March 2014 General Womens Meeting

The General Women's Meeting was held March 29, 2014. This was an amazing meeting. For the first time, girls ages 8-12 were also included in a general meeting. Here are a few highlights from that meeting. Rosemary Wixom, the General Primary President had all of the girls 8-11 stand and sing the first verse to "Teach Me to Walk". Then, the rest of the young women and women sang the other 2 verses. This was a very powerful reminder that we are to help each other and mentor the primary girls and the young women in the gospel. She said "when temptations come the Holy Ghost helps us remember our allegiance to God." She also said that temple ordinances lead us to exhalation. Bonnie Oscarson, the General Young Women's President then spoke. She said that "we are all daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. There is strength in our unity. We all have things we can share with each other." She said that "if there are barriers between us, it is because we ourselves put them there. We need to look beyond our differences and look for what we have in common." Sister Linda Burton, the General Relief Society President spoke. She reminded us that the word perfect in the scriptures does not mean perfect as we think of it. Perfect in the scriptures means complete. She spoke of needing Christ's atonement to become complete. She said "we have been called to daily discipleship." She then talked about "help wanted" adds. "Help wanted: parents to raise children in light and truth." "Help wanted: those who listen to the Holy Ghost and follow those promptings." "Help wanted: Those who live the gospel daily in small and simple ways." The meeting finished with President Henry B Eyring speaking to the women of the church. He said "Heavenly Father knows you. You were tutored by Him before you came to this life." President Eyring also gave us this reminder: "Heavenly Father not only sees you for what you are, but for what you may become." There were 2 amazing videos shown at this meeting. You can watch the videos or the entire meeting at lds.org.

Bluffdale 9th Ward Stake Goals for 2014

This year our Stake Presidency gave us three goals to work on. First, add something to your family tree. This sounds overwhelming at first, but it doesn't have to be. If you can talk to someone in your family and learn a new story about one of your ancestors. If you find a picture in your family and add it, that is all you need to do! Elder Richard G Scott reminds us that " “Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts. They are connected together like the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Elder Eyring reminded us of those that have gone on before us. He says “Remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them.” Goal number 2 is increase missionary work. This also feels like a daunting task, but we have been taught that it does not need to feel this way. If you live your life to be worthy of inspiration, if you pray for missionary experiences, and if you look for those experiences Heavenly Father will bless you. Missionary work can be as simple as telling your friends what you did over the weekend. You could invite someone to your house for dinner. The church website speaks about missionary work. It states "The Lord has declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all who follow Him (see Matthew 28:19–20; D&C 88:81). Members of the Lord's Church can, by the goodness of their lives and the strength of their testimonies, share the gospel message and help prepare family members, friends, and other acquaintances who are not Latter-day Saints to be taught by the full-time missionaries." By the goodness of your life and your testimony, you can be a missionary. The third goal is to read the Book of Mormon this year. President Hinkley gave this promise about reading the Book of Mormon. "Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” We encourage you to prayerfully consider these goals and work on them as a family.

Super Saturday Success!

Super Saturday was so much fun! We are so grateful for all of those that came. We are especially grateful for those that helped plan and pull off Super Saturday. It was a lot of work, but a great success! Everyone really enjoyed the day.

It was so much fun, that the men couldn't stay away!

Maybe the men came for the food. It was a great lunch! After lunch, it was time to get back to work!

Did everyone finish their projects? Thanks for a great Super Saturday! We look forward to many other fun activities!