Welcome

Bishopric Message

Dear friends, 

Welcome to the month of May.  It's usually a busy time for many with the end of school coming up soon, lots of sporting events, and graduations happening. Hope you all are able to do your activities safely.  

We had a great Stake Conference last week.  I hope you all were blessed by hearing or attending. The preparation of the talks and music was great by all those who shared with us - from Primary age children, to youth, to young adults, to our patriarch, and to our temple president and his wife.  On Saturday afternoon and evening, we were blessed to hear from a bishop and a Young Women president, also an Elders Quorum and Relief Society president.  They encouraged us on improving our ministering by basically praying for, thinking about, and caring for people around us - as the Second great commandment states, love your neighbor as yourself.  

One story by a Relief Society president was mentioned how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. A young mother was living in a basement apartment and preparing to have her second child. They were in very humble circumstances and sleeping on a mattress on the floor. When some newly assigned ministering sisters stopped by, they asked if they might help by getting a bed frame and other items that might bless their lives. The answer was positive, so they involved the ward and had many things donated and much service was provided to bless the little family. A few months later they moved away with no notice. Years later, the mother was able to thank those people for the positive influence they had on her during a difficult time in her life.  How much good can we do if we listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and obey?  

Brother Isaac K Morrison of the General Authority Seventy was presiding and spoke during each session.  He mentioned some very important ideas of which can bless our lives.  One in particular was how he counseled us to have faith and be obedient to the Lord's commandments even though we don't fully understand at the time. He gave the example in Moses 5:6 of an angel coming to ask Adam saying: "Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me." If we can do as Adam and obey even though we don't fully understand, the Lord will bless us as He's said many times throughout the scriptures. 

One particular verse I like is found in Alma 36:3  "...for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." and verse 30 "...that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence."

We are promised blessings that when we are obedient even if we don't fully understand, we will be blessed.  I hope we can put our trust and faith in the Lord and allow Him to strengthen us in our lives.

Sincerely,

Brother Joel Finlinson