Sunday, March 2, 2014

Lessons for 2014

Relief Society Lessons for 2014



Date
Lesson #
Title
March 9
5
Faith and Repentance
March 16
6
The Significance of the sacrament
April 13
7
Joseph and Hyrum, Witnesses for Jesus Christ
April 20
8
The church and Kingdom of God
May 11
9
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon
May 18
10
Our Search for the Truth
June 8
11
Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith
June 15
12
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
July 13
13
Baptism
July 20
14
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
Aug. 10
15
Eternal Marriage
Aug. 17
16
Bringing Up Children in Light and truth
Sept.14
17
Sealing Power and Temple Blessings
Sept. 21
18
Living by Every Word that Proceeds from the Mouth of God
Oct. 12
19
In the World but Not of the World
Oct. 19
20
Love and Concern for All Our Father’s children
Nov. 9
21
Proclaiming the Gospel to the World
Nov. 16
22
Prayer-a commandant and a blessing
Dec. 14
24
The Work of Latter-Day Saint Women: “Unselfish Devotion to this Glorious Cause”
Dec. 21
25
The Birth of Jesus Christ: "Good Tidings of Great Joy"
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March 2nd Presidency Message

Lesson: Developing Talents: Parable of the talents:  Alex Wixom: instructor
click Here for lesson in Dutch:  lesson 27

14 ¶For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
 15 And unto one he agave five btalents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, andareckoneth with them.
 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou adeliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithfulaservant: thou hast been bfaithful over a few things, I will make thee cruler over many things: enter thou into the djoy of thy lord.
 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and afaithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an ahard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
 25 And I was aafraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo,there thou hast that is thine.
 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked andaslothful servant, thou knewest that I breap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with ausury.
 28 Take therefore the atalent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
 29 For unto every one that hath shall be agiven, and he shall havebabundance: but from him that hath not shall be ctaken away even that which he hath.
 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • •
    Why did the master give different amounts of talents to each servant? (Matthew 25:15.) How do your talents differ from your friends’ talents? your family members’ talents? Why does Heavenly Father give different gifts to each of us? (D&C 46:12.) How can we show our gratitude to Heavenly Father for the particular gifts he has given to us? (D&C 46:11.)
  • •
    What did the servants who were given five and two talents do with their money? (Matthew 25:16–17.) How do you think they were able to double their money? How can hard work be a blessing to us?
  • •
    What did the servant who was given one talent do with his money? (Matthew 25:18.) Why do you think he did this? (Matthew 25:24–25.) Why do you think some people don’t develop their talents? What happens to people’s talents if they do nothing with them?
  • •
    When the master returned and asked the servants to report to him, what did he say to the servant who had been given five talents? (Matthew 25:21.) What did he say to the servant who had been given two talents? (Matthew 25:23.) How does working hard to develop talents bless us? How have you been blessed by the talents or abilities of someone else?
  • •
    Why did the master give the same reward to the servant who had earned five talents and the servant who had earned two talents? (Matthew 25:21, 23.)
  • •
    What did the master say to the servant who had been given one talent? (Matthew 25:26–27.) Why was the master angry with this servant? What punishment did he give him for hiding the talent? (Matthew 25:28, 30.) Why is how we use our abilities and talents more important than how many talents we have and what those talents are?
  • •
    Why do you think the master gave the one talent to the servant who had ten? Was this fair? Why? Explain that the more we use our talents, the more talents we develop. If we do nothing with our talents, we will lose them. (See Matthew 25:29; D&C 60:2–3.) Help the children understand that those people who seem to have fewer talents will receive every blessing if they use their talents to the fullest.
  • •
    What do you think Jesus was trying to teach us by telling the parable of the talents? Help the children understand that the Lord has given us talents, abilities, and opportunities (such as belonging to his church). He expects us to use all these things to make our lives better and to serve others. He also wants us to show our gratitude by developing our talents.
  • •
    What additional expectations does the Lord have for us because we are members of his church? (D&C 82:3.)
  • •
    How do people share their talents in the Church? How does accepting responsibilities and assignments in the Church help us increase our talents? (See enrichment activity 5.)
  • •
    When and to whom will we give a report about what we have done with the gifts and talents we have been given? What do you want to be able to report? How would you feel if the Lord said to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)?

  • Discovering and Developing Our Talents

    It is essential that we discover and develop our talents. The Apostle Paul said, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee” (1 Timothy 4:14). But finding and improving our talents will require effort.
    • •
      How can we discover our talents?
    We should pray for the guidance of our Heavenly Father as we search and experiment to discover our individual talents. We may ask for special blessings to help us recognize them. If we have been set apart for Church callings, perhaps some talent was mentioned at that time or at the time of our release. We may ask ourselves, “What qualities do I have that helped me present a lesson, give a talk, work on a committee assignment, or help plan a party?” We should observe the lives of those whom we admire. Then we can check ourselves to see if we have some of their good qualities, even in small measure. Parents and other relatives, friends, and teachers can often help us recognize and develop our talents.
    Where stakes of the Church are organized, worthy members can receive blessings from the stake patriarch. Special gifts and talents are often revealed in a patriarchal blessing. We may use it as a guide in seeking out and developing our talents. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “It is our great hope that every person, including the older youth, will be given the opportunity of having a patriarchal blessing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, 4).
    Sister Nancy Seljestad of Homer, Alaska, told how she discovered her talents. She had asked her husband for a special blessing. During the blessing he was inspired to tell her that if she did not soon develop her talents, they would be taken from her and given to someone else. She said:
    “I was shocked and scared and humbled.
    “It made me think. … Nothing about myself seemed evident to me as a talent. How could I develop what I was unable to recognize? Buried somewhere inside me there must be an untapped source of gifts that were unknown, untouched, unused. …
    “As a convert, I see talented people who have been in the Church all their lives, with years of practice to develop their singing, writing, and speaking talents. I had none of these things.
    “Suddenly my insight came. I can act on the desires and interests that I have and thereby reveal and use my talents in small ways.
    “Through meditation and prayer I discovered my desires and interests were:
    “People: I decided to carry out the good intentions that I often felt but seldom followed through on to make others happy. As a starter I baked a pie for a little boy whose mother was away.
    “Music: I can’t read notes or play an instrument, yet I love music. I contacted a sister with musical talent and said, ‘I’d like to sing a duet with you.’
    “Drama: I volunteered to be in charge of an ‘evening of drama’ with donations to be given to the youth in our branch for their temple trip.
    “Writing: Ofttimes I have strong feelings when I am touched by something that someone says or does. I decided to put those feelings in writing when they happen and mail them to the one who touched me. …
    “Chances are I’ll never be ‘famous.’ … What is mine, though, can be shared with those dearest to me—my family, our branch members, and neighbors. Small, perhaps, yet capable of development, precious and God-given—my very own talents” (“I Dug Up My Talents,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 31).
    Our talents may only be small at first. But with hard work they can grow. Improving one talent often helps us develop other talents. Special training or formal education helps us build many skills. Overcoming special challenges or handicaps can also help us develop new talents. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have many chances to find and develop new talents when we accept calls to serve. Many of us are called not for what we can do but for what we can be.
    Elder Franklin D. Richards said: “Frequently persons asked to accept a position in the Church are prone to say, ‘Oh, I can’t do that. I haven’t as much experience or education as someone else that may have been serving.’ But with faith, study, work, and prayer, the Lord will make it possible for us to accomplish things that seem impossible” (in Conference Report, São Paulo Area Conference 1977, 23).
    Sister Maria Teresa P. de Paredes, wife of the former president of the Mexico Veracruz mission, testified: “When a woman is active in the Church, she develops surprising talents she did not know she had. Through studying the gospel and applying correct principles to her daily life, she changes into a better woman, more capable of fulfilling her stewardship in her home and helping her family and community” (quoted by Carol Larsen in “The Gospel Counterculture,” Ensign, Mar. 1977, 23).
    President Brigham Young said, “Every accomplishment, every polished grace, every useful attainment in mathematics, music, and in all science and art belongs to the Saints” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 252).
    President Spencer W. Kimball looked for the day when Church members would be great artists and master craftsmen. He challenged us to excel in our talents and skills. He cautioned us not to be satisfied with “good” but to work for excellence. He reminded us that those who develop their talents with the aid of the Holy Spirit should get superior results. (See “The Gospel Vision of the Arts,” Ensign, July 1977, 3.)
    • •
      Display visuals 27-a, “A woman weaving cloth,” and 27-b, “A woman learning to play the guitar.”

    Use Talents or Lose Them

    After we have discovered and developed our talents, the Lord expects us to use them. If we do not use them, we will lose them. The Lord warned:
    “But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
    “And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have” (D&C 60:2–3).
    Elder Richard L. Evans told of a mother who was concerned with “what her daughter was, or wasn’t, doing with her talents and opportunities. … The mother one day … said: ‘I’ve given you life. Now you do something with it!’” Elder Evans then said: “We could conceive of the Father of us all saying about the same: ‘I’ve given you life. Now you do something with it! Now make the most of it! I’ve given you time, intelligence, the good earth and all it offers—now use it’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 86–87; orImprovement Era, Dec. 1970, 88).
    How many talents we have is less important than how well we use them. The Lord said, “Of him unto whom much is given much is required” (D&C 82:3).

    Happiness Comes through the Righteous Use of Talents

    The Lord said:
    “Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;
    “For verily I say unto you, they are given … that all may be benefited … that ask of me, … and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts” (D&C 46:8–9).
    Talents and abilities should help others as well as ourselves. We show ourgratitude to Heavenly Father for our talents when we use them to enlighten, lift, and build others. We should use them to teach children and youth and to inspire them to greater effort. Our families are blessed as we use our abilities in our homes. As we learn to sew, cook, and keep an orderly home, we can beautify our lives and lighten others’ work. As we develop a kind and loving nature, we bring peace and harmony into our homes. We can extend our talents to bless the neighborhood where we live. We can bring joy to friends around us as we help those in need.
    Unfortunately, some people discover a talent, develop it well, but use it in ways that do not help others. In fact, some use their talents to promote unrighteousness. The person who has a beautiful singing voice may use it to sing immoral songs. The person who can write inspiring poetry may misuse that talent and write pornographic literature. A gifted speaker or teacher may lead others into sin. “Talent without character is more to be dreaded than esteemed” (Richard L. Evans, Thoughts … for One Hundred Days [1966], 208).
    Earlier in this lesson we learned about Sister Seljestad, who discovered and developed several new talents. Sister Seljestad’s branch president asked her to be the public relations director for the branch. This gave her an opportunity to use some of her newly found talents. She approached the local newspaper editor with the idea of writing a religion column in her community’s weekly newspaper. This gave her the chance to meet and work with leaders of other churches. Because of the column, she said, “I have been able to dispel many myths about the Church, and have given out copies of the Book of Mormon.” (See “Calling Inspires New Talent,”Church News, 4 Feb. 1978, 14.)
    Elder Boyd K. Packer issued this challenge: “Go to, then, you who are gifted; cultivate your gift. Develop it in any of the arts and in every worthy example of them. If you have the ability and the desire, seek a career or employ your talent as an avocation or cultivate it as a hobby. But in all ways bless others with it. Set a standard of excellence. … Never express your gift unworthily” (“The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord,” in Speeches of the Year, 1976 [1977], 280).

    Conclusion

    We are each blessed with talents and abilities and with opportunities to develop them. Our Heavenly Father expects us to use our talents for the benefit of others as well as for ourselves. Much joy can come to us and those about us when we use our talents for righteous purposes. As we use them righteously, they will expand and new opportunities and abilities will develop. It is important for us to remember that our talents are gifts from God and that He holds us responsible for what we do with them.

  • Discovering and Developing Our Talents

    It is essential that we discover and develop our talents. The Apostle Paul said, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee” (1 Timothy 4:14). But finding and improving our talents will require effort.
    • •
      How can we discover our talents?
    We should pray for the guidance of our Heavenly Father as we search and experiment to discover our individual talents. We may ask for special blessings to help us recognize them. If we have been set apart for Church callings, perhaps some talent was mentioned at that time or at the time of our release. We may ask ourselves, “What qualities do I have that helped me present a lesson, give a talk, work on a committee assignment, or help plan a party?” We should observe the lives of those whom we admire. Then we can check ourselves to see if we have some of their good qualities, even in small measure. Parents and other relatives, friends, and teachers can often help us recognize and develop our talents.
    Where stakes of the Church are organized, worthy members can receive blessings from the stake patriarch. Special gifts and talents are often revealed in a patriarchal blessing. We may use it as a guide in seeking out and developing our talents. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “It is our great hope that every person, including the older youth, will be given the opportunity of having a patriarchal blessing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, 4).
    Sister Nancy Seljestad of Homer, Alaska, told how she discovered her talents. She had asked her husband for a special blessing. During the blessing he was inspired to tell her that if she did not soon develop her talents, they would be taken from her and given to someone else. She said:
    “I was shocked and scared and humbled.
    “It made me think. … Nothing about myself seemed evident to me as a talent. How could I develop what I was unable to recognize? Buried somewhere inside me there must be an untapped source of gifts that were unknown, untouched, unused. …
    “As a convert, I see talented people who have been in the Church all their lives, with years of practice to develop their singing, writing, and speaking talents. I had none of these things.
    “Suddenly my insight came. I can act on the desires and interests that I have and thereby reveal and use my talents in small ways.
    “Through meditation and prayer I discovered my desires and interests were:
    “People: I decided to carry out the good intentions that I often felt but seldom followed through on to make others happy. As a starter I baked a pie for a little boy whose mother was away.
    “Music: I can’t read notes or play an instrument, yet I love music. I contacted a sister with musical talent and said, ‘I’d like to sing a duet with you.’
    “Drama: I volunteered to be in charge of an ‘evening of drama’ with donations to be given to the youth in our branch for their temple trip.
    “Writing: Ofttimes I have strong feelings when I am touched by something that someone says or does. I decided to put those feelings in writing when they happen and mail them to the one who touched me. …
    “Chances are I’ll never be ‘famous.’ … What is mine, though, can be shared with those dearest to me—my family, our branch members, and neighbors. Small, perhaps, yet capable of development, precious and God-given—my very own talents” (“I Dug Up My Talents,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 31).
    Our talents may only be small at first. But with hard work they can grow. Improving one talent often helps us develop other talents. Special training or formal education helps us build many skills. Overcoming special challenges or handicaps can also help us develop new talents. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have many chances to find and develop new talents when we accept calls to serve. Many of us are called not for what we can do but for what we can be.
    Elder Franklin D. Richards said: “Frequently persons asked to accept a position in the Church are prone to say, ‘Oh, I can’t do that. I haven’t as much experience or education as someone else that may have been serving.’ But with faith, study, work, and prayer, the Lord will make it possible for us to accomplish things that seem impossible” (in Conference Report, São Paulo Area Conference 1977, 23).
    Sister Maria Teresa P. de Paredes, wife of the former president of the Mexico Veracruz mission, testified: “When a woman is active in the Church, she develops surprising talents she did not know she had. Through studying the gospel and applying correct principles to her daily life, she changes into a better woman, more capable of fulfilling her stewardship in her home and helping her family and community” (quoted by Carol Larsen in “The Gospel Counterculture,” Ensign, Mar. 1977, 23).
    President Brigham Young said, “Every accomplishment, every polished grace, every useful attainment in mathematics, music, and in all science and art belongs to the Saints” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 252).
    President Spencer W. Kimball looked for the day when Church members would be great artists and master craftsmen. He challenged us to excel in our talents and skills. He cautioned us not to be satisfied with “good” but to work for excellence. He reminded us that those who develop their talents with the aid of the Holy Spirit should get superior results. (See “The Gospel Vision of the Arts,” Ensign, July 1977, 3.)
    • •
      Display visuals 27-a, “A woman weaving cloth,” and 27-b, “A woman learning to play the guitar.”

    Use Talents or Lose Them

    After we have discovered and developed our talents, the Lord expects us to use them. If we do not use them, we will lose them. The Lord warned:
    “But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
    “And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have” (D&C 60:2–3).
    Elder Richard L. Evans told of a mother who was concerned with “what her daughter was, or wasn’t, doing with her talents and opportunities. … The mother one day … said: ‘I’ve given you life. Now you do something with it!’” Elder Evans then said: “We could conceive of the Father of us all saying about the same: ‘I’ve given you life. Now you do something with it! Now make the most of it! I’ve given you time, intelligence, the good earth and all it offers—now use it’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 86–87; orImprovement Era, Dec. 1970, 88).
    How many talents we have is less important than how well we use them. The Lord said, “Of him unto whom much is given much is required” (D&C 82:3).

    Happiness Comes through the Righteous Use of Talents

    The Lord said:
    “Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;
    “For verily I say unto you, they are given … that all may be benefited … that ask of me, … and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts” (D&C 46:8–9).
    Talents and abilities should help others as well as ourselves. We show ourgratitude to Heavenly Father for our talents when we use them to enlighten, lift, and build others. We should use them to teach children and youth and to inspire them to greater effort. Our families are blessed as we use our abilities in our homes. As we learn to sew, cook, and keep an orderly home, we can beautify our lives and lighten others’ work. As we develop a kind and loving nature, we bring peace and harmony into our homes. We can extend our talents to bless the neighborhood where we live. We can bring joy to friends around us as we help those in need.
    Unfortunately, some people discover a talent, develop it well, but use it in ways that do not help others. In fact, some use their talents to promote unrighteousness. The person who has a beautiful singing voice may use it to sing immoral songs. The person who can write inspiring poetry may misuse that talent and write pornographic literature. A gifted speaker or teacher may lead others into sin. “Talent without character is more to be dreaded than esteemed” (Richard L. Evans, Thoughts … for One Hundred Days [1966], 208).
    Earlier in this lesson we learned about Sister Seljestad, who discovered and developed several new talents. Sister Seljestad’s branch president asked her to be the public relations director for the branch. This gave her an opportunity to use some of her newly found talents. She approached the local newspaper editor with the idea of writing a religion column in her community’s weekly newspaper. This gave her the chance to meet and work with leaders of other churches. Because of the column, she said, “I have been able to dispel many myths about the Church, and have given out copies of the Book of Mormon.” (See “Calling Inspires New Talent,”Church News, 4 Feb. 1978, 14.)
    Elder Boyd K. Packer issued this challenge: “Go to, then, you who are gifted; cultivate your gift. Develop it in any of the arts and in every worthy example of them. If you have the ability and the desire, seek a career or employ your talent as an avocation or cultivate it as a hobby. But in all ways bless others with it. Set a standard of excellence. … Never express your gift unworthily” (“The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord,” in Speeches of the Year, 1976 [1977], 280).

    Conclusion

    We are each blessed with talents and abilities and with opportunities to develop them. Our Heavenly Father expects us to use our talents for the benefit of others as well as for ourselves. Much joy can come to us and those about us when we use our talents for righteous purposes. As we use them righteously, they will expand and new opportunities and abilities will develop. It is important for us to remember that our talents are gifts from God and that He holds us responsible for what we do with them.

  • Discovering and Developing Our Talents

    It is essential that we discover and develop our talents. The Apostle Paul said, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee” (1 Timothy 4:14). But finding and improving our talents will require effort.
    • •
      How can we discover our talents?
    We should pray for the guidance of our Heavenly Father as we search and experiment to discover our individual talents. We may ask for special blessings to help us recognize them. If we have been set apart for Church callings, perhaps some talent was mentioned at that time or at the time of our release. We may ask ourselves, “What qualities do I have that helped me present a lesson, give a talk, work on a committee assignment, or help plan a party?” We should observe the lives of those whom we admire. Then we can check ourselves to see if we have some of their good qualities, even in small measure. Parents and other relatives, friends, and teachers can often help us recognize and develop our talents.
    Where stakes of the Church are organized, worthy members can receive blessings from the stake patriarch. Special gifts and talents are often revealed in a patriarchal blessing. We may use it as a guide in seeking out and developing our talents. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “It is our great hope that every person, including the older youth, will be given the opportunity of having a patriarchal blessing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, 4).
    Sister Nancy Seljestad of Homer, Alaska, told how she discovered her talents. She had asked her husband for a special blessing. During the blessing he was inspired to tell her that if she did not soon develop her talents, they would be taken from her and given to someone else. She said:
    “I was shocked and scared and humbled.
    “It made me think. … Nothing about myself seemed evident to me as a talent. How could I develop what I was unable to recognize? Buried somewhere inside me there must be an untapped source of gifts that were unknown, untouched, unused. …
    “As a convert, I see talented people who have been in the Church all their lives, with years of practice to develop their singing, writing, and speaking talents. I had none of these things.
    “Suddenly my insight came. I can act on the desires and interests that I have and thereby reveal and use my talents in small ways.
    “Through meditation and prayer I discovered my desires and interests were:
    “People: I decided to carry out the good intentions that I often felt but seldom followed through on to make others happy. As a starter I baked a pie for a little boy whose mother was away.
    “Music: I can’t read notes or play an instrument, yet I love music. I contacted a sister with musical talent and said, ‘I’d like to sing a duet with you.’
    “Drama: I volunteered to be in charge of an ‘evening of drama’ with donations to be given to the youth in our branch for their temple trip.
    “Writing: Ofttimes I have strong feelings when I am touched by something that someone says or does. I decided to put those feelings in writing when they happen and mail them to the one who touched me. …
    “Chances are I’ll never be ‘famous.’ … What is mine, though, can be shared with those dearest to me—my family, our branch members, and neighbors. Small, perhaps, yet capable of development, precious and God-given—my very own talents” (“I Dug Up My Talents,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 31).
    Our talents may only be small at first. But with hard work they can grow. Improving one talent often helps us develop other talents. Special training or formal education helps us build many skills. Overcoming special challenges or handicaps can also help us develop new talents. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have many chances to find and develop new talents when we accept calls to serve. Many of us are called not for what we can do but for what we can be.
    Elder Franklin D. Richards said: “Frequently persons asked to accept a position in the Church are prone to say, ‘Oh, I can’t do that. I haven’t as much experience or education as someone else that may have been serving.’ But with faith, study, work, and prayer, the Lord will make it possible for us to accomplish things that seem impossible” (in Conference Report, São Paulo Area Conference 1977, 23).
    Sister Maria Teresa P. de Paredes, wife of the former president of the Mexico Veracruz mission, testified: “When a woman is active in the Church, she develops surprising talents she did not know she had. Through studying the gospel and applying correct principles to her daily life, she changes into a better woman, more capable of fulfilling her stewardship in her home and helping her family and community” (quoted by Carol Larsen in “The Gospel Counterculture,” Ensign, Mar. 1977, 23).
    President Brigham Young said, “Every accomplishment, every polished grace, every useful attainment in mathematics, music, and in all science and art belongs to the Saints” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 252).
    President Spencer W. Kimball looked for the day when Church members would be great artists and master craftsmen. He challenged us to excel in our talents and skills. He cautioned us not to be satisfied with “good” but to work for excellence. He reminded us that those who develop their talents with the aid of the Holy Spirit should get superior results. (See “The Gospel Vision of the Arts,” Ensign, July 1977, 3.)
    • •
      Display visuals 27-a, “A woman weaving cloth,” and 27-b, “A woman learning to play the guitar.”

    Use Talents or Lose Them

    After we have discovered and developed our talents, the Lord expects us to use them. If we do not use them, we will lose them. The Lord warned:
    “But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
    “And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have” (D&C 60:2–3).
    Elder Richard L. Evans told of a mother who was concerned with “what her daughter was, or wasn’t, doing with her talents and opportunities. … The mother one day … said: ‘I’ve given you life. Now you do something with it!’” Elder Evans then said: “We could conceive of the Father of us all saying about the same: ‘I’ve given you life. Now you do something with it! Now make the most of it! I’ve given you time, intelligence, the good earth and all it offers—now use it’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 86–87; orImprovement Era, Dec. 1970, 88).
    How many talents we have is less important than how well we use them. The Lord said, “Of him unto whom much is given much is required” (D&C 82:3).

    Happiness Comes through the Righteous Use of Talents

    The Lord said:
    “Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;
    “For verily I say unto you, they are given … that all may be benefited … that ask of me, … and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts” (D&C 46:8–9).
    Talents and abilities should help others as well as ourselves. We show ourgratitude to Heavenly Father for our talents when we use them to enlighten, lift, and build others. We should use them to teach children and youth and to inspire them to greater effort. Our families are blessed as we use our abilities in our homes. As we learn to sew, cook, and keep an orderly home, we can beautify our lives and lighten others’ work. As we develop a kind and loving nature, we bring peace and harmony into our homes. We can extend our talents to bless the neighborhood where we live. We can bring joy to friends around us as we help those in need.
    Unfortunately, some people discover a talent, develop it well, but use it in ways that do not help others. In fact, some use their talents to promote unrighteousness. The person who has a beautiful singing voice may use it to sing immoral songs. The person who can write inspiring poetry may misuse that talent and write pornographic literature. A gifted speaker or teacher may lead others into sin. “Talent without character is more to be dreaded than esteemed” (Richard L. Evans, Thoughts … for One Hundred Days [1966], 208).
    Earlier in this lesson we learned about Sister Seljestad, who discovered and developed several new talents. Sister Seljestad’s branch president asked her to be the public relations director for the branch. This gave her an opportunity to use some of her newly found talents. She approached the local newspaper editor with the idea of writing a religion column in her community’s weekly newspaper. This gave her the chance to meet and work with leaders of other churches. Because of the column, she said, “I have been able to dispel many myths about the Church, and have given out copies of the Book of Mormon.” (See “Calling Inspires New Talent,”Church News, 4 Feb. 1978, 14.)
    Elder Boyd K. Packer issued this challenge: “Go to, then, you who are gifted; cultivate your gift. Develop it in any of the arts and in every worthy example of them. If you have the ability and the desire, seek a career or employ your talent as an avocation or cultivate it as a hobby. But in all ways bless others with it. Set a standard of excellence. … Never express your gift unworthily” (“The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord,” in Speeches of the Year, 1976 [1977], 280).

    Conclusion

    We are each blessed with talents and abilities and with opportunities to develop them. Our Heavenly Father expects us to use our talents for the benefit of others as well as for ourselves. Much joy can come to us and those about us when we use our talents for righteous purposes. As we use them righteously, they will expand and new opportunities and abilities will develop. It is important for us to remember that our talents are gifts from God and that He holds us responsible for what we do with them.
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