My First Lesson

I recently received a calling at church to be a Young Women adviser. I am so excited. The Young Women's program in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of my favorite areas to serve in. They have made a lot of significant changes in the youth program in the last few years, and I'm really excited to learn more about it and be involved.

Today I was able to teach my first lesson with the new curriculum. They don't have a lesson manual anymore, rather, they have topics and some resources and then you follow the Spirit in preparing a lesson plan, based on the needs of the girls. It's really neat!

I decided that I want to record my lessons (because they have really great videos that you can share, and I love watching them).

Today's lesson:

1 - write down: what is one of your trials?

2 - Video: Our True Identity, Pres. Uchtdorf

  Quesiton: Who are you? Pres. Uchtdorf tells us that we ARE children of God. The Lord does love you (us)! He does want the best for us. I love his statement at minute 2:10 - 2:30. (go back and hear it again). Question: How does knowing you are a daughter (or son) of God bring us so much happiness? Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 18: 10-15 YOU are that soul that is of great worth! Never think that you are of little worth. That is a lie. Each one of us is of such great worth in the sight of our God. We are important to Him! He also understands our trials! Talk: We are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father, Elaine S. Dalton, April 2013 General Conference.  I focused on this portion of the talk:

"When I was in college, I was a member of the BYU International Folk Dancers. One summer our group had the unique privilege to tour the missions in Europe. It was a difficult summer for me because a few months earlier my father had unexpectedly passed away. While we were in Scotland, I felt especially alone and became discouraged. We danced at a chapel that night, and then after our performance we went next door to the mission home. As I proceeded up the walk, I saw a stone placed in a well-kept garden by the gate. On it I read the words, “What-e’er thou art, act well thy part.” At that moment those words went deeply into my heart, and I felt the powers of heaven reach out and give me a message. I knew I was known by a loving Heavenly Father. I felt I was not alone. I stood in that garden with tears in my eyes. “What-e’er thou art, act well thy part.” That simple statement renewed my vision that Heavenly Father knew me and had a plan for my life, and the spirit I felt helped me understand that my part mattered."

I handed out his cute handout that I found on Pinterest:

 

  Remember who we are and that God has a purpose for us in our lives. He needs us to "act well our part". We are not just here on earth floating through space, for entertainment purposes, or whatever other reasons. We are here for our own individual reasons, and we must rise to the call. Video: Significant in Every Way, pay attention for the traits that set her apart.

What sets US apart? It is the DOING/BEING that makes us different. Not just what we have or know. We must live it every day of our lives. Traits mentioned in the video:

• modest
• keep on/press on
• partake of the fruit of life
• giving
• preaching
• showing
• living by the law of our Heavenly Father
• walk on Holy ground
• adhere to the Holy Spirits whisperings
• humble
• faithful
• steadfast
• confident
• corageous
• well mannered
• modest
• virtuous
• walk in footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ
•  You are the solution - be a light house to those many ships. Be an example.

Challenge: Personal Progress, Divine Nature, experience 6. Learn the traits of being a daughter of God, and live one or more of them. Practice them, become them. I also shared about the talk, Be Ye Converted by Bonnie L. Oscarson, October 2013 General Conference. I love how she explains the difference of having a testimony and being converted. We must live the principles to gain a testimony of them, and to truly be converted. When we know who we are, we can gain confidence in ourselves, and in the Lord. We can overcome and face all obstacles and trials in our way. Whatever trial we are facing, the Lord is there to help us. We do not have to do it alone! We can overcome! We can do anything with God on our side! What a great blessing and promise! I love knowing that I am a daughter of God, and am grateful for the reassurance that knowledge gives me as I face everyday of my life. And especially the power it gives me as I face the world we live in today!