I am teaching a Relief Society lesson this Sunday and my lesson is based on Thomas S. Monson's talk from the April 2011 General Conference called The Holy Temple-a Beacon to the World. I have to say that I am very nervous as I have never taught RS, just nursery and lets just say the kiddos were bribed with Cheerios and crayons! :o) I have to teach for 35 minutes....and I have no idea how to do that! I struggle giving my talks in 10 minutes increments! I always tend to speed talk when I am nervous....and when I do talks I mostly read right from the paper because my mind is soooo busy racing on I could never give a talk with just bullet points...
But with a lesson you really can't just read Pres. Monson's talk word for word...it would firstly NEVER last long enough, and secondly it is just boring to watch someone with their face in some paper...so I am really relying on class participation...I have all my quotes typed out...and have given myself (!!!!!) bullet points! I hope that while I am up there, I remember what I meant when I typed up these quick bullet notes!!
Preparing for this lesson wasn't all bad however. I learned a lot! It is a really great talk and has so many good points about the temple. The Lord must think we all need some reminding about temple work and with so many members living so close to temples these days, we need to get into gear. Which is pretty much what my lesson is revolving around...family history and temple work. I really hope that I can inspire some of the women in my ward the way I have been inspired recently, from going to the temple for myself, and from reading and preparing for this lesson.
One quote I rediscovered (I have heard it several times over growing up in the church) but what really stuck an image in my head I cannot ever forget is from President Joseph F. Smith, and he says, "through our efforts in their behalf their chains on bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties.”
I just get this picture in my mind of someone coming forward as their name is called and being un-shackled, and a door opening and then they are there with other families and there is laughter, and hugging, and tears, and just pure joy and love. I think it is a great image to have when doing the work for someone, because I know they must be so relieved! And I imagine what it will be like when we meet, I know if it were me my gratitude would be so great. I hope that I can get to experience that one day.
Another point from Pres. Monson was the importance of teaching about the temple to our children right from the start. And how it was important for us to have a picture of a temple in every bedroom in our home. That is something that Steve and I are going to strive to do, esp with our children. We have a picture of the temple that was given to us when we sealed and another that was given to us by our Bishop...we just haven't framed them yet...but I am really focusing on getting those up on the wall.
I just wanted to share this in my blog since no one in my family is going to be in RS when I teach and I just wanted to share some thoughts that I got just to inspire everyone else that I love. I am going to post the link for the full talk below and I really encourage everyone to read it.
Love ya'll!!!
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-holy-temple-a-beacon-to-the-world?lang=eng
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