Relief Society Lesson

It was my turn to teach today in Relief Society, and as I have said before, I like to post my talks, lessons, etc... because I use my blog as a journal. I enjoyed teaching this lesson, it gave me an insight into the Prophet Joseph Smith that I had not seen before. He was a great man, with great character and depth.... and this is definitely displayed in his writings.

The lesson today was out of the Joseph Smith Manuel, Chapter 29. I started out the lesson by having Marissa play Joseph Smith's First Prayer for us on the piano. She did not play it quite as everyone was expecting, she actually played it very out of key. She then played it the correct and beautiful way, as everyone sang along. The reason that I had her do this was to demonstrate the difference between something that is harmonious and peaceful, and something that is "ugly" and uncomfortable. This little demonstration led into the lesson which was entitled, "Living with Others in Peace and Harmony". One of the desires of the early Latter-day Saints was simply to be allowed to live their religion in peace. This did not happen, as we all well know. In 1833 the Saints were forced to leave Jackson County, MO just 2 years after dedicating it as a place of gathering. In 1836 they began moving to northern Missouri. Most settled in Caldwell County. Far West which was the county seat became a thriving Latter-day Saint settlement. Just 2 short years later in the fall of 1838, tensions similar to those that they experienced in Jackson County arose. Mobs and militia once again began to attack and harass the Latter-day Saints. The prophets mother Lucy Mack Smith shared this moving account about her son:One day the Prophet was visiting his parents’ home in Far West, when a group of armed militiamen came in and announced that they had come to kill him for a supposed crime. Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet’s mother, described his gift for peacemaking: “[Joseph] looked upon them with a very pleasant smile and, stepping up to them, gave each of them his hand in a manner which convinced them that he was neither a guilty criminal nor yet a cowering hypocrite. They stopped and stared as though a spectre had crossed their path. “Joseph sat down and entered into conversation with them and explained to them the views and feelings of the people called Mormons and what their course had been, as also the treatment which they had met with from their enemies since the first outset of the Church. He told them that malice and detraction had pursued them ever since they entered Missouri, but they were a people who had never broken the laws to his knowledge. But if they had, they stood ready to be tried by the law. … “After this, he rose and said, ‘Mother, I believe I will go home. Emma will be expecting me.’ Two of the men sprang to their feet, saying, ‘You shall not go alone, for it is not safe. We will go with you and guard you.’ Joseph thanked them, and they went with him. “The remainder of the officers stood by the door while these were absent, and I overheard the following conversation between them: “First Officer: ‘Did you not feel strangely when Smith took you by the hand? I never felt so in my life.’ “Second Officer: ‘I felt as though I could not move. I would not harm one hair of that man’s head for the whole world.’ “Third Officer: ‘This is the last time you will ever catch me coming to kill Joe Smith or the Mormons either.’ … “Those men who went with my son promised to go disband the militia under them and go home, and said that if he had any use for them, they would come back and follow him anywhere.”1 Speaking the truth in a kind, forthright way, Joseph Smith overcame prejudice and hostility and made peace with many of those who had been his enemies.Question: Can anyone think of any examples of someone remaining calm and peaceful in a difficult situation?A couple that were discussed were, Abinadi, and Martin Luther King. I also brought up the fact that I admire so much how the leaders of our Church handle the constant scrutiny and criticism. They always handle situations with the utmost tackt and dignity. I have never known any Church leaders to show anything but respect for people of other religions or faiths. Just last week I watched a video clip that was e mailed to me by a friend. It was an interview with Elder Russell Ballard, and Elder Quentin Cook. The goal of the interview was to dispel some of the myths surrounding our faith, they wanted to present a fuller picture of our faith. A few subjects that were discussed included; Proposition 8, Temples, Baptism for the Dead, and how we are not part of the Reorganized Church that practices polygamy. In the interview, Elder Cook said, "We feel enourmous respect for other Faiths". I was very impressed with the interview and have included the link in case you would like to view it.http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6616644The interview was a perfect introduction to another section in the lesson which was about cultivating harmony in our communities by respecting the freedom of all people to believe according to their own conscience. We discussed different ways that we can honor the rights of others to "worship how, where, or what they may". Some of them were: to listen and try to understand, to find common ground, to be respectful, and to not talk negatively.We discussed what it means to be a Peacemaker. Joseph Smith described it so well. The one thing that hit me the most though, was that we should be like little children. We ended the lesson by discussing the importance of refusing to find fault one with another. How often do we judge or find fault with others unfairly because of something that we have heard, or thought we heard? I asked this not because I am immune to this, but because I am as guilty as the next person. I would though, however, like to make a much greater effort to be respectful and mindful of other people's feelings. I think that this is something that as Relief Society sisters, we can be especially aware of. We need to be mindful and considerate of eachother, and for sure not say things that could be hurtful or damaging to another sister in our ward. I challenge all of us to work to have more peace and harmony in our lives and to always strive to be Peacemakers.