Day 6's items: a notecard to write a kind note to someone else, two packs of Starburst (one to keep and one to give away) and a note with ideas about how to serve others.
Bonnie Oscarson said, “One of the best ways to increase feelings of self-worth is to show, through our concern and service to others, that we have much of worth to contribute. I encourage you young women to raise your hands to volunteer and to put those hands to work when you see needs around you. As you fulfill your covenant responsibilities and participate in building the kingdom of God, blessings will flow into your life and you’ll discover the deep and lasting joy of discipleship.“
This world needs our love and our discipleship. Find a way to serve and help someone today! And each day!
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Our devotional today was given by our beloved Bishop.
Bishop Carlson spoke to us from Delta...a place he and his family love. He showed us the water that his family loves to spend time in.
Bishop Carlson said that he loves water and that this was a perfect setting to remind us of a story of our Savior. Jesus had given the Sermon on the Mount and fed the 5,000. He fed the 5,000 with so little...fed them both physically and spiritually which teaches us that His grace is always sufficient regardless of the odds or of what we lack. His ability to aid you will never run out or be used up. The Savior went up to a mountain to pray. He commanded his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. (See Matthew 14). A storm arose and they must have labored mightily to row. By the fourth watch (some time between 3-6 AM), they had only gone a short distance. Can you imagine their exhaustion? They must have felt discouraged, perhaps even despairing.
Our Savior was watching over them--He always does, remember that. He walked on the water to reach them. They cried out in terror as He walked toward them. He said, "It is I. Be not afraid."
Storms will come to us...sometimes they come unexpectedly and sometimes with warning...these storms may cause frustration, sorrow, despair, disappointment, sadness. We may even begin to feel that all is lost.
Our Lord and Master watches over us from afar. Just as He came to His disciples on the Sea of Galilee, He comes to us. If that requires Him to walk on water He will do it. If He must move a mountain to come to you, He will do it. Whatever it takes, He will come to you. Christ watches over and will come to you.
He does so because you are worth it. To Him, you are ALWAYS worth it. You were worth it in the garden as He took upon Himself your sorrows, your sins, your weaknesses, your sicknesses, your grief, your temptations, your heartaches. But also as He experienced your joys and successes and accomplishments. You are worth it.
Bishop Carlson shared that two years ago, his beloved aunt forgot her worth. She must have had demons she wrestled with and must not have been able to see her divinity. She took her life which has brought great sorrow to their family...but also hope due to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
And so Bishop Carlson would like you to remember that you are IRREPLACEABLE! Irreplaceable to your family, to him, to our ward family, to our Savior and to our Heavenly Father. May you know that...may the Spirit testify of this truth to you, right now. If you can't feel that right now, believe in Bishop's words...and believe in the Savior's words. You are irreplaceable. The Savior's words can dispel darkness and be a shield and protection to you. You are of great value...know that, remember that, treasure that. He lives, He loves you and He will lift us!
Day 7’s item is a little ring of quotes.
The young women received a note that encouraged them to read a different quote each day for the next several weeks. Then take a few minutes to write down how that quote makes you feel, what it teaches you or any thoughts you have about your own unique gifts and talents. (Those thoughts are the Holy Ghost teaching and testifying and leading you.). If worth week goes beyond one week ...spending a few minutes each day to ponder your worth as a daughter of God, you will see changes in your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Understanding who you really are will bless your life. After 3 to 4 weeks are over, perhaps read one quote each week or begin to memorize your favorite quotes or begin looking for additional quotes that you can add to your booklet. The words in this booklet are true. Not just in general, but specifically for YOU! You are a beloved child of Heavenly Parents.
Day 8's item is a pair of sunglasses with a note to "Look for the good in others and in yourself."
Today we had our ending meeting.
I shared a few thoughts with them. Moses saw God the Father face to face. We read in Moses 1:
Shortly after this, the adversary came to Moses and said, "Moses, son of man, worship me." Moses replied:And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.3 And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.
Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?
Because Moses knew who He was, it helped prevent Him from being deceived by Satan.
Our preeminent (or most important) identity is that of a son or daughter of God. This knowledge brings many blessings, including (but not limited to the following):
*it is essential to our salvation. We can't become who we are meant to be (gods and goddesses) without an understanding of who we are.
*It gives us greater power and strength. Power and strength to overcome the traps and temptations of the adversary but also to endure trials and to persevere under difficult circumstances.
*It helps us understand the plan of salvation and especially our Savior's role in that plan.
*It leads us to repent.
*It encourages us to be kinder with ourselves, more forgiving of our own mistakes and weaknesses.
*It leads us to be kinder and more loving toward others. If we truly know who we are AND that everyone we meet is also a child of God, then we will treat them with kindness, respect and love.
*In fact, this knowledge has the power to transform this world...it's really the only thing that does.
*It brings peace. This past couple of months have been challenging...with the virus, school closures, not being able to attend church and the temple, earthquakes, riots and injustice. I have struggled to find peace. But as I prepared for worth week and especially as I participated in worth week, my troubles were calmed. The problems didn't all disappear but my heart was soothed and I know that we can experience peace from Christ even in the midst of difficulties and challengies and turmoil in the world around us.
Donald Hallstrom gave a beautiful talk called I Am a Child of God. He told of traveling to Liberia with Elder and Sister Bednar and of a beautiful church gathering with the people there. When asked if they knew the words to "How Firm a Foundation", they did. Together they sang verses 1, 2, 3, and 7. Their voices were raised in praise as they sang:
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!Elder Hallstrom said,
"In one of the most remarkable spiritual events of my life, I was taught a profound lesson that day. We live in a world that can cause us to forget who we really are. The more distractions that surround us, the easier it is to treat casually, then ignore, and then forget our connection with God. The Saints in Liberia have little materially, and yet they seem to have everything spiritually. What we witnessed that day in Monrovia was a group of sons and daughters of God who knew it!
In today’s world, no matter where we live and no matter what our circumstances are, it is essential that our preeminent identity is as a child of God. Knowing that will allow our faith to flourish, will motivate our continual repentance, and will provide the strength to “be steadfast and immovable” throughout our mortal journey."
We each have many identities: perhaps athlete, musician, artist, mom, wife, teacher, pianist, YW president, and so on. These are all great and are a part of our identity. But they are only part of our identity. Our preeminent identity is as a child of God.
The result of any learning should be change or application. I don't teach my third graders to multiply just so they can be the fastest in a 5 minute timed test. I teach it so that when they need to solve a real life problem (such as how many donuts do they need if there are 3 classes with 25 kids in each class), they can use that skill to solve it. Anything we learn should lead to some type of change...so what might you change as a result of worth week? Maybe you'll be a little kinder to others. Maybe you'll remind yourself of who you are more often. Maybe you'll be a little faster to repent. Consider what you will do to apply what you have learned and felt.
I also shared one of the most memorable sacrament meeting talks I've ever attended. A member of our stake presidency (who was also really instrumental in my life) spoke in sacrament meeting. Some of his children were grown and married but they were all there that week. I don't actually remember most of his talk...but near the end he looked at his children and said how happy he was that they were all there together. Then he got tears in his eyes and said that it felt a bit like heaven having them all together and that heaven wouldn't be heaven without them. He plead with them--with all the love of a Father--to live so that they could all go home together. That really touched me. Heaven won't be heaven without my family. Or without these precious young women. Or so many others that I love. Let's please all go home to heaven together!
The young women shared beautiful experiences of what they learned and felt this week and how it strengthened and helped them. I hope that now they will continue to REMEMBER and ACT on what they experienced.
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