Babysitters Corner Looking for a reliable babysitter? Please contact the following Young Women. Young Woman:Young Woman:Young Woman:Young Woman: AgeAgeAgeAge: Home#:Home#:Home#:Home#: Cell:Cell:Cell:Cell: Brittany Anderson 16 672-8556 KeLynn Stanley 16 345-5667 570-4921 Lexie Gold 15 887-1051 559-8939 Kyrstin Siler 15 860-7044 Elizabeth Wagner 15 639-5908 585-8466 Emma Stanley 14 345-5667 570-4921 Katie Dougal 14 639-5949 830-6251 Kensie Gold 13 887-1051 Jessica Meyers 13 287-8380 Natasha Larsen 12 287-8272 Madison Thompson 12 658-5454 869-2102 Natassja Yearsley 12 887-9411

Visiting Teaching MessageVisiting Teaching MessageVisiting Teaching MessageVisiting Teaching Message The History and Heritage of Relief Society

Ensign, January 2011

Eliza R. Snow recalled the Prophet Joseph Smith teaching that "although the name [Relief Society] may be of modern date, the institution is of ancient origin." Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, visited Joseph Smith and, through him, restored the fulness of the gospel to the earth. Relief Society was part of that restoration. The organization of the Church was not complete until the sisters were organized. In the coming months, each Visiting Teaching Message will give us the opportunity to learn more about the history of Relief Society and its part in the restored gospel. For many reasons, understanding our history is not only important but essential. First, an understanding of our history inspires us to be the women of God we need to be. By following the examples of noble Latter-day Saint women, we can learn from the past how to face the future. Second, our history teaches that the same principles that existed in the early Church are our foundational principles today. This knowledge and our purposes—to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need—draw a connection between our past and our present. Third, as we value our history, we can better share our spiritual heritage. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: "You pass the heritage along as you help others receive the gift of charity. … The history of Relief Society is recorded in words and numbers, but the heritage is passed heart to heart." Finally, understanding our history helps make us an effective part of the future of Relief Society. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) explained, "We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future." FROM THE SCRIPTURES Esther 9:28–29; Romans 16:1–2; Alma 37:8; Moroni 7:45–47 FROM OUR HISTORY "Relief Society is the Lord's organization for women." In his capacity as a prophet, Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society on March 17, 1842. The small, diverse group at that first meeting were dedicated women, similar to Relief Society sisters today. "The youngest were three teenagers, and the oldest, a woman in her fifties. Eleven of the women were married, two were widows, six were unmarried, and the marital status of one is unknown. Their education and backgrounds varied greatly, as did their economic circumstances. Their diversity would be magnified many times as the organization's membership

continued to grow, but they were and would continue to be one."

Thank You! We would like to shout out a big THANK YOU to all of you sisters who made pillowcases for our pillowcase challenge. You will help lift someone’s spirits during a time that is probably a very difficult time for them. We ended up with 65 pillowcases. Thank you for taking on this challenge!!

Happy Birthday! 8- Patty Hambelton 13- Christina Martin 16- Marci Smith 17- Laura Neider 25- Kylee Bendorf 26- Debbie Field 29- Marnie Kiehl

Tuscany Ward Relief Tuscany Ward Relief Tuscany Ward Relief Tuscany Ward Relief Society NewsletterSociety NewsletterSociety NewsletterSociety Newsletter

January 2011

Ward Calendar & Upcoming Events

January 8 - Stake volleyball starts (LG/Amity building) January 20- RS Activity: 7pm Wellness Challenge Kick-Off January 22 - Youth Baptisms - 7:30am (8:00 am session) January 27 - Ward Temple Night

February 12 - Worldwide Leadership Training February 26 - Stake YW hearts and Hands Mother/Daughter Recognition 10:00am - 2:30pm February 27 - Ward Conference

RS Lesson Schedule- January 2- Presidency Message 9- GP #22: The Gifts of the Spirit 16- GP#23: The Sacrament 23- TFOT- Let There Be Light- Cook November 2010 Ensign 30- Combined RS/Priesthood

A M e s s a g e F r o m t h e R e l i e f S o c i e t y by Aimee Larsen

John Bartlett, one of the signors of the Declaration of Independence once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (in John Bartlett, comp., Familiar Quotations, 15th ed. [1980], 703). As we look forward to the New Year, and begin to form our New Year’s resolutions, let us resolve ourselves to turn our hearts to the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Elder Ballard taught this great principle in an Ensign article titled, “Learning the Lessons of the Past”, Ensign, May 2009, 31-34. He told us, “When you are willing to listen and learn, some of life’s most meaningful teachings come from those who have gone before you. They have walked where you are walking and have experienced many of the things you are experiencing. If you listen and respond to their counsel, they can help guide you toward choices that will be for your benefit and blessing and steer you away from decisions that can destroy you.” We have many places to turn and learn from past wisdom. We can turn to parents, grandparents, and family members as well as modern day prophets and apostles. One of our most valuable resources is the scriptures. We know that we are blessed in countless ways as we heed the counsel to read, search and ponder the scriptures. As we do so, we can clearly see the pattern of the Lord’s people being blessed during times of obedience, and suffering during times of apostasy. Those same patterns exist today. We have seen the cycle in our own day of prosperity, followed by material comforts, followed by greed, followed by pride, followed by wickedness, and a collapse of public morality. We have also seen calamities sufficient to bring about humility, repentance, and change.

Elder Ballard reminds us, “Learning the lessons of the past allows you to build personal testimony on solid bedrock of obedience,

faith, and the witness of the Spirit. Of course, it’s not enough to learn these lessons as a matter of history and culture. Learning the

names and dates and sequence of events from the printed page won’t help you very much unless the meaning and the message are

written in your hearts. And so it returns, as it always does, to your own personal faith and testimony. That is the difference-maker.

That is how you know. That is how you avoid the mistakes of the past and take your spirituality to the next level. If you are open and

receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit in your lives, you will understand the lessons of the past, and they will be burned into

your souls by the power of your testimonies. And how do you get such a testimony? Well, there’s no new technology for that, nor will

there ever be. You cannot do a Google search to gain a testimony. You can’t text message faith. You gain a vibrant, life-changing

testimony today the same way it has always been done. The process hasn’t been changed. It comes through desire, study, prayer,

obedience, and service. That is why the teachings of prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as

they ever have been.”

As a family we will be setting goals this year to try and follow Elder Ballard’s wise counsel to turn again to the scriptures. We will be

working to not only to read the verses, but to look to them as a manual for life and a “how to” book for strengthening our testimonies,

building our faith, and exercising humility. My prayer is that we may be among those that have learned from the past and are moving

forward toward a bright future. May the Tuscany Ward have a wonderful and happy New Year!

Check out our Blog! Stay up to date with ward happenings, learn about new sisters, and upcoming activities! www.tuscanywomen.blogspot.comwww.tuscanywomen.blogspot.comwww.tuscanywomen.blogspot.comwww.tuscanywomen.blogspot.com