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Hello beloved sisters and brothers,
New Members
On Saturday, February 18, Marianny and Mariangel Villalobos were baptized by Elder Fennegan in the Millrace Ward.
The following day, Sunday, February 19, Alyssa Corcino Halstead (Taylors Grove Ward) and Keagan Davis (Paradise Ward) were baptized in separate services. We are thrilled to welcome these new members who have just begun their journeys on the covenant path.
Family History Work: March 2–4, 2023
RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference, will be both an in-person event in Salt Lake City, Utah, and on line to allow all who are interested to participate. Elder and Sister Gong will host a worldwide Family Discovery Day broadcast on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 1:30 pm (MST) on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Families are encouraged to watch the session together.
Weekly Message: Christ-centered...home-centered...
On February 12, Brother Jan Newman of the General Sunday School presidency came to our stake in person and provided instruction to all of the ward Sunday School presidencies. One important pattern he shared for all leaders and teachers in our stake was that our preparation for Sunday classes should integrate questions and techniques that support and encourage home-centered gospel learning and discovery.
This is such a critical concept…
Our purpose as leaders and teachers in the gospel is to point those we serve toward the Savior by creating an environment where the Holy Ghost can help them discover answers to their questions and concerns.
Teaching in the Savior’s Way expresses it this way…
“From the beginning of His ministry, the Savior invited His followers to experience for themselves the truths, power, and love that He offered. He did this because this is what learning really is. It’s not just listening or reading; it’s also changing, repenting, and progressing. (2 Nephi 2:26).
When we follow the Savior’s example, we invite those we teach to ask, seek, and knock—and then find (see Matthew 7:7–8).
It may be easier to just tell class members the things you think they should know. However, Elder David A. Bednar counseled teachers and parents…
“... the questions to ask ourselves are ‘What can I invite them to do? What inspired questions can I ask that, if they are willing to respond, will begin to invite the Holy Ghost into their lives?’” (evening with a General Authority, Feb. 7, 2020, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Our study time at home AND the time we spend in our classes on Sunday are two ways we can “Gather…Together and Place the Savior at the Center of Our Lives”.
As individuals, as families, as class members, as leaders, as teachers, we can make our homes a place of gospel learning and our lives a place of gospel living. Sunday teachers can support these efforts.
What our home-centered efforts look like, is not as important as the effort we put into them…
As President Nelson has reminded us…
”The Lord loves effort.”
May we each use Come Follow Me and Teaching in the Savior’s Way as guides to help us deepen our conversion to the Savior and apply His teachings personally and in the roles we have with others.
I love you all,
President Gardner