Lesson Helps

June 2017 Visiting Teaching and First Presidency Message

37589.jpg

This month's visiting and first presidency messages remind us of the importance of keeping covenants with the Lord, relying on priesthood power, and doing missionary work.

Visiting Teaching Message

"Priesthood Power Through Keeping Covenants"

How do we invite priesthood power into our lives? Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminds us that “those who have entered the waters of baptism and subsequently received their endowment in the house of the Lord are eligible for rich and wonderful blessings. The endowment is literally a gift of power … [and] our Father in Heaven is generous with His power.” He reminds us that men and women “are both endowed with the same power” in the temple, “which by definition is priesthood power” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Keeping Covenants: A Message for Those Who Will Serve a Mission,”New Era, Jan. 2012, 3; or Liahona, Jan. 2012, 49).

Linda K. Burton, former Relief Society General President, said: “Since priesthood power is something we all desire to have in our families and homes, what do we need to do to invite that power into our lives? Personal righteousness is imperative to having priesthood power” (See “Understanding Our Covenants with God,” Ensign, July 2012, 25; or Liahona, July 2012, 23).

Read the entire message on lds.org

Additional Reading Suggestion: "The Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping," by Sister Linda K. Burton

First Presidency Message

"Called to the Work," by President Thomas S. Monson

Whether or not we serve as full-time missionaries, each of us has the opportunity to share the gospel and serve those around us. Consider pairing this message with a recent general conference talk on this topic. You could discuss the phrase "whom God calls, God qualifies" with those you teach. How have they felt God supporting them in missionary work and in their callings? You could invite those you teach to pray for strength and inspiration to know how to share the gospel with their family, friends, and neighbors.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith called Elder Heber C. Kimball (1801–68) to “open the door of salvation” as a missionary to England, Elder Kimball was seized by feelings of inadequacy.

“O, Lord,” he wrote, “I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work.”

Elder Kimball accepted the call nevertheless, adding: “These considerations did not deter me from the path of duty; the moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed” (Heber C. Kimball, in Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, 3rd ed. (1967), 104).

My young brothers and sisters who are called to full-time missionary service, you are called to the work because you, like Elder Kimball, “have desires to serve God” (D&C 4:3) and because you are ready and worthy.

Read the entire message on lds.org

Additional Reading Suggestion: "Called to the Work," by Elder David A. Bednar 

Lead image from lds.org
Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content