Snippets for Relief Society 2014 :) Use search term Joseph Fielding Smith to view more for this week or for other weeks.
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Love And Concern For All Our Father's Children. Not an easy thing to do at times.
This is a sweet, heart-softening lesson. The kind of tune-up we all need occasionally, starting with the opening quote:
“I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, [and fully internalized everyone else has the same identity and origin] … they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth.”
If our eyes were fully opened to the depth and breadth of our divine essence, the impact of it would change our outlook and enlarge our capacities to love.
Instead, we typically see each other's mortal coverings through our own mortal eyes. Which may not be the clearest view.
Speaking of mortal coverings, people really get to us with the mortal things they say and do. Misunderstandings, enmities and wariness form quite easily, it's human nature.
How do we bridge the two opposing ideas - mortality with divine reality?
We intellectually know our regal inheritance and divine potential. Most of us can sing "I Am A Child Of God" by heart. We also know from our gospel education we're all brothers and sisters, with the same inheritance and origin. But the phenomenon of really deep down feeling connected to those around us in such an enlightened way takes some effort. Especially with those whom we don't know as well or spend a lot of time with. Seeing the majority of others around us as if they are truly our endeared brothers and sisters, happens only occasionally with a big boost from the Spirit.
Instead, we learn from childhood on - people are scary.
People are unkind, have agendas and reject you.
They give off messages we're broken, damaged goods.
We build walls.
We have wards full of people with big, thick walls all sitting next to each other on Sunday looking straight ahead or maybe glancing briefly at each other.
One of the speakers at BYU Ed week observed the trend these days is to have a broad collection of superficial relationships - but deep, meaningful connections are more and more the exception.
For example, having lots of Facebook and/or hallway friends along with pleasant greetings and short conversations are nice but these are not deep, meaningful connections.
Deep, meaningful connections are what heal us. Our souls long for these kinds of associations but reaching out and finding them is risky. So we build cautious barriers instead.
Let's talk about what meaningful connections are made of. You'll see these descriptions reflected in Zacchaeus's story below. But first are from my quickly scribbled notes from BYU Ed week. These short definitions are almost like an instruction manual of how to make social interactions happen successfully. I've been experimenting with them with different folks who I sometimes avoid and they work! I hope you get to experiment with these ideas too.
Meaningful Connections:
1) A true connection is to be seen, heard and valued. (Either what we give away to others, and/or have others give us.)
2) Remember who you A.R.E. - which stands for: accessibility (approachable), responsive and engagement (make an effort with the conversation/exchange).
President Smith teaches us what culture ought to take place in our wards and at Church:
"Thus, everything we do in the Church centers around the divine law that we are to love and worship God and serve our fellowmen."
"It is no wonder, then, that as a church and as a people we have deep and abiding concern for the welfare of all our Father’s children. We seek their temporal and spiritual well-being along with our own. We pray for them as we do for ourselves..."
Personal question: Does your ward feel like Joseph Fielding Smith's description - are there connections and deep, abiding concern? If you feel there are, are there others around you who may need to feel it more? If this doesn't fit your ward's description - what can you do to change that for a few folks?
We don't often feel richly connected to a lot of people in our own ward - sometimes with really good reasons! We can cite those reasons and recount lots of stories of how unsafe people are.
Yet even with all the rejection, persecution and criticism the Savior faced, Jesus didn't have walls.
Christ doesn't respond to difficult people or situations the way we often do. I've been aware of that for a while - but haven't always figured out how to imitate Him.
Christ connects with all kinds of people. He wasn't afraid of who He sat with or who He dined with.
I was most impressed when a BYU speaker expounded on a story about Christ I never stopped and contemplated before.
It's the story of Zacchaeus (Za-k-us), the little guy who climbed a tree to get a better look at Christ when he walked by.
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans [very unpopular tax collectors despised by Jews as traitors], and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (Luke 19:1-7)
Imagine how this man must have felt! "...and received him joyfully." Christ, who had utmost status, stopped to recognize Zacchaeus, connect with him, and validate him. Even when most of the world saw Zacchaeus as a small man of great social stigma. He was unpopular.
This same speaker (I wish I remembered names) went on to cite several other stories of Christ, where he stopped to take the time to make meaningful connections with seemingly insignificant people.
The connection pattern is there: Christ made sure people were seen, heard, valued ~ and Christ was accessible, responsive and engaging. (Remember the "little children" story?)
Which brings us back to President JF Smth's beggining quote:
"...they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth.”
People are still scary, hard feelings still happen and our walls still go up. And it would probably take a miracle on the order of the Battle of Jericho to get the worst of them to come down.
Fortunately this is a gospel of miracles and this Church belongs to Christ.
There is a way and it starts with us.
Here are some gems from BYU Ed week and possibly some of my favorite new insights.
Yes, people are scary. And we've built up walls over a lifetime because of them. The irony is personal healing and emotional and spiritual well-being comes from making plenty of deep, meaningful connections with people. The gospel's success depends on it. Our souls starve for these kinds of connections. Yet, because we have been hurt and rejected, we preclude ourselves from being vulnerable and daring enough to make those connections. Or we're only willing to make those connections with a few people who socially validate us or who we immediately identify with.
Things we can do to make Church more Zion-like for ourselves and for others:
1) We need to be willing to consider lowering our walls. People are still scary, and there are some who will disappoint us sometimes - but that's okay! That's normal. The rewards are worth it.
2) Check and re-check your response to people. We're so busy focusing on what people do or say and how it makes us feel, we can't get past that to make real connections.
3) Be magnanimous! Magnanimous means generous in forgiving an insult or injury. It means being free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness, not easily offended.
4) Which brings us to the next valuable point - allow people to self-correct. Give them time and space and the hope they will do so. A good percentage of them will.
5) Avoid being a collector or bearer of dark stories (gossip). Unfortunately dark stories become social currency for some people. Don't give it life. In Lesson 5 we learn President Smith's advice he gave to the Bishops he set apart:
"Remember, everyone has weaknesses, and there are at least two sides to every story. If you err in judgment, be sure you err on the side of love and mercy."
Here's another one from today's lesson:
"I believe it is our solemn duty to love one another, to believe in each other, to have faith in each other, that it is our duty to overlook the faults and the failings of each other, and not to magnify them in our own eyes nor before the eyes of the [ward]. There should be no faultfinding, no back-biting, no evil speaking, one against another, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Even really good, admirable people get the story wrong. If you are in the habit of judging people or coming to conclusions about people from only one side of the story, you will also be in the habit of missing out. Both on true insight and information, as well as the meaningful connections which could have been made.
6) Because the gospel and karma just work this way - understand some of the most valuable, rewarding, meaningful connections we'll ever make are with those we would not normally consider to be our social peers. Reach out for those not of your age group as well as the Zacchaeus's around you. --You will cultivate richness.
It's okay if the culture of meaningful connections starts with just you. This can be summed up in Ubuntu (uh-BUN-too). Desmond Tutu eloquently explains what Ubuntu is:
"One of the sayings in our country (South Africa) is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality -- Ubuntu -- you are known for your generosity."
"We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well [with Ubuntu], it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."
Which brings us to a JFS quote I positively LOVE - a definition of true worship:
"And because all men are our brothers, we have a desire to love and bless and fellowship them—and this too we accept as an essential part of true worship."
That is a stellar quote!
This means when we come to Church, true worship will include blessing and fellowshipping those around us.
There are several wonderful elements and perspectives in this lesson. I've only touched on a couple.
May your lesson be inspired and go well. Blessings to you for being so willing to stand up in front of the rest of us.
Love to you!
Possible Hymns: Have I Done Any Good #223 (of course, it's President Smith's song)
Each Life That Touches Ours For Good #293 (especially verses 1 & 2)
Love And Concern For All Our Father's Children. Not an easy thing to do at times.
This is a sweet, heart-softening lesson. The kind of tune-up we all need occasionally, starting with the opening quote:
“I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, [and fully internalized everyone else has the same identity and origin] … they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth.”
If our eyes were fully opened to the depth and breadth of our divine essence, the impact of it would change our outlook and enlarge our capacities to love.
Instead, we typically see each other's mortal coverings through our own mortal eyes. Which may not be the clearest view.
Speaking of mortal coverings, people really get to us with the mortal things they say and do. Misunderstandings, enmities and wariness form quite easily, it's human nature.
How do we bridge the two opposing ideas - mortality with divine reality?
We intellectually know our regal inheritance and divine potential. Most of us can sing "I Am A Child Of God" by heart. We also know from our gospel education we're all brothers and sisters, with the same inheritance and origin. But the phenomenon of really deep down feeling connected to those around us in such an enlightened way takes some effort. Especially with those whom we don't know as well or spend a lot of time with. Seeing the majority of others around us as if they are truly our endeared brothers and sisters, happens only occasionally with a big boost from the Spirit.
Instead, we learn from childhood on - people are scary.
People are unkind, have agendas and reject you.
They give off messages we're broken, damaged goods.
We build walls.
We have wards full of people with big, thick walls all sitting next to each other on Sunday looking straight ahead or maybe glancing briefly at each other.
One of the speakers at BYU Ed week observed the trend these days is to have a broad collection of superficial relationships - but deep, meaningful connections are more and more the exception.
For example, having lots of Facebook and/or hallway friends along with pleasant greetings and short conversations are nice but these are not deep, meaningful connections.
Deep, meaningful connections are what heal us. Our souls long for these kinds of associations but reaching out and finding them is risky. So we build cautious barriers instead.
Let's talk about what meaningful connections are made of. You'll see these descriptions reflected in Zacchaeus's story below. But first are from my quickly scribbled notes from BYU Ed week. These short definitions are almost like an instruction manual of how to make social interactions happen successfully. I've been experimenting with them with different folks who I sometimes avoid and they work! I hope you get to experiment with these ideas too.
Meaningful Connections:
1) A true connection is to be seen, heard and valued. (Either what we give away to others, and/or have others give us.)
2) Remember who you A.R.E. - which stands for: accessibility (approachable), responsive and engagement (make an effort with the conversation/exchange).
President Smith teaches us what culture ought to take place in our wards and at Church:
"Thus, everything we do in the Church centers around the divine law that we are to love and worship God and serve our fellowmen."
"It is no wonder, then, that as a church and as a people we have deep and abiding concern for the welfare of all our Father’s children. We seek their temporal and spiritual well-being along with our own. We pray for them as we do for ourselves..."
Personal question: Does your ward feel like Joseph Fielding Smith's description - are there connections and deep, abiding concern? If you feel there are, are there others around you who may need to feel it more? If this doesn't fit your ward's description - what can you do to change that for a few folks?
We don't often feel richly connected to a lot of people in our own ward - sometimes with really good reasons! We can cite those reasons and recount lots of stories of how unsafe people are.
Yet even with all the rejection, persecution and criticism the Savior faced, Jesus didn't have walls.
Christ doesn't respond to difficult people or situations the way we often do. I've been aware of that for a while - but haven't always figured out how to imitate Him.
Christ connects with all kinds of people. He wasn't afraid of who He sat with or who He dined with.
I was most impressed when a BYU speaker expounded on a story about Christ I never stopped and contemplated before.
It's the story of Zacchaeus (Za-k-us), the little guy who climbed a tree to get a better look at Christ when he walked by.
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans [very unpopular tax collectors despised by Jews as traitors], and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (Luke 19:1-7)
Imagine how this man must have felt! "...and received him joyfully." Christ, who had utmost status, stopped to recognize Zacchaeus, connect with him, and validate him. Even when most of the world saw Zacchaeus as a small man of great social stigma. He was unpopular.
This same speaker (I wish I remembered names) went on to cite several other stories of Christ, where he stopped to take the time to make meaningful connections with seemingly insignificant people.
The connection pattern is there: Christ made sure people were seen, heard, valued ~ and Christ was accessible, responsive and engaging. (Remember the "little children" story?)
Which brings us back to President JF Smth's beggining quote:
"...they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth.”
People are still scary, hard feelings still happen and our walls still go up. And it would probably take a miracle on the order of the Battle of Jericho to get the worst of them to come down.
Fortunately this is a gospel of miracles and this Church belongs to Christ.
There is a way and it starts with us.
Here are some gems from BYU Ed week and possibly some of my favorite new insights.
Yes, people are scary. And we've built up walls over a lifetime because of them. The irony is personal healing and emotional and spiritual well-being comes from making plenty of deep, meaningful connections with people. The gospel's success depends on it. Our souls starve for these kinds of connections. Yet, because we have been hurt and rejected, we preclude ourselves from being vulnerable and daring enough to make those connections. Or we're only willing to make those connections with a few people who socially validate us or who we immediately identify with.
Things we can do to make Church more Zion-like for ourselves and for others:
1) We need to be willing to consider lowering our walls. People are still scary, and there are some who will disappoint us sometimes - but that's okay! That's normal. The rewards are worth it.
2) Check and re-check your response to people. We're so busy focusing on what people do or say and how it makes us feel, we can't get past that to make real connections.
3) Be magnanimous! Magnanimous means generous in forgiving an insult or injury. It means being free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness, not easily offended.
4) Which brings us to the next valuable point - allow people to self-correct. Give them time and space and the hope they will do so. A good percentage of them will.
5) Avoid being a collector or bearer of dark stories (gossip). Unfortunately dark stories become social currency for some people. Don't give it life. In Lesson 5 we learn President Smith's advice he gave to the Bishops he set apart:
"Remember, everyone has weaknesses, and there are at least two sides to every story. If you err in judgment, be sure you err on the side of love and mercy."
Here's another one from today's lesson:
"I believe it is our solemn duty to love one another, to believe in each other, to have faith in each other, that it is our duty to overlook the faults and the failings of each other, and not to magnify them in our own eyes nor before the eyes of the [ward]. There should be no faultfinding, no back-biting, no evil speaking, one against another, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Even really good, admirable people get the story wrong. If you are in the habit of judging people or coming to conclusions about people from only one side of the story, you will also be in the habit of missing out. Both on true insight and information, as well as the meaningful connections which could have been made.
6) Because the gospel and karma just work this way - understand some of the most valuable, rewarding, meaningful connections we'll ever make are with those we would not normally consider to be our social peers. Reach out for those not of your age group as well as the Zacchaeus's around you. --You will cultivate richness.
It's okay if the culture of meaningful connections starts with just you. This can be summed up in Ubuntu (uh-BUN-too). Desmond Tutu eloquently explains what Ubuntu is:
"One of the sayings in our country (South Africa) is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality -- Ubuntu -- you are known for your generosity."
"We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well [with Ubuntu], it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."
Which brings us to a JFS quote I positively LOVE - a definition of true worship:
"And because all men are our brothers, we have a desire to love and bless and fellowship them—and this too we accept as an essential part of true worship."
That is a stellar quote!
This means when we come to Church, true worship will include blessing and fellowshipping those around us.
There are several wonderful elements and perspectives in this lesson. I've only touched on a couple.
May your lesson be inspired and go well. Blessings to you for being so willing to stand up in front of the rest of us.
Love to you!
Possible Hymns: Have I Done Any Good #223 (of course, it's President Smith's song)
Each Life That Touches Ours For Good #293 (especially verses 1 & 2)
