News From Our Sisters

Kay Henningson Is Home & Doing Better

Kay has been released and is home and doing a lot better. She is able to get around the house in a wheelchair. She was able to make it to Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. It was so good to see her smiling face there. We are glad to have her home and pray for continued blessings in her recovery.

This Week's Relief Society Message

This Week's Relief Society Lesson 11/9/2008
was taught by Krystal Hall

The title of the lesson was:
Stand Fast through the Storms of Life

The main points of the lesson are:

*Those who follow Jesus Christ will be tried and must prove themselves faithful to God.

*God will support and bless those who trust Him in their times of trial.

*The faithful do not murmur in affliction, but are thankful for God’s goodness.

*Confidence in God’s power, wisdom, and love will help us avoid discouragement in times of trial.

Krystal urged us all to go home and read or reread this lesson as it has many valuable lessons to learn. The link to this lesson is: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=da135f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e8b720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0

President's Message

My dear Sisters,
I am grateful for this opportunity to serve you as counselor in your Relief Society.
As a presidency, we feel the strong desire to help us, as a ward, become a Zion people, In Moses 7:18 the Lord called Enoch's people Zion "because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them". In the D&C He said, "For this is Zion--the pure in heart."
One way to make sure there are no poor among us is to each prepare, individually and as families for hard times ahead. We are having enrichment nights to teach us how to store what we need. The next one we have planned is Nov. 12 at 7:00 pm, when Jan Jonson will talk about how to store medicines and herbs.
We also desire to establish a "pass-along" closet by which we can share outgrown clothes and household items. Watch for upcoming details.
I feel that the most important part of becoming a Zion people is to eliminate contention and become of one heart and one mind. Let us each examine our own heart and weed out any ill feelings toward others. Let us work together to become the pure in heart exemplified by Enoch's people.
I love you all and look forward to serving in this capacity. If you have a need or desire we could address in Enrichment meetings, please let us know.
Anna Pearson
2nd Counselor in the 8th Ward Relief Society Presidency

Announcements

Enrichment Night:
Please join us for our next Enrichment Night on Wednesday, November 12, at 7:00 pm. The class will be “Storing Medications and Using Herbs,” and will be taught by Jan Johnson. We will meet in the Primary Room.

The Stake Blood Drive:
The Stake Blook Drive is coming up this November 13. Please plan to donate if you are able.

Birthday Girls

November Birthday Girls
November 7 - Patricia Rowley
November 9 - Barbara Wintch
November 10 - Lynne Larsen
November 21 - Patti Adams
November 21 - Judy Anderson
November 26 - Eleanor Sessions
November 28 - Vanessa McGarry
November 29 - Bethany McGarry
November 30 - Ruth Anderson
November 30 - Joyce Henretty

November Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching Message For November:
for your visiting teaching message this month, please select an address that best meets the needs of those you visit from the conference talks given in October.
Here is the link to this month's Ensign

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ccb1d48fa58db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=41a74bb52a73d110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&locale=0

News From Our Sisters

Kay Henningson Is Doing Better
Sister Kay Henningson has been in the hospital for a very long time. We have been praying for her and her family and hoping for her recovery. She spent many weeks in Intensive Care at the University Hospital, in Salt Lake City. She has endured several surgeries and received priesthood blessings.
We are pleased to report that Kay is improving. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Utah County, we she will hopefully regain her strength.
We appreciate all the prayers, visits, and acts of kindness shown to Kay and her family.
Card and Letters can be sent to her at:

Utah Valley Specialty Hospital
306 Riverbend Lane, Room 213
Provo, Utah 84604

Sister Fern Huntsman

Sister Huntsman has been released from Gunnison Hospital and is staying with her daughter in Monroe, UT. We are glad she is doing better.

Kayla Barclay’s Adventures

We have all enjoyed sharing in Kayla Barclay’s reign as Miss Utah. She and her family have been very busy with the commitments and events that accompany this honor.

We are all proud of Kayla and the way she is representing her family, her ward, and the Church. She always stands up for her convictions and beliefs, and shares her testimony whenever she has the opportunity.

Kayla, we support you in all you do and who you are, and are honored to have you as part of the sisterhood of the Manti 8th Ward Relief Society .


Goodbye To Dear Friends
We are sad to say goodbye to Anna and Gene Mott, and Wayne and Virginia Beach. Anna and Gene are moving to Florida, and Wayne and Virginia are moving to Missouri. We will miss them. They have contributed much to our ward. They take a part of our hearts with them. We hope they will always remember the love from the Manti 8th Ward.

New Babies In The Ward:

A baby boy was born to David and Krystal Hall. He will be named Justus Luc Hall.

A baby boy was born to Chad and Rose Imlay. He will be named Leland Imlay.

Announcements

Enrichment Night:
Please join us for our next Enrichment Night on Wednesday, November 12, at 7:00 pm. The class will be “Storing Medications and Using Herbs,” and will be taught by Jan Johnson. We will meet in the Primary Room.

Sister’s Retreat:
The "Sister's Retreat" has been postponed. We will provide more information soon. Please plan to attend.

The Stake Blood Drive
The Stake Blook Drive is coming up this November 13. Please plan to donate if you are able.

Please Pray For These Sisters

Please Pray For:
Pearl Dickerson, Kay Henningson, The Huntsman Family, The Roger McArthur Family— that they all will be strengthened and healed, and for Lynda Palmer—that she will continue her recovery.
Please let us know if there are other needs in the ward. There truly is power in prayer and we as a ward move closer to Zion when are hearts are united in prayer for fellow members who may be suffering or facing challenges.

Food Storage Idea of the Month

START WITH AN INVENTORY:
The best place to start with your food storage is take stock of what you have. If you know what you have—what is still good—then you can determine what you need.
As members of the presidency visit you, we will offer an inventory sheet. You can do this inventory yourself, or you can request another sister’s help. With an inventory in hand, you can see what else needs to be added to your Home Storage Plan.

We have a document that outlines the VERY BASIC things you may need to help your family be prepared. Many of the things on the list can probably be found in your garage or basement. You may be more prepared than you think! For a copy of this document, please contact a member of the presidency.

Food Storage Planner:
We are still working on getting enough people who want to purchase a food storage planner you can load on to your computer and keep track of everything you are storing. It will also tell you what you need for each member of your family, and what you need to purchase for a 1 month to 2 year supply—or longer if you wish. It is easy to use and is quite inexpensive if purchased in quantity. The cost is only $17 if we can combine 50 orders. If you are interested, call Patti Adams at 835-4950.

REMEMBER: Food Storage is a process—not an event.

Herb of the Month: Echinacea

Herb of the Month—Echinacea
Echinacea is popularly believed to be an immunostimulator , stimulating the body's non-specific immune system and warding off infections.
Proponents of echinacea assert that it is not a "one-dose" treatment, and that in order to work effectively, a dose should be taken at the very first sign of a cold symptom. Subsequent doses are called for every two to four hours after the first dose, including during the overnight sleeping period, until the cold symptoms have disappeared.

This section is for information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

President's Message

Here is this month's message from the Manti 8th Ward Relief Society Presidency:
Dear Sisters,
I am so grateful and humbled by this new calling to serve in the Relief Society. Feelings of inadequacy and fear quickly overcame me when I was first called. But I want you to know that I have a strong testimony of accepting callings from the Lord. I know with all of my heart that when we put our trust in the Lord, He will bless and help us to do whatever He asks of us. There is an enabling power that comes over us as we put our trust in Him. I have witnessed this time and again. I have learned that when I have faith and do my part, no matter how inadequate I feel, the Lord will make up the difference and do His.

It has been 20 years since I have had the opportunity to be a part of Relief Society on Sundays. I love the Primary and Young Women's programs dearly. I firmly believe that serving in these organizations is Relief Society in action. I am grateful for the testimony that I have always been apart of the Lord's organization of the Relief Society even when I have been serving in these other auxiliaries. Sisters, as daughters of God we are all part of Relief Society. It is who we are as women. The errand of angels is given to women no matter where we serve.

Please know of my love for you. I know that this gospel is true. I am honored to work with the good women of this Relief Society Presidency. In Sister Adams' presidency message last month, she said that together we will serve you prayerfully and diligently. I sustain her in this effort. My heart is full of longing to be and instrument in the Lords hands. I hope and pray that you will allow me this opportunity. I know that God lives and knows and loves each one of us personally. My prayer is that you will feel His love for you and share that love with those around you.

Sincerely,

Kristina Jorgensen
1st Counselor in the 8th Ward Relief Society Presidency

Here is this month's message from Julie B. Beck Relief Society General President:

“As spirit daughters of God, women ‘received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth’ (D&C 138:56) on the earth. They were among the ‘noble and great ones’ (D&C 138:55) who ‘shouted for joy’ (Job 38:7) at the creation of the earth because they would be given a physical body with the opportunity to be proven in a mortal sphere (see Abraham 3:25). They wished to work side by side with righteous men to accomplish eternal goals that neither can attain independently. Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come” (“A ‘Mother Heart,’” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 76).

This Week's Relief Society Lesson

Here we will post a synopsis of the current week's Sunday lesson. Post your thoughts, comments, or impressions as you listened to, or read the lesson.

October 12, 2008

This week's lesson was on The Great Plan of Salvation. Krystal Hall taught the lesson. The lesson can be found in the manual Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, chapter 17.

Krystal made mention of the primary song: “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 164–65). The lyrics are as follows: My life is a gift; my life has a plan. My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth; And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth.

The lesson can be found at the website: www.lds.org
under the heading (Prepare a Lesson) in the right column.

The main ideas of this lesson are:

1. In the premortal world, Jesus Christ was chosen to be the Savior, and we chose to accept the plan of salvation.
“At the first organization in heaven we were all present and saw the Savior chosen and appointed and the plan of salvation made, and we sanctioned it.”


2. We are eternal beings; we can advance toward exaltation as we obey the laws of God.
“And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: … For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:37, 39).

3. We came to earth to obtain a body, to gain knowledge, and to overcome through faith.
“We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man, and when cast out by the Savior he asked to go into the herd of swine, showing that he would prefer a swine’s body to having none. All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not.”

4. God has given us moral agency and the power to choose good over evil.
“If men would acquire salvation, they have got to be subject, before they leave this world, to certain rules and principles, which were fixed by an unalterable decree before the world was. … The organization of the spiritual and heavenly worlds, and of spiritual and heavenly beings, was agreeable to the most perfect order and harmony: their limits and bounds were fixed irrevocably, and voluntarily subscribed to in their heavenly estate by themselves, and were by our first parents subscribed to upon the earth. Hence the importance of embracing and subscribing to principles of eternal truth by all men upon the earth that expect eternal life.”
“All persons are entitled to their agency, for God has so ordained it. He has constituted mankind moral agents, and given them power to choose good or evil; to seek after that which is good, by pursuing the pathway of holiness in this life, which brings peace of mind, and joy in the Holy Ghost here, and a fulness of joy and happiness at His right hand hereafter; or to pursue an evil course, going on in sin and rebellion against God, thereby bringing condemnation to their souls in this world, and an eternal loss in the world to come.”
“Satan cannot seduce us by his enticements unless we in our hearts consent and yield. Our organization is such that we can resist the devil; if we were not organized so, we would not be free agents.”
“The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.”

October Visiting Teaching Message

Feeding His Sheep through Visiting Teaching
Ensign, Oct 2008, 68–71
“The Lord has blessed women with divine attributes of love, compassion, kindness, and charity,” says Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, in speaking about visiting teaching. “We can provide temporal and spiritual nourishment. We can and should offer understanding and be able to teach doctrine. We can relieve spiritual hunger and feed the sheep. Feeding the sheep might mean strengthening and nourishing the new members, the less active, or even the fully active members.”
“Our service should be selfless, quiet, and be done willingly, with our hearts full of the love of God and His children,” she continues. “There must be genuine concern to shepherd the flock, to invite them unto Christ.”1
The following stories testify of the temporal and spiritual nourishment received through the divinely instituted program of visiting teaching.
Remembering Lisa
“These flowers will never die.”
The comment touched me so deeply that I began to cry. Lisa had been my mother’s visiting teacher for more than a year, coming faithfully every month. She was now moving to Virginia, far from our home in Georgia.
I cannot say that my mother looked forward to Lisa’s visits, because my mother has Alzheimer’s disease and lives only in the present. Lisa would bring her three children to visit Mom and the rest of the people Mom spent time with in her adult daycare facility. Lisa would engage Mom in conversation, read to her, sing with her, and try in every way to reach into Mom’s reality to touch her life. Lisa would share the visiting teaching message too, telling me afterward, “I don’t know how much she remembers of what I say, but maybe it stores in her mind in a way that we don’t know.”
Lisa often told me that Mom was a gracious hostess during their visits, that Mom was concerned about Lisa and her children. In Mom’s prime, this was one of her best virtues. Hearing Lisa’s experiences touched my heart because the disease had taken away so much of the mother I knew.
At the end of each visit, Lisa would give Mom something tangible to remind her of their visit. At first, Lisa brought word-search puzzles. Lately, she had brought flowers.
When I would come to pick up Mom each night, I knew if I saw a beautiful bunch of flowers or a potted plant sitting on the table, Lisa had been there. One night in particular I remember thinking that Mom looked like a beauty pageant queen. She had her flowers cradled in one arm and was waving good-bye to everyone as we walked down the hall and to our car. Yes, Lisa had made a difference. She had touched the life of my mother, if only for a moment.
As she was getting ready to move to Virginia, Lisa was giving Mom one last gift, a silk topiary. As Lisa and I embraced, I thought, “How appropriate.” Her parting gift was “flowers that would never die,” just like the memories of Lisa’s service.
Some people might have said, “Why should I bother? Gloria won’t remember the visit a few minutes after I have left.” But the lessons Lisa taught to her children, to the people at the care facility who could still remember her sweet message, to the nursing aides who would later tell me about the visits—they all knew. And all, including Mom, were touched at the time of Lisa’s visit.
When I see the silk topiary, I think of Lisa and am grateful for her dedicated service. I will always cherish her friendship and service. I can’t help but think that when my mother is made whole on the other side of the veil, she will remember Lisa too.
Susan Mathews Hardy, Georgia
Serving as She Needed to Be Served
It was as a freshman at Ricks College (now BYU–Idaho) that I first became a visiting teacher. I genuinely enjoyed spending time with other sisters my age and making new friends. I faithfully went every month and gave the lesson. I thought I was doing all I needed to do to be a good visiting teacher.
Then, toward the end of the year, tragedy struck. The brother of one of the girls we taught committed suicide. This formerly optimistic, gregarious girl who loved everyone (and whom everyone loved) completely changed. She became reclusive and depressed. I wanted to do something for her as a friend and as a visiting teacher, but I wondered what I could possibly offer.
The answer came clearly one evening when a friend and I decided to visit our dear sister. We held her and let her cry. We cried too.
That was all she needed that night. She didn’t need a lesson. She didn’t need words we didn’t have. She needed love.
That moment was a turning point for me. I learned that regardless of personal circumstances, we all need to know that we are loved and that someone cares. I realized that visiting teaching is not just a lesson or a phone call. It is concerned, deep interest in the lives of others. It is about giving what the other person needs, not necessarily what we want to give. I learned that more than anything else, visiting teaching is a way for us to help each other feel the Savior’s love in our lives.
Name Withheld
Taking Visiting Teaching Seriously
I have heard people say that visiting teaching is a pointless inconvenience, that life is just too busy and that there are more important things to do. I used to think that way too, until Heavenly Father showed me otherwise.
When I was newly married and had a one-year-old child, two wonderful women, Marlo and Heather, were my visiting teachers. Marlo was a great example to me of being a patient, kind, and loving mother. Heather was a little bit more of a mystery. She had been married for a few years. She and her husband had lost their son some time before. When she shared with me her experience of losing a child, I remember looking at my own son and praying that heartache like that would never touch my life.
A year later we moved to a different city, and I lost touch with my visiting teachers. Seven years after that, life seemed perfect. My husband and I had three beautiful children and were expecting a fourth. We were anxious to welcome another son to our family.
When it came time to go to the hospital, my husband and I smiled and laughed the whole way. The day was bright and sunny and seemed to reflect our own happiness.
That continued even at the hospital, where we could see the angel Moroni atop the Mount Timpanogos temple through the window. A nurse came in to do some routine checks. She put the heart monitor around my stomach and then turned pale. My doctor quickly arrived, did an ultrasound, and then looked up and quietly told us that our baby had died.
My husband and I were shocked—and devastated. With tears streaming down my face, I delivered our beautiful son. It’s impossible to describe the feelings you have when the doctor gently places your baby in your arms and you know that this is the last time you will hold him. I had never felt such an aching pain. I could barely breathe, my heart was shattered so completely.
The Relief Society president from my ward arrived at the hospital a short time later, but I sent her away. As kind and good as she was, at that time I did not know her. I’m a very private person and couldn’t let a virtual stranger inside my grief and pain.
And then there was a quiet knock at the door. We looked up to see my former visiting teacher, Heather, walk into the room. I think we were both surprised to see each other. She explained that she worked at the hospital as a grief counselor, helping people who lose loved ones.
She helped my husband and me bathe our son and dress him. She took pictures of him so that we would never forget his beautiful face. My favorite one is of our hands holding his. She cast molds of his hands and feet. Those molds are treasures to me.
I am grateful for Heather’s Christlike service at a time when I needed somebody so much. Even more important, I am grateful to Heavenly Father for bringing me someone whom I felt I could let in, someone who could help me shoulder my pain for just a little while.
I wonder what would have happened if Heather and Marlo hadn’t done their visiting teaching, if they had been too busy or had chosen to do other things instead. I’m so grateful they took their calling seriously. Because they did, I was able to make it through the most painful hours of my life with a comforting shoulder to lean on.
Shannon F. Guymon, Utah
Receiving Spiritual Nourishment
A few years ago I was at an all-time low. I had been raised in the Church and taught from infancy that I am a daughter of God. But now, a few years after marriage, I found myself in a difficult situation. My husband had turned away from the teachings of the gospel, and we were having financial difficulties. Our four-year-old child had a blood disorder that was feared to be leukemia. I had an infant and a first grader to care for as well, and we lived far from any extended family.
My husband blamed me for many of these problems, and my feeling of self-worth had diminished. I felt too tired to read the scriptures and too worthless to have meaningful prayer. I went through the motions of family life day after day but felt increasingly alone.
One day, my visiting teachers called to ask to come to my home to visit. I was a little embarrassed to have them over, but I had no good reason not to, so they came. They shared with me a lesson on reading the scriptures. I remember telling them I was familiar with the stories and doctrine, but it just seemed that my days slipped away from me and that I didn’t have time to read anymore. After hearing my list of excuses, Sister Crowley challenged me to read every day, even if it was only a little. She and her companion left with words of encouragement and a prayer in my behalf.
I decided I could commit to read something, even if it was only one verse. As I did so, it was as though a light had finally been turned on in the mist of darkness, and I could see. Through reading the Lord’s words, I began to let Him into my life to heal me. He didn’t take away my problems, but He did give me the strength to handle them. Slowly I began to understand that I still had a purpose in this life and that He had a plan for me.
Those sisters’ simple act of service changed my life and lifted me out of the darkness. They helped me deal with my pain, feel the love of Jesus Christ, and eventually share that love with my family and others. I am grateful to them for helping me come to a place where I could really understand that His Atonement not only covers my sins but my heartaches as well. His infinite love heals everything—sin, weakness, anger, grief, and pain. He offers us living water and makes us whole again.
Name Withheld

Lynda Palmer's Miracle Is Our Miracle

On Monday, September 1, the Palmer family received a long awaited phone call. University Hospital had a kidney for Sister Lynda Palmer. This kidney has been prayed for by friends, family, and ward members for several years.

Lynda lost kidney function over nine years ago. A failed first transplant put her on dialysis. She was making frequent trips to Provo for treatment. Although the trips were tiring, Lynda was so grateful for the good sisters in the ward and stake who took turns driving her there. When the trips became too tiring, a dialysis machine was placed in the Palmer home and Lynda’s daughter, Natalie, was trained to perform the procedure. This process has worked for several years, but the prayer was that Lynda would receive a new kidney and return to an almost normal lifestyle. The surgery went very well, thanks to the good doctors on the transplant staff, and the many prayers from Lynda’s ward friends and family.

She is recuperating well, staying at her sister’s house in Salt Lake, so that she can be near the hospital, and having some visits at home. Guy says she will have to avoid crowds for quite a while, as her immune system rebuilds. She cannot have visitors, but loves receiving phone calls and cards from all of you. Lynda looks great and sounds great. You can write to her at: Lynda Palmer; P.O. Box 250; Manti, Utah 84642

Sisterhood Watch: You're it!

Sisters' Fall Meeting September 13, 2008

Comments delivered by Patti Adams

I would like to begin by sharing a comment by Sister Sheri Dew: “I once attended a fireside where a General Authority began by asking the question, "How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ?" We gave dozens of answers about service and commitment and obedience, none of which satisfied him. Finally he said that while our comments were all good, he believed that the one sure measure of a person's conversion was how he or she treated others."

"I frankly expected something more profound, but his assertion so intrigued me that it drove me to the scriptures, where after much study I began to see how profound his message was: When we turn our hearts to the Lord, we instinctively open our hearts to others.”

You have heard of the Neighborhood Watch program? Neighbors watch each other’s yards for suspicious activity and act on it if they find something wrong. Sisters – today I would like to propose the “Sisterhood Watch” program. It’s similar to Neighborhood Watch, but the purpose is far different and the rewards are eternal.

Watch out for the sisters who live nearby – whether or not they are members. Is all well at their homes? Or do they need a quick visit over the fence, a phone call, or a card that says “I thought about you today”. Maybe they would appreciate one of your loaves of bread, or a can of jam from your kitchen. Maybe they have more serious needs that are not obvious to ward leaders. You may be the one who is watching, friendshipping, and discovering the hidden needs and can be the one who acts to help get her the assistance she needs.

I feel we can do just a little better in reaching out to the sisters within our ward boundaries - with a greater demonstration of love, charity, and giving. One of those ways is with our Visiting Teaching. (a brief video was shared).

I am sure you have all played the game “tag”. Someone tags you and you’re it. Well sisters – I’d like to tag you today. You’re it! You’re who the Lord has do His work. You are the ONE the Lord speaks to when he says “Feed My Sheep”. The irony is that as we reach out, our circle of friendship will grow and bless us as individuals. I testify to you that life will become sweeter, as you are prayerful and act on the small ways in which the Lord prompts you to reach out and share your heart with others.

Let us keep in mind Lucy Mack Smith's classic statement that "we must cherish one another, watch over one another, [and] comfort one another . . . that we may all sit down in heaven together"?

There isn't anything righteous we can't accomplish if we will stand together.

Patti Adams

Herb of the Month

Cayenne

Many herbalists believe that Cayenne is the most useful and valuable herb in the herb kingdom, not only for the entire digestive system, but also for the heart and circulatory system. Cayenne is a medicinal and nutritional herb. It is a very high source of Vitamins A and C, has the complete B complexes, and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it is good for the heart.

Cayenne is said to be best for improving circulation, but is reported to have many other healing properties as well. It may stop bleeding—either internally or externally. President Brigham Young asked the Saints crossing the plains to carry enough cayenne for each person in case of sickness or injury.

Cayenne can be used in capsule or tincture form and can be purchased in different “heats” (strengths).

This section is for information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

News From Our Sisters

Lynda Palmer's Miracle Is Our Miracle

On Monday, September 1, the Palmer family received a long awaited phone call. University Hospital had a kidney for Sister Lynda Palmer. This kidney has been prayed for by friends, family, and ward members for several years. Lynda lost kidney function over nine years ago. A failed first transplant put her on dialysis. She was making frequent trips to Provo for treatment. Although the trips were tiring, Lynda was so grateful for the good sisters in the ward and stake who took turns driving her there. When the trips became too tiring, a dialysis machine was placed in the Palmer home and Lynda’s daughter, Natalie, was trained to perform the procedure. This process has worked for several years, but the prayer was that Lynda would receive a new kidney and return to an almost normal lifestyle.

The surgery went very well, thanks to the good doctors on the transplant staff, and the many prayers from Lynda’s ward friends and family. She is recuperating well, staying at her sister’s house in Salt Lake, so that she can be near the hospital. She is expected to remain in the Salt Lake area for about a month Then she will return home. Guy says she will have to avoid crowds for quite a while, as her immune system rebuilds. Lynda looks great and sounds great. She would love to hear from you.

You can write to her at: home. The family will see that she gets her cards and letters.
Lynda Palmer; P.O. Box 250; Manti, Utah 84642

This Week's Relief Society Lesson

September 7, 2008

Susan Barclay gave the opening prayer and expressed concern and love for Sister Kay Henningson, and gratitude for the blessing of Sister Lynda Palmer.

This week's lesson was on Moving Toward Zion as members of Relief Society and as a ward. Patti Adams taught the lesson. The lesson was based on the scriptures D&C 6:6 and Moses 7:18. It was also based on a talk by President Spencer W. Kimball (General Conference,October 1977).


He suggested six foundational principles that were needed in order to create Zion. They are:
1. Love
2. Service
3. Work
4. Self-reliance
5. Consecration
6. Accountability

The sisters divided into six groups and established definitions of each of the principles.

Great ideas and thoughts were shared by each group. The idea was shared that we as individuals ARE the Church and our individual acts of love and service are what move the Church forward as a whole. We determined that we can each prayerfully find ways to extend ourselves to those within our ward boundaries.

We each also committed to help unite the 8th Ward sisters by taking the name of one of the sisters in the other auxiliaries, and calling her on Sunday evening to share the lesson, announcements, and friendship.

Presidents Message

Here is this month's message from the Manti 8th Ward Relief Society Presidency:

Dear Sisters and Friends,
I am humbled by this calling, but if my love for each of you and for the Savior Himself is a quaifier for the call, then I am more than willing and able. Never have I lived in a ward with more charitable hearts and willing hands. I feel that if Zion is capable of existing anywhere on earth, it is here within our ward boundaries and in our community.

I would like to express my gratitude to the good sisters who have accepted callings on the Relief Society board. The new presidency consists of
Kris Jorgenson, 1st Counselor
Anna Pearson, Second counselor
Natalie Simons, Sisterhood Chairman
Lalagene Calkin, Secretary

Together we will serve you prayerfully and diligently.

I pray the Lord's blessings on each of you as you work to be good wives, caring mothers, but especially worthy daughters of Heavenly Father, who loves you and eagerly waits to bless you.
My sincere love to you all,
Patti Adams
Relief Society President


Here is this month's message from Sister Julie B. Beck:

President's Message"Latter-day Saint women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families. As a daughter of God who has made covenants with Him, each of you carries the vital and indispensable female half of the responsibility for fulfilling the Lord's plan" (Julie B. Beck, "Unlocking the Door to the Blessings of Abraham," CES Fireside for Young Adults, March 2, 2008).

Announcements

General Relief Society Meeting:

The General Relief Society Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 27, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time. Speakers will include the Relief Society general presidency and a member of the First Presidency. The Manti Stake Relief Society Presidency will be hosting a light supper, complete with dinner music, at 5:00, at the Stake Center. We encourage all sisters to attend. Bring your friends and neighbors and enjoy the special sisterhood we have in our stake. We will move into the chapel at 6:00 p.m. to view the Relief Society broadcast.

Sisterhood Book

The Relief Society is composing a book that will contain basic information about each sister, including hobbies, skills, and interests. This book will help us get to know each other better and find sisters with similar interests. Members of the presidency will visit all sisters over the next few months. We are excited for this project and look forward to meeting each of you in your home.

Enrichment Night:

Please join us for our next Enrichment Night on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:00 pm. The class will be "Using All That Food You Have Stored" and will be taught by Peggy Layton. We will meet in the Primary Room.

Please Pray For These Sisters

Sister Mildred Litteral. Sister Litteral's husband passed away last month. Please pray for her comfort.

Sister Kay Henningson. Sister Kay is in the U of U hospital in ICU. She has been ill for some time with colitis and clotting. She is unable to talk because of the respirator, but would love to know you love her and are thinking of her. Cards, letters, and flowers can be sent to the hospital. Please pray for Kay's comfort and rapid healing, and that she will be back with us soon.

Sister Lynda Palmer has received a very long-awaited kidney transplant at the U of U hospital. The surgery was successful and she should be leaving the hospital today. She will be staying with her sister in the Salt Lake area for about a month so that she can be near the hospital as she recovers. Because her immune system has been supressed, the family asks that she not receive visitors at this time. However, Lynda would love to hear from you through cards, letters, and phone calls. You can write to her at the Palmer's home address. Guy and Natalie will make sure they get to her. Pray that her recovery will continue to be quick and that her body will not reject the new kidney.

Write to her at Lynda Palmer; P.O. Box 250; Manti, UT 84642

Blessings of the Temple

Are you looking for someone to attend the temple with? List your name, contact information, and times you would like to attend, as well as transportation needs.

This Week's Relief Society Lesson

Here we will post a synopsis of the current week's Sunday lesson. Post your thoughts, comments, or impressions as you listened to, or read the lesson.

Welcome New Sisters and New Friends

Sister Janet Miller. Janet and her husband Rob are here from Central California. They own the house across the street for the haymonds. They will be here in our ward through the middle of October. Call Janet at 835-5035.

Visiting Teaching - Becoming One Heart

Do you have an idea that can help make visiting teaching more effective? Maybe you are having struggles with how to make your visits every month. Post your ideas and comments here. (Please do not make your comments specific to a particular sister you visit. Thank you.)

The September Visiting Teaching Message can be found here:

http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-4472-1,00.html

Provident Living

Do you have extra zucchini, or other produce that you can't use this year? Post your surplus here so that your green thumb efforts will not be wasted and others will be blessed for your efforts.

If you have clothing or household items you would be willing to share or give away, post those things here.

This effort will hopefully allow us to assist in taking care of the needs of our sisters and families of our ward.