Taught by Sister Carrie Mills
Sister Mills introduced her lesson by letting us know that she was asked to give her lesson on the talk, "Small and Simple Things." By Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela which was given in the October 2013 General Conference.
Sister Mills talked about how for the first time in the last twenty years she isn't having to work to support her children, and although that is wonderful, she has felt a little loss because so much of her identity was tied into work, so she was very grateful for this opportunity.
She then quoted from Elder Valenzuela's talk: He states:
As I paused to fully take in this remarkable sight, I reflected upon the words of Alma when he commanded his son Helaman to keep a history of his people as part of the records which had been entrusted with him and to keep all these things sacred so that they would one day go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
Alma then told him:
“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
“And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).
Sister Mills said that as adults we like to see the fruits of our labors, but that we don't always see them right away.
Then she posed the question to the class, "What are the small and simple things?"
Answers:
- Regular church attendance
- Scripture reading and prayer
- Love your neighbor
- A hug or encouragement to a stranger in need
- Never ignore a prompting
- Being grateful--constantly talking to God and being thankful when he answers a prayer.
Then Sister Mills shared a deeply personal story about how through small and simple things a great miracle was brought to pass in her life.
She shared that she was married very young in the temple, at 19, and that her ten year marriage was a real struggle and ultimately ended, after four children, when her husband decided to start a new life, including having a child, with another woman.
Following the ending of this marriage she was married again, and this marriage proved even more difficult then the first.
However through both these marriages she was able to find blessings. Her first marriage brought the blessing of her four children. Her second marriage brought the blessing of her spiritual rebirth.
After her second marriage ended she began regularly attending the temple and remembers that during this time she was having a conversation with her father when she felt an overwhelming love for the Savior. She felt like she didn't want to do anything wrong, she only wanted to serve Him. It was in this moment that she knew He had rescued her. By being obedient and doing the basics she had been rescued.
Later she started having a strong impression, which seemed crazy at the time, that she wished her first husband and the woman he chose to create his new life with would be able to go to the temple together. She shared this impression with the woman and after that invited the woman into her home to receive the discussions, which ultimately ended in the woman being baptized.
Sister Mills feels such a strong love for this woman and knows that through the small and simple things she was prepared to answer Heavenly Father's call and serve this woman. This has brought such fullness of love that Sister Mills knows why this is called the Plan of Happiness. She felt that Heavenly Father loves her so much to have given her this experience that would bring such joy.
She shared from Alma 26 when Ammon is so full of joy that his brother Aaron rebukes him for being arrogant but Ammon corrects him that it is for his Father in Heaven that he is able to do the things he needs to do.
Sister Mills also shared a story about her brother-in-law who was able to reactivate an inactive husband and father simply by going on Sunday and helping him cut wood--something others were unwilling to do because it was on a Sunday.
She shared President Monson's quote from the talk:
She shared that she was married very young in the temple, at 19, and that her ten year marriage was a real struggle and ultimately ended, after four children, when her husband decided to start a new life, including having a child, with another woman.
Following the ending of this marriage she was married again, and this marriage proved even more difficult then the first.
However through both these marriages she was able to find blessings. Her first marriage brought the blessing of her four children. Her second marriage brought the blessing of her spiritual rebirth.
After her second marriage ended she began regularly attending the temple and remembers that during this time she was having a conversation with her father when she felt an overwhelming love for the Savior. She felt like she didn't want to do anything wrong, she only wanted to serve Him. It was in this moment that she knew He had rescued her. By being obedient and doing the basics she had been rescued.
Later she started having a strong impression, which seemed crazy at the time, that she wished her first husband and the woman he chose to create his new life with would be able to go to the temple together. She shared this impression with the woman and after that invited the woman into her home to receive the discussions, which ultimately ended in the woman being baptized.
Sister Mills feels such a strong love for this woman and knows that through the small and simple things she was prepared to answer Heavenly Father's call and serve this woman. This has brought such fullness of love that Sister Mills knows why this is called the Plan of Happiness. She felt that Heavenly Father loves her so much to have given her this experience that would bring such joy.
She shared from Alma 26 when Ammon is so full of joy that his brother Aaron rebukes him for being arrogant but Ammon corrects him that it is for his Father in Heaven that he is able to do the things he needs to do.
Sister Mills also shared a story about her brother-in-law who was able to reactivate an inactive husband and father simply by going on Sunday and helping him cut wood--something others were unwilling to do because it was on a Sunday.
She shared President Monson's quote from the talk:
"The world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The blessings of eternity await you.”
She also shared the scripture quoted in the talk,
"And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15–16).
Sister Mills finished her lesson bearing testimony by saying, "I know and can testify these things are true, as we are obedient in doing small and simple things he is able to work amazing miracles."
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