Smith's Situation: WHICH WAY DO YOU FACE?

This week at our cottage meeting with some of our new converts and investigators of the church, we taught a very hands on lesson about Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon. Sisters Lamb and Smith made an Iron Rod, Mists of Darkness, Great and Spacious Building, and Tree of Life with beautiful fruit display, mimicking the dream which father Lehi had. This was an extremely effective lesson for those who participated. There were many comments about their "ah-ha" moments as this gospel principle finally made sense.
At the Saturday morning session of General Conference, Elder Lynn Robbins mentioned Lehi's dream and the fears of those who are holding onto the Iron Rod that are triggered by the scorn of pointing fingers from the Great and Spacious Building in the dream.......making the holders of the Rod forget which way they were facing.....trying to reach the Love of God found in the Tree of Life.

Negative peer pressure can influence a person's attitude and behavior by making one feel guilty.

(Matthew is tempted to let go of the rod)

When the fear of pointing fingers becomes too great, we seek coexistence with those who point the finger of scorn. We fall into the snare that Satan has set and lose track of the Iron Rod which leads us to God.

(The "Great and Spacious Building" crew

Janell, Andiann and Sister Smith)

The snare may be cleverly baited to our compassionate side. To the weak of faith, this can be a major stumbling block.

(Sister Shelton being tempted by Sister Smith---the evil one!)

We should not fear man more than we fear God. When one tries to save face with man, he can unwittingly lose faith with God. Thinking one can please God and at the same time please man isn't neutrality, but duplicity....or being two faced while serving two masters.

(Ryan, holding fast)

The true badge of courage is overcoming the fear of man. Courage isn't just one of the cardinal virtues, but as C.S. Lewis observed "courage is the form of every virtue at the testing point, but was merciful until it was risky."

(Akim staying on the straight and narrow)

King Noah was ready to free Abinidi until peer pressure from the wicked priests caused him to waver. Aaron at the foot of Mount Sinai gave into peer pressure and crafted a golden calf, forgetting which way he faced.

(Jemin's going to make it to the Tree of Life)

Do we love the praise of man more than the praise of God? Mormon was strong and courageous and said that he feared not what man can do because perfect love casteth out fear. Moroni sought not for the power of man, but for the glory of God.

(Partaking of the fruit which is most desirable)

Moroni had such great courage in knowing which way he faced that it was said of him "If all men had been and ever would be like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever."

(Sister Shelton, Sister Smith and Sister Lamb)

Lowering the Lord's standards to the level of society standards is apostasy.

(Reading the story about Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life and the Iron Rod)

The Savior always faced His Father. The Savior always confronted His accusers, but never yielded to their finger of scorn. He is the only person who never forgot which way He faced.

(We love our meetings up on the roof)

Jesus was His Father's perfect disciple. He flawlessly knew which way He faced.

(Matthew is singing us a song)

May the Savior's example lead us from the pitfalls of flattery or conceit from within, giving us courage to not be intimidated. May we boldly defend God's standard! May we always remember whose disciple we are and which way we face.

HOLD TO THE ROD, THE IRON ROD!!!!

HERE'S THE REST OF THE WEEK

We went to Trinidad to do some mission business. Things didn't exactly work out as we had planned, but we had a lovely visit with our missionary friends, the Francoms, the Rays, and Sister Sue Ray...and our new friends, the Ramdhanie family, who prepared dinner for us!!!! What a rare treat! They are the family of Elder Ramdhanie from our Zone in Grenada!

(Rene, Sister Smith, Rebecca)

Sister Ann Ray

Elders Francom and Ray, Sisters Ray, Smith and Francom

Rebecca Ramdhanie. What a great smile!

Sisters Smith and Francom

Ramdhanie family

Elders Dearing and Ramdhanie with Matthew Charles under the blanket because our apartment is too cold for him!

Rebecca Ramdhanie

Dinner at the mission home with the Senior Missionaries on the island of Trinidad. What a lovely night spent with the salt of the earth. Love these peeps!

Bateman's, Francom's,Ray's, Mehr's, Smith's, Sister Sue Ray