This week I was called on to help out with a Hurricane Ike relief effort. The call came mid-week. I was awake Saturday morning at 3 am, about to start a long day.
The Pflugerville Ward ended up sending 14 brethren. Our stake, the Austin Stake, sent more than 100. We descended on Lake Jackson, TX, to assist with the clean-up effort. We combined with 3 other stakes, for a total of 400-500 people.
There were many trees blown over, many fences destroyed, and occasionally some damage to structures. The worst that I saw was where a huge tree sliced about 10 feet into the garage of someone's home. We couldn't help him because he said that the insurance had to come first. Our efforts there yesterday were to focus on helping get the fallen trees cut up and out to the curb for pick-up.
Our crew of seven had three chainsaws going. Luckily, we didn't have any major injuries. We were able to help out at 6 different homes, two of them being major (multiple-hour) projects. None of them were members of our church. We were only able to talk to 3 home owners (one only by phone). All were very grateful for the assistance. It was a good experience--service always is.
We believe that service to our neighbor is service to our God (Mosiah 2:17). We are all children of a Heavenly Father, and thus, we should treat each other as brothers and sisters. Stepping out of our schedules and comfort zones is required in such service. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an organization that is only alive through such service, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have to render such.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friendship & animal crackers
This week we discussed being friends with our sweet little Sunbeam class. This week I had a strategy to keep them occupied by doing different activities every 5-10 minutes and it seemed to work. They were more attentive and engaged than usual.
I tried an object lesson: I gave each of the children a toy animal. Then I asked them to turn to the child on their right and ask if they could have the other child's toy. They enjoyed this very much and learned that sharing is what friends do.
We also asked them who their friends are. We asked them what their friends are like, what made them different, and emphasized that their teachers and parents are their friends. One of the little girls volunteered that Jesus is our friend, which we reinforced. I think the most important thing I can teach the children is that they are children of a loving God and that Jesus loves them.
On a side note, this was the first Sunday we went without snacks during class. I thought we would have trouble maintaining peace, but keeping them engaged in the lesson helped avoid concerns about snacks. When the children are in nursery (18 months - 3/4 years old) they are allowed to eat snacks and have more playtime. Part of the goal of Sunbeams is to help them transition to the rest of primary, and the rest of primary does not have snack time. The rest of the year my co-teachers and I will continue to 'ween' them off snacks all together.
Until next week!
I tried an object lesson: I gave each of the children a toy animal. Then I asked them to turn to the child on their right and ask if they could have the other child's toy. They enjoyed this very much and learned that sharing is what friends do.
We also asked them who their friends are. We asked them what their friends are like, what made them different, and emphasized that their teachers and parents are their friends. One of the little girls volunteered that Jesus is our friend, which we reinforced. I think the most important thing I can teach the children is that they are children of a loving God and that Jesus loves them.
On a side note, this was the first Sunday we went without snacks during class. I thought we would have trouble maintaining peace, but keeping them engaged in the lesson helped avoid concerns about snacks. When the children are in nursery (18 months - 3/4 years old) they are allowed to eat snacks and have more playtime. Part of the goal of Sunbeams is to help them transition to the rest of primary, and the rest of primary does not have snack time. The rest of the year my co-teachers and I will continue to 'ween' them off snacks all together.
Until next week!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A definition of salvation
Sacrament meeting stressed prayer and faith, but I'd like to focus again on the Elders Quorum lesson, Chapter 17 in the Teachings of Joseph Smith manual, The Great Plan of Salvation. One of the points that struck me the most was a definition that Joseph Smith gave for salvation.
From my limited experience with other religions, it seems that the term salvation is somewhat of a mystery in what it actually means. A lot of emphasis is made on being saved, but what exactly is being saved? I guess I would have vaguely described it as being able to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven and His Son. But that doesn't correlate with being saved--saved from what?
Joseph Smith has been criticized for pretty much everything he did. But one thing that he cannot be accused of is doing anything in a shallow manner. He was a very deep man and his comments regarding the Great Plan of Salvation are no different--in fact I would propose that they are some of his deepest works. In terms of theology and philosophy, Joseph Smith contributed fundamental changes to current understanding. I highly recommend reading the entire chapter.
However, I will quote one of his definitions of salvation, which was one of the main points that the teacher made today:
It is interesting how a physical tabernacle is so tightly bound to that statement. But a bit more interesting is the first part--our enemies. Who and/or what are my enemies? We listed some during class on the board:
Many of those items are related, and strictly of Mormon theology. Thus, conquering our enemies is nothing less than changing our natures. In short, that "... we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2) This makes perfect sense logically, and salvation is no longer a fuzzy idea. We cannot be saved in our sins. We cannot be saved in ignorance. But how do we get there (and ultimately conquer death)? Only in and through Jesus Christ.
From my limited experience with other religions, it seems that the term salvation is somewhat of a mystery in what it actually means. A lot of emphasis is made on being saved, but what exactly is being saved? I guess I would have vaguely described it as being able to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven and His Son. But that doesn't correlate with being saved--saved from what?
Joseph Smith has been criticized for pretty much everything he did. But one thing that he cannot be accused of is doing anything in a shallow manner. He was a very deep man and his comments regarding the Great Plan of Salvation are no different--in fact I would propose that they are some of his deepest works. In terms of theology and philosophy, Joseph Smith contributed fundamental changes to current understanding. I highly recommend reading the entire chapter.
However, I will quote one of his definitions of salvation, which was one of the main points that the teacher made today:
Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), 211.)
It is interesting how a physical tabernacle is so tightly bound to that statement. But a bit more interesting is the first part--our enemies. Who and/or what are my enemies? We listed some during class on the board:
- People we don't like
- People that want to do us harm
- Myself
- The natural man
- Sin
- Satan
Many of those items are related, and strictly of Mormon theology. Thus, conquering our enemies is nothing less than changing our natures. In short, that "... we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2) This makes perfect sense logically, and salvation is no longer a fuzzy idea. We cannot be saved in our sins. We cannot be saved in ignorance. But how do we get there (and ultimately conquer death)? Only in and through Jesus Christ.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Service
This weekend I had the opportunity to go down to Baton Rouge, LA. and assist with the cleanup from Hurricane Gustav. I was interested to see how much destruction had actually occurred because there were no news reports of the damage. Most of the media concentrated on New Orleans.
I rode down with my 2 brother-in-laws who live locally, and 2 members of the Birmingham 2nd ward. Our Stake President sent out a call to all the members in our Stake to go down and help in Baton Rouge. Emails were passed from the Stake President to the Elders' Quorum presidencies and on to the general membership. We were warned to be self-sufficient and to gas up in Hattiesburg, MS before entering LA.
We soon discovered that the damage was quite extensive and we spent the weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) using chainsaws to cut away trees and haul away debris. The power was still out (at that point it was a week out from the storm) and people had thrown away their perishables. The people were all very appreciative of our help and it was great to help out someone in need. There will be some time where we'll all need help.
Church was held Sunday morning for an hour outside of the Stake center in Baton Rouge, right next to the temple. A Seventy, Elder Gay, and the mission president spoke. Elder Gay related a story of a trip to Africa where he suffered severe injuries in a car accident. The accident occurred in a remote area, but fortunately he and his missionary driver were taken to a town 30-miles away. The town had extremely limited medical care and supplies, but they had enough basics to treat Elder Gay. The doctor mentioned to him that all of the supplies that they did have had been provided by two senior couple missionaries from our church that had passed through the area some time before. The Church supplied the medical supplies for free, as part of our humanitarian efforts.
What's the lesson here? All of this boils down to our belief that faith and works go hand in hand. Because of our faith, because of our love of God and our fellow brothers and sisters, we feel we have a responsibility to help those in need. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus calls us to serve others and he shows us plainly by his example. Today, he still calls us to help others. If we truly love our Heavenly Father, won't we also love our brothers and sisters?
I rode down with my 2 brother-in-laws who live locally, and 2 members of the Birmingham 2nd ward. Our Stake President sent out a call to all the members in our Stake to go down and help in Baton Rouge. Emails were passed from the Stake President to the Elders' Quorum presidencies and on to the general membership. We were warned to be self-sufficient and to gas up in Hattiesburg, MS before entering LA.
We soon discovered that the damage was quite extensive and we spent the weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) using chainsaws to cut away trees and haul away debris. The power was still out (at that point it was a week out from the storm) and people had thrown away their perishables. The people were all very appreciative of our help and it was great to help out someone in need. There will be some time where we'll all need help.
Church was held Sunday morning for an hour outside of the Stake center in Baton Rouge, right next to the temple. A Seventy, Elder Gay, and the mission president spoke. Elder Gay related a story of a trip to Africa where he suffered severe injuries in a car accident. The accident occurred in a remote area, but fortunately he and his missionary driver were taken to a town 30-miles away. The town had extremely limited medical care and supplies, but they had enough basics to treat Elder Gay. The doctor mentioned to him that all of the supplies that they did have had been provided by two senior couple missionaries from our church that had passed through the area some time before. The Church supplied the medical supplies for free, as part of our humanitarian efforts.
What's the lesson here? All of this boils down to our belief that faith and works go hand in hand. Because of our faith, because of our love of God and our fellow brothers and sisters, we feel we have a responsibility to help those in need. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus calls us to serve others and he shows us plainly by his example. Today, he still calls us to help others. If we truly love our Heavenly Father, won't we also love our brothers and sisters?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Visit the house of each member
As it was the first Sunday of the month, today was our monthly fast and testimony meeting. We fast two meals, giving generously the money we save from it as "fast offerings" that are dispersed by the Bishop to help those in need. It was also my turn in Elders Quorum to give the lesson.
Somewhat surprising to us in the Elders Quorum Presidency is the poor home teaching that goes on (or better said, DOESN'T go on) in our quorum. We have problems getting them to do their home teaching and problems getting their reports. This is surprising because we are, relatively, a very active ward.
Today I gave a lesson on our responsibility to do home teaching. I searched out many quotations from Church leaders on the topic and had volunteers read them. We discussed home teaching. I can only hope that the Spirit touched the members of the quorum with a confirmation of how important it is to fulfill this sacred duty of EVERY Melchisedek priesthood holder.
Home teaching is a church program that helps us to fulfill our priesthood duties as laid out in Doctrine and Covenants Section 20. Specifically,
One of the most explicit quotations I found was this:
I was lucky to have a father that was an EXCELLENT example of a faithful home teacher. Through his example, I learned that home teaching is something that you just do. Is it inconvenient at times? Yes--most things of worth are. Is it uncomfortable to be involved with the problems of other families? Of course. But the satisfaction and blessings that come from doing home teaching faithfully are well worth it. I have never come home from home teaching feel worse than when I left.
If we want to bless the lives of our own families, then we should leave them and do our priesthood duty by doing our home teaching. We can hardly count on the blessings of the Lord otherwise. And I dare say we will be held accountable for those we could have blessed had we been more faithful. Let us rely on the arm of Christ as we do all we can do.
Somewhat surprising to us in the Elders Quorum Presidency is the poor home teaching that goes on (or better said, DOESN'T go on) in our quorum. We have problems getting them to do their home teaching and problems getting their reports. This is surprising because we are, relatively, a very active ward.
Today I gave a lesson on our responsibility to do home teaching. I searched out many quotations from Church leaders on the topic and had volunteers read them. We discussed home teaching. I can only hope that the Spirit touched the members of the quorum with a confirmation of how important it is to fulfill this sacred duty of EVERY Melchisedek priesthood holder.
Home teaching is a church program that helps us to fulfill our priesthood duties as laid out in Doctrine and Covenants Section 20. Specifically,
Watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them; And see that there is no iniquity in the church. And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty (D&C 20:53–55). And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties (D&C 20:51).
One of the most explicit quotations I found was this:
The responsibility to do home teaching is inherent in the call of every man to the Melchizedek Priesthood and in the call to the offices of teacher and priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. Every priesthood bearer, in order to magnify his calling according to the “oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood,” is obliged to respond to the home teaching call when it officially comes to him. (Marion G. Romney, “The Responsibilities of Home Teachers”, Ensign, March 1973.)
I was lucky to have a father that was an EXCELLENT example of a faithful home teacher. Through his example, I learned that home teaching is something that you just do. Is it inconvenient at times? Yes--most things of worth are. Is it uncomfortable to be involved with the problems of other families? Of course. But the satisfaction and blessings that come from doing home teaching faithfully are well worth it. I have never come home from home teaching feel worse than when I left.
If we want to bless the lives of our own families, then we should leave them and do our priesthood duty by doing our home teaching. We can hardly count on the blessings of the Lord otherwise. And I dare say we will be held accountable for those we could have blessed had we been more faithful. Let us rely on the arm of Christ as we do all we can do.
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