Bishopric Message – April
For most of us the commotion we are experiencing with COVID-19, economic turmoil and overall anxiousness is coming all at once. Excepting the more seasoned adults among us who have experienced war, prior epidemics and other turmoil, much of the concerns we are facing are new and very unnerving. News, radio, and other sources of media remind us of perspectives held by others about our prospects. However, not all of those perspectives are accurate. Given the choice to see the negative or the positive, do any people on this earth have any more reason to be positive than us?
After all, we understand the Plan of Salvation, even the Great Plan of Happiness. We lived with a Heavenly Family before we came to this earth. Knowing well that we would be tested, we willingly accepted this opportunity to come to earth. We knew that we would be part of the great gathering of Israel in preparation of the second coming of the Savior. We knew then and know now that we are part of the ongoing restoration of truth and the priesthood – even that same priesthood that was used to create this earth.
More importantly, we have been taught, and have felt the truths associated with the coming of the Lord in the fullness of times. Better, yet, we know the outcome. The Savior will come and will restore all things.
With this understanding and with General Conference weekend upon us, may we find time to prepare our hearts and our minds for the messages that have been taught. President Nelson invited us to renew our understanding of the First Vision and to ask introspective questions about where we might be were our knowledge of the gospel to be removed. It’s not too late to revisit his final address from October 2019 conference.
As we unite our hearts with our Savior, with our families, with our neighbors and our nation in humility, may this General Conference provide us with hope, vision for the future, and greater desires to press on. May the spirit touch our hearts and our minds, giving us the desire to do just a little more.
We leave our witness with you of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are in the process of becoming and are grateful we can share these experiences with you.
The Parleys 5th Ward Bishopric
