Responding to Persecution with Faith and Courage

Relief Society lesson title above: I usually make a synopsis of the lesson and present it along with my testimony before hand. That way, if time runs out I have already given my testimony and feelings which is addressed early on. I call it my "editorial."

Here it is--

We live in the 21st century. The Church has had many current day persecutions tha are so common in our daily lives. How has the Chruch been successful to counter some of this opposition?

I mention here a few of those that are apparent in view of the recent political blackmail that prevails in an effort to legalize the abominations God has warned us about.

Who has not suffered some kind of discrimination/persecution individually or collectively? What do we learn from the example of Joseph Smith of how to bear the burdens that are placed upon us, and heavily upon others?

Who has suffered forth sake of our own testimony of truth or been challenged in the work place, our neighborhoods. . . or have we not arrived in the latter-days where good is claimed to be evil and evil to be good.

What can we do to help our children to learn how to be strong, steadfast and immovable when peer pressures about? What can we do as parents, grandparents, teachers, or ward members to face the opposition?

What would our Savior have us do? Joseph and Emma were a couple who faced so many trials of their faith and courage to be faithful, abounding in the love of Jesus Christ to sustain them in all their persecutions for his sake. The early Saints also with them were literally driven from their homes, their comforts or sacrificing everything they owned or possessed leaving behind a newly built temple.

They made sacred covenants and looked for the blessings promised to the faithful. We likewise in our day are challenged perhaps not to the same degree as them, but we look to the Savior and bask in the arms of his love and self sacrifice to have the Gospel restored in the latter-days as a result through Joseph Smith.

Addendum to Sunday's Blog

My soul was filled to overflowing today in my sacrament meeting. The adult speaker gave such an outstanding talk about Christ. It was as if I was drinking from a well of living water. It was beautiful. I don't know if it was the preparation I have had the last few weeks that my Spirit is quickened easily.

The prompting was given to me to go visit Hank's ward in Orem for his sacrament meeting. I followed what I was told and arrived just as the announcements were given. I could hear his voice conducting as bishop. It was a unique experience and also Fast and Testimony meeting. K2 blessed the sacrament and gave the prayer as if it wasn't read, but said with meaning. We partook of the sacrament. I felt the reverence that Bp Hank had created with his words beforehand and all during the sacrament time.

Hank began to bear his testimony after the Aaronic priesthood dismissed to their seats. His words were well thought out and everyone was drinking in what he had to say about the Savior too. It was so sweet, as if eating of the fruit of the tree of life. It was delicious to my soul. I cannot recall having felt this kind of spiritual feast before the testimonies were even borne.

The entire meeting was set with the tone that Bp Hank created. I was there and just observed while enjoying the lift to my spirit. The testimonies were varied. Bp. Hank suggested the testimonies be kept about the Savior. K6 gave her testimony without any prompting from anyone. She sat next to me during the meeting. K2 got up to bear his testimony. I was so pleased to see him and felt the preparation he is making for his mission later in the fall. It pleased this grandma greatly. Wow, time sure flies by, it hardly seems possible that he was a babe in arms blessed by his father. Lori closed the meeting with her own added testimony. All the testimonies touched us all. Her testimony gave me an insight that the bishop and their families are blessed by the prayers of their ward members. I am so thankful for the many tender mercies that blesses the lives of my children in all their own lives.

I know blessings come to me and my family through service in the temple and temple attendance. I know angels watch over us and protect us when needed. The hand of God is ever present in my life, for which I am deeply indebted to Him and grateful.