Thanks Desi for re-designing my blog...Cherstin called while you and I were chatting and asked what was wrong with it...I had to chuckle and tell here that you had already done it.  She laughed and said it looked great.  I agree!

Last Monday morning I said my prayers and told Heavenly Father something like, "I love the gospel and am grateful for my membership in the Church.  Please help me be mindful and recognize when and where I might stand as witness of Thee and be and instrument in Thy hands."  The day went beautifully and I really didn't think much more about my prayer until later that evening when Brother White, a member of our Bishopric, called and asked if I would teach half of the 5th Sunday lesson.  I told Brother White I would be happy to help - but caught myself thinking Happy????  But then I realized what my prayer had been and I really am happy to do whatever I can...but I knew the rest of the week I would be stewing about it and reading and studying and praying and stewing and reading and studying and praying.  LOL  I guess the moral of this story is to be careful what you pray for!  LOL

So - all week long I did stew, read, study, and pray -my topic was on the Prophetic Priorities that the Stake Presidents have been taught by the General Authorities.  When Brother White was talking to me on the phone the thought occurred to me to address family councils.  All week long, as I stewed, read, studied, and prayed the thought wouldn't leave.  As I sat down last night to try and put together some kind of outline I felt the calm assurance that I had my mission from the Lord.  Today I would say that it was one of the easiest lessons I have ever given and I hope that the Lord is pleased and that there was something said or confirmed to someone in the class, besides myself, that will be of use.

I utilized Alma 48-50 - can I just say that I really love the war chapters of the Book of Mormon???  When I was younger I would gloss over them, thinking there was not much there.  Oh, I knew that the Lord wouldn't have had Mormon put them in if they weren't important - but I also knew that I would have to dig and I didn't have what it takes to do that, I guess.  Anyway, I remember going to a meeting with the General R.S. President once and she related to us that when she and her presidency were called, the prophet counseled them to study the war chapters and use what they received from their study as a basis for their administration.  I also remember President Benson counseling us to study the last few decades prior to Christ's coming as they were parallels for our time - and they are the war chapters of Alma and Helaman!  I know that there is so much more to learn and my studying and pondering this week have caused me to want to go back there and dig.  I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and Emma, for the Book of Mormon prophets and their families...what sacrifices they have made so that we can escape the destruction of the adversary if we will just heed and be faithful.