Lesson Helps

October 2017 Visiting Teaching and First Presidency Message

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This month's visiting teaching and First Presidency messages emphasize how we can be true disciples of Christ by serving and loving all and reminds us to draw close to Him.

Visiting Teaching Message

"Enfolding with Love Those Who Stray"

“The reality is that there are no perfect families...,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. “Whatever problems your family is facing, whatever you must do to solve them, the beginning and the end of the solution is charity, the pure love of Christ" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "In Praise of Those Who Save" April 2016 general conference)

Of those who are not participating fully in the gospel, Linda K. Burton, former General President of the Relief Society, said: “Heavenly Father loves all His children. ... No matter where they are—on or off the path—He wants them back home” (Linda K. Burton, “Sister Burton, Sister Wixom Visit Church’s Pacific Area,” Church News, April 2, 2013)

Read the entire message on lds.org

Additional Reading Suggestion: "Keeping the Door Open and the Stew Hot: Loving and Helping a Wayward Child" by Brother Marvin K Gardner

First Presidency Message

"Becoming True Disciples" by President Henry B. Eyring

In every sacrament meeting, we have the privilege of promising Heavenly Father that we will always remember the Savior and keep His commandments so that we may have His Spirit to be with us (see Moroni 4:3; 5:2; D&C 20:77, 79). Remembering Him will always come to us naturally as we take His name upon us. We do so in many ways but especially when we serve others in His name, read His holy words, and pray to know what He would have us do.

It happened for me when I performed the baptism of a young man. I knew that I had been called by the Savior’s ordained servants as a missionary to teach His gospel and to testify of Him and of His true Church. My missionary companion and I had promised the young man that he would be cleansed through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as he repented with faith in the Savior and was baptized by one of His authorized servants.

As I lifted the young man out of the waters of the baptismal font, he whispered in my ear, “I am clean, I am clean.” In that moment, I remembered the Savior’s baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Even more, I remembered that I was doing the saving work of a resurrected and living Savior—attended by the Holy Ghost, as John had been.

For me and for each of us, remembering the Savior can be more than relying on a memory of our knowledge and experiences with Him. We can make choices every day that draw us closer to Him in the present.

Additional Reading Suggestion: “Always Remember Him” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Read the entire message on lds.org

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