Annapolis Maryland Stake 2008 Priesthood and Relief Society Lessons

The schedule for Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society Sunday lessons, as determined by the Stake Presidency under the direction of The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, will proceed as follows:

First Sunday Lessons: The first Sunday lessons are reserved for instruction by members of the quorum, group and Relief Society leadership on topics selected at the discretion of these leaders. In January, the ward/branch conference will take the place of the first Sunday lesson (on whichever Sunday the conference is convened). In February, April, September and October, the Stake and General Conferences will take the place of the first Sunday lessons.

Second and Third Sunday Lessons: The second and third Sundays are reserved for lessons from Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith. Two lessons will taught each month throughout the year and are to be presented in chronological order beginning with lessons 1 and 2 in January and concluding with lessons 23 and 24 in December. Where necessary; this schedule is to be modified in January to accommodate the ward/branch conference (see above). In February, Joseph Smith lesson 3 will be taught on the first Sunday to accommodate Stake Conference.

Fourth Sunday Lessons: The fourth Sunday lessons are reserved for Teachings for Our Times (attached) as follows (to be modified in January, where necessary, to accommodate ward/branch conference):

January #7 Doing Our Best for the Lord           

February #8 Be Not Easily Offended          

March #1 Hope Through the Atonement      

April #6 Walking by Faith                

May #9 Strengthening New Converts      

June Stake Presidency Topic (to be provided)  

July #4 Be of Good Cheer

August #5 Loving and Strengthening Our Neighbors

September #3 Prayer of Jesus Christ

October #10 Living by the Spirit

November #2 The Purpose of Tithes and Offerings

December Stake Presidency Topic (to be provided)

Fifth Sunday Lessons: The fifth Sunday lessons (March, June, August, November) are reserved for lessons at the discretion of the bishopric/branch presidency.

All Melchizedek Priesthood brethren and Relief Society sisters are to carefully and prayerfully study the given materials in preparation for each lesson and to return to their homes each Sabbath Day to discuss these topics with their spouses and families.

Teachings for Our Time 2008 

Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society meetings on fourth Sundays are to be devoted to “Teachings for Our Time.”  Each year the First Presidency determines 10 Subjects with designated resource materials to be used in these meetings. Following are the subjects and designated resources for 2003. Two additional subjects are to be selected by Stake or district Presidencies.

Discussions in fourth-Sunday meetings should be based on one or perhaps two of the designated resources that best address the needs and circumstances of quorum or class members; teachers need not use all of the resources. Leaders and instructors are encouraged to make these meetings discussions, not lectures or presentations. They should consider ways to stimulate quorum and class members to apply the principles of the discussion. Suggestions on preparing and conducting quorum or class discussions are found in Teaching, No Greater Call and the Teaching Guidebook.

1. Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Luke 22:39-46; Matthew 27:11-61; John 20:142; Alma 34:8-18; Alma 42:1-31; D&C 19:1-20

James E. Faust, "The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 18-20.

Dallin H. Oaks, "The Gospel in Our Lives," Ensign, May 2002, 33-35.

Joseph B. Wirthlin," 'Follow Me,' "Ensign, May 2002, 15-17.

"The Atonement," chapter 12 in Gospel Principles, 70-78. 

2. The Purpose of Tithes and Offerings

Malachi 3:8-12; D&C 64:23; D&C 119:1-4; D&C 120:1

Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Walk by Faith," Ensign, May 2002, 72-74

Jeffrey R. Holland," 'Like a Watered Garden,' "Ensign, Nov. 2001, 33-35.

"Tithes and Offerings  chapter 32 in Gospel Principles 207-10. 

3. Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13; Matthew 7:7; Alma 7:23; D&C 93:49

Thomas S. Monson, "They Pray and They Go," Ensign, May 2002, 49-51.

James E. Faust, "The Lifeline of Prayer," Ensign, May 2002, 59-62.

Henry B, Eyring, "Prayer," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 15-17.

"Individual and Family Prayer," lesson 34 in The Latter-day Saint Woman, Part B, 293-302. 

4. Be of Good Cheer

John 14:27; John 16:33; 2 Nephi 4:16-35; 2 Nephi 10:23; D&C 78:17-22

Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Look to Christ,” Ensign, May 2002, 90-91.

Thomas S. Monson, "Now Is the Time,"Ensign, Nov. 2001, 59-61.

M. Russell Ballard, "The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom," Ensign, May 2002, 87-89.

"Faith in Jesus Christ," chapter 18 in Gospel Principles, 116-21. 

5. Loving and Strengthening Our Neighbors

Matthew 22:35-40; Luke 22:31-32; Mosiah 23:15; D&C 88:123-125; D&C 108:7

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Reaching Down to Lift Another," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 52-54.

Boyd K. Packer, "Children," Ensign, May 2002, 7-10.

M. Russell Ballard, "Doctrine of Inclusion," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 35-38.

"Love, Charity, and Service," lesson 8 in The Latter-day Saint Woman. PartA, 55-59.

6. Walking by Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40; Alma 32:16-23; Ether 12:4-22' Ether 12:27

Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Walk by Faith," Ensign, May 2002, 72-74.

David B. Haight, "Faith of Our Prophets," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 22-24.

Russell M. Nelson, "How Firm Our Foundation," Ensign, May 2002, 75-78.

"Faith in Jesus Christ," lesson 1 in The Latter-day Saint Woman, PartA, 2-11. 

7. Doing Our Best for the Lord

Matthew 25:14-30; Mosiah 3:19; Mosiah 5:12-13; D&C 76:50-70

James E. Faust," 'Some Great Thing,' "Ensign, Nov. 2001, 46-49.