Follow the journey on twitter: @SeattleNStakeRS

This week's journey:

Read:  Alma 32, 24, Our Heritage pages 68-72 (attached as a PDF)

Explore: “We Weep When We Remember Zion: Early Latter-Day Saints as Refugees” 

https://history.lds.org/article/we-weep-when-we-remember-zion-early-latter-day-saints-as-refugees?lang=eng

Write:  Write your thoughts on the “infinite and eternal sacrifice” of the atonement (Alma 34:10).  What does the term “infinite” mean to you in relation to the atonement?

We have the opportunity this week, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, to deeply ponder some of the most clear, powerful words in the scriptures about faith, our spiritual potential, and the atonement.  I bear you my solemn and sacred testimony that these chapters, restored in the latter days, for this very day, have the power to transform your heart, mind, and life.  Please read and rejoice as you celebrate the Savior!

This week's personal story is shared by Amanda Olson, of the Ravenna Park ward.  Thank you Amanda for your beautiful words!

Alma 5 is a record of Alma the Younger teaching his people about conversion.  In this chapter, Alma is reminding his people of truths their parents knew and observed and that they—one short generation later—have forgotten.  He uses his father’s experience as an example of being truly converted, and he observes that “according to his [father’s] faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart” (verse 12) that started his father down the path of being truly converted.  I noticed this idea of “a mighty change” as I read this week, probably because I’ve been thinking about needing some “mighty change” in my own life.  What struck me this time was the connection Alma makes between his father’s faith and the change itself:  the change only happened because the faith was there first. 

In the next verse (13), Alma explains that when his father preached the word to his people, they also had a change in their hearts—a change that “wrought in their hearts.”  So because their faith was present, the word of God made them a new heart.  And then Alma explains what that new heart let them do: 

[A]nd they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God.  And behold they were faithful until the end;  therefore they were saved.  (v13; emphasis added)

I want these amazing things in my life.  I want to act out of humility, not out of insecurity.  I want to trust God, trust my patriarchal blessing, trust truths I’ve maybe known but am forgetting.  I want to be believing all the way through instead of giving up and feeling forsaken when it feels like God is absent.  I want to be saved from myself, my pride, the anxiety my doubts create.  Here Alma teaches me that I can have and do and be all of these things.  This is the mighty change.  It is the new heart.  And it comes when I’ve done the hard work to create the faith required to cradle, protect, nourish, and save it.

Week of December 11 2016: Can you feel so now?

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Dear Sisters,

Join the journey today!  No need to catch up--just start your reading and writing today!

This week

Read: Alma 5, 11-12, and Our Heritage, pages 59-67 (see attached PDF in the email)

Write: Alma 5 has been our stake theme this year.  Choose a verse from Alma 5 and write a reflection on its meaning to you.  

 

A huge thank you to Jen Winterton, of the Washington Park ward, for sharing her personal history with us.  

Write about a family member who has made great sacrifices in order to do what's right.

I have never met my great-grandfather, but I am grateful for the life he lived and the example he set for me. He was a man of integrity. I have always felt a particular closeness to him and remember asking my mom over and over again to tell me stories about him when I was little. 

He was a man who made great sacrifices to do what was right--no matter the cost. I've read somewhere that heroes evolve, they aren't born. A heroic moment in my great grandpa's life was merely the product of many small choices he made. One of my favorite stories of his heroism occurred during WWI.

My great grandpa Lou joined the Marines in 1918 and was away from home for several years. During the war, my grandpa fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood, which was renamed "Bois de la Brigade de Marine" (Wood of the Marine Brigade) in honor of the Marines' tenacity. The 4th Brigade was awarded the French Croix de Guerre (Cross of War)--a cross of military valor--in part because of a brave act of my great grandfather. 

At one point during this battle, my great grandfather was with his division in the woods.  From where they were situated, they could see that a French company was walking into a death trap. If they continued their present course, they would be surrounded by Germans on all sides and their escape route would be cut off from behind. Grandpa was concerned and requested his commanding officer for permission to get to them and warn them. It was denied.  His commanding officer said that he couldn't ask anyone to go through enemy lines to send the message; it would be suicide.  Grandpa Lou disobeyed orders and sneaked out anyway.  He got through to the French, let them know where the German troops were, and thus saved the whole company.  He was awarded the Croix de Guerre from the French for his bravery.

Because of his integrity and sheer grit, he went against the better judgment of his commander in order to save the lives of the French company. This story has always meant a lot to me and I try to live my life in such a way that would make my great grandpa proud of me.

-Jen Winterton

Attachments area

Week of December 3 2016: Be Steadfast and Immovable in Good Works

Join the journey!

Follow on Twitter: @SeattleNStakeRS

This week:  

Read:  Mosiah 5, 17-18; Our Heritage, pages 52-58 (Also attached)

Write: Write about a family member who has made great sacrifices to do what is right.

Note: The full reading schedule is also attached.

Join the journey today!  No need to catch up!  You can still reap the rewards of reading the Book of Mormon, church history, and writing your own personal history!

In addition to King Benjamin's magnificent sermon on Christianity, atonement, and the path to exaltation, this week we read of the trials of Joseph Smith and early church members in Missouri.  I was struck, as I always am, by the power of individuals to resist injustice and cruelty--and the fact that we do not always do so.  We have many opportunities in our day to day lives to speak up for justice, kindness, and fairness in the world around us.  Let us always stand up for those who are unfairly accused, persecuted, and neglected!

This week's personal history was written by Cathrine Wheeler, Relief Society President in the Ravenna Park ward.  Thank you Cathrine!

Mosiah 2:17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

It strikes me that some of the service that has touched me the most profoundly is service that I have received as a secondary beneficiary. I have felt deeply indebted to those who have offered up their care and compassion to my family members.

For example:

- The ward members in Idaho that visited my mother during her chemotherapy treatments. Including the friends who gave her a box of different head scarves and hats to try out when she worried about what to wear when her she lost her hair.

- The mother of a classmate at my son’s middle school who read his sad essay, reached out and said, “I remember what that feels like,” and offered him a unique opportunity to get a sneak-peak at a break-through technology device.

- The bishop in Boston that came in the night to bless my sister’s wheezing baby, even though she hasn’t attended church for years.

I’m quite sure that these people never considered the ripple effect that their service would have on me. But when a family member suffers, and for one reason or another I am limited in my ability to ease their suffering, seeing others reach out to them in love fills me with a depth of gratitude that chokes me up every time I think about it.

As a human family, we are so connected that the service given to one ripples out in concentric circles to others around us. I am grateful for those that have touched my life by loving and serving those closest to my heart. I am grateful that the power of love given from one to another can touch many. 

-Cathrine Wheeler, Ravenna Park Ward

Week of November 28 2016: In the service of your God

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Dear Sisters,

Join the journey!  This week:

Read: Mosiah 2-4; Our Heritage pages 46-51 (see attached PDF if needed)

Write: Write about a time when someone provided service to you. 

 

We hope that you had a lovely week, and were able to find time to rest, feast, and give thanks.  This week we were able to read Nephi's final words of prophecy, counsel, and hope, as well as Enos' account of his "mighty prayer" by which he was able to receive forgiveness and peace.  

This week we will be privileged to study King Benjamin's address.  Imagine how powerful it would be if we all could read this together this week, and truly internalize and enact the "equity, fairness, and spirituality" of King Benjamin's mission and message! 

This week's personal history was written by Junko Elliott, of the Thornton Creek ward.  Thank you Junko for sharing your reflection on your own baptism!

Junko's Personal Story:

December 8^th 2007 was the day my husband and I were baptized, almost 9 years ago at the Stake Center building in Seattle. Three weeks prior to that, we were married in the Relief Society room surrounded by our soon-to-be ward family and with our kids Jake and Sinclair by our sides.

 

There are several things that stick out in recalling our baptism day. My then seventeen-year-old son drove himself to the church and made it just in time to sit with us in the front row. It meant a lot to me to have him there, being the only member of our family to witness us “getting dunked”. The room was filled with new friends we had made in our few months of going to church and even some we didn’t know. The feeling in the room was warm and exciting, very different from what I remember of my older brother’s baptism some 28 years earlier when I was a guest in the same font room. That memory was distant, grey and mysterious. My own baptism was shiny, golden and full of promise by contrast. I was married to an amazing man and we were about to embark on a new journey together! I knew it was an important step for us—and the new family we were creating with our two “only children”. Tom Every shared his vocal talent with us and sang a beautiful rendition of “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”. Sister Romish welcomed me into the Relief Society and joked that I would not know who people were talking to when they addressed me in church since I had two new names to get used to—“Sister” and “Elliott”. (This did happen.)

 

The most poignant and perhaps unusual memory of my baptism was being submerged underwater. Somehow, it is a slow motion memory for me. I remember distinctly seeing the water ripple across and above me overhead from deep within the font. It looked clear and turquoise-blue at the same time. Yet I know that my eyes were shut tight in reaction to being dunked back into the water. I share this knowing some may question how this could be possible, yet it was my experience and is a cherished memory.

 

Interestingly enough, I didn’t really feel any different after coming out of the water, but in looking back over the years I know my sins were washed away and forgiven in God’s eyes. Although I can remember past mistakes it is without feeling terribly dark, weighed down and without hope as I had felt before being baptized. By the grace of God and through Christ’s atonement I am forgiven. Through faith, repentance and belief in Christ I was able to be baptized and I am thankful that one day Christ will be my advocate as I stand before our Father in Heaven.

 

That’s my baptism story (minus a few details but this is already so long!) My husband and I are especially thankful for our dear friends the Everys, the Cooks, the Connells, Bishop Shriber, Sister Romish and the missionaries for making it such a special day for us, and all those who have helped us along the way since.

 

–Junko Elliott

 

 

Attachments area

Preview attachment 2012-02-07-chapter-four-establishing-zion-in-missouri-eng.pdf

2012-02-07-chapter-four-establishing-zion-in-missouri-eng.pdf

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Week of November 20: Endure to the End

Dear Sisters,

Follow the journey!  Check out the blog, Strength From Stories.  And/or follow on twitter: @SeattleNStakeRS

Join the journey!  This week:

Read: 2 Nephi 31-33, Enos

           Our Heritage, pages 40-45 (PDF attached)

Write:  In 2 Nephi 31, Nephi prophesies of the baptism of Jesus Christ.  Write about your own baptism.  What do you remember about being baptized?  Be sure to include details!   

Our writing prompt this week was to reflect on a modern day prophecy that is important to us right now. Below is my reflection on Christ's warning about the last days found in Matthew 24:

This week I was in slow traffic on Holman Road, late for a meeting, feeling blue and angry, listening to KD Lang sing "Calling All Angels" with Jane Siberry, and I wished that I could see the angels around us, shining and lifting and speaking in our ears, and I felt alone and dejected, wondering where the angels are.  Suddenly I noticed in the car ahead of me the eyes of the driver reflected in her driver's side mirror.  My eyes met hers, and for one second, I felt connection and empathy.  We smiled at each other and then drove away as the light changed.  I thought, "She's in this traffic too.  We're both here together."  And in an instant I realized that we are all here for one another, in this amazing and frustrating time in history, in this busy and crowded city.  We are surrounded by people who we look at but do not see, who we travel with but do not know.  I thought of Christ prophesying that in the days before his second coming the love of many shall wax cold, and I think He was seeing our large and busy cities, our isolated cars and houses and jobs and neighborhoods, where we fear one another and are afraid to connect.  But all it takes is one small second to look into someone's eyes, even in traffic, to be lifted, to feel love, to remember that each person is miraculous, is loved by God, and should be loved by me too.  

Have a beautiful week dear sisters!

With Love,

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

Seattle North Stake RS Presidency

Week of November 13 2016: And they shall write it

Ezekiel holding the Sticks of Joseph and Judah

Follow the journey on Twitter: @SeattleNStakeRS

This week's journey:

Read: 2 Nephi 9, 29

           Our Heritage pages 33-39 (link here and chapters attached in the email)

Explore: The Sally Phelps Hymnal (https://history.lds.org/article/-sally-phelps-hymnal?lang=eng

Write: Write about a latter-day prophecy that is particularly important to you right now

Dear sisters,

Last week we read 2 Nephi 3-5, which contains the psalm of Nephi, Nephi's beautiful reflection on his faith and conversion.  You also had a chance to ask someone in your family about her or his conversion story.  We hope that this gave you a chance to reflect on the nature of your faith, your ever-growing testimony, and beauties of spiritual gifts.  You also had a chance to look at some historical documents, including letters from Joseph Smith to his wife Emma while he was leading Zion's Camp.  

What strength do you draw from these stories?  Nephi's many, many trials led directly to his deep testimony.  Zion's Camp, though in some ways a failure given the initial goal, built strength and vision in the early latter-day saints.  Those in our lives who can describe their conversion, however it happened, at whatever point, to whatever degree, likely had to endure doubt and questioning before they reached out to know God.  How is your own story of faith continually unfolding?

We hope that you have a beautiful week of reading, writing, and discovering your own strength. 

With love,

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

Seattle North Stake RS Presidency

Week of November 6 2016: My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord

Dear sisters,

Follow on twitter: @SeattleNStakeRS

Week of November 6 2016

Read: 2 Nephi 3-5

           Our Heritage pages 26-32 (see attached PDF)

Explore: 3 Little Known Details AboutZion’s Camp

Write: Ask a family member to tell you about her/his conversion story.  Write the story and your thoughts.

This week we read the final words of wisdom of the prophet Lehi, and pondered the nature of opposition in all things.  You also had the chance to look at original manuscripts from the earliest days of the restoration, the "Joseph Smith Papers" available on lds.org.  I found myself marveling at the tangible Joseph Smith's incredibly difficult calling as prophet, seer, and revelator, and the critical significance of these precious documents.  Your own personal histories will be powerfully important to you and those who follow you as a record of your own faith.

This week we are privileged to read the reflections of Emily Garcia of the Woodland Park ward.  Emily, thank you for sharing your journey with us!  Emily's reflection below:

"There must needs be an opposition in all things..."

14 years ago one of my best friends got sealed in the San Diego temple. I was so excited for her. I remember praying and fasting on my mission a few years after she got sealed that she would get pregnant and I could babysit by the time I got home. She came to my sealing a few years later and babysat my first child on almost a weekly basis when we lived closer.  She remained childless. I remember growing up that she always wanted to be a mom. One of the hardest parts about being a mom is seeing those you love, who really want to be moms, not have that dream realized yet. 

"But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things..."

She still does not have any kids. I now have three. She is currently in the process of getting a divorce. Those "unanswered prayers" turned out to be a blessing in making her divorce simpler. It still really sucks that she doesn't have kids and doesn't have a loving husband to have those kids with. It hurts but I know that right now, she is actually happier than she's been in awhile.

"Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy..."

I have faith that someday her dreams will come true because Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and to have joy. It is not right now. Mine are right now. I guess with all of this opposition it is important to remember what Solomon learned, "this too shall pass." Right now my dreams are being fulfilled. Her turn will come and I will also experience hardships. I think it will be important to remember when those come to be happy for my friend for the joy that she will have and remember the good times myself.

Sisters, it's not too late to join the journey!  Begin where we are this week.  There is so much to read and learn!

With love,

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

Seattle North Stake Relief Society Presidency