Week of March 19 2017: The Peaceable Followers of Christ

Week of March 19, 2017

Read: Moroni 1-7 and Our Heritage, pages140-146

Write: Choose a verse that is cross-referenced to another scripture from this week’s reading, and read the cross referenced scripture.  How do the two scriptures support one another?  For example, Moroni 6:8 references Mosiah 26:30 in discussing the power of repentance.

Dear Sisters,

This coming week will conclude with the first session of General Conference, the Women's Session, broadcast live at the stake center at 5 pm.  Please join us for the broadcast and for light refreshments and a celebration of our reading and writing journey immediately after.

This week's personal writing prompted us to reflect on a time when our faith gave us comfort even in times of utter despair, such as those Moroni describes. Mallory King, of the Ravenna Park ward, shared her reflection.  Thank you Mallory for your beautiful words.

When I look very closely at a painting and zero in on one small area I see messy strokes, blobs, not a sailboat. Or, if I were to listen to one instrument in a full orchestra such as the Bassoon, I might hear an obscure melody line and not even recognize the piece that is being played. I frequently have moments when something looks messy, or doesn't sound right and I have to trust that the whole picture or piece is in harmony. Moroni wants us to believe. When a trial is magnifying a harsh truth we can have Faith in receiving perspective or clarity in the future. Hopefully the near future. My Grandma had such a clear vision of who she was, where she came from and where she was going. When she passed away I realized this was one of the greatest gifts she gave to me. Reading Mormon's and Moroni's words and pleas speak to me because of my Grandma's example. I want to be like her and be filled with that Light and Faith. This reading reminds me that it is essential to have a belief in order to return to my Heavenly Father. We can't see the whole picture but we can believe that someday we will. As harsh as I find Moroni's circumstances and get bogged down by the world around me, I feel humbled and blessed to have a seed in my heart of Faith in Jesus Christ and his desire for us all to live with him again.

-Mallory King

Thank you sisters for your goodness and faith.  We love you!  

With love,

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

Seattle North Stake Relief Society Presidency

Week of March 12 2017: I Even Remain Alone

Follow the journey on twitter @SeattleNStakeRS

Week of March 12 2017

Read: Mormon 6-9 and Our Heritage pages 132-139

Write: In Mormon 8 we read the words of Moroni written in his isolation: “I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people.”  When have you felt completely alone like Moroni?  How did you find comfort in your faith?

Dear Sisters,

This week we read about the centuries that followed the Savior's ministry amongst to the Nephites, where there was a period of peace and that lasted for two hundred years.  In 4 Nephi 1:17, we read:

"There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God."

Who are the -ites in your life?  How can we eliminate -ites in our wards?  In our stake?  And how can we more fully become the "children of Christ," unified and undivided?  As we prepare for General and Stake Conference, let us reflect on how we can cease to see our differences and instead focus on our shared commitment to Christ.

Sisters, just three more weeks to read and write with your sisters across the stake in the Book of Mormon.  Join us in these final few weeks leading up to General Conference.

With love,

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

Seattle North Stake Relief Society Presidency

Week of March 4 2017: There Could Not Be a Happier People!

Week of March 5 2017--just four weeks left!  Join us now for the conclusion of the Book of Mormon!

Read:

4 Nephi, Mormon 1, 4

Our Heritage, pages 125-131    

Write:

Write about 4 Nephi 1:17.  What can you do to reduce the "ites" in your life?

Dear sisters,

We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks on March 25 at 5 pm to share the first session of General Conference together, the women's session.  Following the live broadcast we will celebrate our reading and writing journey together, share sisterhood, and enjoy light refreshments.  Hope to see you there!

We also invite you to join the Book of Mormon journey this week.  It is never too late to feel the joy, blessings, and illumination that come from reading the Book of Mormon.

This week's personal history reflection was written by Michelle Quinn of the Elliott Bay Ward, and counselor in the Stake RS Presidency.  Thank you Michelle for your eloquent thoughts!

PROMPT: Write about your experience as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Seattle, WA.  

Sometimes we view life as a bunch of puzzle pieces.  We may think we are building a lake, as many of the pieces we have are blue, then we are handed a hot pink piece.  Where does it fit?  It’s only later on, when we see that the blue is the sky not the sea, and the hot pink becomes the vivid clouds at sunset, do we understand that these two contrasting colors do actually fit together.

There is bound to be some puzzling over the puzzle pieces in our lives.  However, when the Lord sees us struggling to making sense of the pieces, he does not gently re-direct us to the playdough table, glitter-glue and scissors, or any other task then figuring out and solving the problem that we are so desperately struggling with.

The Lord is with us through our struggles.  He does not come after, or simple relieve us from the burden.  However, we can show him the pieces we are struggling with, and ask His knowledge for where they fit.

My grandmother loves doing puzzles.  I remember as a child she would sit at a card table sorting pieces.  I remember being so amazed when she taught me that there was a method to the madness of a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  She would explain how you set the piece out on cookie sheets, so they’re all upright and you can see them.  Then, she explained that you start by looking for the edge pieces, which are identified by their characteristic straight lines.  It was strangely reassuring to know there was a starting place and strategy for tackling that big box of bits of colored cardboard.

Life and the gospel can be the same way.  There is a method to the “madness” of mortality.  So often we are amazed at the Lord’s power to be reassuring.  Just like my grandmother taught me how to approach the chaos of a box full of thousands of puzzle pieces; the Lord can teach us how to approach the thousands of situations we will find ourselves in during this life here on Earth.

Sometimes we may feel like the puzzle pieces.  In fitting in (or not fitting in) at church we may feel like that hot pink puzzle piece in a ocean of blue.  That does not mean that we do not belong!  Being a different sort of puzzle piece is not bad, it’s just different.  Again, trust the Master puzzle builder.  He knows all the pieces, and how they all fit together.  You may be surprised that you are meant as that hot pink piece to be amongst a sky of blue, but then you might just also find that you feel like you do belong there.

Seattle is such a wonderful and diverse area to attend church.  There is no question that we enjoy a wide breadth of individuals in our Stake.   While struggles come up from time to time that threaten our unity and harm the harmony of our spiritual community; it is reassuring to know that there is much more that unites then divides us.  It's reassuring to know that we can understand how we fit in at church.  It is fulfilling to see all of us come together each Sunday and worship under a common roof.  That is what being a Latter-Day Saint in Seattle is all about. -mq

Thank you sisters for all that you do and are!

Marni Campbell, Michelle Quinn, Theresa Roth, and Jenni Currit, your Stake RS Presidency