I Could See His Hand in My Life

"Even when my marriage was ending, I chose to believe. Some people turn and blame Heavenly Father for their misfortunes, but for me, He was the only one keeping me together. I knew He was the only one that could truly understand what I was feeling and going through. I choose to believe because I could see his hand in every aspect of going through that horrible ordeal. One being the simplest act of sending a stranger to just give me a hug. It let me know he was still there and listening. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are here and they love you." -Debbie L.

Thanks for an Amazing Service Day!

Layton South Stake Service Day was a success! This is due to the wonderful Sisters of the Layton Utah South Stake. We are so thankful for all of you.

Total service completed included the following:

• 1,250 pantry packs for Bountiful Pantry as well as food donations to Layton High Pantry and local individuals/families 
• Kindness cards for pantry packs 
• 100 monster craft bags for Layton Hospital 
• 75 worry dolls for assisted living and Layton Hospital 
• 42 letters to missionaries 
• Around 300 reusable t-shirt bags made for Bountiful Pantry

We also completed many projects for the Festival of Trees:

• 720 crafts, including dog bones, nativity, chocolate candy bars, etc. 
• 12 quilts
• 100 table runners
• 40 gnomes

Below are just a few images from the day of service. Click here to see more!

Service Opportunities at Parkway Branch

There are many service opportunities at the Sunridge Assisted Living Center. If you want to serve individually, just step in and ask the receptionist if there are any specific needs that day. If you want to bring a group (YW/YM or families), please call Laura Whitesides to set up a day/time at 801-786-9946 and leave a message; she will get back to you.

​Here are some service suggestions:

• companionship/visits
• reading
• crafts/scrapbook
• family history
• writing letters
• walks
• light housekeeping
• ironing (they have an ironing board and iron at the center) 
• playing games, share a talent by either performing (they LOVE music!) or demonstrating a talent (woodworking, painting, cooking, etc.) 

They are also looking for donations of muslin or plain broadcloth to make hospital dolls to donate to the hospitals.

The spirit of love resonates with these great folks! You will feel of their love as you find ways to serve them! Thank YOU! Our stake has been a shining example of service for our Parkway Branch!

The Pure Love of Christ Changed My Life

by Karen Jensen

Take a look at Moroni 7:46-48. As Moroni was hiding from the Lamanites at the end of the Book of Mormon, having watched his entire nation, along with his own family and loved ones, be destroyed, and as he was utterly alone and unsure if he’d be caught and killed for believing in Christ, these are the words of his father’s that he felt were important enough to add to the end of the Book of Mormon.

As we partake of the sacrament, we symbolically make our Savior and His strength a part of us as we eat the bread. What a beautiful symbol that this bread is nourishing us and literally becoming our own muscles and bones and energy. What a beautiful symbol that we drink the water that is now inside of us, washing and healing our body, and giving it life! All of this is a symbol of what the Savior is for us on that altar. 

And as we do this, we made a solemn covenant with our Father in Heaven to take upon us the name of the One whose body and spirit was torn and broken for us and which now gives us this healing, strength, and hope. Which means we have promised to represent him, and in the process, become like him as we act in his name.

I have been, for many years, in a position where my kids and I have been the recipients of so many beautiful, simple, and profound acts of Christlike love in the middle of what has seemed like constant intense health and family challenges. These Christlike acts have truly changed my life. I was hesitant initially to share some of these experiences, for fear it may look as if I’m asking for pity or attention. But I have realized that my testimony in this topic comes from these very experiences, and the Spirit I hope to invite may need to come straight from this testimony I have gained.

Something I want to preface this with is the fact that it can easily feel like such an impossible goal to consider how we can and need to try to become like our Savior. But I think everyone here can probably stand here just as well as I can to say that some of the most meaningful and most Christlike acts we’ve individually been the recipients of can be incredibly simple.

For instance, when my Ashley was four years old, after collapsing in her tumbling class and not being able to use her legs for a few moments, she was diagnosed with a malformation in her brain which had caused pressure and fluid to build on her brain and spinal cord. This fluid was threatening to break it entirely.

Always Remember Him

by Shalee Timothy

 In D&C 20:77 it says:

Photo from lds.org; used with permission.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. 

 How do we remember Christ? We can remember Him by trying to be like Him.

One of the greatest things that the Savior did was to serve and help others. I got to be the recipient of this great service from a few amazing youth that the Lord worked through. We get the opportunity to be the Lord's hands. He works through us, young and old.

We hear this prayer that I started with every week when we partake of the sacrament. It has a new profound meaning to me the past couple of weeks.

I wanted to share an experience I had just a month ago. As many of you know, we own a few FiiZ Drinks stores. Late one Saturday night, one of the employees messaged me asking if I could run in to fix an issue with the soda. I usually never need to run up, but my manager was out of town, so I ran up to see what the problem was.

Right before I had left, we found our five- and two-year-old in our newly finished basement, eating a brand new, full jar of Nutella…with their fingers! To say that I was freaking out would be an understatement. As I was scolding them for “knowing better than eating downstairs AND with their fingers,” I was finding Nutella everywhere: in their hair, on the couches, on the bathroom faucet, sink, light switch, and my freshly cleaned white towels and bath mat. As I continued to find more and more chocolate stains, I looked at my husband and said, “This one is on you. I’m out of here!”

Angels Were Singing to Me

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
by Lindi Salmond

To quote a good friend, life gets heavy. It can be burdensome, tiring, scary, and overwhelming. Sometimes I find myself deep in these feelings. Life feels like just a lot of work.

At some point in my misery, Heavenly Father gently reminds me to return to Him, remember my covenants, and give my burdens to him. If, at this point, I listen to his counsel and find Him through scriptures, prayer, and temple attendance, my days become lighter. It is just like those first rays of sunshine breaking through an overcast sky.

To me, this is especially true with temple attendance: it is the sunshine to my soul. When I find myself in the temple regularly and consistently, my days that used to be so heavy are now filled with light. They turn from the gray days of January to the bright beautiful days of June. It’s not that the hard things have gone away--we still have thunderstorms in June! But focusing on my covenants, which in turn strengthens my relationship with my Savior, my burdens are no longer mine alone.

Covenants do that for us; they yoke us to the Savior and, unlike yoking with regular animals that evenly share the burden, He does most of the heavy lifting! When my days are bright I can, in turn, find others to help on their way.

When we say “rejoicing on the covenant path,” I can’t help but picture myself linked arm-in-arm with my dear sisters walking down the path of life. We are laughing together, serving each other in our times of need, worshiping together, and even crying with each other. That is true rejoicing to me--when we can help others, and in turn, they lift us up as well. Our covenants put us all on the same path, giving us each other. I cannot think of a better gift.

As some of you know, I have Lupus, and with that comes all sorts of different things that I deal with. Most are just nuisances. I had been dealing with a cracking voice for a few months (think teenage boy; it wasn’t my favorite). One day I was sitting in Relief Society, and one of my favorite songs was being sung for our closing song. With the way my voice had been, I couldn’t hit any high notes in songs. Usually, it didn’t bother me--I would just silently skip the parts I couldn’t reach--but I really wanted to sing this song. I pleaded with Heavenly Father to please let my voice work for just this one song.

As we started singing, I was hopeful but as we got to the first high part, my voice failed. I was so disappointed, but that disappointment only lasted a second because as I sat there silent my sisters all around me continued singing: angels were singing to me. I felt as if He was saying to me, "You can’t do it right now, but they can do it for you." The love of my Savior for me was so strong at that moment, and it came through my ward sisters.

What is rejoicing on the covenant path? To me, it is the description of this beautiful life we have been given the chance to live. Staying close to the Savior with the companionship of others as we all strive to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. I am eternally thankful for this truth in my life.

Covenants Guide Us Back to God

by Lindsay Wall 
Women's Conference Publicity Chair

I know that the covenants we make and keep can truly lead us back to our Heavenly Father. I remember thinking many times in my life, especially during trials, that I wish Heavenly Father would just tell me exactly what I need to do! I wished He would just lay it all out for me, and I would do it. Then, one day, I realized He already has!

He has given us these covenants and simple commandments as a guide to follow so that we can feel the Spirit, so we can be blessed here on earth and for all eternity. I know that Heavenly Father gave us covenants because He loves us and He wants every opportunity to bless us--and the blessings are even greater than we can imagine! Keeping our covenants really can make us rejoice in life! We can be at peace and know the steps we need to follow.

Photo from LDS.org; used by permission

With that in mind, I also know that no matter how good we are at following and keeping our covenants, there are always going to be trials that make things hard. I know that not one of us is perfect and that the simple path He’s given us can seem really rough and full of temptation at times.

The best part, though, is that Heavenly Father has planned for that too. He’s molding us into who He wants us to be, and he’s also made a way for us to get back on course if we ever wander off. Keeping our covenants can get us through those hard times and make us stronger.

I know that our covenants were made for us to become closer to the Spirit, which helps us in every aspect of our lives. I know that there are so many things I, myself, need work on to become better at keeping my covenants, and I also know that that’s normal! This is the reason we’re here on earth--to be tested and to show that even when we falter, that we can get back up and try and do better at keeping our covenants the next day.

What Ministering Looks Like

We invite you to think about what ministering like the Savior would look like in your life. Has someone ministered to you in an especially meaningful way? Do you have a story of a time you were inspired to serve someone? Let us know! We'll share your stories in the coming weeks. Submit a story by clicking on the "Send Us Your Story" tab above, or email daughtersinhiskingdom@live.com. (Names can be withheld on request.)

Ministering in the Savior's Way

From LDS.org, used with permission

Serving Like the Savior

Families and individuals in our stake are jumping in to #LightThe World with acts of service.

Miriam Franson:

Used by permission.

I can hardly believe it's December 1st!! We've been excited to start the #LightTheWorld month of service...doing what we can to serve like the Savior. In my ideal world (and a different season of life) I'd have printed out super cute printables, and have a great plan for what we'd do already outlined. But we hit this morning with none of that in queue! But as we read about "freely giving" like Christ did, I remembered we had some candy canes in the trunk left from something else and the kids are headed off to school ready to "give" to someone they thought could use it. One thing I'm learning more and more is that if we wait to serve until it can be in a perfectly cleaned house, or a perfectly planned moment, or a perfectly created package it will rarely (for me anyway) happen. But the Savior just asks us to give with our heart from whatever we have and wherever we are. And like with the loaves and the fishes, He will multiply our efforts.

Light the World: Scripture Calendar

Each Christmas, we celebrate the life of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. By following His teachings, we let his light shine—in our lives and in the lives of others. This year, use this calendar for inspiration as you plan your Christmas activities to help #LightTheWorld by serving those in need.

• Click here to see and download the full scripture calendar (image thumbnail below).
• Click here to see a different version of the calendar with specific service ideas, created for youth and published in the December 2017 New Era magazine.
• Click here to get more service ideas from—and be inspired by—daily videos.

Light the World with Acts of Service This Christmas

This Christmas season, how will you #LightTheWorld? Start today at mormon.org to learn how you can be like the Savior, Jesus Christ. Serve as He did helping light the way for others. And share your experiences to inspire other sisters in the stake! Email us at DaughtersInHisKingdom@live.com.

The Purpose of Relief Society

On May 9, Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President, announced that she and her counselors have updated the Relief Society purpose.

Photo from LDS.org. Used with permission.

She said in a post on Facebook:
"When we were newly called as the Relief Society General Presidency, we sought the Lord earnestly to know what essential things He would have us focus on to continue moving His work forward. We were impressed that He would first have us help His beloved daughters understand the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that their faith and righteousness might increase. Second, we considered the critical need to strengthen families and homes and felt that the Lord would have us encourage His beloved daughters to cheerfully cleave to their covenants. When covenants are kept, families are strengthened. Finally, we felt He would have us work in unity with the other auxiliaries and with our priesthood leaders, striving to seek out and help those in need to progress along the path. Focusing on these things helps prepare us for the blessings of eternal life.

"Recently, we have updated the Relief Society purpose wording to reflect the additional insights the Lord blessed us with.

"'Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life (see Moses 1:39) as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and work in unity to help those in need.'"

"We hope you will study and focus on the purpose of Relief Society and come to understand the divine identity and eternal work and purpose that each sister in Relief Society has. How does understanding this purpose bring hope and meaning into your daily life and actions?

"The updated Relief Society purpose poster and bookmark are now available online and through Distribution." Sister Burton noted that further information and resources can be found in Handbook 2, the talk "Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?" and the updated materials.

Local Refugee Service Opportunities

At this time of year especially, many people are looking for opportunities to serve, so we came up with this list of some local service opportunities and organizations aimed at assisting refugees. There are so many ways to help refugees locally, from one-time events, to donating handcrafted items, to just being a friend or helping a family learn their way around their new town. The easiest way to start is by downloading the apps Just Serve or Serve Refugees or visiting the websites in the top left box below. If you have any questions about how you can help refugees in the area, feel free to email daughtersinhiskingdom(at)live(dot)com and we'll do our best to find an answer!

An Unshakable Testimony of the Prophet Joseph

by Heather Hughes 
From a talk given to the Stone Creek Ward on June 12, 2016

Seven and a half years ago, my youngest son and I flew to California in October. We were flying out to attend the birthday and baptism of my nephew Tyler. It didn't hurt that we discovered that if we went to California for Tyler's birthday, we could trick or treat in shorts instead of coats. I was looking forward to relaxing from teaching school and from the preparations of getting our oldest daughter ready to serve a mission. She would leave about two weeks after our visit.

The morning after our arrival, Stacy, my sister-in-law, said that we would need to mix in some church service with our play time. I thought, "Even better, I can feel good about my getaway."  That weekend was the week prior to the voting in California on Prop 8, a controversial law that would decide whether or not same-sex marriage would be allowed in California, and local church leaders had asked the members to help support efforts to maintain marriage between a man and a woman. When I found out what we were doing, I was a little anxious. I hate confrontation. I don't like people to be upset with me, even strangers, but I knew that if the local leaders had asked for these activities to be done, it was what needed doing.

Saturday morning, we left bright and early to hang pamphlets supporting marriage between a man and a woman on doors. We had two people ask us to remove them and get off their driveways, but no truly angry experiences. As we reported our section back to the elders quorum president in my sister's ward, I felt like all was well. We left and attended a soccer game for me nephew. As we returned, Mark and Stacy said, "Now for the fun part!" Their tone left no doubt that fun was not coming.

Each family had been asked to have an adult hold signs on different corners around town. The signs simply said: "Vote Against Prop 8, Vote for Families." As we stood on our corner, I quickly discovered that their beautiful little community had a lot of people with different views than mine. For two hours I was repeatedly called names, honked at, and had a few more choice experiences.

Visiting Teaching: I Feel God's Love for Me

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? This is the final installment in the series of posts.

I have a visiting teacher that found out I was sick when my husband was out of town. She came over and shoveled the snow from my driveway and sidewalks and then brought me dinner that night. It meant so much to know that someone cared about me and wanted to help me.
*

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

When I moved into the ward, my visiting teachers were my first friends in the area. They made me feel welcomed and loved. When I had my baby, my visiting teachers were so great, and I knew I could call them if I needed anything.
*
I was a young mother with no family near. My visiting teacher took me under her wing and taught me lots about being a mom.
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Visiting teaching blesses me by letting me feel of God’s love for me. It strengthens my testimony of the gospel and helps me see my purpose.
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My visiting teacher gives me friendship. I appreciated her cleaning my house!

Stake RS Newsletter, June 2016

Dear Sisters,
Hooray for summer! “Some old fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

In Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk during General Conference “Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me” he talked  about the diverse family circumstances of children and youth in the church today. He quoted from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”. He said, “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity…Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children…Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs and to teach them to love and
serve one another and observe the commandments of God.” He said that even though this is the ideal pattern of the Lord, there are many children who do not belong to “picture perfect” families and that we need to be “thoughtful and sensitive” to individual circumstances. He quoted President Monson who said: “Help God’s children understand what is genuine and important in this life. Help them develop the strength to choose paths that will keep them safely on the way to eternal life.” He then challenged us to “open our arms and our hearts a little wider….these youth need our time and our testimonies.”

As I recently listened to this talk it made me think about how grateful I am for the many women in our stake who faithfully accept callings to serve in Primary and Young Women. Those of you who have a weekly opportunity to “lead, guide and walk beside” the precious children of our Heavenly Father may never know the impact of your love, concern and prayers for them. Your testimony and righteous example as you teach gospel principles will influence the decisions they have to make in a world that is in chaos. We recognize and appreciate your service.

It is my prayer that each sister in our stake can be that teacher, friend, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother that will reach out to the children and youth in your ward and in your families. In closing Elder Andersen said, “Let us think about them, welcome them, embrace them and do  everything we can to strengthen their love for the Savior.” Jesus said, “Whoso shall receive one such child in my name receiveth me.”

We love you and hope you have a wonderful summer!
Nancy Nilsson, Heidi Fitzgerald, Jennifer Erickson and Katy Mansfield

Visiting Teaching: Creating Friendships

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? Over the next few weeks we'll feature their responses.

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

I have had visiting teachers who came faithfully each month and also visiting teachers who don’t come or call as frequently. Either way I have always felt of their love and concern for me.
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My visiting teachers have touched my life by the love they show.
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I once was given a unique opportunity to visit teach someone that I did not get along with. She had done something once when we’d served together that offended me, and it was hard to be humble and put those feelings aside when I was assigned to be her visiting teacher. Being in her home and having the chance to serve her helped me see her in a different light. It was a blessing for me to be humbled and to forgive as I let go of past offenses and saw the good in this sister.
*
Through visiting teaching I have made some really great friends. Some of them are people I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know if I wasn’t assigned to visit them. But I am so grateful I got the opportunity. I truly cherish and love the sisters I visit teach. I am so grateful I got the opportunity to get to know them and serve them.

Visiting Teaching: Touching Lives

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? Over the next few weeks we'll feature their responses.

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

This may not be typical, but by being a visiting teacher, I met one of my very best friends. I remember sitting in this woman’s home (I was new in the ward and didn’t know her). As I presented the lesson she nodded, and I thought at that moment—she gets me! It was a moment I (hopefully) won’t forget. She continues to be a great friend, and I’m so grateful for this blessing of visiting teaching.
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I like how visiting teaching helps you get to know people you probably wouldn’t have gotten to know. I don’t think we realize how we have the power to touch others’ lives.
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Through visiting teaching, I have truly felt the love my Father in Heaven has for me. My prayers have been answered through visiting teaching.
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My first visiting teacher was my first friend in the ward. She made me feel so loved, and we had a wonderful friendship because of her love and care. Years later, and in a different ward, she became my visiting teacher again! I was so excited! She’s the only visiting teacher I’ve had that I feel really loved me.

Relief for Refugees: This Is Who We Are

In the recent general and women's conferences we heard heartfelt calls from church leaders, asking us to prayerfully seek ways to offer relief to the many refugees who are suffering around the world. Click to view the new website which has been launched as guidance: IWasAStranger.lds.org

Image from LDSMediaTalk.org. Used with permission.

From the General Auxiliary Presidencies:
"What can our role as women be in the last days to prepare the earth for the coming of Christ? What can we do to reach out, to love, to nurture, and to minister as He has invited us to do? We each have the invitation as women and young women to open our eyes and our hearts to see those among us who may feel alone, afraid, or uncertain so that we are no longer strangers (see Matthew 25:35–36; Ephesians 2:19).

"With our divine nature as women, we can be a light in a darkening world. We can give hope, love, and care to those around us. We are not asked to 'run faster than [we have] strength.' Although we can work together, we are not asked to organize large efforts. Instead we are each asked to seek personal revelation about whom the Lord would have us strengthen and love as individuals and as families. The Savior invites us to participate in a personal ministry of love and to remember His words: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these . . . , ye have done it unto me.'"

"This is not a program; it is who we are."