Mosiah 5: 5.
5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
Church Handbook 2 p13 3.3.3 - 3.3.4
3.3.3
Prepare Others to Be Leaders and Teachers
In some wards, leaders rely repeatedly on a small group of people to give service in priesthood and auxiliary organizations. This can overburden the faithful few, and it can also deprive others of experiences that could help them learn and grow. Effective leaders give all members opportunities to serve.
As presiding officers prayerfully consider members to fill leadership and teaching positions, they should remember that the Lord will qualify those He calls. Members do not need to be highly experienced before serving as teachers and leaders. They can learn from experience, by exercising faith and working diligently, and by receiving instruction and support from their leaders.
Presiding officers look for ways to give service opportunities to new members, members who are returning to Church activity, and young single adults. New and returning members are excited about the restored gospel, and they are often ready for opportunities to serve others and learn about the Church. Young single adults need opportunities to contribute to the Lord’s work and grow spiritually.
For information about recommending members to serve in Church callings, see 19.1.1 and 19.1.2.
3.3.4
Delegate Responsibility and Ensure Accountability
Individual leaders cannot and should not do everything themselves. Leaders who try to do too much will “surely wear away” (Exodus 18:18), and so will the people they serve. Leaders should delegate service opportunities to others, such as counselors, clerks, and members of councils or committees.
Delegation includes more than giving someone an assignment. It includes the following elements:
◼ Explaining the purposes of the assignment, suggesting ways it could be done, and explaining when it should be completed. The assigned person should understand and accept accountability to perform the assignment and report on it.
◼ Keeping a written record of the assignment and checking progress from time to time.
◼ Respecting the assigned person’s efforts to develop plans and fulfill the assignment. Leaders provide encouragement and assistance as needed.
◼ Asking the person to report back about the assignment. After receiving the report, the leader accepts the person’s best efforts and expresses appreciation for the good things the person has done.
Elders Quorum
Lesson was based Elder Oaks’ April 2102 General Conference talk titled Sacrifice.
What is sacrifice?
- Giving up something in exchange for something better.
- “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, comp. N. B. Lundwall [Salt Lake City: N. B. Lundwall, n.d.], p. 58).
- Service
What is the reward for sacrifice?
Spiritual sacrifice is much like investing in a retirement account. Many people bail on their retirement account when it drops, even though the shares are cheap and they are able to buy many many more
shares than otherwise. When the value comes back up closer to the time for them to retire a large number of shares return great rewards.
If we are short sighted, calling it a waste of time or money in spiritual things, then we miss long term greater returns on those investments of time and money.
Sunday School
Mosiah 3-6
Mosiah 3:11
11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
Those who sin without knowing any better are covered by the atonement. Those who know the truth and sin, they must repent.
Mosiah 5:2
2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
Sacrament Service
Family history work is much like being a shepherd. A good shepherd knows his sheep by name.
We strive in our lives to be like the Savior. Family history work allows us to assist the Savior in the work of salvation.
Once a man receives the gospel he is not content, considering all is done..
When Lehi partook of the fruit of the tree of life, he immediately looked around for his family to have them partake also. He did not have to read a talk or be told to look for them. It came naturally to him.
"You can fulfill your obligation to your kindred dead and to the Lord without forsaking your other Church callings. You can do it without abandoning your family responsibilities. You can do this work. You can do it without becoming a so-called ‘expert’ in it." (Boyd K Packer, “Someone Up There Loves You,” Ensign, Jan. 1977, 8–9 )
"“Family history work has the power to do something for the dead. It has an equal power to do something to the living." (Boyd K Packer, Ensign December 2010)
From the Bulletin
“We each can learn much from our early pioneer ancestors, whose struggles and heartaches were met with resolute courage and an abiding faith in a living God. … Youth and children were among the thousands who pulled and pushed handcarts or walked along that pioneer trail, just as they are among the Saints today who are pioneering in their own areas throughout the world. I think that there is not a member of this Church today who has not been touched by the accounts of the early pioneers. Those who did so much for the good of all surely had as their objective to inspire faith. They met the goal in a magnificent manner.” (President Thomas S Monson, “Teaching Our Children,” Ensign, Oct. 2004, 4)
“We honor those who endured incredible hardships. We praise their names and reflect on their sacrifices.
“What about our time? Are there pioneering experiences for us? Will future generations reflect with gratitude on our efforts, our examples? You young [people] can indeed be pioneers in courage, in faith, in charity, in determination.
“You can strengthen one another; you have the capacity to notice the unnoticed. When you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, you can reach out and rescue others of your age.” (President Thomas S Monson, “Pioneers All,” Ensign, May 1997, 93)
“One sentence from the book of Acts speaks volumes: Jesus ‘went about doing good … for God was with him’ (Acts 10:38). …” (President Thomas S Monson,“Led by Spiritual Pioneers,” Ensign, Aug. 2006, 7–8)
“Jesus Christ, Savior of the world—even the Son of God—was and is the ultimate pioneer, for He has gone before, showing all others the way to follow. May we ever follow Him.” (President Thomas S Monson, “Led by Spiritual Pioneers,” Ensign, Aug. 2006, 8)
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