Divine Nature

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. (Romans 8:16)
“Knowing God does not solve life’s problems, but gives purpose and strength to master them. Jesus, with his knowledge of his Heavenly Father, still had his problems to meet and to work out. (Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, Asst to the Twelve (Ensign, July 1972)

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 DIVINE NATURE PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPERIENCES
1. Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said,
“Our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life.”  (Ensign, May 2010)
Read Alma 7:11-12 and ponder its meaning as you read "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul" by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve (April 2004). See how his family applied the principles of the Atonement to his own family tragedy.

2. We are one generation from Deity. Our Heavenly Father is literally the Father of our spirits. He raised us in His heavenly home and wants us to return to live with Him there. His love is so all encompassing that He sent His beloved son, Jehovah of the Old Testament or Jesus Christ of the New Testament, who is literally our spiritual older brother, to voluntarily give up His life to purchase our return. Study two articles by Sister Julie B. Beck in the May 2006 Ensign. "You Have A Noble Birthright" and "An Outpouring Of Blessings" Consider and pray about her words and realize just how close you are to Him and how close He wants you to stay, and ways that you can accomplish that.

3. Many of us endure daily physical pain or know someone who does. Ponder the following quote by Elder Orson F. Whitney as you read "The Atonement Covers All Pain" by Kent F. Richards of the Seventy (April 2011) and "Healing-Soul and Body" by Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Nov 1998).
“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted.  …All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable. It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”
Record your feelings and promptings in your journal or discuss them with a family member or friend.
4. Doctrine and Covenants 46:11 says,
“For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.”
How well do we understand the many gifts of the spirit that are given by our Heavenly Father? Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at a Woman’s Conference in 1986 and taught in depth about these gifts. As you read his words in "Spiritual Gifts" (Ensign, Sep 1986) have your scriptures in hand to help gain a greater understanding of the concepts he discusses.

5. Christ’s gentleness and love towards children is recorded in the New Testament and also in the Book of Mormon. Read "Behold Your Little Ones"  by Michaelene P. Grassli (Ensign, Nov 1992) and "Ward and Branch Families: Part of Heavenly Father's Plan for Us"  by Virginia H. Pearce (Ensign, Nov 1993). Learn the names of ten children (under 18) in your ward and make an effort to speak to each one every time you are able. Do this for two months and record your feelings about how this has helped you to see them as Children of God.

6. Bear your testimony about what you have learned about your Divine Nature and the blessings received at a Fast Sunday Sacrament or Relief Society Meeting.

7. Choose five people that you know or don’t know well. List two qualities that you admire about each one of them. Tell or write a note telling them how much you appreciate the qualities that they have.

8.  Ponder the following:
The Prophet Alma quoted the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament in Alma 30:8.
“For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.”
Agency is the power to think, choose, and act for ourselves. It comes with endless opportunities, accompanied by responsibility and consequences.
Study "Agency, a Blessing and a Burden?" by Sharon G. Larsen (Ensign, Nov 1999) and "Agency-Essential to the Plan Of Life" by Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, Nov 2010). For two weeks record in your journal any changes you notice about the way you look at decision making.

9. Knowing that Heavenly Father will listen and answer our prayers helps us to better cope with the good and bad we encounter in our lives. Do we really know how inspiration comes? Do we know what to listen for? Or is it something we feel? Does the Lord always answer? How quickly will I get an answer? How do we know if its really an answer?
Reading the following talks and scriptures will answer these questions. D&C 8:2-3, D&C 42:61, "Finding Strength in Challenging Times" by Allen F. Packer of the Quorum of the Seventy (Ensign, May 2009), "Personal Revelation-The Gift, the Test, and the Promise" by Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, Nov 1994) and "The Spirit of Revelation" by David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, May 2011). Journal the things you pray about for two weeks, take time to quietly ponder your prayers and record what you feel.

Service Project –
Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following:
“Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. If we do, He promises us eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Ensign, May 2009).
There are many ways to give meaningful 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 judgement as a guide.)
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2010 - DIVINE NATURE PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPERIENCES

1. What are some of the divine qualities of a daughter of God? Read The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 2 Peter 1, Alma 7:23-24, D&C 121:45, What It Means to Be a Daughter of God,” James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov 1999, The Relief Society Declaration, Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building up a Righteous Posterity, February 9, 2008 and read or view Julie B. Beck’s talk Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society 2008 General Relief Society Meeting. In your own words list some of the divine qualities discussed in your reading/viewing.  Think about how you can discover and develop each of these qualities. Record your ideas in your journal.
2. The Relief Society Declaration states that as women of the Church we sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth. While only men hold the Priesthood – men and women alike are magnified, purified, sanctified, strengthened, sealed, ennobled, and ultimately perfected by priesthood power. Elder John A.Widtsoe taught, “The Priesthood is for the benefit of all members of the Church.” He further proclaimed, “The Priesthood when exercised righteously unites men and women it never separates them, unless either group, by their own acts, cuts off its power.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that “The doctrine of the Priesthood – unknown in the world and but little known even in the Church – cannot be learned out of the scriptures alone…The doctrine of the priesthood is known only by personal revelation.  It comes line upon line and precept upon precept, by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who love and serve God with all their heart, might mind and strength” (The Doctrine of the Priesthood, 32).
Increase your knowledge of the priesthood through scripture study, reading the words of modern day prophets and apostles and by prayer.  Ponder what it means to receive a “fullness of the holy Ghost” (D&C 109:15) and a fullness of the priesthood? When a man and woman enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, what kind of power do they share?  Record your thoughts and impressions in your journal.
3. Prayerfully attend the endowment session of Stake Temple Day at least five times. ReadWhy These Temples” By President Gordon B. Hinckley,Prepare for Blessings of the Temple,” by Elder Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, March 2002, “Receive the Temple Blessings,” By Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1999, Come to the Temple,” by President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Ensign, Oct. 2007. Prior to attending the temple pray and consider fasting to better understand a principle that is taught. Consider one or more of these questions: With what was I endowed or gifted in the House of the Lord? What does the gift mean to me and how may I use it? What do I learn there? What do I learn to do? What do I learn about the power of God versus the power of the adversary?  What do I learn about communicating with the heavens?
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 divine nature of women and/or the importance of priesthood power and/or the importance of regular, purposeful Temple attendance.
4. Strive to receive a temple recommend or increase the quality and frequency of your temple attendance.  Increase your knowledge and understanding of the importance of temples. Read “Why These Temples,” By Gordon B. Hinckley, “Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple,” By Elder Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, March 2002,Receive the Temple Blessings,” By Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1999, “Come to the Temple,” By President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Discuss with the Bishop what is required to receive a temple recommend.  Record these requirements in your journal.  Write about your feelings and impressions of attending the temple.  Create a plan to receive a temple recommend or examine the quality (prayerful preparation for and purposeful) and frequency of your temple attendance. Commit to improve the quality and frequency of your temple attendance as circumstances allow.
5. Develop your divine qualities.  Read Matthew 5:9, John 15:12, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-17, 1 John 4:21, and Moroni 7:44-48. Memorize your favorite verse from one of these passages.  Identify the divine qualities mentioned in these scriptures. Select one quality, and for three weeks strive to make it a part of your daily life. Record your progress and experience in your journal.
6. Choose a young women (preferably one you are not related to) and become her secret “grandma” or “aunt.” Through interviews with parents and Young Women leaders find out all you can about the divine qualities, talents and interests of the young woman (keep it a secret). Secretly send her occasional notes of encouragement and love. Let her know what you appreciate and admire about her – divine qualities, talents, interests and skills. Do this for a period of at least three months. Record in your journal how you felt and how your love for the young woman changed and grew and how your understanding of the divine nature of women increased. Within a short time after the period of encouragement reveal yourself to the Young Woman as her secret grandma or aunt.
7. Diligently work on your Family History for at least an hour a week for three months. Prepare names to take to the Temple, write life histories, complete a scrapbook or other project suitable for posterity.  Pay close attention to and make note of the divine qualities demonstrated by women (and girls of all ages) in your family both past and present.  Record how this has strengthened your resolve to live true to your own divine qualities that you discovered and developed.
8. Study For the Strength of Youth guide and apply its principles in your adult life for three (3) weeks and/or teach a young person two (2) or more of its standards. Record your thoughts and impressions in your journal.

Service Project –
Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following:
“Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. If we do, He promises us eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Ensign, May 2009).
There are many ways to give meaningful 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 judgement as a guide.)