#church notes

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:3

Something that a lot of us don’t talk about is how much fear has robbed us and that is something that we need to address. We were not created to fear. When God made you, He never added that accessory to us so what does that mean?? We should fear less and our faith should be full. Fear steals the space of fear. Are you going to believe that no fear should exist in you? I spoke about that last…

I forgot my journal today so sorry Tumblr. You know have to deal with my making a habit of pondering the Savior during scarament notes:

I really am impressed today with how the atonement applies to everyone and how it applies to everyone. I SNEEZED and it was embarrassing. Yet, I know that the Savior knows that embarrassment. He also knows how nervous I am that the Stake President is on the stand. He knows the pain in my leg, my fear about not being able to raise enough money for my new chair. He knows all. He knows what the new convert in the blue shirt felt last week, He knows which of us are struggling and doubting

The Bishop spoke on the Sabbath and keeping it holy while being an example. I hope, even in my slacks-and-unshaven look, I can be an example of something, anything at all. After last week, I didn't want to come. I know the Lord wants me here in Florida but after that gendered calling betrayal I don't know what to do.

Joel's Musical Number: Strange how music never fails to calm me down. I don't even recognize the hymn he's playing but I love it.

Stake President: why do I have a feeling I need to talk to the stake president about last week? Does he really need to know? I know he's taking about sustaining and the importance of Bishops. I know what happens when you reject a sustaining vote. I don't know if lack of trust equals a lack of sustaining.

Now he's taking about a hiking trip and packing light and unnecessary weight. It's a wonderful story about sharing burdens. It's hard for me to share my burdens when people don't understand the burdens enough or even make it worse. I wish I could share better.

Also, just so you know, he looks older than I thought he'd be but sounds younger than he looks. It's very strange.

There was a sermon that I watched in part with my devotions and I wanted to wait until a bit later to share what I learnt but then I got really excited and needed to talk about it with someone. The topic is actually PRIDE. And I know that by the title alone, so many people are already thinking, “I don’t need to learn about pride, I don’t have a spec of pride in me”. But, you’d be surprised to…

Sacrament Meeting

Our first speaker was from Ecuador. He served his mission in Mexico. He spoke about the worth of a soul, why we share the Gospel, and how to deal with insecurity when sharing it. They went to the Temple yesterday and he shared the conversion story of a woman he met. Everyone we encounter sees a bit of the Church in us and we never know how we'll influence God's work in them. God loves all of us and we need His blessings and the Spirit. He will help us help him.

Elder C, who has been with us for a long while, is getting transferred. He talked about our leadership and how powerful they are spiritually. I hope we as a branch can live up to his feelings of us. He also talked of Christ and if how if we feel like God has forsaken us, we're the ones who pushed Him away.

E spoke last. He spoke on knowledge. Things that can come from not having enough knowledge. The Joker, for example, thinks that morals are something we make up to feel better. Harvey Dent started out highly moral and idolized and slowly became more and more like the men he'd thrown in jail. People lied and then the people got upset and that gave the villains power. The Joker prodded and used people to prove a point. (personal note: Joker=Satan maybe?) Now, for Jesus and the Jews. The Jews demanded a miracle but nothing could prove it well enough for them. Mostly they wanted him to act as a literal savior from the oppression of Rome. Often times we don't see the needs of people as a whole and focus on our own needs. How much of our testimonies is strong instead of a just a security blanket? We need to push ourselves to understand more and gain more knowledge, both inside of the Gospel and out. We need to stand out during these times of trouble and HELP.

Combined Meeting:

What we are going to do as a branch this year?

"Primary Answers" is too trivial. It's The Lord's Process!

ALMA 30--Corihor called everyone idots for believing, the Zoromites got lazy (pardon me, can't spell Book of Mormon names)

ALMA 31-33

Hikes with President S: Where haven't I gone? Prepare to go there and then kinda go off trail.

Alma's heart is sickened by the behavior of the people and needs to know what to do. Because Satan doesn't support people to the end. He'll let the darkness rot us. The scriptures are the most powerful things for changing people and helping them understand.

D&C 88 verses in the 60's (the pattern of sanctification) Ask for help and if we do as we should, we will be filled with light. Our goal for the year is to build on our testimonies and set their foundations deeper.

Questions for people who are struggling

1. How is your scripture study?

2. Are you personal prayers heartfelt and meaningful?

3. How are you magnifying your calling?

4. Tithing

The Savior's Law is very self-motivated. The Law of Moses is a checklist. We need to be engaged of our own free will. We shouldn't need signs. The seed is faith in the Word of God

Our knowledge is not perfect and we have to keep taking care of it. We take care of it by doing the things on the list above. If we don't, our faith will wither away. It's not sustainable. We need to hold onto the iron rod with white knuckles.

Our journeys have the potential to completely change us, as long as we let the Lord scrub our souls and then keep it clean. We have to look forward to the end game.

As a Branch we Will:

Spending time letting God talk to us through diligent scripture study

Spending time on our knees earnestly and genuinely talking to God in heartfelt prayer

Do our duty in regards to our callings. (Prayer is a big part of this)

Pay our tithing, even it's really uncomfortable.

President S really does love us and cares for our spiritual well being. He wants us to read, and prepare for Sunday School because it'll strengthen our hold on the rod.