Homework from an Apostle

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Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

New Members

I’m so excited to announce that two new members were baptized last Saturday.

• David Dearduff was baptized by his father, Peter, becoming our newest member of the Taylors Grove Ward…Read more Leer mas

• Andrew McCoard was baptized by Elder Taylor on Saturday and became the newest member of the Riverbend Ward…Read more Leer mas

Upcoming Special Events

• This Saturday and Sunday, January 14, 15 we invite you to gather together for our Stake Conference…details here…

  • Don’t miss root beer floats after the Saturday evening session.

  • Please bring mobile devices to each session

  • Bring donations for the Winter Clothing Drive on Sunday morning before the General Session

• The annual Community Winter Clothing Drive will be held Saturday, January 21 from 9-10 in the stake center. Please invite friends and neighbors to participate as donors or as recipients.

Weekly Message: Homework from an Apostle

Last Saturday, I attended an annual training for all the stake presidents in the Salt Lake Valley. For four hours we received careful and beneficial instruction from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve; President Kevin W. Pearson, Utah Area President; Elder Hugo Martinez, Counselor in the Utah Area Presidency; and Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy. What a beautiful experience to learn from and counsel together with these wonderful leaders.

I want to share two things that most impressed me about the instruction from Elder Christofferson. First, within minutes of beginning his introductory remarks, he said,

“Now, rather than wait until the end of the training, I’m going to give you your homework assignment right at the beginning. I invite each of you to study carefully over the next couple of weeks, what President Nelson has taught us about covenants, particularly in the past five years”

I wrote down this assignment and have begun my study by looking at President Nelson’s General Conference addresses first.

I invite each of you to undertake this same “homework” assignment.

The second thing that really made an impression on me came at the conclusion of the training. During the final question and answer time, one of the stake presidents asked Elder Christofferson to describe what it is like to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Elder Christofferson shared the profound sense of humility, weakness, and inadequacy he had felt when he received his call. But he continued and taught this lesson all of us can learn…

In the Lord’s work, rather than dwell on our personal weaknesses and inadequacies or how we think others may perceive us…our focus each day should be on the Savior’s strength and to act in a way that is consistent with our covenants with Him. When we forget about ourselves and focus on Him, He will magnify our efforts. He will make up for our weakness.

Elder Christofferson concluded with a sweet testimony of the Savior and His love for each of us. The Spirit in the room was palpable. I received a further witness of the Savior and his servants who lead us. I am so grateful for them and share with you my witness that this is our Savior’s work.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all.

President Gardner