Jacob, Leah and Rachel Sunday School Lesson

 Here's my Sunday School lesson.  I never get through everything I have planned.  And that's okay.  But I love the discussions.  And I love the studying and learning I do as I prepare.  And I love the comments that others make.  Today, I really loved the spirit that was there throughout the meeting.  I always hope that with all the things we could discuss, I will focus on the things that are most important or that will be a blessing to others.

What worked well for you this week? Any especially good teaching moments or discussions in your families? 

 

Genesis 28: 1-3 Isaac chose to renew the birthright and not revoke it. Some have accused Jacob and Rebekah of being dishonest and usurping the birthright. That is not how I read the scriptures nor did I find support for that opinion from apostles of the church. 

“Bruce R. McConkie said, “Women are appointed, Rebekahlike, to be guides and lights in righteousness in the family unit and to engineer and arrange so that things are done in the way that will result in the salvation of more of our Father’s children.” 

John Taylor had this to say: “Now we will pass by the places in the Bible which speak of this birthright until we come to Isaac, the son of Abraham, and to Jacob, the son of Isaac, who bought the birthright of his brother Esau. Gen. 25:29-34 From the story that is told of Rebekah helping her son Jacob to get the first blessing from his father Isaac, on purpose to secure the birthright from his brother Esau, many would be inclined to think that deceit, dishonesty and unrighteous means were employed to secure it, and they perhaps wonder why it should be so. Gen. 27:1-46 This was really not the case; it is only made to appear so in the eyes of those who do not understand the dealings of God with man, and the [p. 371a]workings of the Holy Spirit to bring about His purposes. There was neither unrighteousness in Rebekah nor in Jacob in this matter; but on the contrary, there was the wisdom of the Almighty, showing forth his providences in guiding them in such a manner as to bring about his purposes, in influencing Esau to transfer his birthright to Jacob, that He might ratify and confirm it upon the head of Jacob; knowing as He did that Jacob and his seed were, and would be, more deserving of the birthright, and would magnify it in its true spirit. Gen. 25:23 While Esau did not sense nor appreciate his condition and birthright; he did not respect it as he should have done, Gen. 25:34 neither did he hearken to the counsels of his father and mother. On the contrary, he went his own way with a stubborn will, and followed his own passions and inclinations and took to wife one of the daughters of the Canaanites whom the Lord had not blessed; Gen. 24:1-3 Gen. 28:1-9 and he therefore rendered himself unacceptable to God and to his father and mother. He gave himself to wild pursuits—to hunting, and to following the ways of the Canaanites, and displeased the Lord and his parents, and was not worthy of this right of seniority. The Lord therefore saw fit to take it from him, and the mother was moved upon to help the younger son to bring about the purpose of the Lord, in securing to himself the blessing through the legitimate channel of the Priesthood. And as you know, his father was induced to bless him and confirm this blessing upon him. Gen. 27:1-46” (JD 21: 371a) 

 

Eldred G Smith in a talk called Patriarchal Order of the Priesthood said this: “And Rebekah, mother of Esau and Jacob, heard him and knowing that Jacob was divinely called to receive the birthright blessings, called Jacob and sent him to fetch two kids, saying that she would prepare savory meat for her husband such as he loved for she knew how to prepare it. And thus Rebekah assisted Jacob to receive the blessings of birthright.” 

Genesis 28:11-12 

*This is a vision/revelation, not just a dream. (Think of Nephi & Lehi’s dream or vision of tree of life) 

Hebrew word translated as ladder here can also be a stairway or ramp. So this is a stairway or ramp to heaven.  

Genesis 28:13-15  

And LORD: Jehovah.  

Lord stood above: He is beckoning us upward, reminding us to Look Up! 

Quote #1 Elder Carl B. Cook gave a talk entitled “Look Up”. I love this reminder: “I think the challenge for all of us—but perhaps particularly for young adults—is to try not to look sideways to see how others are viewing our lives but to look up to see how Heavenly Father sees us. He doesn’t look on the outward appearance but on the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). And He knows, better than anyone else, what each one of us needs.” 

Quote #2 Elder Carl B. Cook also said, “We can “look up” by staying true to the direction we’ve received from a loving Heavenly Father through personal revelation.” 

Elder Cook, in another talk, told of a time that he was feeling burdened and overwhelmed. President Monson saw him in the elevator, and able to sense his feelings, gently told him that it is “better to look up.” He said, “President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things.” 

However, in the footnote it says “beside him”...He is by our side and helps us. Both of these are beautiful concepts to consider. 

Joseph Smith said, ““Paul ascended into the third Heavens and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob’s Ladder, the Telestial, the Terrestrial and the Celestial glories or Kingdoms,” In other words, this was a vision of the three degress of glory! 

 

Now, this is a vision where 1. The Lord is giving instruction. 2. Covenants are being made, including the covenant of Abraham (also known as the new and everlasting covenant), 3. it’s a revelatory experience, and 4. there are messengers guiding him along the ladder or path. 

Does this sound familiar? 

Quote #3 Marion G. Romney, in an article entitled “Temples: The Gates to Heaven” said this:  

“Pondering upon the subject of temples and the means therein provided to enable us to ascend into heaven brings to mind the lesson of Jacob’s dream. You will recall that in the twenty-eighth chapter of Genesis there is an account of his return to the land of his father to seek a wife from among his own people. When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord. 

Because he had met the Lord and entered into covenants with him there, Jacob considered the site so sacred that he named the place Bethel, a contraction of Beth-Elohim, which means literally “the House of the Lord.” He said of it: “… this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Gen. 28:17.) 

Jacob not only passed through the gate of heaven, but by living up to every covenant he also went all the way in. Of him and his forebears Abraham and Isaac, the Lord has said: “… because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.” (D&C 132:37.) 

Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob.” 

 

Vs. 14: In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the Earth be blessed. Our covenants bring blessings but also responsibilities. In a podcast I was listening to a few weeks ago, I loved this thought: the Lord needs us to be different than the world so that we have something to offer the world. There IS an element of exclusivity in the gospel... 

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read : “But ye are a achosen generation, a broyal cpriesthood, an dholy enation, a fpeculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of gdarkness into his marvellous hlight:”  

God wants us to be different, to be a “peculiar” people...but the WHOLE reason He needs and wants us to be different, the WHOLE reason for that exclusivity, is because we have a responsibility to strive for Inclusivity. We are trying to share the gospel message with EVERYONE around us. The goal is for the entire world to be blessed by us. *It’s a good chance, when we read those words, to ponder for a moment how we are doing on that charge and what we can do to fulfill them more completely! 

 

Vs. 16 He said that “Surely God is in this place and I knew it not.” While God is in places like our homes, temples, and churches, God will also be with us in the hardest moments in our lives...In the times when we have rocks as pillows and feel rejected or afraid or heartbroken. God can be found in hospitals, prisons, drug treatment centers, and so on. Wherever we are, God will be there if we look for Him. We never have to walk through this life alone. 

 

QUOTE #6: The Come Follow Me Manual says: “You may find yourself in your own wilderness seeking a blessing from God. Maybe your wilderness is a difficult family relationship, such as Jacob had. Maybe you feel distant from God or feel that you need a blessing. Sometimes the blessing comes unexpectedly; other times it is preceded by a wrestle. Whatever your need, you can discover that even in your wilderness, “the Lord is in this place.” 

When have you seen God in a place that you perhaps didn’t expect? Or when have you looked back on your life and realized that God was with you at a time that you “knew it not”? 

 

Chapter 28 V. 20-21 The Lord be my God...Have we determined that the Lord will be our God? How can you show God today/this week that you have chosen Him to be your God? 

 

Genesis 29 is a love story. Anyone want to give the background of the story of Jacob and Rachel?  

(Possibly read vs. 10-12) 

Read verses 18-20. He loves Rachel and working for 7 years didn’t feel like a sacrifice because he was doing it for someone he loved. (*Applications for us) 

 

Have someone summarize vs. 21-31... Leah substituted for Rachel 

Both Rachel and Leah have a lot of heartache. Rachel is worried and heartsick because she is barren. Leah is jealous and heartbroken because Jacob doesn’t love her. Both are hard situations. My heart aches for both of them.  

Quote #4: In Women of the Old Testament Camille Fronk Olson writes, ““The biblical text reports Jacob’s anger and dismay when he discovered the deception, but no mention is made of the response of Leah or Rachel. What did they think about their father’s marriage schemes for them? Why did the sisters go along with the plan? Did they have a choice? As an imposter at her own wedding, how did Leah feel when she knew her husband would soon discover that she was not his beloved Rachel? Where was Rachel during the ceremony? Was this an act of unselfishness on her part to allow her elder sister also to enjoy the blessings of marriage? Or was Rachel opposed to her father’s chicanery? Whatever the case, Leah and Rachel became burdened with considerable confusion produced by the men closes to them. Only by trusting in the Lord could their subsequent pain and disappointment be removed and their souls be healed. Their individual struggles to let go of burdens created by those who should have been their protectors, while learning to rely on the grace of God, affords us a great lesson for our day.” 

 

 Quote #5 Camille Fronk Olson also writes , “Through deepening trials, each was stretched to the realization that only God validates and enables. His infinite balm, offered to each of us, provides healing, comfort and pure love that exceeds any mortal attempt to succor. The sisters’ individual responses to God in the midst of their unexpected circumstances helped to shape the foundations of God’s covenant people.”  

 

The end of chapter 29 and all of chapter 30 focus on the births of Jacob’s children... (write names on board: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Napthali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, and finally Joseph (Benjamin will be born in a later chapter) 

You’ll note that their names are symbolic of what their mothers are hoping for/experiencing 

Chapter 30: 22-24 God remembered Rachel. There were likely moments that she felt forgotten. But God remembered her and He will remember us. 

Can you think of a time when you recognized that God remembered you? 

*Perhaps tell story of President Oaks suddenly remembering a man he had called to be a stake president years before. He wrote a letter asking what was happening in the man’s life for him to suddenly be on President Oaks’ mind. The former stake president wrote back explaining that his wife had unexpectedly left him and he was struggling. President Oaks replied, giving counsel and love. The former stake president knew that God was aware of him, remembered him in his adversity and had inspired then Elder Oaks to write to him. 

 

Chapter 31: 3 I will be with thee. (THis is a promise given over and over. Talk for a moment about the promises to covenant Israel...show my framed picture. 

Unshaken podcast: “God’s redemption is relentless.” 

Chapter 31: 13-16...Jacob consults with his wives. They express faith and trust in God...whatever God hath said unto thee, do. (Good counsel for us!) 

 

Genesis 32: 9-12 Jacob turns to the Lord. He demonstrates great humility. We also cry out to the Lord to deliver us...from sickness, heartache, pain, sin, danger, disease or whatever our affliction may be.  

Vs. 12 also gives another beautiful promise: I will surely do thee good and make thy seed as the sand of the sea. I love this promise!  

Genesis 32: 24, 27-30 Jacob wrestles with angel/man and his name is changed. (Temple symbolism here too.) 

 

Quote #7 President Nelson spoke of this in his 2020 talk, Let God Prevail: 

“For a moment, let us recall a crucial turning point in the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. At the place Jacob named Peniel (which means “the face of God”),6 Jacob wrestled with a serious challenge. His agency was tested. Through this wrestle, Jacob proved what was most important to him. He demonstrated that he was willing to let God prevail in his life. In response, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel,7 meaning “let God prevail.” God then promised Israel that all the blessings that had been pronounced upon Abraham’s head would also be his.” 

We, like Jacob, have made covenants. At baptism, we took upon us the name of Christ. Some of us have made additional covenants in the temple and experienced similar things to what Jacob’s covenant entailed. Are we, like Jacob, willing to let God prevail? 

Quote #8 President Nelson said, “The question for each of us, regardless of race, is the same. Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?18” 

 

IF time discuss chapter 33 and Jacob and Esau’s reconciliation and reunion. Time can heal wounds. People can change. 

Ramblings on Modesty and Other Topics

 Lately...well I guess over the past 3 or 4 years, but there has been a resurgence again lately, I see members of the church posting quotes or articles about modesty and how modesty has little or nothing to do with how a person dresses.  Lots of people are upset that modesty has ever been connected to chastity or that girls have ever been told that the way they dress influences others.  

I want to be cautious about how I share my thoughts, but I feel like the Spirit has been whispering to me that much of what I'm seeing is only a portion of the truth OR that some of it, while sounding good, is false.  I think much of what many of us believe about modesty today is primarily the philosophies of men with a little truth behind it.

I want to be clear that I absolutely reject any notion that if a girl dresses immodestly and then she is attacked or raped that it is her fault.  I absolutely do not believe that.  However, I have concerns about the narratives that we are feeding our youth today.

First, the way we dress influences the way we feel and often the way we behave.  Clothing has both symbolic and literal power on the way we walk through the world.  If I put on exercise clothes, I'm more likely to exercise.  If I put on a fancy dress, it does influence the way I feel compared to throwing on sweats or a swimsuit.  I think if we deny this, we are fooling ourselves.  Clothing also has many symbolic meanings.  A sweatshirt might convey warmth or safety or even hiding ourselves from others.  Obviously, many religions include clothing as part of their worship of God and these items of clothing have symbolic significance that goes beyond just their appearance.  That is true for us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  That is true for Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Sikhs, and members of many other faiths as well as for people in non-religious groups as well.  (For example, there is great symbolism in putting on a sports team's jersey.  Or symbolism in donning scrubs and surgical mask.  And countless other examples.)  There is a correlation between our behavior, our thoughts, our feelings and the way we dress.  

Second, our choices DO impact others.  Again, I want to be clear that someone's mode of dress does NOT give someone else the right to attack, mistreat, demean, or abuse another person.  However, we readily admit that, for example, bullying has an impact on the victim.  Unkind words affect the way a person thinks about himself or herself and can alter mood and behavior.  We recognize that if someone gossips, even if the gossip is untrue, it can have damaging effects on others.  Why should our dress be different?  While we don't want it to be true, people do make assumptions about us based on our dress.  If I see a person downtown in baggy, dirty clothes and unkempt hair, I am more likely to assume that they are homeless than if I see someone downtown in a business suit.  That's probably not entirely fair, but it's also not unreasonable...and it is what happens unconsciously to all of us.   While I ultimately have responsibility for MY actions, the things you say, do, and wear DO impact me in small or big ways.  If our actions didn't impact others, then it wouldn't matter as much if we lied, stole, cheated, used drugs, drove dangerously, and so on.  It would still impact our own lives, but the results would be far less far spread and far less devastating overall.

I read recently (in Atomic Habits by James Clear) that "The human body has about eleven million sensory receptors.  Approximately ten million of those are dedicated to sight.  Some experts estimate that half of the brain's resources are used on vision.  Given that we are more dependent on vision than any other sense, it should come as no surprise that visual cues are the greatest catalyst of our behavior."  (page 84)  If that much of our sensory receptors and brain function are connected to vision, then clearly what we see is going to have a powerful impact on our behavior.  I think the prevalence and success of pornography should be one piece of evidence of that.  Pornography is addictive, and it is an ever growing cause of concern.  I find it hypocritical that many of the same people that are adamantly opposed to pornography also think it doesn't matter whether you dress modestly or not.  I remember reading a post from a respected member of the church who had struggled with a pornography addiction. He talked about how vigilant he had to be to keep from returning to this habit, and he mentioned briefly that while he knows he is responsible for his choices and his patterns of thought and behavior, that when people dress immodestly, it is harder for him to not have those things that he has viewed in the past resurface.  As pornography increases in abundance and availability and as addiction levels rise, I fear that those who choose to dress immodestly are inadvertently making things more difficult for those who are trying hard to overcome this problem.  

The reality is that lingerie and similar clothing are designed to create attraction (in many cases lust) and to move the mind to think about sexual behavior.  If it didn't work, then the lingerie industry would be bankrupt.  

Our minds are powerful, and each of us has a responsibility to learn to bridle our passions, to let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly, to make our thoughts and actions consistent with our beliefs.  Other people's choices aren't an excuse for us to sin.  I can't overstate that.  We have agency, and we must make choices and take responsibility for our actions.  Rape, abuse, promiscuity, adultery, and related acts are always wrong.  Much of the heartache and problems that exist in our world are a result of the misuse of the beautiful procreative powers our Father has shared with us.  However, my choices regarding language, dress, media usage, and many other topics influence the choices I will make and also have an impact on others around me.  I want to live so that I am "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).  I believe the way I dress is one small part of that.  I should act and dress differently than the world.  I should hold myself to a higher standard.   In the Unshaken podcast, Jared Halverson often talks about exclusivity with the purpose of inclusivity.  He says that we must live a higher law, be a better group of people, keep our covenants because that is the only way we have something to offer to others.  But the whole purpose of our being a covenant keeping people is so that we then will reach out to others and invite them to make and keep covenants as well.  God chose Abraham and his descendants to make covenants and follow Him, but the purpose was always so that "In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the Earth be blessed" (Genesis 27:14 and many other places). The goal is for everyone to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. That's our role as members of the Church, and while the world WILL teach worldly principles, we must remember who we are and act accordingly. Now all of us, of course, will make mistakes. All of us will sin, and none of us will be perfect examples...only Christ was able to do that. So of course, we need and cherish the gift of repentance. And we need to forgive others. But I fear that many of the worldly influences of today try to convince us that we don't even need to repent because we have done nothing wrong. And that puts us in a place of danger and vulnerability. I worry for those who fall into these traps. I worry that I am falling into these traps in ways that I am unaware of...and I hope that when I am, someone wiser and with greater vision will help me to see it.

Other thoughts on modesty:

*There are blessings that come from obedience.  

*We are disciples of Jesus Christ.  Hopefully, the way we speak, think, act, dress, and live demonstrate our faith in Him and desire to be like Him.

*If we have developed habits of modesty, it will be easier when we enter the temple.  We won't need to make adjustments in our wardrobe or lifestyle.

*Our bodies are a beautiful gift from Heavenly Father.  One of our tests in this life is how we will use these gifts.  Will we use them in ways that show gratitude and reverence to our Heavenly Parents?  Will we use them in ways that demonstrate self-respect and an understanding of the gift that our bodies are?  

*Modesty does entail more than just our dress.  Modesty is often used as a synonym for humility.  Modesty has three definitions:  1. the quality or state of being unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities.  2. the quality of being relatively moderate, limited, or small in amount, rate, or level. 3.  behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.  In this post I have focused on the third definition, but all are important.  I believe that all are part of becoming a Christlike person.  

*Like with anything else, I recognize that we are all learning and at different points in our growth and development.   I understand that this is more difficult for some people than for others.  My intent is never to shame or hurt or demean anyone who--for whatever reason--choose differently than me.

Random Thoughts and what's happening in life

 Last Sunday I was sustained as secretary in the stake YW Presidency.  I'm excited to be back in YW!  It will be different than being YW President or a counselor in a YW presidency, but I will still get to go to camp and to stake activities and be a part of YW and we have a FANTASTIC presidency, so I'm so happy.  Melissa Tye is our stake YW President, Sara Harding is first counselor, Wendy Sweeny is second counselor and now I'm secretary.  It will be great.  Today I went to West Point Ward since it was their ward conference, and I loved that.  Their sacrament meeting and combined YM/YW meeting were excellent and I felt the spirit so strongly!   I will also continue teaching Gospel Doctrine in my ward on the first Sunday of each month, so that will be great too.  Pretty excited and happy about all of it!

I got a sweet text from my friend La today.  She said, "Just wanted to tell you how much I love and appreciate you.  Your presence in my life and Addison's is felt.  It's a constant thread I can count on.  Thank you for being such an amazing friend, and dedicated YW president that the girls knew without a doubt that they were important to you, and loved by you....you've left an impression on our hearts and souls for eternity that we're thankful for.  Thank you for being you.  I love you."  Made my day!  It meant so much to me!

Sara and I had an hour long talk after church.  There are so many people that want to avoid hard subjects or avoid possibly offending someone that they don't want to teach doctrine.  I've seen numerous comments related to this online, and I know of examples in my ward and stake where people wanted to skip lessons or significantly modify lessons because they were afraid that a lesson on chastity or modesty or eternal marriage would be offensive or might make someone uncomfortable.  I understand those thoughts...I do.  I can see where they are coming from, and I think that in most cases the intent is good.  BUT I think we need to be so careful about teaching truth.  Our youth need that, and they need it in purity and not diluted.  They DO need to know that they will be loved no matter what, and that repentance is possible and that God loves them even when they sin.  BUT there are consequences for our choices--for good or ill--and it actually isn't very loving to avoid teaching truth.  Because the world is in their faces about things and they are being exposed to lots of lies and distortions and watered down truths.  And they are being told that they are enough and that they should "live their truth" and so many other messages. And those messages have consequences.  When I look at the world around me, I believe that MANY of the world's problems are a result of our lack (as a society) of being chaste.  Nearly every problem in the world would be solved if we truly followed Christ and kept His commandments.  It IS the pathway to peace and joy and hope and safety and to all the blessings the Father WANTS to give us but that we have to be willing to receive.   I follow Leading Saints and they have been talking a lot lately about teaching doctrine.  One more reason to teach doctrine is that ONLY by teaching doctrine will we ever change behavior.  If we want to increase motivation or change behavior, teaching doctrine is the way to do it.  Elder Packer taught:  “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior."  

At school this year, we have a darling, young sixth grade teacher.  She really is cute and you can genuinely tell she enjoys her students and they like her.  She talks and laughs with them and cares about them.  BUT she also doesn't really enforce rules. (I think she has a lot of potential and I think she will learn and figure things out.)   The sixth graders run and shout in the halls.  They used to throw food in the cafeteria (though our principal solved that).  They are disrespectful.  And I often get after them.  And they don't like it.  I'm not always very popular with them because I try to keep them from acting that way.  (Most of the time.  Sometimes I do shrug my shoulders and feel like it's a losing battle.  But not most of the time.)  I care enough about them to do my best to ensure they behave.  Same with my students.  I genuinely try to have a positive relationship with them, but I also have high expectations and expect them to do their best to behave, work hard, etc.  I'm not always the favorite teacher (though I don't think I'm hated either), and most of the time I am okay with that because I'm doing my job in teaching them to work hard, to behave, to make good choices, etc.  I love them enough to give consequences if they are not following directions.  While I care deeply about them, my relationship with them is not that of a friend, but that of a teacher.  So, too, as a YW leader, my role was different than being a peer.  I think and hope that my YW knew that I loved them deeply and saw such good in them.  But I wasn't afraid to ask them to be respectful or to teach them about hard topics (I taught about chastity at least 4 different times in my 7 years as a YW leader).  I wasn't afraid to be their leader or to teach truth even if maybe they didn't love what I had to say.  And YET, I feel pretty confident that most if not all knew that my love was sincere and genuine.  I think they knew that even if they chose a different path than I would choose for them, I still loved them.  But I also think there was little doubt in their mind that I believed what I taught and that I wasn't afraid to teach the gospel.  I hope that's true for other youth leaders.

I'm reading President Oaks' biography right now.  He's an incredible man.  A million times harder worker than I am, and I think I work hard.  He is brilliant.  Apparently, he has a fabulous sense of humor and loves funny stories and jokes though his family explains that most people don't see that side of him much as he takes his role as an apostle very seriously.  As I have been listening, my love and respect for him has grown.  I already loved and respected him, but those feelings have multiplied.  As I was listening a couple of days ago, I began thinking about how he clearly and directly teaches doctrine and sometimes that upsets people.  Often I have heard people criticize him.  And I have felt so grateful that he has thick enough skin and a deep enough conviction to teach truth even if that sometimes makes him the target of angry comments or of people misunderstanding his motives or desires.  I don't think I am there...but I want to be.  Oh how I love the leaders of our church!!

President Carlson in a stake youth council meeting last Sunday briefly mentioned a talk by Elder Andersen on having high expectations and high love and how important and powerful that is.  He sent a link but my email is being weird and I can't get it to open correctly.  But Sara and I were talking about it today and so I did a little digging and found more information.  I want to read more about it but  I love this chart that someone created about it.  I want miracles!  That's my goal for my family and those I love.

Also, it has been a bit of a disheartening week with Russia invading the Ukraine.  I'm no expert and don't know everything, but I know that once again people are suffering.  That makes me sad.  But I realized while talking to Sara and Jackie yesterday that while my heart aches for these people and while they have been in my prayers, I have felt a great deal of hope and peace this week.  How can that be?  I quickly realized...it's because I am working hard to memorize The Living Christ and I have been thinking about, singing about, and pondering on Christ all day, every day this week.  I am peaceful because I know Him and I love Him and there is POWER in speaking of Him, trusting Him and thinking of Him.  There is!

Birthday/Super Bowl

I was treated with such love for my birthday. So many messages, texts, gifts, and treats.  Sara and Jackie brought me a cupcake and flowers and took me for dessert a few days later.  Alfredo bought me the most beautiful roses.  Melissa brought me an orchid and a gift card.  Alfredo got a remote starter for my car.  Students wrote me notes and brought me gifts.  It was lovely.

Super Bowl Sunday was a few days after my birthday.  Michelle and Chris came Saturday night and stayed until Sunday evening.  We went to Jeremy and Stacie’s house for dinner and the Super Bowl and to celebrate Stacie’s birthday and mine.  

It was a good week.

 

Valentine’s Day

For Valentine’s Day I made heart shaped pancakes for Ella and Gabby.  That evening we celebrated at home with a delicious steak dinner that I cooked and then Alfredo and I went to Rodizio  Grill on Friday as a late Valentine’s date night.

I decorated Ella and Gabby’s doors with hearts listing things Michelle and I love about them and also gave them each a small treat.

Treats for college students

 I planned a few weeks ago to spend this past Saturday with Michelle.  I really enjoyed the day together.  We had lunch, worked on/completed a puzzle, got treats and went to buy her more puzzles.  And we talked and enjoyed time together.  

Since I knew I was going to Logan, I decided to put together a little treat bag for Michelle and her roommates with a St. Patrick’s Day theme.

For Valentine’s Day I had mailed a bunch of hearts with things we love about her written on them but for some reason they were returned…arriving on Saturday…so I will give them to her next time I see her.

She is dating a guy named Chris and they are getting serious I think.  He has been to our house a couple of times now and he is a great kid.  Michelle is still young but she is smart and sensible and I trust her to make good choices.  

Sunshine bags Hunter

Yesterday was a good day.  I began my day at the temple which is always the best way to start a day. I love the temple.  So much.

Then a week ago I felt prompted to do something for the teachers and staff at Hunter High.  I asked several friends with kids at the high school if they wanted to help.  We ended up making sunshine bags…with clementines, popcorn, water and lemonade packets, and several orange and yellow candies.  Each person bought something and then the four of us that were available got together yesterday to assemble the bags. Just over 170 of them.  It made my day.  It’s been a hard year at Hunter, between the pandemic and then a recent shooting that killed two students and injured another and then accidents claiming a couple of other lives. I hope this really does bring a ray of sunshine into their day tomorrow.

 After we finished I sent the following message to my friends that helped:

You are all simply amazing and my heart is full right now!  I am certain the teachers will appreciate this.

I went to the temple this morning and the part with the adversary talking about his power and influence really struck me.  I feel like I can see and feel that all around.  But also I have felt so strongly lately that we CAN make a difference.  We can add light and righteousness and it matters.  Studying about the flood last week, one podcast talked about 3 floods...a flood of wickedness, a flood of truth and righteousness and a flood of consequences (in that instance through a flood of water).  And the Lord has promised a flood of truth and righteousness in our day... and that will come through us.  I can never express my thoughts as well as I want to but I am so grateful for your goodness and for the way each of you is flooding the world with love and truth and righteousness and goodness.  It inspires me to be better and it reminds me that there is hope in the midst of the heartache and suffering. Thank you!