Today's quote

The Importance of Integrity

"I have felt impressed to speak today about the need for integrity—old-fashioned, personal, practical integrity. To me, integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences. It means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant."
Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Personal Integrity," Ensign, May 1990, 30

Today's quote

"The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith means trust—trust in God's will, trust in His way of doing things, and trust in His timetable."
-Dallin H. Oaks, "Timing," Ensign, Oct. 2003, 12

Today's quote

“In life we all have our times of testing and growth. These trials arenecessary. They are growth experiences. Though they are times of deep anguishand suffering, they are also times to draw near to God. The suffering of theSavior in Gethsemane was without question the greatest that has ever come tomankind, yet out of it came the greatest good in the promise of eternallife.” James E. Faust, Ensign, Feb 1998, 2

Enrichment Info!

ENRICHMENT IS COMING!
Join us for a good ol' fashioned hoe down! Thursday, February 6th from 6:30 - 8:30pm
We'll serve a country western themed dinner (Melisa's famous barbeque beef and coleslaw) at 6:30, followed by a variety show.
Come to eat, chat, laugh, and enjoy the variety of talent in our ward.
To participate in the variety show, please contact Erin Kingrey by February 2. All types of acts are welcome, including musical demonstrations, recitations, dance, lip syncs, jokes, skits, and more. We are also accepting visual displays of talent. You may bring your artwork, handiwork, photographs, etc. to display; we will have a table set up for you.
We hope to see you there! Babysitting will be provided.

Today's quote

"We ought not to speak lightly of and undervalue the life we now enjoy, but so dispose of each passing day that the hours and minutes are spent in doing good, or at least doing no harm, in making ourselves useful, in improving our talents and abilities to do more good, cultivating the principle of kindness to every being pertaining to our earthly sphere, learning their uses and how to apply them to produce the greatest possible amount of good; learning to conduct ourselves towards our families and friends in a way to win the love and confidence of the good, and overcome every ungovernable passion by a constant practice of cool judgment and deliberate thoughts" (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 91-92).

February Newsletter

FEBRUARY LESSON SCHEDULE
1 – Priesthood & Relief Society Instruction
8 – Elijah and the Restoration of Sealing Keys (JS-26)
15 – Beware the Bitter Fruits of Apostasy (JS-27)
22 – (TFOT) November 2008 Ensign

ENRICHMENT MEETING
February 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Dinner will be served.
We’ll then have a short
talent show and time to chat!


INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
Joseph Smith Jr. wrote the following words about love.

Love for One Another
“It is a duty which every Saint ought to render to his brethren freely – to always love them, and ever succor them. To be justified before God we must love one another: we must overcome evil; we must visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and we must keep ourselves unspotted from the world: for such virtues flow from the great fountain of pure religion, strengthening our faith by adding every good quality that adorns the children of the blessed Jesus, we can pray in the season of prayer; we can love our neighbor as ourselves, and be faithful in tribulation, knowing that the reward of such is greater in the kingdom of heaven. What a consolation! What a joy! Let me live the life of the righteous and let my reward be like his!”

Love Begets Love
“It is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love – show forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase; cast our bread upon the waters and we shall receive it after many days, increased to a hundredfold. Friendship is like Brother Turley in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence. I do not dwell upon your faults, and you shall not upon mine. Charity, which is love, covereth a multitude of sins . . . We should cultivate a meek, quiet and peaceable spirit.”

(From Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith.)
--a message from Rita B, Education Counselor


FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
If you want to take better control of your finances and learn new ways to achieve financial peace, check out http://www.daveramsey.com/. If you like what you see on this site and would be interested in attending the course, let Patty R know. She and several others from our ward have attended and can share their experience. If we have enough interest (friends and neighbors are welcome too), we will start a class soon.

PARENT TO PARENT
Gain Confidence and Control and Connect With Your Children
February 3, 10, 17, 24
Tammy S teaches this 4-week program at the Fairfield YMCA. If you’re interested in attending, call Tammy to register at 513-615-1917. She will also teach this program in April, June, August, September and November.

SPRING INTO SERVICE
Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the Stake Relief Society Spring Enrichment Meeting. We'll spend the morning on projects to benefit our community: food drive (non-perishable), tying quilts for Project Linus, tray favors for the Drake Center, thank you tiles for the Veterans .

CALENDAR
February 1 (Sunday) 6:00 p.m. Single Adults potluck & fireside (Montgomery Bldg.)
February 5 (Thursday) 6:30 p.m Ward Enrichment Meeting
February 7 (Saturday) Tri-Stake Priest/Laurel Conference (Montgomery)
February 13 (Friday) 6:30 p.m. New Convert Temple Baptisms
February 19 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. Book Club at Heather R’s home
February 21 (Saturday) 7:00 p.m. Stake Leadership Training
February 25 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. Stake Temple Recommend Interviews
February 28 (Saturday) 11:30 a.m. New Convert Temple Baptisms

February Birthdays

4 – Almira R
5 - Coranetta G
9 - Deanna A
13 - Trena H
13 - Ashley L
14 - Violet R
15 - Moon K
19 - Susan A
21 - Shayleen L
22 – Bobbye G
22 – Phyllis L
22 – Marlene Y
25 – Michelle E
27 – Ellen W
28 – Rebekah L

Today's quote

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” - Mother Teresa

Today's quote

"Set your goals-without goals you can't measure your progress. But don't becomefrustrated if the victories don't come quickly or easily. Remind yourself thatstriving can be more important than arriving. If you are striving forexcellence-if you are trying your best day by day with the wisest use of yourtime and energy to reach realistic goals-you are a success, and you can feelproud of your accomplishments." Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, Feb 1993, 64

Today's quote

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?”6 We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."
Thomas S. Monson, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” Ensign, May 2008, 87–90

Financial help

If you've ever wanted to take better control of your finances and learn new ways to achieve peace in your financial life- please check out www.daveramsey.com. If you like what you see and hear on this site and would be interested in attending his course, please let someone in leadership know. If we have enough people interested we'll try to get another class going soon. This would also be a good opportunity to talk to your friends and neighbors about. If you've been through the course already, please share your experience with others! And if you'd like to hear someone's opinion who has been through it please talk to Patty R.
This course can make a huge difference in your life!

Enrichment Meeting

Our next Enrichment Meeting will be on Thursday, February 5th. We'll have more news for you on it soon!

Mary Tolle's Obituary

Mary Agnes Tolle, age 92, entered eternal rest on January 10, 2009. Funeral services will be conducted from the Walker Funeral Home Chapel, 7830 Hamilton Ave. on Thursday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. Friends may call one hour prior to services. Interment to follow services at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Mary Agnes Tolle
Home: Mt. Healthy
Date of Death: January 10, 2009
Age: 92
Birthdate: January 16, 1916
Place of Birth: Cincinnati, OH

Light a candle by adding your thoughts and memories. The message will be visible after a few hours. (This will take you to the Funeral Home's website)

Today's quote

“Sometimes the Lord hopefully waits on his children to act on their own, and when they do not, they lose the greater prize, and the Lord will either drop the entire matter and let them suffer the consequences or else he will have to spell it out in greater detail. Usually, I fear, the more he has to spell it out, the smaller is our reward.” Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1965

Today's quote

"When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you. The beauty of your eternal soul will begin to unfold." Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 2003, 41

Today's quote

“If you live so as to possess the Holy Ghost, … you will at once see thedifference between the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God, and you can weigh things in the balance and estimate them at their true worth” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 193)

Today's quote

"Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short-and-long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up. Some will be continuing goals. Each week when we partake of the sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, of always remembering Him and keeping His commandments. Of Jesus' preparation for His mission, the scripture states that He 'increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man; (Luke 2:52). This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social" (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 383-384).

Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be on Thursday, February 19th at 7:00 pm at Heather R's house. We will be discussing "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace" by Greg Mortenson. Come join the fun!

Today's quote

"Regardless of your present age, you are building your life; it will be cheap and shoddy or it will be valuable and beautiful; it will be full of joy and happiness, or it can be full of misery. It all depends upon you and your attitudes, for your altitude, or the height you climb is dependent upon your attitude or your response to situations" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 161).

Today's quote

Being an Example of Strength

"Never forget that you are a [child] of God. He loves you. Live by your standards. Stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes it is not easy, and you may be standing alone for a while. Look for friends with integrity and character, then go to them and express appreciation for their examples. You might even find someone who has been feeling as lonely as you. Pray for guidance and protection from the Lord. He will sustain you. He will become a trusted friend, and you will discover that your example will attract many friends who will take courage from your strength of character."
W. Craig Zwick, "We Will Not Yield, We Cannot Yield," Ensign, May 2008, 98

Today's quote

“We can distinguish more clearly between divine discontent and the devil’s dissonance, between dissatisfaction with self and disdain for self. We need the first and must shun the second, remembering that when conscience calls to us from the next ridge, it is not solely to scold but also to beckon.
“… We can contemplate how far we have already come in the climb along the pathway to perfection; it is usually much farther than we acknowledge. …
“… We can make quiet but more honest inventories of our strengths. … Most of us are dishonest bookkeepers and need confirming ‘outside auditors.’ He who was thrust down in the first estate delights to have us put ourselves down. Self-contempt is of Satan; there is none of it in heaven. We should, of course, learn from our mistakes, but without forever studying the instant replays as if these were the game of life itself.”
Neal A. Maxwell, “Notwithstanding My Weakness,” Ensign, Nov 1976, 12

Today's Relief Society Lesson: A Balanced Life January 4, 2009

Please feel free to comment on your experiences or perspective as it relates to this lesson.

What are some things you would like to accomplish in 2009? Do you have any New Year’s resolutions or goals? (We’ll come back to these later…)

A few months ago my washing machine went out of balance. Instead of putting a load in and not giving it another thought, it made sure that I was paying attention when it started shaking like a jackhammer, and rocking it’s little section of my basement! It didn’t take much to figure out what was wrong and to fix it, but if I had left it out of balance it would have eventually broken down completely and I would have had a much bigger problem on my hands.

I’ve come to realize that proper balance isn’t just important for a machine. It’s important in our lives too.

Elder M. Russell Ballard said the following in a conference address in 1987:
“Many people have heavy demands upon them stemming from parental, family, employment, church, and civic responsibilities. Keeping everything in balance can be a real problem.
A periodic review of the covenants we have made with the Lord will help us with our priorities and with balance in our lives. This review will help us see where we need to repent and change our lives to ensure that we are worthy of the promises that accompany our covenants and sacred ordinances. Working out our own salvation requires good planning and a deliberate, valiant effort.”
Sometimes we unknowingly create so much busyness and imbalance in our lives that we feel we “can’t” fulfill our temporal or spiritual obligations, but often we are well aware of what we are doing and are making a conscious choice that robs of us the peace of a balanced life.

When my washer was out of balance it was very obvious. Sometimes it’s not as obvious to us though, that our lives are out of balance.

What are some signs that our lives might be out of balance? What are some of the causes of imbalance in our lives?
What effects can this have on an individual, on a couple, on a family? Have you ever experienced this in your own life?

Brent L. Top relayed the following story:
My wife, Wendy, experienced a difficult situation. For years she had nearly exhausted herself, thinking she had to be the perfect wife and mother, the perfect Church member, the perfect neighbor and citizen. Instead of feeling joy, she often felt overwhelmed and discouraged. Her frustration was further exacerbated when well-intentioned leaders and friends seemed to indicate that if she had enough faith, she would be able to accomplish all these things. Only after a personal crisis of depression and anxiety was she able to understand fully the source of her suffering. It was a painful time not only for her but for our entire family. We have grown stronger and learned many lessons as a result. But perhaps we could have been spared much of the pain if we had more clearly perceived the need to maintain temporal and spiritual balance.

When I served as a bishop, I discovered that my wife’s experience was not unique. Likewise, Elder Dean L. Larsen, an emeritus member of the Seventy, observed, “I seem to be encountering more and more frequently in my circulation among the membership of the Church, people who are honestly trying to avoid sin, who are really doing their best, as they understand, to live in accordance with the principles of the gospel but who are unhappy, frustrated, and disillusioned to a considerable degree.”

In Mosiah 4:27 King Benjamin warned his people about going to extremes, even in doing good: “See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.”

Leading a balanced life can be difficult for any of us. There isn’t an exact pattern or blueprint that works for everyone, and even our own blueprint may change during different phases of life. However, there are certain fundamental responsibilities we cannot neglect without serious consequence.

In an Ensign article from 2003 Donald L. Hallstrom gave us a guide to four fundamental areas to focus our attention on:
The 1st and most important is: our Love for our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The scriptures speak powerfully of this sacred duty:
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:36–37).
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ … and a love of God” (2 Ne. 31:20).
Our love of Heavenly Father and His Son is foundational to all else. They are the source of peace (see John 14:26–27). Love for Them is the supreme motivation to keep “in the right way” (Moro. 6:4). It enhances every other aspect of our lives and allows us to love ourselves and others more completely. Answers to our most challenging problems are found only when we love Them and have faith in Them.

How can we put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in our lives?

The 2nd area of focus is: Care of our families.
Prophetic counsel has taught us that “no other success can compensate for failure in the home” and that “the most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.”
In his excellent talk: “Good, Better, Best” Elder Dallin H. Oaks said the following:
“In choosing how we spend time as a family, we should be careful not to exhaust our available time on things that are merely good and leave little time for that which is better or best.
The amount of children-and-parent time absorbed in the good activities of private lessons, team sports, and other school and club activities also needs to be carefully regulated. Otherwise, children will be overscheduled, and parents will be frazzled and frustrated. Parents should act to preserve time for family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, and the other precious togetherness and individual one-on-one time that binds a family together and fixes children’s values on things of eternal worth. Parents should teach gospel priorities through what they do with their children.”

In striking a temporal balance, we are often forced to make hard choices between many good and desirable things. For example, varied educational and cultural experiences can be valuable in promoting talents and growth in our children. Church and community service opportunities may provide us with rich and rewarding experiences. But even when considering such noble causes and activities, we must, as Elder Ballard counseled, “remember [that] too much of anything in life can throw us off balance. At the same time, too little of the important things can do the same thing.” It may be that the worst thing we can give our children is the opportunity to participate in an additional sport, music lesson, or other activity that demands money and time away from the family. Teaching our children how to live “quiet, sane,” and balanced lives may be one of the most vital things we can do for them in these frenzied last days.

How can we tell if we have too much of something in our life? Or too little of the important things?
How do we teach our children to keep a temporal and spiritual balance- especially with school, sports, extracurricular activities and other activities? In other words, how do we teach our children to live “quiet, sane and balanced” lives?

Why is it important to have balance in our family lives? What can we do to simplify our lives? What would be the benefits of doing so?

The 3rd area to focus on is: Service to the Lord. A natural extension of our love of God is our desire to serve Him. The Lord said, “If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me” (D&C 42:29). The way we serve Him is by serving one another. Mosiah 2:17 says “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God”. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Service is an imperative for true followers of Jesus Christ.”

Our time spent in Church service may vary during different periods of our lives depending on specific callings we receive and our family circumstances. However, our desire to serve should never waver.

It is easy to feel that to magnify our callings we need to be continually serving, leading, or counseling. However, it may be that we render more significant service and develop more substantive spirituality by having fewer meetings and activities. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) urged the Saints to return to what he characterized as “quiet, sane living.” More recently Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “Remember, don’t magnify the work to be done—simplify it.” Our lives are out of balance if we allow outward busyness to supplant inner goodness.

Sometimes we fail to resist many of the demands placed upon our time because we are afraid such an action might be selfish. Yet the Savior Himself would sometimes withdraw temporarily from the pressing needs of the multitudes. Surely this helped Him serve others with renewed strength.

It’s okay to say no to those activities that we don’t have the time, resources,or energy for, but we also need to still be willing to help when we are able, and to have enough balance that our answer isn’t always “no.”

How do we balance the needs of our family, work, callings, and service to others?

The 4th focus is: Life’s temporal work. Although our careers or occupations may appear to be temporal, they support other, more eternal aspects of life and can provide valuable service to others (see D&C 29:34). “The Family—A Proclamation to the World” gives clear direction: “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed, “Perhaps none need the principle of balance in their lives more than those who are driven toward accumulating ‘things’ in this world.” Moreover, numerous good and honorable causes beckon for our time and energy. Whether selfishly or unselfishly, we may get and spend, hurry and scurry, come and go, and later discover that we have laid waste our emotional and spiritual strength and given our hearts away to things that matter very little in the end. The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob, paraphrasing Isaiah, warned, “Do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Ne. 9:51; see Isa. 55:2).

How do we balance our work responsibilities with our spiritual and family needs? How can we make sure that the things of this world don’t become a higher priority than time with our families?

What are some specific things we can do to create more balance in our lives?

There is no peace for those whose lives are out of balance temporally or spiritually. They can become tossed to and fro by the winds of discouragement and the storms of frustration. Yet just as the Savior stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee (see Matt. 8:26), He can bless our lives with His calming, comforting, and guiding influence if we will slow down, run only as fast as we have strength, and yet “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ” (2 Ne. 31:20).
I believe that when we focus on these few basic objectives we will be more likely to be able to manage the many demands that life makes on us.

Sisters, as we think over our goals and resolutions for 2009, I hope that we’ll each take the time to see how well these goals fit with a balanced life, and maybe even make a more balanced life one of our goals. As you think of what you’d like to do in the year ahead, keep foremost in your mind the sacred covenants you’ve made with the Lord. As you work towards creating more temporal and spiritual balance in your life you will more fully enjoy the peace that our Heavenly Father and our Savior want you to have in your life.

This lesson was compiled from the following talks:
A Balanced Life by Brent L. Top (Liahona, Apr 2005, 40)

Seeking A Balanced Life by Donald L. Hallstrom (Ensign, Aug 2003, 52)

Good, Better, Best by Dallin H. Oaks (Ensign, Nov 2007, 104-8)

Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance by M. Russell Ballard (Ensign, May 1987, 13)

Keep those goals going!

"How do we keep ourselves headed in the right path for the achievement of our goals and eventual eternal life? Only by disciplining ourselves and by repenting each day of those old habits or weaknesses that will keep us from reaching our God-given potential and destiny. We know that we have to work constantly to attain anything worthwhile in life." N. Eldon Tanner, NewEra, Jan 1975, 4

New Meeting Times!

Don't forget that this Sunday our meeting times change:

Sacrament Meeting will start at 2:00 pm

Sunday School at 3:20 pm

Relief Society at 4:10 pm.



We look forward to seeing you there!

New Year's Resolutions

"So we come now to the beginning of another year and the first day of the rest of our lives. With discipline and determination let us make it a good year and a good life for us and for our families and neighbors. It is desirable to begin each new day with resolves such as these, or some others of your own choosing:

Just for Today:

I will seek my Heavenly Father in earnest prayer. I will listen for the
promptings of the Spirit to guide me.
I will express my love for God and his son, Jesus Christ, in prayer and will
show my love for them through service to my fellowmen.
I will study and strive for more understanding of the gospel.
I will seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
I will listen to and heed the counsel of God's prophet. I will keep the
covenants and commandments.
I will teach someone about the gospel by word or by example.
I will observe the standards of the Church.
I will express through word and deed my love for my family.
I will be honest in all my dealings.
I will prepare myself for the tasks that have been assigned to me.
I will do a kind deed for someone this day.
I will express appreciation and gratitude for all blessings.
I will be loyal where I should be loyal.

Finally, we can do no better than to make and keep the resolves found in our 13th Article of Faith: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." [A of F 1:13] " N. Eldon Tanner, New Era, Jan 1975, 4