Week of October 30 2016:

Follow the journey on twitter @SeattleNStakeRS

Dear Sisters,

We hope that you have had a thoughtful, inspiring week of reading, reflecting, writing, and drawing on the strength of the Lord to do seemingly impossible things.

For the coming week's journey:

Read:  2 Nephi 1-2 

            Our Heritage pages 21-27 (same as last week's assignment--time to catch up!  PDF attached)

Explore: Joseph Smith's Early Visions at  http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/articles/early-visions-and-frontier-revivalism

Write: At the end of his amazing life, the prophet Lehi writes “It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11).  Write about a situation with opposition in your life right now or in the past.

This week we are blessed to have two sisters sharing their writing from their personal histories in response to last week's prompt to write about a time whey they were sustained by God and/or a need for God's sustaining power now.

From Theresa Roth, Ravenna Park ward:

It’s interesting that this week’s suggested prompt asks how one may ask God for additional strength. 

I need the Spirit’s help to identify, articulate, visualize a path, and persevere with patience(!) one particular, ongoing challenge in my life.  I know the struggle is designed to help me grow closer to my Father in Heaven.  It’s just that my progress sometimes is so episodic, two steps forward, one step back; this particular week felt like two steps back.

In my sadness and disappointment with myself, I went to the temple, my refuge, an amazing place where I, in my imperfect, human condition, can actually participate in eternal, saving ordinances.  It staggers me to think that the Creator of the Universe invites the likes of me to partner with Him in His great, exalting work.  How beautiful is that?!  And I’m blessed, too—how condescending it would be to think otherwise.  One cannot serve others without serving God and serving oneself.  One cannot love others without loving God and loving oneself—it’s all one eternal round, a magnificent journey to becoming one with Him. 

My challenge remains, but after my service in the temple, I was able to refocus on how much my Savior loves me and includes me in one small way to contribute to our Father’s glorious Plan of Salvation.  I feel lifted up, dusted off, loved, and encouraged to keep making my way through my challenge.  

From Emily Garcia, Woodland Park ward:

As I was reading the experience of the Saints in Zion's Camp, I kept wondering why? Why was it necessary to go through that? But all week, as I've been thinking about the writing prompt, I've been reminded of my own personal Zion's Camp experience. Putting those two experiences together helps me make more sense of why the Lord allows us to do hard things and how those things can help us in our lives.

There has been one time in my life when I have had the whole "Footprints" moment, where I felt that God carried me through what I was incapable of going through myself. There were three days and they were the first three days I was in my mission field in Bradford, England of the England Leeds Mission. I remember arriving at our flat in the evening after transfer meeting where I met my trainer and left my fellow MTC companions. Much like the first signs of a child's life, I cried. My trainer asked me why I was crying. I couldn't answer her. I didn't know. I just knew that I had no idea how to be a missionary for the next 18 months, and at that moment 18 months seemed like an eternity. She told me that we needed to get groceries, so I think we went grocery shopping and then came home and went to bed.

The next morning I turned everything over to the Lord. I think I was in the shower when I started to pray. I told Heavenly Father that I couldn't do this. I didn't have the ability. I would go through the motions and move my body, but he needed to do the rest because I just couldn't do it. And he did. 

I don't remember much of those first three days on the mission. I got up, exercised, showered, studied and followed my trainer. At night we came home and got ready for bed. In the morning, I got up again, prayed again for Heavenly Father to get everything done, and then moved my feet.

On the third night in the field I had a dream. I dreamt that I went home and it was remarkably not fun. I woke up and realized that I wanted to be on a mission and was able to get to work after that, a little less zombie-like. I still needed Heavenly Father's help, but I was able to do more and be more helpful.

I'm grateful for that experience that allowed me to learn that I can rely on the Lord and when I really need it, he can help me when I just don't have anything to give but have to get it done anyway. For me, it was my Zion's Camp learning experience. Not everyone has to go on a mission or go through a Zion's Camp to learn these lessons, but for me, it was exactly how I needed to learn that lesson. 

Thank you dear sisters for sharing your stories!

With love and prayers,

Marni Campbell, Michelle Quinn, Theresa Roth, Jenni Currit

Seattle North Stake RS Presidency

Week of October 23 2106: Wherefore the Lord showed me great things

Dear sisters,

Visit the blog!  strengthfromstories.blogspot.com  (note that the address has changed slightly!)

Follow the journey and other Seattle North Stake RS news on twitter! @seattleNstakeRS

This week's journey:  

Read:

1 Nephi 17-18

Our Heritage pages 21-27 (You can get a copy of Our Heritage from Marni Campbell or your Relief Society president!  OR see the linked PDF of Our Heritage!)

Write:

Write about a time when you were sustained by God, or perhaps reflect on a need you have right now for strength.  How can you ask God for additional strength? 

The past week's readings included Lehi's magnificent and prophetic dream of the Tree of Life.  I am continually struck by how contemporary this vision is, particularly of the varied challenges we face on our spiritual journey, including darkness, fear, forgetfulness, embarrassment, and fatigue.  Please know that daily reading and reflecting in the scriptures is our iron rod, the answer to each of these challenges.  

We also learned this week of the Liahona (1 Nephi 16), another instrument for guiding the travelers through the wilderness.  Wouldn't you love to have a compass like this?  What is your modern day Liahona?  We have our patriarchal blessings to guide us; watch this clip of our prophet Thomas S. Monson as he talks about our patriarchal blessings as our own personal Liahona.  

)https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-036-our-own-liahona?lang=eng)  

The scriptures and words of our living prophets and inspired leaders can also serve as a Liahona.  

The Holy Ghost can also function as a Liahona in our lives. 

We love you sisters and hope that you can read, reflect, and write your personal and spiritual history, which can become for you also a guide in times of doubt and darkness.

With love,

Marni Campbell, Michelle Quinn, Theresa Roth, and Jenni Currit

Seattle North Stake Relief Society Presidency

Week of October 15th: Hearken to the Word of the Lord

Dear Sisters,

This week's journey--Week of October 15 2016

Read:

1 Nephi 7-8 & 16

Our Heritage, pages 13-19 

Write:

Reflect on the description of the baptism of Joseph Smith, Sr., and write about a time when your father or a father figure guided or inspired you. (Our Heritage p. 15)   

Follow the journey on Twitter@SeattleNStakeRS

We hope that you had a wonderful week of reading, writing, and reflecting.  One advantage of reading fewer chapters is the chance it is giving me to re-read these important passages for several days.  Although I have read the account many times in the past, this week I was realized for the first time that Lehi in 1 Nephi 5 pauses in the midst of the wilderness to read the scriptures, the plates of brass, and in them he finds his family history!  Our stories are so deeply entwined with the stories of our ancestors, and as Lehi and his family journey into the unknown, it is fitting that they take their history and spiritual heritage with them as a guide.  

This week's reflection was written by Jenni Currit of the Discovery Park Ward, member of the Stake Relief Society Presidency:

Journal Entry "Write about a time when you had to show faith as Nephi did"

When I was deciding if I should go on a mission I was overwhelmed with fear over the consequences of taking time away from my educational and personal goals. I knew deep down that I wanted to go but the fog of fear grew and grew as the time to send in my papers approached. The fear eventually paralyzed me and left me unable to make any decisions. I finally went to my father for a blessing and in this blessing he said "Satan would have you believe that by serving your Heavenly Father certain blessings will not come to you. I bless you at this time that all the things that you so desire will come to pass if you, with courage, strive to do what your Heavenly Father would have you do...you will receive blessings far beyond, even now, what you hope for in your life. Do not be afraid!"

That logic seemed so clear when it was put in the light like that. Of course the Lord does not withhold blessings when we serve him and choose to follow him! He always has a way prepared for us in our own lives with full awareness of our private hopes and dreams and empathy for our fears. That has become my personal testimony that echoes Nephi's testimony in 1 Nephi 3:7, "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." This courage and confidence was the boost I needed to turn my papers in and serve a mission which has blessed my life in such a multitude of ways I could not begin to number them. 

As my husband and I have been asked in recent years to serve in callings that have required time and effort that we were not sure we were able to give, or quite honestly not sure that we wanted to give, I have had to think back to that testimony to muster the courage to accept the calling. (or to support my husband) And each time I have chosen to push away the fear and serve I have been overwhelmed by the blessings we have received, greater than my own dreams every time. 

Thank you for your faith and courage dear sisters!  Please let me know if you would be willing to share an excerpt from your growing personal history.

With love,

Marni Campbell, Michelle Quinn, Theresa Roth, Jenni Currit

Seattle North Stake Relief Society Presidency

Week of October 9 2016: Courage!

This Week's Journey

Read: 1 Nephi 3-6 and Our Heritage pages 5-13

Watch/Explore: The Book of Mormon From Manuscript to Press

Write: Write about a time when you had to show faith as Nephi did.

Follow the journey on twitter:  @SeattleNStakeRS

Dear Sisters,

We hope that you have had a wonderful week of reading and writing.  We don't always take time to read the Introduction, Title Page, and Testimonies that precede the beginning of The Book of Mormon, but I wanted us to pause over them because they can give us so much insight.  

Years ago, a member of our then Stake presidency shared in Stake Conference that during a time in his life when he was not participating in church, he and his wife embarked on a year-long backpacking journey around the world in a quest for personal peace.  One day when he was sitting on a mountainside in Tibet feeling particularly lost, he remembered that he had packed a Book of Mormon.  He pulled it out of his backpack, and although he had read the book many times, this time he really noticed for the first time these words in the Introduction:  

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after His resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men [and women] what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

At that moment, he knew that he needed to return to activity in the church, and to access the peace available in the Book of Mormon and in the gospel.  

Sisters, what would you do to "gain peace in this life?"  I promise you that if you join us in reading the Book of Mormon, studying our history, and writing your own personal history you will find peace.

This week's journal writing comes from our very own Michelle Quinn, who is a writer through and through.  This is just an excerpt from a longer journal/blog entry in response to the prompt to write about a woman who inspires you:  

A WOMEN TO RELATE TO

It is significant to me that Sister Dew is single, as she, "gets it," and can talk with unmatchable credibility to the singles.  She does not dwell on but also does not forget her desire for a husband.  This is tricky to do.  She has a sharp whit when it comes to her single status.  Just listen to one of her most recent talks given at BYU, "Will You Engage in the Wrestle?" (17 MAY 16).  She is the perfect example for me.  

                                      

Sister Dew consumes church material mercilessly and is not ashamed to admit how many talks she's read and given.  She STUDIES the gospel.  She used to teach gospel doctrine and shares how much she enjoyed this calling, although it was hard to fit into her busy life schedule (but she made it work!).  In listening to her interview of Elder and Sister Oaks for the Mormon Channel podcast Conversations she confesses to just how much prep in talk-reading she did before the interview.  This woman is prepared.  That unfailing effort to keep preparing (for all things) is inspirational to me.

Sister Dew has written the biographies of TWO of the president's of the church (Ezra Taft Benson, and Gordon B. Hinckley).  She's been a counselor in the general Relief Society presidency for 5 years (1997-2002), traveled extensively, has a high-powered CEO career with Deseret Book (starting in 2002 after her church service), and is not afraid to spread truth, and defend the faith.  She does not mince words or try to rationalize behaviors and thoughts contrary to church doctrine.  She is constantly learning, and is not afraid to plow into uncharted and new territory to find understanding.  She constantly seeks the guidance of the Lord and to find answers through temple worship.  Oh, and she also plays the piano marvelously.  

Thank you Michelle for sharing your thoughts and insights with us!

May your week be filled with peace.

With love,

Marni Campbell, Theresa Roth, Michelle Quinn, & Jenni Currit

Your Stake Relief Society Presidency

Week of October 2 2016: The Opening Pages of the Book of Mormon

We hope that you have had a beautiful week reading Joseph Smith's account of the opening of the restoration.  I loved delving into his words and testimony, and thinking about the many pathways and possibilities that led to the first vision and the opening of this exciting dispensation of the fulness of times.

I was particularly struck this week by the role his mother Lucy played in these amazing events.  I imagine that it was hard for her to watch her son question and search, poring over the scriptures and pondering deeply, and I also imagine that she supported him in his faithful quest for truth, knowing that he was a serious and spiritual young person.  She must have suffered for him as he showed signs of exhaustion after the first vision, and after he received and began to translate the plates, and she certainly encountered the daily stresses of any women running a household and raising children.  And yet I know that she was faithful, optimistic, supportive, and open to the spirit.  

Here is an excerpt from my journal this week in response to our prompt:  

"I don't remember when I first heard the account of the first vision, but I do vividly remember singing the "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning" when I was seven or eight, in our little rented chapel on Alfred Street, and feeling such an excitement that I couldn't sit in my seat.  I was always a little restless in church, but this time I was bouncing up and down so much that my dad had to glare at me from the stand to remind me to be calm.  I also remember my brother and I waiting for my dad one long evening at the church building, watching film strips to keep ourselves entertained.  As we watched one about the first vision, and I heard the words of Joseph Smith History aloud on the wavery tape recorder, I was filled with a powerful witness of its truth, one I have never forgotten.  Now as I read Joseph's account I am amazed that an earnest question, diligent study of the scriptures, and an honest prayer could so change the course of history.  I need to take my own questions, scripture study, and prayers more seriously.  They can change the course of my own history."

This Week's Journey:  

Read:

The Book of Mormon Title Page, Introduction, Testimonies of the Witnesses, Brief Explanation

1 Nephi chapters 1 and 2

Watch/Listen:

“Preserving the Heritage of Latter-Day Saint Women,” Julie B. Beck

https://history.lds.org/article/preserving-the-heritage-of-latter-day-saint-women?lang=eng    

Write:

Write about a woman of faith who has inspired you.  It could be a family member, a woman from the scriptures, or a woman from history.