Sister Cheryl Brimhall taught our lesson today from the teachings of George Albert Smith.
How have you been influenced by the faith of others such as family members or a close friend? One sister shared her appreciation for a member of our RS. A sister that has had many struggles but through it all has only talked about how blessed she is. Even through her trials, she focuses on her blessings. Another sister shared how her mother when dying of cancer had kept such a positive attitude and took the opportunity to share her testimony when she could. She also reminded us of the scripture where the Lord promises us he won't give us challenge greater than we can withstand. Another sister shared her experience during a recent trip to China. She was able to spend a lot of time visiting with a woman who was among the first to become Christian in her village. At the time she became a Christian she had been very ill and miraculously, her illness went away. Three short years later however, she lost her husband and then her daughter. She had to raiser her sons on her own. Many years later she again lost two of her sons. Her faith never wavered and she talked of how she gained strength from the savior through these trials.
Sister Brimhall then asked some sisters to share examples of how we develop our muscles, minds and spirits. Sister Coble shared that during the process of strengthening our muscles, we actually tear our muscle fibers. We are supposed to rest those torn muscles and work on other muscles for 48 hours as they repair. Sister Brimhall says as a teacher she knows that to strengthen our minds, we need to learn new things. How then do we strengthen our spirits? Some answers shared were, by reading the scriptures every day. One sister shared the analogy of a river. A river is crooked because it takes the easier course. If we want our lives to be straight we have to power through the difficult challenges that come our way.
Sister Brimhall pointed out that the power of faith is evident in the scriptures everywhere. What did Noah do? He build an ark to save his family. What about Lot? He left Sodom and Gomarrah withough looking back. What about Moses? Not only did he leave Egypt, but he led a bunch of people with him. Daniel? He wasn't afraid to pray openly even though he was prohibited.
One sister pointed out that all of these examples it took a lot of faith to go forward even though the results were not evident. They were obedient.
Sister Brimhall shared an example of Robert Millet one her relatives, a pioneer that had crossed the plains. Once they had crossed the plains, there was still a shortage of food. They would many times have to stretch their remaining food across a few days. One day Brother Millet's children made him aware of a family that was completely out of flower. He brought the man some of their remaining flower. The man had said he had just returned from praying where the Lord had told him to go to Brother Millet. Brother Millet replied that if the Lord sent him, then there was no need to pay it back.
Another sister pointed out that God is a God of miracles, but sometimes those miracles are not manifested in the way that we want. We need to have the strength to endure during those times.
Sister Brimhall went on to share an experience she had just yesterday while leaving a teaching conference. Her car would not start. She was able to find a friend that could come help her. He suggested after a couple of failed attempts of jump starting the car to say a prayer. Immediately after the prayer, her car started. From the parking lot, she went directly to purchase a new battery where she ran into an old, less active friend. They proceeded to have a conversation about her need to go back to church. She was hoping that through her little trial that day that she was able to help this sister.
How has faith given you hope in this battle of life? One sister replied that without hope, this would be a depressing place to be. The opposite of faith is fear. Faith chases away fear.
What do you think it means to give the Lord a chance? One sister shared the example of Nephi when the Lord sent him to get the plates. You would think that if the Lord sent him it would have been an easy task yet it took him three times with his life being threatened. Another sister said that we sometimes let egos and logic get in the way. The Lord sees the whole picture adn sees the beginning and the end. We need to let go and put it in Heavenly Father's hands.
Can we have faith if we just sit back and let things happen the way they happen? Like our muscles and our brain, when not stretched or exercised it will rot.
If we are bound to the Lord how much power do we need? None. We have to be obedient, we have to read our scriptures and pray and do the things the Lord asked so we have faith and can get through the challenges life places in front of us.
Sister Brimhall then asked some sisters to share examples of how we develop our muscles, minds and spirits. Sister Coble shared that during the process of strengthening our muscles, we actually tear our muscle fibers. We are supposed to rest those torn muscles and work on other muscles for 48 hours as they repair. Sister Brimhall says as a teacher she knows that to strengthen our minds, we need to learn new things. How then do we strengthen our spirits? Some answers shared were, by reading the scriptures every day. One sister shared the analogy of a river. A river is crooked because it takes the easier course. If we want our lives to be straight we have to power through the difficult challenges that come our way.
Sister Brimhall pointed out that the power of faith is evident in the scriptures everywhere. What did Noah do? He build an ark to save his family. What about Lot? He left Sodom and Gomarrah withough looking back. What about Moses? Not only did he leave Egypt, but he led a bunch of people with him. Daniel? He wasn't afraid to pray openly even though he was prohibited.
One sister pointed out that all of these examples it took a lot of faith to go forward even though the results were not evident. They were obedient.
Sister Brimhall shared an example of Robert Millet one her relatives, a pioneer that had crossed the plains. Once they had crossed the plains, there was still a shortage of food. They would many times have to stretch their remaining food across a few days. One day Brother Millet's children made him aware of a family that was completely out of flower. He brought the man some of their remaining flower. The man had said he had just returned from praying where the Lord had told him to go to Brother Millet. Brother Millet replied that if the Lord sent him, then there was no need to pay it back.
Another sister pointed out that God is a God of miracles, but sometimes those miracles are not manifested in the way that we want. We need to have the strength to endure during those times.
Sister Brimhall went on to share an experience she had just yesterday while leaving a teaching conference. Her car would not start. She was able to find a friend that could come help her. He suggested after a couple of failed attempts of jump starting the car to say a prayer. Immediately after the prayer, her car started. From the parking lot, she went directly to purchase a new battery where she ran into an old, less active friend. They proceeded to have a conversation about her need to go back to church. She was hoping that through her little trial that day that she was able to help this sister.
How has faith given you hope in this battle of life? One sister replied that without hope, this would be a depressing place to be. The opposite of faith is fear. Faith chases away fear.
What do you think it means to give the Lord a chance? One sister shared the example of Nephi when the Lord sent him to get the plates. You would think that if the Lord sent him it would have been an easy task yet it took him three times with his life being threatened. Another sister said that we sometimes let egos and logic get in the way. The Lord sees the whole picture adn sees the beginning and the end. We need to let go and put it in Heavenly Father's hands.
Can we have faith if we just sit back and let things happen the way they happen? Like our muscles and our brain, when not stretched or exercised it will rot.
If we are bound to the Lord how much power do we need? None. We have to be obedient, we have to read our scriptures and pray and do the things the Lord asked so we have faith and can get through the challenges life places in front of us.
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