of times when members of our Relief Society either made a stand or were witness to great examples.  From keeping the sabbath even when a team depends on you, voicing opinions to the schools for inappropriate movie choices, song choices, etc., a swear jar at work.  

One sister commented that when you save one girl, you save a generation.  We have to hold to the rod.  The Lord doesn't expect perfection, but he wants us to try hard.  

We have to be on our guard in this society that we live in.  We have to make a stand at times.  One sister brought up a quote from President Kimball.  He said that the wickedness is as bad now as the time when the Lord destroyed Jerusalem.  Yet the righteous is as numbered.  

Gordon B. Hinckley said, "There is strength and great capacity in the women of this church.  There is leadership and direction, a certain spirit of independence, and yet great satisfaction in being a part of this, the Lord's kingdom and working hand in hand with the priesthood to move it forward."  "I have been quoted as saying, 'Do the best you can.'  But I want to emphasize that it be the very best.  We are too prone to be satisfied with mediocre performance.  We are capable of doing so much better."

We sometimes feel we can't fight every battle, that we have to choose.  But, we have to be careful in some of the simple things we choose not to do.  

President Monson has prophesied that, "Much of the major growth that is coming to the church in the last days will come because man of the good women of the world will be drawn to the church in large numbers.  This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different in happy ways from the women of the world."

Again, what is it that we are striving for?

Exaltation.  

Why are the small and simple things so important?  Is there one we could choose not to do, without having an impact?

Do you see challenges today that are different then what we had even a few years ago?  

Relief Society strengthens us.  We belong to a select group of women that are here to help and strengthen us.  Society standards used to be similar to our own church standards.  One sister compared it to us living in occupied enemy territory.  Another sister commented that a lot of our challenges come from just being human.  We have health issues, job issues, etc.  These challenges can help us bond with those outside the church by showing how we can deal with challenges with peace.  It is critical that we know the gospel is a gospel of optimism.  We should live in good cheer.

Doing the small and simple things can help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father.  The Lord will help us face each challenge.  We will bless us and watch over us.