June Home Teaching Message

Canaries with Gray on Their Wings
President Thomas S. Monson

Nearly 60 years ago, while I was serving as a young bishop, Kathleen McKee, a widow in my ward, passed away. Among her things were three pet canaries. Two, with perfect yellow coloring, were to be given to her friends. The third, Billie, had yellow coloring marred by gray on his wings. Sister McKee had written in a note to me: “Will you and your family make a home for him? He isn’t the prettiest, but his song is the best.”

Sister McKee was much like her yellow canary with gray on its wings. She was not blessed with beauty, gifted with poise, or honored by posterity. Yet her song helped others to more willingly bear their burdens and more ably shoulder their tasks.

The world is filled with yellow canaries with gray on their wings. The pity is that so precious few have learned to sing. Some are young people who don’t know who they are, what they can be or even want to be; all they want is to be somebody. Others are stooped with age, burdened with care, or filled with doubt—living lives far below the level of their capabilities.

To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. You ask, “How might we achieve these goals?” I answer, “By gaining a true perspective of who we really are!” We are sons and daughters of a living God, in whose image we have been created. Think of that: created in the image of God. We cannot sincerely hold this conviction without experiencing a profound new sense of strength and power.

In our world, moral character ofttimes seems secondary to beauty or charm. But from long ago the Lord’s counsel to Samuel the prophet echoes: “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

When the Savior sought a man of faith, He did not select him from the throng of the self-righteous who were found regularly in the synagogue. Rather, He called him from among the fishermen of Capernaum. Doubting, unschooled, impetuous Simon became Peter, Apostle of faith. A yellow canary with gray on his wings qualified for the Master’s full confidence and abiding love.

When the Savior chose a missionary of zeal and power, He found him not among His advocates but amidst His adversaries. Saul the persecutor became Paul the proselytizer.

The Redeemer chose imperfect people to teach the way to perfection. He did so then. He does so now—even yellow canaries with gray on their wings. He calls you and me to serve Him here below. Our commitment must be total. And in our struggle, should we stumble, let us plead: “Lead us, oh lead us, great Molder of men, out of the darkness to strive once again.”

My prayer is that we will follow the example of the Man of Galilee, who could be found mingling with the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed, and the afflicted. May a true song come from our hearts as we do so.

Gospel Doctrine Lesson Schedule

Here are the lessons for the month so if you get a little time you can be prepared for the lesson. You can click on the lesson title to read the lesson.

June 13th
Lesson 22: "The Lord Looketh on the Heart"

June 20th
Lesson 23: "The Lord Be Between Thee and Me For Ever"

June 27th
Lesson 24: "Create in Me a Clean Heart"

June Birthdays

Here are a list of the ward birthday's for security reasons I am not putting last names but feel free to look at the ward directory and you should be able to figure it out.

6th: Joe G.
7th: Sally S.
9th: Lindsey F.
10th: SarahLynn C.
11th: Chelsea B.
19th: David H.
24th: Tim H.
30th: Aiyana L.
14th: Lincoln B.

June RS/ Priesthood Lesson Schedule

Here are the lessons for the month so if you get a little time you can be prepared for the lesson.
You can click on the lesson title to read the lesson.

June 13th
Gospel Principles Chapter 11: The Life of Christ
Or listen here

June 20th
Gospel Principles Chapter 12: The Atonement
Or listen here

June 27th
"The Power of the Priesthood" - President Boyd K. Packer

June Activities: A lot going on so here it is to remind you.

Tomorrow night is Ward Temple Night: Chapel session with a member of the temple presidency at the temple at 7:45 pm. We will then attend the 8:15 pm session.

Friday, June 18th their will be a Ward Barbecue at 6:00pm, at the Nature Park. Come to have a good time and eat good food.


Saturday, June 19th their will be a Relief Society Quarterly Activity at 10:30 am.


Here is a map to the nature park, just in case.

View Larger Map

June Bishopric Message

In the April 2010 General Conference Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke on the power of the priesthood. This talk will be studied in Priesthood and Relief Society as the “Teachings for Our Times” lesson on June 27th. We encourage each of you to study this talk in full.

President Packer states, “The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families”

This incredible power is utilized in every aspect of the Church and we as children of our Heavenly Father need to not only be worthy to use the priesthood, but also be worthy to receive the blessings associated with this power.

The priesthood extends to the sisters as well. President Packer said, “[It] is crucial for everyone to understand what is expected of the brethren. Unless we enlist the attention of the mother and daughters and sisters – who have influence on their husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers – we cannot progress. The priesthood will lose great power if the sisters are neglected.”

President Packer continues, “We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness. Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord’s expectations. We must go forward, confident of the supernal power of the priesthood. It is a source of strength and encouragement to know what we are and what we have and what we must do in the work of the Almighty.”

In a recent leadership meeting it was discussed that Satan is focused on destroying the family and the only way to prevent his attacks is by creating Christ centered homes through the use of the Priesthood. Direction and guidance will and must come from the Holy Ghost and as you earnestly strive to more fully utilize the Priesthood in your home and with your family; our Heavenly Father will bless you.

President Packer closes with a final thought, “The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children might be happyat home, protected by the principles and law of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood.”

May the Lord bless you as you strive to have Christ centered homes that are influenced and directed by the Holy Ghost.

Bishop Buttars, Brother Harper, Brother Flamm

Click here to watch, listen orread President Packer's talk, "The Power of the Priesthood"

June: Visiting Teaching Resources

You could get an early start on the month by completing your visiting teaching early. Here are two handouts you could use to give to your sisters.

Click on the image to download this 5 by 7 handout.

Or this 8x11

Here is a link to the Visiting Teaching Lesson for June, Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament