Wendy Watson Nelson Talk

Excerpt from the talk

“…My soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord.”

 by Wendy Watson Nelson

This address was given Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the BYU Women’s Conference

You can read the full talk here, or watch it here.

As we keep our covenants, to what else do we have access? Joseph Smith declared that if we
as covenant women “live up to (our) privilege,” the angels will not be able to be restrained from
being our associates. Our “privilege” includes our covenants. Our covenants are a “privilege”!
Therefore, as we live up to our covenants, the angels will not be able to be restrained from being
our associates. (Relief Society Minute Book, Nauvoo, Illinois, Apr. 28, 1842, Church History Library, 38)

We could also say it this way: As we keep our covenants, we can ask for angels to help us.
Literally!

It was during Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2010 general conference talk that I first learned
this truth. He said, “Ask for angels to help you.” He said it with such clarity, and yet in a manner
that implied this was something we all knew. But for me it was an entirely new principle. I
wanted to call out, “Wait! Wait! What? You mean I could have been asking for angels to help
me all this time?”

Without intending to sound too dramatic, I can say with all candor that Elder Holland’s six
words changed my life. “Ask for angels to help you.” That counsel changed my prayers, changed
my understanding of the very real help from heaven that is always available to us as we keep our
covenants.

I started to ask for assistance from those on the other side of the veil from that moment on. Now
I’m not talking about praying for fantasy angels with wings to magically fairy-dust our problems
away. I’m not talking about praying to angels. I’m talking about praying to your Heavenly
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for those on the other side to be “dispatched” (Elder
Holland’s word) to assist you. Perhaps a loved one or two could be sent to help you with
whatever you need.

Can you imagine the effort it took those angels who pushed from the rear of handcarts as they
helped the pioneers over the steep, snowy, windy, freezing, jagged terrain of Rocky Ridge? If
angels can manage that, they can certainly help you and me over our present Rocky Ridges. We
know the Lord gets His work done with the help of His angels. So could you use a little more
help in your life? If so, keep your covenants with more exactness than ever before. And then ask
for angels to help you with whatever you need. Or ask for them to be dispatched to help those 
you love.

Does your child need help? Is your husband in trouble? Does your aunt need comfort? Does your
best friend need direction? Ask for angels to be assigned to help them. As a covenant-keeping
woman, you can do just that!

One of my former institute students, let’s call her Barbara, followed through with that suggestion
with thrilling results. Barbara has served as proxy for many of my ancestors. During a few
particular temple sessions, Barbara had special experiences with a woman named Genevieve and
with Genevieve’s sisters. Barbara felt a deep connection with them. So she prayed and asked if
Genevieve and her sisters, who now live on the other side of the veil, could be dispatched to help
Barbara’s own sister, who lives on this side of the veil. Barbara’s sister had not been active in the
Church for years, and she was having heart-wrenching difficulties with some rigorous life
events.

Here are Barbara’s words: “I prayed that my sister could find peace in this world; that she could
find direction back to Heavenly Father; that the sisters of Genevieve could help her find her way
back, and watch over her in this process. A few weeks later my sister told me that she was taking
her three boys to church! Later she asked me how to get her patriarchal blessing. The eldest boy
turned eight this summer and was baptized. And my sister is now attending temple preparation
classes.”

How can we explain such miracles? Mormon tells us, “My beloved [sisters], have miracles
ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of
men. . . . And the office of their ministry is to call men [and women] to repentance, and to fulfill
and to do the work of the covenants of the Father.” (Moroni 7: 29, 31)

March Apprentice Class

APPRENTICE: Having a hope-filled heart

Study/Learn

1 - Read chapter 10 in "Just Like Jesus" by Max Lucado.  

2 - Read "The Family: a Proclamation to the World"

3 - Read Moroni 7:41

4 - Girls:

• Read this article: "Mothers Who Know" by Julie B. Beck

•  Read this article: "The Moral Force of Women" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

• Find principles as you read and record them in your commonplace book.

Boys:   

• Read this article: "Fatherhood—Our Eternal Destiny" by Larry M. Gibson

• Read this article: "Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling" by Elder L. Tom Perry

• Find principles as you read and record them in your commonplace book.

Know/Understand

Choose 1 of the following:

• Reread "The Family" paragraph 7.  Journal in your commonplace book about the different responsibilities of each family member: What are the responsibilities of a mother? A father? A brother or sister? A grandparent or other extended family member? What should a father and mother do together?   Why do you think God divided the roles like He did and why do you think He gave different strengths (and weaknesses) to men and women?  What kind of mother or father do you want to be?  Make a list in your journal to refer back to often.  Come prepared to teach the class what you learned and find a creative way to share.

• Read about the stripling warriors (found in Alma 56–58), and how they were taught in their homes to be obedient and righteous. What do you think their homes were like? Make a list in your journal about the important things you want to have in your own home when you grow up.  Why are these things important to you?  Make a list of 5 things that you can do now to make those things come to pass in the future.  Come prepared to teach the class what you learned and find a creative way to share.

• Think about the skills that it takes to be a parent.  Choose a physical skill (something you DO, cooking, cleaning, art, laundry, reading, decorating, etc) that you aren't strong in.  Use your imagination.  Learn how to do it this week and bring a demonstration to class to teach the class what you learned.  (If you choose cooking, you can bring us something to eat if you want to.  ;)  

Become/Serve

In "The Family" paragraph 7, we see a list of principles that successful marriages and families are established on (faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities). Choose one of these principles and set goals to work on it this week.

March Journeyman Class

This course is an attempt to strike at the root.

--- The ten Boom Institute

Principles of Liberty - Threats to Liberty

Study/Learn

1 - Watch Lecture 5 (from the CD) and take notes.

2 - Read "The Proper Role of Government" by Ezra Taft Benson

3 - Watch this video by Ezra Taft Benson about America

4 - Watch this video of Ezra Taft Benson speaking about Socialism

Know/Understand

Write down your favorite quotes or thoughts from the videos and reading.

And choose one or more of the following, being ready to share it in class:

• In your own words, summarize each of the principles from The Proper Role of Government.

• In your own words, summarize each point Ezra Taft Benson makes in the other two videos.

• Create a skit, poem, story, or comic strip that shows examples of some of these principles of righteous government being followed or not being followed.

• Do some research on Ezra Taft Benson. Why do you think he felt so strongly about promoting freedom and rejecting socialism and communism?  What was his position in the government? What was his position in the LDS Church afterward? What role did he play in Germany after World War II?  Be ready to give the class a presentation on all you learned about him and why he was so passionate about the proper role of government.

February Master Charity Reports

Action Against Hunger

by Jessica B.

The charity I chose was Action Against Hunger. What they do is fight malnutrition by providing food, water, and food security to people around the world who are suffering from malnutrition. The way they help prevent malnutrition is by trying to discover the root cause of a malnutrition outbreak, then treating it accordingly. They also provide ready-to-use therapeutic foods to help prevent malnutrition from occurring.

Action Against Hunger also helps impact food security for the better. When a disaster occurs that destroys infrastructure and food supplies, Action Against Hunger provides food, cash, and and other stuff to prevent hunger in the short term and make sure that crops can be replanted in the future.

They make sure that people have clean water as well, by drilling and decontaminating wells, installing hand pumps, protecting natural springs, tapping aquifers, and piping water into hard-to-reach villages and health centers. They also promote sanitation and hygiene by distributing hygiene kits and building hand washing stations.

They have helped a lot of people. In 2014 alone, they have helped a total of 13.5 million people.

Action Against Hunger gets their funding through donations. I wouldn't donate to them, because I don't have any money. If I did have money though, it would be a very worthwhile charity to donate to.

Benson Food

by Hannah Anderson

What do they do?

Benson Food supports community efforts to improve the health and well-being of families through projects in food production, food storage, and nutrition training. They leverage local resources to meet challenges in food security. They partner with organizations to help communities as a whole. They help with planning and growing gardens, food storage, and nutrition training.

Who do they serve?

Families, communities and people who need to improve nutritional production. Families and communities can increase their food security by using sustainable practices such as gardening and animal production. Beneficiaries use their local resources to learn methods that are most effective and appropriate to their environment. As a result, they learn practices that are both sustainable and effective.

How do they get their funding?

LDS church and donations

Would you donate to this charity?

Yes.

Why?

Because it’s important for us to learn how to balance meals and plant gardens. It’s very important for us to have food storage, and I think this is a worthy cause.




Note from Sis. Cloward: I also have an report from Emma Skinner.  I'll type it and post it when I get home from Boston.  If anyone else would like theirs posted, you can still email me.  :)

January Apprentice Class

APPRENTICE: Having a compassionate heart

Study/Learn

1 - Read chapter 3 in "Just Like Jesus" by Max Lucado.  

2 - Read Psalm 145:8

3 - Copy this month's memorization (scripture and part of "The Family") onto note cards and study them every day.  You can find this month's memorization on the main page of the blog.

4 - Read the following article: "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" by Pres. Uchtdorf

Know/Understand

DO ALL:

Each of us have things of worth to share. Your perspective on life is unique – no one else has had exactly the same experiences or thought the same thing about every book, movie or situation you've encountered. Because of this you have valid insight that is both similar and different than others around you. When we find ways to positively communicate our thoughts and feelings to others we change the world and the people around us for the better.

- Think of a time when you found the courage to speak up even though it felt hard or was embarrassing. Be prepared to share it in class. If you can find a way to show that experience in a creative way, it will make it more memorable.

- Read D&C 88:122

- Read two of the following articles:
       - "Beyond Debate"
       - "Becoming an effective missionary: Open you mouth"
       - "Open your mouths: The Courage to share the gospel"
             (Read the article but don't do the questions afterwards.)

We are going to have a debate. You need to research and come prepared to defend both the affirmative and negative sides. Which side will you have to defend? You'll find out in class. :)

- To learn the way debates are typically run and to get good advice on how to prepare, please read the following:
       - "Debating: An introduction for Beginners"

The topic of our debate will be:  

All high school age children should have an after school job

You may agree or disagree with the debate topic, but be prepared to argue both sides.

This is more of a "spar" than a speech. Plan on preparing a 3-5 minute defense both for and against.

January Journeyman

This course is an attempt to strike at the root.

--- The ten Boom Institute

Study/Learn

1 - Read "Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce" by John Piper.  This is the 80 page version of the book.   

 

Because the book we are reading is condensed, we don't get a lot of Wilberforce's life story and it makes it a little confusing.  Do some research on him as a man and on slavery in Britain and the fight he undertook.

2 - Take notes and mark your book as you read.  There are a lot of quotes you will love!

Know/Understand

DO ALL:

1 -  Choose one of your favorite quotes from the book and design a poster with it to hang in your room.  For class, we will be sharing the quotes, telling why it was your favorite and then displaying them on "the wire".

2 - Elder Quentin L. Cook said the following in Oct. 2010:

"William Wilberforce, the great British statesman who was instrumental in outlawing the slave trade in Great Britain, is an excellent example. “Amazing Grace,” the touching hymn, and the inspiring movie of the same name capture the feeling of the early 1800s and describe the account of his heroic effort. Wilberforce’s untiring efforts were among the first steps in eliminating this terrible, oppressive, cruel, and venal practice. As part of that effort he, together with other leaders, set out to reform public morality. He believed that education and government had to be morally based. “His … vision of moral and spiritual enrichment was what he lived for, whether in defending the institution of marriage, attacking the practices of the slave trade or emphatically defending the Sabbath day.” With great energy he helped mobilize the country’s moral and social leaders in a nationwide struggle against vice."

What do you think had more of an impact on the society of Great Britain, the end of the slave trade or the moral reform taken up by Wilberforce and his contemporaries?  Write a 3 paragraph essay explaining your answer and defending your opinion.  Be prepared to share your opinions in class and turn in your written paper.

3 - William Wilberforce in one of my very favorite people to learn about.  He is one on my heroes.  Choose one of your heroes and plan a 5 minute presentation for the class on this person.  They can be living or dead and from any period in the history of the world.  To find out how prepare a presentation for class, click here.  This will be a presentation without electronics, ie... prezi, power point or projector.  And as always, do not bore us!

Become/Serve

The song, "Amazing Grace" was written by the friend of Wilberforce, John Newton.  Listen to the song several times while reading the words.  How does it make you feel?  Journal about your feelings about the song and your feelings towards the Savior for giving you His "amazing grace".

There are many versions of this song online you can listen to.  You can find one or listen to this one.  It's my favorite, done by Alan Jackson.

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

  That saved a wretch; like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

  Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

  And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

  The hour I first believed!

The Lord hath promised good to me,

  His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be

  As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

  Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

  Than when we first begun.

January Master

Study/Learn

1 - Spend at least 30 minutes on the website exploring and reading about LDS Charities.  Since 1985, LDS Charities has provided assistance to millions of people in 185 countries.  (There are 196 countries total in the world.) You will be amazed at what the church is doing.  I was!

2 - Research one of the other top humanitarian groups in the world.  You can research any one you would like.  Here are some if you don't know of any:

• Action Against Hunger (AAH)
• CARE
• Caritas Internationalis
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS - USCC)
• Doctors Without Borders 
• Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN)
• Food For The Hungry International (FHI)
• Hunger Plus, Inc.
• Interaction
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)
  
• Lutheran World Federation
• Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
• Mercy Corps (MC)
• Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
• Oxfam
• Refugees International
• Relief International
• Save the Children
• The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• US Committee for Refugees (USCR)
• World Vision International

Know/Understand

Write a one page paper on the charity that you researched.  Please remember to include the following:

• What do they do?
• Who do they serve?
• How they get their funding?
• Would you donate to this charity?  Why or why not?

Email it to Sis. Cloward and I will put it on the blog since we won't have time in class to share.  

Become/Serve

Ponder on the following scripture and journal what it  means to you.