The Mountain of the LOrd

IglesiadeJesucristo.org

TaylorsvilleStake.org

Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

Stake Conference

Thank you to everyone who participated in any way with our stake conference last weekend.  It is always impressive to me to see the outpouring that occurs around these special events.  We are grateful to those who set up and took down chairs, arranged the many technical aspects, translated talks, made meals… and showed up eager to receive…revelation!

Our hope is that each of us received the spiritual benefit we were seeking.  

Elder Bonham’s messages in each of the sessions were very timely and uplifting.  But just as uplifting were our personal visits with him to families in our stake.

Beginning next week we will publish the talks given by stake members on our stake web page.  Hopefully, these provide additional opportunities for reflection and study.

New Members:

On Saturday afternoon, just before the conference began, Emmery Bigger of the Riverbend Ward was baptized by her Father, Scott.  On Sunday evening, a bit after the conference concluded, Angelica and Jerson Pineda along with Darwin Rivera were baptized and became the newest members of the Millrace Ward.  

It is exciting to contemplate that since the beginning of this year, twenty-five individuals have made the life-changing decision to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized and confirmed members of His church.  

Upcoming Events (in addition to Stake Conference)

• 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, 

  • 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: The Mountain of the Lord

On Tuesday morning, Shirleen and I attended a sealing session at the Jordan River Temple.  As we walked into the temple, I was struck by the beauty of the building as well as the beauty and fragrance of the plants and trees in the crisp morning air.

I thought about President Nelson’s words quoted by Sister Lundberg in her talk last Sunday that the “real beauty” of the temple is not on the exterior, but the ordinances and power and joy that exist on the interior.  

In my gospel study this week, I learned that temples are symbolically representative of sacred mountains where the Lord reveals Himself and His power to His children.  This rang true for me as I read 2 Nephi 12

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

We build temples to be closer to our Father in Heaven in every sense of the word.   

Within the walls of the temple, on Tuesday, Shirleen and I participated in proxy ordinances for the salvation and exaltation of loved ones from our family.  As the sealer pronounced the prescribed words of counsel embedded in the sealing ordinance, it reminded me of the promises Shirleen and I made to each other so many years ago…that we strive to live each day.

Being there for those moments brought peace and a sense of the eternal…a lovely way to begin my day.  But it was also heartwarming and meaningful for us to cross paths with so many of you…beloved sisters…beloved brothers who were also there…workers and patrons.

My appreciation for temples continues to grow the more often I attend.  I have felt the fulfillment of President Nelson’s promise that,

“…increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.”

I know that every child of God can have that blessing.  I honor the efforts of all who are serving and all who are striving in faith…to be there.  

Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord. 

I love you all.

President Gardner