Craft Day Canceled

There will be no Memory Preservation/Craft day next week.

Christmas Meetings

On Sunday, December 25th, we will be holding sacrament meeting ONLY. The service will start at 10 (NOT 9)! Merry Christmas!

Toys for Christmas

From Clarisse Warren's blog:

It was just about a month ago when we (as a Relief Society presidency) were discussing the angel tree, that I realized that while it was nice for the needs for shoes, clothes, and other practical items to be on the list, but what kids really want are toys! So, because I can never actually keep my mouth shut, I piped up and said a nice "Well, that sucks because kids want toys!" lol. That's when I threw out the idea of having a Toy Store.

I, as a mom, make sure to clean out the toy box and the playroom before Christmas every year so that we make room for the new toys that will come under the tree. I figured other moms did the same thing, so that is where we started. We sent out mass emails to the entire ward asking people to donate their gently used toys to the Toy Store that would be available for those needing a little extra help for Christmas. We did not set a date to hold the Toy Store right away, but instead set up collection dates.

The outpouring of support was far beyond what I had expected. Not only did our ward family really come through for us, but my family and friends were supportive and gave of their gently used toys. We had a screening process for them (must have all parts, must be functional, clean, etc.), and we asked that it be something they would expect to see under a Christmas tree. What amazing items we received! We received new items, items that look like they were never used, extremely gently used items and some that while gently used were still in great condition.

Once we knew we would have a good selection of toys and other items, we set the date to hold the Toy Store. We picked a night where we could have the building to ourselves to offer the families privacy. We contacted not only those families on the angel tree, but others that we know have a lot of children or who might even possibly need a little extra something under the tree. It's hard to determine need from the outside looking in, so I am sure some people were wondering why they were invited, but we were certainly more open than we had previously anticipated being - just because we had such generous support.

Here's what our set-up looked like!

We even had a wrapping paper station. Most people didn't sit and wrap presents, but we did give away the rolls of wrapping paper and the gift bags. I certainly didn't mind giving the 3 rolls I had brought. We always have way too much wrapping paper anyway.

And this is what was left by the end of the evening: (and even a couple of these items were picked up after I took the pictures - while I was boxing things up).

We did a lot of good. Oh my heavens, we did a lot of good. A lot of lives were blessed, and a lot of children will wake up on Christmas morning with toys they are going to just love. It was wonderful to not have to limit the amount of gifts people could get for their children, and it was so touching to hear the stories of the people who came. Prayers were answered and the magic of Christmas will be alive for at least 2 children who were in danger of having to be told that Santa isn't real because they couldn't have the kind of Christmas a Santa would provide. My heart is full, my spirit is touched. I have been so far blessed by these sweet sisters (and brothers) who came to shop for their families - and by all those amazing people who donated their gently used toys for this Toy Store to happen. It was truly amazing to witness the magical spirit of this holiday come to life tonight.

I am so thankful that I opened my big mouth and wanted this to happen. What an amazing blessing this has been - not only for those families whose Christmas mornings will be a bit brighter, but for me. I needed to see what I saw, hear what I heard, and feel what I felt. I am truly thankful this evening. And it is true - Charity NEVER faileth!

Queen Bed and Oven

Niki Collis has a queen box spring and mattress and an oven for anyone that needs it. Contact her at tncollis@yahoo.com.

Selling Work & Glory Series

Naomi has the entire (all 9) "Work and the Glory" series in hardback plus the book "Fire of the Covenant" by the same author, Gerald Lund, that she would like to sell. They are each about $15 dollars on the Deseret Books website but she could let them all go for $100. If you are interested, email her at irishbelle1@yahoo.com.

Looking for a Twin Bed

Michelle Huguley is looking for a twin bed and mattress for Ashley. She will be going back to Memphis in January and doesn't have a bed because she is going back in the middle of the year and will not be in school housing.Please email her at mhuguley@bellsouth.net if you can help out.

Queen Bed and Oven

Tricia Collis has a queen bed and an oven for anyone who needs it. Email her at tncollis@yahoo.com.

Help Needed

We have a little family that just moved into our ward. They were living in the second ward, but the apartments they were living in burned down. Thankfully, many things have been donated to help them. However, they are still in need of a few more things. Right now the things they are aware of are:

Female

Tops size XL

Bottoms size XL or 16-18 petite

Dresses 16-18 petite

Women's shoe size 5 wide

socks - girls large

Men's shoe size 12 wide (tennis shoes and Sunday shoes)

Thank you for rummaging through your things to see if you have any of these things in good condition to help this family.

Smith Trahern Christmas Tree

Smith Trahern Invitation

Come and View Our Sponsored Tree

Located At

SMITH TRAHERN MANSION

1st & McClure Street

Clarksville, TN 37040

931-648-9998

This year’s theme is Global Diversity

Featuring over 180 little Book of Mormon ornaments of different languages

December 1 – 23rd

Monday – Friday

10am – 2pm

Speaking of our Smith Trahern Christmas tree …

Elaine Wright really, really needs some volunteers to help her decorate our tree in the Smith Trahern Mansion.
We are in need of three to six women to meet at the Smith Trahern Mansion on November 28th @ 11 am, for 2 - 3 hours. The address for the Smith Trahern Mansion is: 1st and McClure Street, Clarksville, TN, 37043.

Please contact Elaine Wright and RSVP so she will know who is coming.

Also, this Tuesday, November 22nd, at Elaine's house from 1pm-3pm, we need some sisters to commit to making the Book of Mormon ornaments that will be used to decorate the Trahern Mansion tree that we sponsor.

Looking for a Crib

Jennifer Waldroup is looking for a baby crib to borrow, or purchase for cheap. The one she borrowed will need to be returned in April. So if someone has one, or will have one available by April, please let Jennifer know ASAP.

Looking for a Crib

Jennifer Waldroup is looking for a baby crib to borrow, or purchase for cheap. The one she borrowed will need to be returned in April. So if someone has one, or will have one available by April, please let Jennifer know ASAP.

Christmas Choir Practice

Choir practice will be held every Sunday at 8:00am until Christmas. Everyone from the age of 12 years old and up is welcome to participate. We are preparing a Christmas program, which will be presented on Christmas Day. If you have questions, please contact Sister Rozanne Bass. Come check us out!

Ward Christmas Activity

Our Ward Christmas Activity will be held on Friday, December 9th. So mark this on your calendars! More information about the time and the activities is coming … don’t miss out!

Toys for Christmas

It has been proposed that we offer a "toy shop" for those who are finding things financially tight this season and are in need of gifts for their children. I am asking first to see if there are people who are interested in and willing to DONATE toys for this, as you go through and clear things out of your home? This would be for gently used toys only.......toys that you would put under your own Christmas tree.....toys that have the main components and are not broken. Please reply if you want to DONATE so we can see if we can even offer this. Please respond to Laura Richards. You can contact her at richard19202002@yahoo.com.

Festival of the Nativity

Donations STILL Needed for Festival of the Nativity
Ladies,
We still need of donations of the following items for the Festival of the Nativity:

Lights
Trees (Artificial)
Nativity sets
Live Nativity
Volunteers for set-up and clean-up

Join Us in Celebrating the 25^thAnniversary Concert

of Handel’s Messiah

All ages are invited to attend a free performance of Handel’s Messiah with the 90-voice Nashville Community Choir and Orchestra followed by a delicious bundt-cake reception.

Come and sing along or simply enjoy selections from George F. Handel’s masterwork. The audience is encouraged to bring music and join with the choir in singing the choruses that include, “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” “And the Glory of the Lord,” and of course, the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

This free presentation of the Messiah, directed by Norman Tolk, has been a seasonal tradition for a quarter-century. “It’s an excellent opportunity to share a common sacred musical heritage…representing a wide range of religious backgrounds,” says Marilyn Tolk, co-musical director and Julliard-trained organist.

Come join us on Sunday, December 11^th at 7 p.m. in the chapel at 1100 Gray Fox Lane, Franklin, TN. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Also help those in need by donating food. Please bring non-perishable food items to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. Look for collection boxes near the entry-ways. Your generosity is appreciated.

Festival of the Nativity

Time is drawing near for the Festival of the Nativity and excitement is building. Each night of the festival, there will be exceptional musical performances by members of our stake and guests from Clarksville and Nashville.

In addition to our local performers, on Friday you will want to invite your friends to hear the beautiful voice of Velma Williams from Faith Outreach Church in Clarksville and the Nashville Saints Community Choir and Orchestra performing their 25th year of The Messiah.

On Saturday, we will be privileged to hear the Madison Street United Methodist Church Bell Choir from Clarksville, the Flute Quartet who are members of Clarksville's Cumberland Winds and the Tripp Family who sing, play the harp and piano.

Sunday brings the Woodwinds Quintet from the Cumberland Winds, Brad Hull and Tim Gates from the acclaimed Due West and Dan Truman from the famous group, Diamond Rio in Nashville, all followed by the live satellite broadcast of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

All displays and performances are free to the public and we encourage you to invite everyone you know. The performance schedule is on the nativity brochure, and you can get copies from our ward nativity rep, Jen Grant.

We still need volunteers (MANY) and nativity sets to display (MANY) so please sign up either on the web or on paper and turn in your registration to the Jen Grant. And don't forget the deadline for ordering poinsettias is Sunday, Nov. 20. These beautiful flowers help with decorating the festival and make wonderful gifts at the same time. Please give your orders to Mitzie Thompson.

It is through your efforts that this wonderful event occurs each year, and we thank you for volunteering and publicizing it to your friends and associates.

Cleaning the Building

The Bishop has asked us all to pitch in and clean the ward building on November 22. Relief Society, Elders Quorum/High Priest Group, Young Women, and Young Men will have cleaning assignments given to them like we did last year.

We’re going to have chili and hot chocolate in the parking lot from 5:30 to 6:00. Cleaning begins at 6pm.

Many hands help share the work load, so please come to lend a hand!

We need 6 pots of chili (4 qts or more) and 3 dozen cookies. They need to be at the church on November 22nd by 5:00pm. Last year the chili was brought in crock pots and that worked well to keep it warm. If you can help, please contact Cindy Rutz at rutzjwcl@gmail.com or Kelly Holman at famholmanmom@charter.net.

Marriage Fireside

We have a wonderful opportunity to learn from Pres. Bell from the Nashville Stake on nurturing marriage relationships. He is making a special trip out here on Friday, November 18th at 7:00pm to do a marriage fireside for us and the surrounding wards.

He has presented this message several times in the past, in Nashville. Even if you have a great marriage, we all need reminders on how to be a better spouse. Mark your calendar, and plan on being there for date night!

This will be held in the chapel, so Sunday dress applies. This is for everyone 18 and up. Bring your significant other and invite your friends!

Braden Bell used to be a Bishop before he was in the Stake Presidency. As a Bishop, he would see many couples for marital troubles. He received inspiration to do this marriage fireside, for his ward in Nashville, as a way to prevent having to try and repair marriages later....give the tools needed to begin with.

Some topics he will talk about are:

*Dating your sweetheart

*Pointing the blame

*The differences between men and women

*Sex

*How to fight fair

Moving Help

Sister Tauni Baillif will be moving from our ward into the 2nd ward the middle of the month. She needs boxes to pack in. If you have boxes she can have, please contact her at TNT_1988@live.com and arrange the logistics.

Thanks for your help!

Printer and Twin Bed Mattresses

Rozanne Bass has a printer she is giving away. It is an HP PSC 2355 all-in-one. It is a color inkjet. It scans, prints, and copies. It has been a bit tempermental lately having errors a lot and sometimes having to restart it a few times before functioning. It has a brand new color cartridge in it and she is giving it away to anyone interested.

Also, she has 3 twin mattresses. One is free because it is a lower quality. The 2 are $25 each.

Contact Rozanne if you are interested! rozanne.bass@gmail.com

Temple Trip

Don't forget about the RS Temple Trip on Wednesday, November 18th, 2011. We will be attending the 10:00am session.

Meet at the church at 8:30am. Contact Christie Wall if you plan on attending.

November Prayer List

Brother Van & Sister Sara Van Cleave
Sister Sabina Stone
Sister Polly Stone
Sister Peggy Stone
Sister Maxine Harris
Sister Josephine and Brother JC Austin
Brother Allen Rousseau
The Waldroup Family
Susan and Daryl Lampley
Sister Peggy Puckett
Sister Sharia Mahurin
Shelby Russell
Zachary Huguley
Deployed Soldiers and their families
The Sisters you Visit Teach
Our Ward Missionaries - Elders Bennett and Owen

November Food Storage

Next Cannery Trip: November 19th, 1pm

Featured Items:
$23.21 Starter Kit
$3.69 Red Wheat
$8.79 Fruit Drink Mix (2 year shelf life)

Also, don't forget about the nut order this month. Order are due to Sis. Hinton by Sunday, Nov. 20th. Money is not due until the shipping is calculated. Sis. Hinton will be in contact with you about that. For more info, contact Sis. Hinton at elhinton@hotmail.com

Music, Music, Music!

( A message from Sister Rozanne Bass)

I need your help. Please respond and answer the following questions. Here is what I need from you:
(1) Do you play an instrument?
(2) Are you comfortable singing? (solo, duet, or group)
(3) Do you have children or husband who play an instrument or sing?
(4) Do you or a family member have a number prepared that you would like to perform in sacrament meeting?
I would like to get as much variety as possible. I have a lot of music available and am willing to play for anyone who needs an accompanist.Also, I am organizing a choir to perform for our Christmas day service. Brother Sizemore has graciously offered to lead. We would like as many people as possible (men and women) including teenagers 12+. We will start having practices next Sunday at 8am in the Relief Society Room. We will meet each week at 8am on Sunday until Christmas. The music is not difficult. Please join the choir. It is such a rewarding experience to be part of something like this!!
Please contact Sister Bass at rozanne.bass@gmail.com

Daylight Savings Time

It’s time to fall back…

Don’t forget to fall back! Remember to turn your clocks back by one hour on Saturday night, November 5th, before going to bed. Then, you’ll have no worries on Sunday morning and will be at church on time.

Ward Play

Our ward will be putting on the play Seven Sisters in March. Sister Susie Sizemore is the director. There are parts for men, women, YM, YW and primary age children. We are excited because it has been a very long time since our ward has done an activity of this type. There are opportunities for you to be involved on many levels. Of course there are actors and actresses needed, but there is a need for "behind the scenes" help as well. If you don't volunteer, you may be asked to help! ;-) If you would like to participate, contact Susie Sizemore. Her email is susie.sizemore@yahoo.com. We need to "act" now to have the play ready by March.

The Angel Tree

The Relief Society is now taking names for the angel tree for children up to 18 years old. Please submit your candidates to a member of the RS presidency. We will be collecting names through the entire month of November.

Nashville Community Choir

NASHVILLE COMMUNITY CHOIR …

***CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE WANTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NASHVILLE COMMUNITY CHOIR IS AVAILABLE***
If you would like to participate in the Nashville Community Choir and need CHILDCARE, please contact Maria Ashby at: ashby44@comcast.net.

The Nashville Community Choir will be presenting the following three concerts in December, 2011:
1. "Messiah" Presentation at the Festival of the Nativity in Clarksville, TN - December 2, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.
2. Christmas Concert in the Green Hills Building – December 3, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.
3. 25th Anniversary “Messiah” Concert in the Franklin Stake Center - December 11, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.
Everyone is invited to attend these concerts and bring their friends, relatives and neighbors.
All those who wish to participate in the choir, rehearsals are now being held at the Franklin Stake Center, 1100 Gray Fox Lane, Franklin, TN (next door to the Temple) every Sunday evening 5:30-7:30 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Maria Ashby: ashby44@comcast.net
Drew Pope: drewpope@comcast.net
Website: http://www.nashvillecommunitychoir.org

Job Fairs

There will be two job fairs in the Nashville area.

1) Nashville Career Fair, Monday, November 7, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at
the Holiday Inn Opryland-Airport (Briley Pkwy), 2200 Elm Hill Pike,
Nashville, TN 37214

2) Regal Job Fair, Oct 28 from 1 to 6pm, Oct 29 from 11am-6pm, Oct 30
from 1pm-6pm. Regal Cinemas - Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX. Interviews
held at: Opry Mills Stadium 20 @ IMAX, 570 Opry Mills Drive.
Employment offers will be made on site.

Festival of the Nativity

The Festival of the Nativity committee is in need of plywood....preferably 1/4 inch thick sheets that are 4x8 feet. If you don't have anything that big, we could use smaller pieces if they are at least 12 inches wide and at least 4 feet long or longer. Please contact Rosemay Klein at walnutknoll@charter.net. Thank you so much for your help.

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

On November 9th FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national testof the Nationwide Emergency Alert System test. This test will kick off at 1:00 p.m. (CST). The test will be nationwide, running concurrently across all time zones.

This test may be different than previous tests.

More info can be found here:

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or treat will be on Saturday the 29th from 6-7 p.m. in the church parking lot. Decorate your trunk and come give treats to our precious little trick-or-treaters! Remember......no masks.

Sale at Aldi's

Red Grapes $.99/2 lb bag

Pineapple $.99 each

Cabbage $.69 each

Red Potatoes $1.49/5lb bag

Cauliflower $.99 each

Boneless, Skinless chicken breast $1.69 Jumbo pack (5.5 average weight)

Good buys if you can get over there!!

Clothing Needs

Dear Sisters,

Following is a message from the bishop.

I work with a member of a family who lost all their personal belongings this past weekend due to a house fire. They have requested help with some transitional items, primarily clothing, until insurance is able to settle. They have a son (18 years old) who wears large shirts and 34 waist pants and a little girl (14 years old) who wears size 0 or XS/S. If anyone has an item or two that fits the sizes and is able to help out, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated. Contact me by email, text or phone.

Thanks,
Bishop Don Moore
bishopdonmoore@gmail.com

Festival of the Nativity

Sisters,

We are so grateful to you for your willingness to volunteer on the various Festival of the Nativity committees. We have committee chairmen in place who are anxious to hear from you regarding what you would like to do this year. We need you to go to www.christmasnativity.org this week and sign up for whatever you can. Even though most of you will not be actually working on your committee this soon, the chairmen need to know who to contact, so information can be communicated. If you decide to do more at a later time, you can go back into the website and sign up for something else.

The process is so easy!! When you go to the website, the home page will come up. Click on Clarksville TN and when that page comes up, go to the upper right corner and click on the list of things to volunteer for. Another page will come up and all you have to do is type in your personal information (an email address is necessary) and click on all the areas and times you are interested in. You may also sign up for the number of nativity sets you have to display, as well as other items you have to furnish, on the same page. A follow-up email will automatically be sent to you indicating what you signed up for.

Once again, thank you so much for your help. This amazing event could not take place without your generosity and willingness to serve. And don't forget to be inviting your friends and associates. They will be uplifted and inpsired by the wonderful spirit of this event. We have plenty of brochures for your use. Just contact Jen Grant at fernpower@yahoo.com

Emergency Essentials

Erin Hinton is doing another Emergency Essentials Group order this month because of the good deals. To receive the group prices we need 4 people to order the Grain Mill and she needs to order a total of 12 cans of both the chicken & tomato powder. That's total, not that each person has to order 12 each. If she gets 12 people that wants one can each that will do it. There is no shipping or tax on group orders. You can also order for your friends but will probably need to arranged to get the products to them unless they want to pick it up at Erin's house. If you are receiving this info & are in another ward just contact Erin & pick up or delivery can be arranged. For more info on the products go to www.beprepared.com.
$45 Victorio Hand Grain Mill (never seen it this cheap before)
$28 FD Seasoned White Chicken (never seen this product on a group buy before)
$20 Tomato Powder
Deadline Tues Oct 25th. Erin MUST have your check in hand by that date or your order can't be secured.
Erin Hinton
elhinton@hotmail.com

Free Girl's Crib Set

Laura Richards has a baby girl crib set for the taking. It's been through 2 babies but has plenty of wear left. It looks like this, http://www.blanketwarehouse.com/lavender-dragonfly-dreams-9-piece-crib-bedding-set-by-jojo-designs.html#GP999. The lamp shade is a bit mangled but may be able to be put back in shape. Some of the strings are broken. Contact Laura at 6lrichards@gmail.com if you want to look at it.

Need Plants

Beverly Cravath needs to borrow plants for October 22nd. She is looking for large plants with tropical style leaves or trees, preferably all fake if possible. Please email her at 10acgal@gmail.com or talk to her at church. Thanks!

Festival of the Nativity

Clarksville's annual Festival of the Nativity is coming up quickly. The dates are December 2, 3, 4, 2011 from 4-9 p.m. daily at the 3rd Ward building.

Brochures are available to use as invitations and to explain details to your friends. We encourage everyone to submit nativity sets for display and we need all members to volunteer to help on the various committees. Please visit the nativity website www.christmasnativity.org to register your nativity sets and sign up to volunteer.

Poinsettias are available again this year for members to purchase at wholesale cost. Poinsettia order forms and Nativity brochures are available through Jen Grant and can be picked up at church or you may email her at fernpower@yahoo.com.

Thank You, Sisters

The thank-you card is from Kathrine Bailey and her family. Kathrine would like to thank everyone in Clarksville's 3rd Ward for all of the wonderful baby gifts, baby clothes, car seats and crib they gave to her family when Michael was born two months prematurely. She is grateful to everyone for the kindness they've shown her and her family.

RS Overnighter

Sisters,

Mark your calendars!

Friday, October 21st @7pm to Saturday the 22nd @ 12:00 noon.

Our Annual Overnight Event,

at the home of Rosemary Klein,

email her at walnutknoll@charter.net or check the info sent to your email for address and phone info.

Rosemary has a warm and comfortable home out in the woods off Highway 12. She will have 10 clean spaces on beds/couches for those that want to go to bed earlier. If there are more than 10 to sleep over, there is plenty of floor space. Bring what you need to be comfortable, and don't forget your toothbrush. :)

This is an exciting event we look forward to each year and I hope you are able to make it!!!

The Laurels are invited to join the fun!

Theme: Stop Wiggin' Out and Find YOUR Balance!

Sister Mitzi Thompson will be teaching us.

Friday is all about fun and getting to know each other, and Saturday will be breakfast at 9am, followed by the lesson. If the weather is nice, we'll have breakfast and the lesson out on her beautiful porch.

We will be out by noon at the very latest.

You can come a few hours or stay the whole time. I promise it'll be worth your time!

Wear a wig or costume Friday night, if you dare!

Bring a snack to share Friday night, if you like. There will already be candy/chocolate for some of the games, so you may want to bring something else.

This is going to be fun and uplifting!! Come share in our Sisterhood, if only for a short time!!!

Spiritual Food

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
D&C 123: 17

“As a valedictory to the lessons from Liberty Jail, I refer to the last verse of section 123: ‘Therefore … let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed’ (D&C 123:17; emphasis added).

“What a tremendously optimistic and faithful concluding declaration to be issued from a prison-temple! When he wrote those lines, Joseph did not know when he would be released or if he would ever be released. There was every indication that his enemies were still planning to take his life.

“Furthermore, his wife and children were alone, frightened, often hungry, wondering how they would fend for themselves without their husband and father. The Saints, too, were without homes and without their prophet. They were leaving Missouri, heading for Illinois, but who knew what tragedies were awaiting them there? Surely, to say it again, it was the bleakest and darkest of times.

“Yet in these cold, lonely hours, Joseph says let us do all we can and do it cheerfully. And then we can justifiably turn to the Lord, wait upon His mercy, and see His arm revealed in our behalf.

“What a magnificent attitude to maintain in good times or bad, in sorrow or in joy!”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Lessons from Liberty Jail,” Ensign, Sept. 2009, 32–33

Cannery Trip

Erin Hinton is going on Sat, Oct 15th, leaving at noon from Clarksville. If you need her to pick anything up contact her directly. If you are following the monthly schedule, here are the Items of the Month:
$3.69 White Wheat
$4.54 Refried Beans (5 yr shelf life)
$23.21 Starter Kit (2 cans red wheat, 2 cans rice, 1 can pinto beans, 1 can quick oat)

October VT Message

If We Do Not Doubt

In the Book of Mormon we read about exemplary young men who were exceedingly valiant, courageous, and strong. “Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” (Alma 53:21). These faithful young men paid tribute to their mothers—their examples and teachers.

The mothers of Helaman’s warriors lived in times not unlike our own. Their circumstances were difficult and dangerous, and youth were being called upon to defend physical and spiritual liberty. Today we live in a world where we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Challenging times cry out for strong parents and examples who teach the truth that Helaman’s warriors knew: “If they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47). Teaching and exemplifying this truth today requires vigilance. However, we need not fear. When we know who we are and who God is and we have made covenants with Him, we—like these mothers of warriors—will have great influence for good.

Most likely, each of Helaman’s 2,060 warriors was influenced by a mother. But these mothers did not act alone. Together with other righteous men and women, these mothers must have united their faith and example to teach the power of covenants. The young people of the day understood the covenant their parents had made not to engage in warfare. And even when it seemed impossible, a loving Heavenly Father opened a way for these parents to keep their covenant—and to preserve their liberty (see Alma 56:5–9). We likewise must honor our covenants so that children and youth—our own children and those in our wards, branches, neighborhoods, and communities—will understand and support covenant keeping.

When we honor our covenants, Heavenly Father can prepare the way for us. We are to live our covenants with precision. We can, for example, be precise in praying, in studying the scriptures, in holding a current temple recommend, in dressing modestly, in honoring the Sabbath. As we do so, our children will know and be able to say, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:48).

Latter-day Saint women who recognize that their strength comes from the Lord’s Atonement do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. As covenant keepers, we excel at upholding, nurturing, and protecting children and youth so that one day we might say of this rising generation, “Never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all” (Alma 56:45).

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Preparedness

"The home must be the heart of the welfare program. We must focus our training of personal and family preparedness to reach the family organization. We must teach that every family should be headed by an executive committee comprised of a husband and wife who will set aside sufficient time to plan for their family needs. If it is a single-parent family or an individual living alone, there is still need to organize time and thought to establish goals for meeting needs.

"It must start here. Every family has different needs. I notice the difference in my own family now that my children are married. Father and mother are now alone. Their needs have changed. A daughter with her own home and family, a son renting in a student housing project with his family, and a newlywed daughter and her husband, still students at a university—each has different needs, and these needs are changing each year.

"Personal and family preparedness planning must begin with the family executive committee. Planning must be tailored to fit the circumstances of each family. Consideration must be given to their unique requirements in career development, financial and resource management, education, physical health, home production and storage, and social, emotional, and spiritual strength."

L. Tom Perry, “The Need to Teach Personal and Family Preparedness,” Ensign, May 1981, 87