When the Savior Calls

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TaylorsvilleStake.org

Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

Stake Conference

I am so excited!

In just a few days we will hold our Stake Conference with Elder Mark E. Bonham of the Seventy presiding.  I hope each of us has studied the most recent General Conference addresses by President Nelson in preparation for this wonderful upcoming spiritual feast. For schedule and meeting details click here

Schedule of Meetings:

Saturday

• Leadership Meeting - 4 PM (All members of ward/stake council with counselors, secretaries)

• Adult Session - 7 PM (All adults)

• Please join us for refreshments immediately following the Adult Session.

Sunday

• Youth and Parents Session - 8 AM (All Youth, Parents, Youth Leaders are encouraged to attend)

• General Session - 10 AM (Everyone)

Preparation:

Please study President Nelson’s two most recent General Conference addresses...

Peacemakers Needed         Spanish

The Answer is Always Jesus Christ        Spanish

New Members:

On Saturday evening, Connor Tye, son of Christopher and Nicky Tye was baptized and become the newest member of our stake.  Conner was surrounded by his large extended family and is excited about taking his first steps on the Covenant Path.  We are so pleased about his decision and pray for him to be supported and guided as he continues his earthly journey.

A Special Announcement:

Sister Becky Wakefield and President Preston Wakefield, of the Morningside Ward, have received new callings in connection with the Taylorsville Temple.  Sister Wakefield has been called as an Assistant to the Matron.  President Wakefield has been called as the First Counselor in the Taylorsville Temple Presidency.  We are so pleased and thrilled for the Wakefields.  They have a long and wonderful legacy of humble service in our stake and we pray for the Lord’s greatest blessings on them as they prepare for the opening of the temple and new opportunities for service therein.

Upcoming Events (in addition to Stake Conference)

• Saturday, May 20: All Stake members and friends are invited to attend a special Community Emergency Preparedness event hosted by the Oak Hill Ward Relief Society on Saturday (May 20) morning at 9:30 AM in the East Building 895 W 4800 South. (see  attached flyer)

• Sunday, May 21: All Young Adults (married or single) are invited to attend a worldwide Devotional with President Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Kristen Oaks.  The broadcast may be viewed at 6 PM, at the SLCC Institute Building or via internet (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Thursday, May 25 at 7 PM, there will be a YW and YM Leadership Instruction Meeting with Sister Becky Craven (2nd Couns, YW General Presidency, and Brad Wilcox (2nd Couns, YM General Presidency.)  The meeting will be held at the Taylorsville Heritage Park Stake Center (4504 South 3420 West (Brian Way)).  Those invited:  

  • Stake Presidencies

  • High Council members responsible for Young Women and Young Men

  • Stake Young Women and Young Men Presidencies with secretaries

  • Ward Bishoprics

  • Ward Young Women Presidencies with secretaries

• Also on Thursday, May 25 at 7 PM, there will be a Sunday School Leadership Meeting with Elder Mark L. Pace, Sunday School General President in the Taylorsville South Stake Center (4850 South 3495 West). Those Invited to Attend:

  • Member of Stake Presidency with responsibility for Sunday School, 

  • Counselor in Stake Relief Society Presidency with responsibilities for teaching, 

  • Ward Sunday School Presidencies, 

  • Counselor in the Bishopric over Sunday School, 

  • Counselor in the Ward Relief Society Presidency with responsibility for teaching, 

  • Counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency, 

  • Sunday School Teachers,

  • Relief Society Teachers, and 

  • Elders Quorum Instructors

Weekly Message: When the Savior Calls

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that each member of the church is given opportunities to serve in what we know as “callings”.  

Why does the Lord give the members of His church responsibilities?

According to the handbook of instructions, there are two simple reasons.  

“Callings give members opportunities to feel the joy of serving God by serving His children (see Mosiah 2:17). Callings also help members increase their faith and draw closer to the Lord.”(Handbook of Instructions 30.1)

Prayerfully selecting individuals and extending inspired callings is a joyful process.  As a leader, it is gratifying and truly inspiring to see members respond to a call from the Lord with faith and courage, especially when it will require them to stretch beyond their known strengths and comfort zone.  Nearly every day we see examples of such faith and courage manifested in the lives of members who prepare and lead discussions, lead organizations, or selflessly minister to another’s needs…even when that service may not be immediately (or ever) acknowledged by the recipient.

Some callings require us to serve in the spotlight, but far more callings give us the opportunity to serve less conspicuously, even privately.  Some callings require us to motivate only ourselves and some callings require us to encourage and inspire action by others.  Because all callings require sacrifice and obedience, when viewed from the Lord’s perspective they become tools to increase our faith and draw us closer to Him.  For this and many other reasons, every calling is important!

Sister Joy D. Jones beautifully explains how our attitude and actions in our calling can bring us closer to God in her 2018 General Conference address titled, For Him.

“Sometimes we may initially serve from a sense of duty or obligation, but even that service can lead us to draw on something higher within us, leading us to serve in “a more excellent way”—as in President Nelson’s invitation to “a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others.”

“When we focus on all that God has done for us, our service flows from a heart of gratitude. As we become less concerned about our service magnifying us, we realize instead that the focus of our service will be on putting God first.”

“…if we place Him as our main priority, everything else will ultimately fall into place—even our service to others. When He takes the preeminent position in our lives by our deliberate choice, then He is able to bless our actions to our good and to the good of others”

Sometimes in our church culture, we may incorrectly assign importance levels to callings. Our leaders have encouraged us instead to recognize that every calling carries the need and right for revelation.  So, while we respect and follow those who hold keys to preside, we should always recognize the profoundly personal impact of inspired teachers, advisors and ministering sisters/brothers.  The “body” of Christ truly has need of every part. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

I really appreciate this saying, which is often attributed to Mother Teresa,

“…The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.  

Do good anyway. 

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.  

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. 

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God … anyway.”

Whether our service is seen by others or not, may we each view our calling as our service to God.  And, may we feel His love for us and others as we joyfully serve.  I testify of His reality and divinity. 

I love you all.

President Gardner