So all last week, I worked on preparing a lesson for all the Young Women in my ward. I was so thankful for that opportunity because I truly believe that it is the teacher that gets more out of the lesson than the class. The lesson was on Eternal Perspectives. I really enjoyed studying about this topic all week. I would read a little bit at a time and then think and ponder about what I had read throughout my day. I have decided that I want to pick one topic a week to study about and just have that on my mind all week. To me, this is a very important lesson, and I really wanted to make sure the girls felt that as well. The lesson went well, but I had to skip a big portion of it because of time. Doesn't that always happen - you run out of time while teaching. Anyway, I just wanted to share a few of my favorite quotes and parts of the lesson.
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President James E. Faust said:
"Knowing who you are – who you REALLY are – is closely tied to knowing God, for you
are His children."
"Be obedient and valiant in your search to establish who Heavenly Father wants you to be. It may be hard sometimes, but He is always there to help you."
“If we really want to feel better about ourselves, we should do deeds of kindness. Kindness shapes our character and makes us more like our Father in Heaven. When we demonstrate our love for others, in turn we will understand better the love our Savior has for each of us and that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father."
"YOU choose your own happiness."
"We often will need to choose between having a GOOD TIME or LEADING A GOOD LIFE."
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"Pres. Harold B. Lee said, “Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you but on what happens inside of you. It is measured by the spirit with which you meet the problems of life.”
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Ralph Waldo Emerson said…
“What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
A healthy child, a garden patch
Or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
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(I played this song at the end. This got a lot of us in tears)
A SONG TO SING
By: Hilary Weeks
She laid there last night
And all she could do was cry
She wondered who she was
As she thought about her life
The times she has failed
The things she has done
Surely heaven must look down
And wonder who she’s become
Is there a reason why she’s here
Then in the silence she heard these words
You have a song to sing
You have a story to tell
There is a destiny that only you can fulfill
Though you are wandering
If you’ll put your trust in Me
I’ll give you a song to sing
Her eyes were closed
But she opened her heart
She had always believed
There was no part
For someone like her
With so far to go
But tonight that changed
And now she knows
And for the first time in her life
She let go of the fear
So that she could hear
You have a song to sing
You have a story to tell
There is a destiny that only you can fulfill
Though you are wandering
If you put your trust in Me
I’ll give you a song to sing
Yes there’s a reason why we’re here
We have a Father who cares
Who will answer our prayers
You have a song to sing
You have a story to tell
There is a destiny that only you can fulfill
Though you are wandering
If you’ll put your trust in Him
He’ll give you a song
He’ll give you a song to sing
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Sunflowers
Sunflowers always face the sun. In the morning they face east. By evening, they have turned west. They follow the sun as it crosses each day's sky, so they can gather in as much sun as possible. We can be like sunflowers, and turn to the SON, Jesus Christ, and gather spiritual light from Him. A sunflower seed will grow most anywhere. You, too, can bloom and grow where you are planted. By desiring to believe and by studying the scriptures prayerfully, you will nurture your personal gospel seed.
As the sunflower grows, small buds will soon appear, surrounded by protecting leaves. Like those leaves, your parents, leaders, and teachers surround you, and love you, and protect you, and help your budding testimony grow. As a sunflower grows taller, its stalk grows thicker, for it must support the large flower that will soon be full of seeds. So as your spiritual stalk must grow, and your testimony will grow stronger as you prayerfully read the scriptures that teach of Jesus Christ and strive to become like Him.
When the sunflower bud opens, bright yellow petals form, and its head becomes a golden crown. The blessings of its growth at last begins to show. And, having been born of a seed, it now produces seeds of its own that nourish people, animals and birds. Your testimony will likewise produce its own new seeds and you will nourish family, friends and others who will see the Son reflected, like a golden crown, in you, for you have become like Him.
So, turn to the Son. Open your heart to His light. Seek it first thing each morning. Follow its warmth across each day's sky. Let its comfort be the last thing you feel each night. Then as the evening of your life's last setting comes, you will arise to a glorious new morning and turn again to Him and He will see His image in your countenance.
