Announcements:
The ward Trunk or Treat activity will be held this Friday, the YM who have organized this have asked for a few sisters to help with the clean up at the end. Please let Ana know if you can help. This has become an annual activity which proves incredibly popular and is a great opportunity to invite friends.
We have a RS activity on 12 November at 7.30pm. This will be an evening based on music and led by Sister Ashlea Sousa.
We will be putting up a new notice board each week to help share any RS information to all sisters, especially those who are not able to access the blog. As part of this we would love to share any feelings / promptings / experiences that you have as you each work on your BOM challenge. If you would like to share please let a member of the presidency know and if possible write it on an A5 sheet of paper.
We know that many sisters have trouble getting to the temple whilst other sisters visit but have spaces in their cars. We will also have space on our noticeboard where we can more easily co-ordinate between us so more sisters can travel to the temple. We would ask those who are given lifts to the temple to please be aware of petrol costs and ensure they contribute accordingly.
As we approach the end of the month, please be aware of your Visiting Teaching sisters and ensure you are in touch and caring for them. Please ensure you report back to your supervisors.
Lesson:
Sister Annie Green taught a wonderful lesson today based on a talk given by Sister Linda S Reeves (2nd counsellor in the General RS Presidency) in the April 2014 General Conference - Protection from Pornography, a Christ Focused Home. You can read the entire talk HERE
Bishop also asked teachers to refer to an article from the September 2014 Ensign called Healing Hidden Wounds which can be found HERE.
We began by discussing the very real dangers in the world around us and particularly how Satan is attacking families through the use of technology leading to an unprecedented level of pornography being accessed.
Annie said it reminded her of an old seminary video which many of you will remember - Spiritual Crocodiles - which you can watch HERE. A very accurate portrayal of the dangers of such addictions.
Listen to some of the statistics quoted in the Ensign article:
- Close to 100% of todays teenagers are exposed to pornography by the time they graduate high school
- In 2008, 9 out of 10 teenage boys and 33% of teenage girls reported using pornography.
- The average age they are first exposed to pornography is 11 years old!
- The time most teenagers are exposed to pornography is whilst doing homework and includes use of computers in public libraries!
Sister Reeves said : Many children, youth and adults are innocently exposed to pornography, but a growing number of both men and women are choosing to view it and are drawn back repeatedly until it becomes an addiction. These individuals may desire with all their hearts to get out of this trap but often cannot overcome it on their own. How grateful we are when these loved ones choose to confide in us as parents or a church leader. We would be wise not to react with shock, anger or rejection, which may cause them to be silent again.
Indeed this is a time to act with kindness and charity.
Sister Reeves pointed out that there are very serious consequences from such addictions including "loss of the Spirit, distorted feelings, deceit, damaged relationships, loss of self-control, and nearly total consumption of time, thought and energy."
So how do we stop this temptation reaching into our families and homes? Sister Reeves shared two very important pieces of counsel:
1. Build testimony - "Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father's love and our Saviour's atoning sacrifice for each of us."
2. Ensure the basics are done - Sister Reeves shared of a time when her children were young and she was overwhelmed by all the tasks that were needing to be done. The direction that the Spirit gave to her are essential for us all - "The only things that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening." Whilst this may not save all, as our children will still have their free agency to act, we will know we have done all within our power.
Sisters - this is a topic we cannot remain ignorant of. It is a temptation that becomes more and more a reality in the societies we live. Now is the time to make the changes we need to protect ourselves, our families and our homes. Remember those spiritual crocodiles! Let us petition the Lord and do all we can and let us be kind to those who come to us for help.
