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In our HP group we all take turns teaching. I have been able to escape this by conveniently scheduling myself (or being scheduled) to be elsewhere many Sundays when the opportunity presents itself (2nd and 3rd Sundays). This month I have no speaking assignment and I only scheduled myself to be away 2nd Sunday in my assigned unit, so I got nabbed for 3rd Sunday. The lesson is number 24 in the JFS book, women serving in the church/RS. I have read it, it doesn’t do a lot for me and I probably would have read something else during the lesson were I not teaching. Don’t misunderstand, I do believe women serve a very vital role in the church and I think the church would probably not survive without their efforts – which are in many cases greater than those of the men. (Don’t get me started on why we did the Christmas lesson in the book this past Sunday and why we’re doing this lesson the Sunday before Christmas.) I don’t think I have ever taught a HP lesson – I have always been in a bishopric, YM, or HC since being a HP (and active). Under the right circumstances our group will participate in fairly lively discussions – the subject matter probably influences that to an extent, though, and I’m not sure this is one of those subjects. Any thoughts on how to proceed with the lesson would be appreciated.
I haven’t read the lesson, but I already have a ton of thoughts. History of Relief Society – independent, wrote it’s own material, own budget, own purpose. Joseph Smith’s promises at that first meeting – what were they and are they being kept. How do men see the Relief Society – seriously – are we the food bringers only or do we contribute more? Give me some time and I will get some references for you. This could be such a key lesson to help bridge the thinking about mens and womens roles. Again I haven’t read the lesson, but my instant take would be to address the title and make the rest of it off book. but thats me.
Reading quickly – this is a cool lesson. You may even want to start by confessing your nature to ignore the lesson if you were in the audience – because guess what that’s how it often feels to us. From the time we are 12 it’s up to us girls to keep you boys pure, to dress, sit, etc, to save your souls. Then we are supposed to marry you, father your children, and live happily ever after. And from many points that is all that we are available for. My favorite quote so far is this
Quote:Our sisters are entitled just as much to the inspiration for their needs of the Holy Spirit as are the men, every bit. They are entitled to the gift of prophecy concerning matters that would be essential for them to know. … When they pray they should pray earnestly, expecting to have an answer to their prayers. The Lord will hear them, if they are earnest, true, just as well as he will the brethren.26
Too often women really are brushed aside in meetings. “Ya’ know those gals, they are great. Did ya bring refreshments.”
I watched a Stake President insult a complete Stake Relief Presidency, in front of the entire Stake Leadership because they felt they had fast, prayed, gone to the temple for confirmation for a plan to give our elderly and shut in sisters more time with each other. The Stake President ripped them a new one – they were not entitled to inspiration – only he was. That was that.
To be fair – I have worked with men who have been loving, supportive, even submissive to women, but right now many women – even TBMs want a place at the LDS table. This lesson is great for pouring those drops of water.
I would highly encourage you to read Joseph Smiths promises at the first meeting. It’s authorized you can use it and it shines a sharp light on a strong women’s society.
I was thinking a bit of like Mom was thinking – take it as a challenge to make everyone think – but in a round about way. Pick the best quotes to use as the foundation and then start a discussion on how the men would love to see the women function in the Church. I probably would quote from Elder Oaks’ talk on the Priesthood where he says that all people exercise the Priesthood in their callings and that women who have been endowed hold Priesthood authority in and of themselves. If you want to review my Sunday School lessons about that talk, start with this one and move through the lessons we had about the talk:
http://www.staylds.com/staylds/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3481&hilit=elder+oaks&start=160#p76456 The lesson went fine. I used some of the stuff from the beginning of the section about how Joseph Fielding Smith gained a respect for what women do, then skipped down to section two where we had a discussion about how the church really could not function without women and how it’s more likely that women are more aware of individual and family needs and are probably already working before the male leadership even becomes aware of the needs. We finished up with section three with quotes from JFS’s talk to the RS. DHO had quoted from the same talk in his priesthood talk in April, so I read his quotes about women acting under the same authority as men and asked if my service was any different from that of a Primary teacher, RSP, or visiting teacher – all agreed it is not any different. SP counselor came in just as I was beginning the last part. He contributed that he works under the SP’s keys as well and said to the group at the end that he was sorry he missed the rest of the lesson. :clap: :thumbup:
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