Choice and Accountability

“You are responsible for the choices you make. You should not blame your circumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God’s commandments. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances.” (For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet)


“Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are  free to  act for ourselves — to  choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.” 2Nephi 10:23   

Instructions:
1. Complete three selections from any of the 2011 or 2010 experiences.
2. Complete the service project.
3. Fill out the evaluation form and give it to your Ward Relief Society President.

2011-2012 CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPERIENCES
1. Doctrine and Covenants 38:30 says, “I tell you these things because of your prayers…if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” 
 We have been told that Heavenly Father has given certain laws to His children, which, if observed, are sufficient to prepare them to inherit His celestial rest. Read "Spiritual Preparedness - Start Early and Be Steady" by Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, Nov 2005). Then read the following address by Elder Russell M. Nelson for his touching account of how the death of his sweet wife broadened his understanding of spiritual preparedness. "Now Is The Time To Prepare" (Ensign, May 2005). Ponder your level of spiritual preparedness and journal or share your thoughts and impressions.
2. In the May 2004 Ensign, Elder James E. Faust said,
“You are responsible for the choices you make. You should not blame your circumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God’s commandments. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances.”
Read "Choices"  by Elder Faust. 

3. President Thomas S. Monson said,
“As I’ve contemplated the various aspects of choice, I’ve put them into three categories: first, the right of choice; second, the responsibility of choice; and third, and the results of choice. I call these the three Rs of choice.”
Read "The Three Rs Of Choice" by President Monson (Ensign, Nov 2010). Prayerfully ponder what the “tools” are that he talks about to help us make correct choices. Check your own “toolbox” to make sure it is complete.

4. Find a family in your family tree or help a friend find one that needs temple ordinances done. Enter the family into “New Family Search(Help is available at the Stake Family History Library). Generate a temple file and complete the ordinances beginning with the baptisms all the way to sealing the family for eternity.

5. Read "The Word of Wisdom - The Principle and the Promise" by Boyd K Packer (Ensign, May 1996) and D & C Section 89. Focus on how obedience brings blessings. Discuss your feelings about this principle with a friend or record them in a journal.

6. In the April 2007 issue of the Liahona Magazine, Church member Lisa Covino shared this thought:
“Every six months at conference time, I remember to check our family’s emergency preparedness kits.  Between conference sessions, I pull out the kits and make sure items inside haven’t expired. I also update any stored clothing that our growing family might need in an emergency evacuation. This semi-annual conference reminder could also be a signal to rotate your food storage and make a list of items needed.” 
Visit the Church’s "Provident Living" website. Using this site and others available on the Internet, increase your knowledge of Family Emergency Preparedness. In your journal record or share with a friend one or two simple steps to take to increase emergency preparedness. Discuss with friends or family members and implement your steps.

Service Project –
In October 2002 General Conference, Sister Anne C. Pingree said,
“As we try to deal patiently and lovingly every day with fussy babies, challenging teenagers, difficult roommates, less-active spouses, or elderly, disabled parents, we may ask ourselves: “Is what I am doing really important? Does it matter or make a difference?” Dear sisters, what you are doing with your families matters? It matters so very, very much. Daily, each of us learns and relearns at home that charity, the Savior’s pure love, never faileth. So many Relief Society sisters do great good serving in their families. These faithful women do not receive the praise of the world—nor do they seek it—but of some have compassion, making a difference.”

There are many ways to give simple service to others. If you need ideas, your Relief Society President may know of service opportunities in the ward or stake. (No time measurement is given for this service project because service opportunities vary in length and intensity. Please use your judgment as a guide.)
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2010  CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPERIENCES

1. As a daughter of God we can make wise decisions and solve problems. Gain a better understanding of the doctrine of Agency by reading 1 Nephi 15:8, 2 Nephi 2, 2 Nephi 32:3, Alma 34:19-27, Ether 2-3, and D&C 9:7-9, D&C 82:2-10 and True to the Faith, page 12, Preach My Gospel, pages 48-49.  Record in your journal the pattern of behavior we must follow in order to make wise and righteous decisions.  Choose one of these patterns of behavior (some examples are regular scripture study, being more selective of television and movies watched, attending Church meetings (especially Sacrament meeting), completing visiting teaching, temple attendance, daily prayer, paying tithing) that you can improve upon and apply it in your life for at least three months. Record in your journal what you have learned and blessings received. Discuss with a family member, friend or leader.

2. Alma describes a group of Lamanites that “did lay down the weapons of their rebellion” and became a righteous people (Alma 23:7, 13). Our modern day weapons of rebellion that we have not laid down (repented of), prevent us from exercising our agency in a wise and righteousness manner. One of the most destructive weapons of rebellion is pride.  Read and study “Beware of Pride,” by Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989 to gain a better understanding of the destructive consequences of pride and why we must be ever vigilant in avoiding its influence in our lives. Using the examples in President Benson’s talk, record in your journal how pride may have gained influence in your life. Read Preach My Gospel – Sections on Repentance, pages 62-63, 187-190. For three weeks apply the process of repentance and one or more of the patterns of behavior listed above to help eliminate prideful actions in your life. Record in your journal what you have learned and blessings received. Discuss with a trusted friend, leader or your Bishop as appropriate.

3. The Holy Ghost shows us all things that we should do (2 Nephi 32:5). Gain a better understanding of how the Holy Ghost helps us to make wise and righteous decisions by reading. Matthew 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:19-14; 1 Nephi 10:17-19; 2 Nephi 31:17; Moroni 10:3-5; D&C 8:2-3; D&C 9:8; “The Unspeakable Gift,” By Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 2003; “Communion with the Holy Spirit,” by President James E. Faust, Ensign, March 2002.  Record in your journal what you have learned including your thoughts and impressions. During the next three weeks, through prayer invite the Holy Ghost to guide and direct you in decisions (both large and small) in your life. Strive to follow the promptings received. Record in your journal lessons learned and blessings received. Discuss with a family member, friend or leader and/or bare your testimony in Sacrament or Relief Society Meeting as prompted by the Holy Ghost.

4. In your own home or other setting, plan and present a family home evening lesson about what your personal righteousness experience has taught you about the gift of Agency and the importance of making wise and righteous decisions in our lives.

5. Read about repentance in Isaiah 1:18; Alma26:22; Alma 34:30-35; Moroni 8:35-26; and D&C 19:15-20; D&C 58:42-43 and Preach My Gospel. Record in your journal what repentance means to you. Study the process of repentance, pray for guidance, and apply the principles of repentance to an area of  your life.

6. Study the Relief Society Declaration and what it teaches you about who you are, what you are to do, and why you are to do it. List in your journal what you do each day with regard to being more selective about what you watch on television and see at the movies, daily prayer and scripture study, Sacrament attendance, completing visiting teaching assignments, regular temple attendance or receiving a temple recommend.

7. Making choices is part of Heavenly Father’s Plan for us. Read Moses 4:1-4, Moses 7:32, and 2 Nephi 9:51.

8. Go to the Church website www.providentliving.org and do at least one of the following:
Begin or add to food storage (obtaining three month supply is an excellent place to start);
Read Family Finances and One For The Money pamphlets and establish a pattern of wise money management by setting up a budget for saving and spending your money, including the payment of tithing. Live within your budget for at least three months. Set priorities that allow you to meet your most important needs before satisfying your wants.
Complete the online Financial Course
Increase your knowledge of Family Emergency Preparedness. In your journal record one or two simple steps to take to increase emergency preparedness. Discuss with family members and implement steps.

Service Project –
In October 2002 General Conference, Sister Anne C. Pingree said,
“As we try to deal patiently and lovingly every day with fussy babies, challenging teenagers, difficult roommates, less-active spouses, or elderly, disabled parents, we may ask ourselves: “Is what I am doing really important? Does it matter or make a difference?” Dear sisters, what you are doing with your families matters? It matters so very, very much. Daily, each of us learns and relearns at home that charity, the Savior’s pure love, never faileth. So many Relief Society sisters do great good serving in their families. These faithful women do not receive the praise of the world—nor do they seek it—but of some have compassion, making a difference.”

There are many ways to give simple service to others. If you need ideas, your Relief Society President may know of service opportunities in the ward or stake. (No time measurement is given for this service project because service opportunities vary in length and intensity. Please use your judgment as a guide.)