Contributing to the Lord's Work - Our Class Discussion

I feel like in our Relief Society, the class participation is really what makes it great. I remember when I was a teacher how great it was to have the participation of everyone. Our teachers do a great job of inspiring us to share comments which really bring out a lot of good stories and perspectives.

The main 2 points that I took away from the comments today was that the little things we do can add up to make something great and that the way we live our lives is the best way to share the gospel.

Cassidy reminded us again that a single bee only produces 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in it's life - that does not seem like very much to us humans! If a little honey bee thought and felt the way we humans do, it would be easy for the bee to feel sad that it only makes so little of a contribution to the hive, but this is not the way nature intended it to work! Bees are designed to be successful when they work together as a team - they can make pounds and pounds of honey together! The collective effort of all the bees is what adds up to many pounds of honey. It's quite incredible if you think about it. We as members of the church are no different than the honey bees in this regard- together, each doing our own little part (how ever difficult or easy it may seem) adds up to be a great amount of good done in the world, which really makes a difference in people's lives!

Lisa had us read stats about the welfare of the church in the lesson, and it's important to remember that the church wouldn't be growing without our individual and collective efforts.

What might be holding you back from contributing more, or something that you're holding back?

The little things like a kind word or a prayer in their behalf aren't just what makes a difference in others' lives, but in our own as well. I really liked what Rachael Ann said - "The small things are what make you strong."

As I said, it was noted a few times that who we are often goes much farther than what we say in sharing the gospel. We had a visitor today who told a story about how this inactive lady never let her visiting teachers in, but they always left something with a message every month for her. Some time later the woman became active, in large part do to the faithful, loving examples of service her visiting teachers showed her. Our sister said how she heard the woman herself tell the story, and she pointed out that her visiting teachers never found out that she became active again, because it was some time after the sisters no longer lived in her area. She said, "For all they know I am still inactive. They will not know that because of their examples I am active now." Just think how easy it would have been to think that their seemingly small effort to leave something with a thought once a month wouldn't be enough to change the sister's heart.

To add to this point, Mary shared a wonderful story about her dad. I messaged her to get the story straight. She said, "he was totally inactive for 10 years while he was living in Alaska. The rest of his family lived in Oregon and Idaho, so they just prayed a lot for him and kept living the gospel. He saw the way their lives were going and realized that's what he wanted for himself and started coming back to church and has been fully active ever since. His family NEVER thought he would come back, so basically don't ever give up on anyone, there are no lost causes :)"

 Lisa, our teacher, then shared her testimony that praying for people, when they don't want to hear the gospel now, really does make a difference.

I feel like I'm hearing so much about sharing the gospel lately. I really need to think about with whom and how I can share the gospel, by living an example worth emulating and reaching out to others.

Are you thinking about how to share the gospel? Now is the time to do it. The change of the colors of the leaves brings about a lovely season - I love fall because it is so beautiful. The change of the seasons reminds us that we too are meant to change with time and that none of us were meant to go through life without adjusting our patterns, thoughts or state of being. We are children of light - find the true source of light this week by turning to the Saviour through thought, word and prayer.

Remember about the little honey bees who work so hard to produce what seems like so little this week. Believe that your actions amount to something. You are wonderful! I believe in you and I know our presidency does too.