JUNE 2009 VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE

Participate in Sincere Prayer

“Participate in Sincere Prayer,” Liahona, Jun 2009, 25

Prayerfully teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Sincere Prayer Has Strengthening Power

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded. If every family had family prayer daily … , we would be stronger” (“What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Prayer changes our lives. Through it we draw near to the Lord, and he reaches out his finger and touches us, so we never again are the same.

“Prayer is a great tower of strength, a pillar of unending righteousness, a mighty force that moves mountains and saves souls” (“Patterns of Prayer,” Ensign, May 1984, 32).
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Every honest and sincere prayer adds another piece to chain-mail armor. … One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer—earnest, sincere, consistent prayer—is part of your daily lives” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 10).
D&C 112:10: “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.”

Sincere Prayer Is Holy Communication

President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency: “First, prayer is a humble acknowledgment that God is our Father and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Second, it is a sincere confession of sin and transgression and a request for forgiveness. Third, it is recognition that we need help beyond our own ability. Fourth, it is an opportunity to express thanksgiving and gratitude to our Creator. It is important that we frequently say: ‘We thank Thee … ,’ ‘We acknowledge before Thee … ,’ ‘We are grateful unto Thee …’ Fifth, it is a privilege to ask Deity for specific blessings.

“… Sincere prayers come from the heart. Indeed, sincerity requires that we draw from the earnest feelings of our hearts” (“The Lifeline of Prayer,” Liahona, July 2002, 62; Ensign, May 2002, 59–60).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as ‘a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings’ (Bible Dictionary, ‘Prayer,’ 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say ‘amen,’ by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father” (“Ask in Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2008, 95).

President Thomas S. Monson: “As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in Him. Let us remember the injunction of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews: ‘For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ If any of us has been slow to hearken to the counsel to pray always, there is no finer hour to begin than now” (“A Royal Priesthood,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 61).

WHERE TO FIND WASHING SODA

In response to some questions regarding the homemade laundry detergent, here is some added information:

Washing soda can be found at the Henderson Rd. Kroger, and perhaps many other places. It is Arm and Hammer "Super Washing Soda",and I found it not where the detergents were located, but further down the aisle where the stain removers and Borax are.

The cost per load was an estimate I found on one of the websites I found..if you find sales like I did on Dove soap, it was less expensive. Good luck!~Lori A.

WANT TO SAVE MONEY

I have been experimenting with making and using homemade laundry detergent; it is very easy to make and the cost is about .03 cents per load! If you do any amount of laundry this could save you some serious money . My two sisters and I have family members who get their clothes very soiled and smelly(Matthew works in landscaping) and their clothes come out very clean and pleasant smelling. Misty M. and Becky B. also tried it out and liked it as well.

If you would like to try it, just save your old liquid detergent or large vinegar bottles work well!

2 Gallon Liquid Laundry detergent


1/2 bar Feldsnaptha, Dove, or Ivory soap flakes

1/2 cup Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)

1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

3 pints warm water

In a large saucepan, place 3 pints warm water and the soap flakes together, and heat on low . Stir until soap flakes dissolve. Add washing soda and borax, and stir until this mixture thickens. In a 2 gallon bucket, pour 1 quart of hot water, then add the thickened soap flakes to the bucket and stir well. Fill saucepan with more hot water and stir to use what has stuck to your pan. Fill bucket up the rest of the way with warm water and stir well. Let this sit for 24 hours or until thickened, then stir well again. Place in bottles if you wish..just stir well or shake it well before each use. If it is too thick, just thin with warm water. Use 1/2 cup for a normal load, 3/4 to 1 cup for heavily soiled clothes.

This does NOT suds up ...so, this can also be used in the high efficiency washers as well.

Note: You can make soap flakes with your cheese grater, in your food processor or order online. Avoid highly perfumed soaps. Mark and Ashley love to make soap carvings and do this for their chores! You can also double this and make it in a 5 gallon bucket and this works well also.

Enjoy!~Lori A.

A FOUNTAIN PUNCH BOWL NEEDED-URGENT

Hello everyone,

I need a fountain punch bowl for my son's wedding in Washington D C. I will need to pick it up before June 24th. Just e-mail me and I will come and pick it up.Thanks to anyone who has one.Rhonda W.