In the Strength of the Lord I can do all things.

For those of you that are Enrichment Leaders in your wards or maybe you just like gathering ideas, I thought I'd do a post on our last Enrichment Night. The Theme of the Night was "In the Strength of the Lord, I can do all things." We've been feeling the need to focus on being Self Reliant and so for our 1st activity of the year we wanted to focus on Relying on the Lord. This was how the tables looked. Donna Coleman, who is an excellent photographer in our ward took lots of pictures of "Hands" for me. They were beautiful, artistic and meaningful. There were pictures of sisters playing the piano, holding a childs hand, braiding hair, sewing, reading, baking, cleaning, gardening....this list could go on, but I think you get the picture. The pictures were attached to a cardstock card and over the picture was a transperancy of the Christus with the Theme written along the bottom. I LOVED IT!! It was perfect. This Really helped set the tone of the night and the sisters had fun going around looking at all the pictures. At every place setting we had a quote from President Benson. (see below). The Evening was a Dinner Theater. For dinner we made Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad and it was soooooo yummy and not hard at all. ( If you want the Recipes let me know!) While everyone was eating we had a program. (I didn't get any pictures of this since I was helping run the show, but now I wish I passed the camera on to someone. Oh Well.) After the play, I sang A Womans Heart, then Our Relief Society President Amy Douglas spoke to us about the importance of relying on the Savior and how special each of us are. Then the sisters finished eating their salads and had cake. It was a beautiful night, the spirit was present and I felt like the Lord directed the entire thing.

Here is the program that we did. Feel free to use it;)

With the Strength of His Hands
written by Candace Carter

(The lights come up on a sister who is just getting off the phone. Her house is messy and you can hear children fighting/crying in the background)

Sister #1: Thanks, Bishop, I promise you that I will think about it, but the answer will probably be no. I just don’t know how I can do one more thing right now, besides I am sure there are several sisters in the ward who are more qualified. (Pause as if listening to the person on the other end of the phone) Yes, I promise that I will pray about it. (In the background someone shouts “MOM!” and the sister hurries out of the room)

(Lights now come up on the other side of the room where we observe a young sister doing her homework. It is challenging for her and she is obviously frustrated. She slams the book closed and puts her head down on her arms.)

Sister #2: How in the world am I suppose to remember all of the varieties of one celled life forms and their individual characteristics. Who even cares, besides Professor Smith? My major is not Biology, why should I have to even take such a pointless class? Doesn’t anybody care about the fact that if I don’t keep an A average my scholarship can be taken away!

(Back in the house of Sister #1, her house is quiet and she is working to get everything put away. She is obviously exhausted. She sits in her chair and as she does so she picks up her scriptures and begins to read.)

Sister #1: Now Nephi he was someone who was capable of anything. Maybe the Bishop should give him a call! “And it came to pass that I, Nephi said unto my father . . .

(She continues to read, but we see Nephi behind her)

Nephi: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Sister #1: That’s easy to say when you are the prophet and well, so close to perfect. How could I ever accept this call! I can’t even go a full day without yelling at my kids, some example I would be to the sisters in the ward!! (She continues to read)

Nephi: Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of my iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh
Sister #1: I know in whom I have trusted . . .

(Lights go down on Sister #1)

(Lights come up on Sister #2 as she looks over and sees her scriptures lying by her stack of text books. She picks them up and also starts to read.)

Sister #2: Moroni, why can’t I be like Moroni. Strong in the gospel, a great scribe, smart enough to stay alive after everyone else was gone . . . he even spoke to the Lord . . . “And I said unto him,”

Moroni: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing . . . And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the Brother of Jared . . . wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words . . . And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me saying; Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek. That they shall take no advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them . . .

Sister #2: “I will make weak things become strong . . . (coming to her knees) Dear Father, thou knowest all things, and I am sure that my GPA is the least of your concerns, but dear father, it is important to me. I cannot seem to remember or understand what I need to know. I cannot do this on my own . . . (Lights go down)

(Lights come up on Sister #1 she is still reading the scriptures)

Sister #1: Relief Society President, the Bishop must be out of his mind. I can just see myself standing in front of them, “Dear sisters I know that I never went to college or served a mission, in fact I got married when I was 19, but please spare me a few minutes so that I can teach you . . . well I can’t teach you anything!” My dear Father what in the world can I bring to this calling? (Continues to read) 1 Timothy 4:12 , “Let no man despise thy youth; But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (Falling to her knees she also begins to pray.) Father, I can’t accept this calling without knowing that thou art there to help me. I have a testimony, that may be all I have to give, please help me with the rest . . .

(Lights come up on both women as they silently pray, we hear the voice of the Lord)
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Matt 11:28-30)
“Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.” (D&C 68:6)
“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36)