Embracing Revealed Changes

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Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

New Members

Congratulations to Karetzi Gonzalez who was baptized last Saturday by Brother Gimenez of the Millrace Ward.   Interestingly, Brother Gimenez baptized Sister Gonzalez’s husband years ago in Venezuela.  We are pleased and excited for Sister Gonzalez as she takes her first steps on the Covenant Path.

International Food and Dancing Event

The Young Women of the Millrace Ward are inviting all stake members to come to their annual youth camp fundraiser featuring delicious food from Mexico, Central, and South America.  There will be authentic folkloric dance performances and fun activities for children.  Doors open Saturday, May 6 at 5 PM at the Stake Center.

Weekly Message: Embracing Revealed Changes

In the October 2019 General Conference, President Nelson announced a significant organizational change.  The positions of Ward Young Men President and counselors were eliminated and the responsibility for Bishops and their counselors to work directly with the young men and young women was emphasized.  President Nelson said these adjustments were,

“...intended to help young men and young women develop their sacred personal potential. 

Knowing that Bishops were already involved in so many other duties within the ward, Elder Quentin L. Cook explained that Ministering Sisters and Brothers along with Relief Society and Elders Quorum Leaders, would now shoulder more of the counseling and lifting efforts that previously had fallen to the Bishop.

In order for this change to be successful, four things would need to happen…

• Bishops would need to appropriately delegate responsibilities to Relief Society and Elders Quorum leaders/ministers to minister to the adults of the ward.

• Ministering Sisters/ Brothers, Relief Society, and Elders Quorum leaders would need to accept and shoulder the delegated responsibilities and coordinate closely with each other and the Bishop.

• Additional resources would need to be provided to ministers and ward leaders

• Ward members would need to accept counsel and support from ministers, Relief Society, and Elders Quorum leaders.

We are already seeing the blessings of Bishoprics having direct connections with our young men and young women to strengthen their faith and testimonies of Jesus Christ.  And it has been gratifying to see ministering sisters and brothers along with ward leaders embrace these revealed adjustments in responsibilities.  Using their gift for receiving revelation and the additional resources found in the Gospel Library, they are becoming towers of spiritual and temporal strength, comfort, and guidance to the adult members of their ward.

Unfortunately, from time to time, we still see situations where members have not grasped these changes and insist on speaking to the Bishop rather than their ministering sisters/brothers or a Relief Society or Elders Quorum leader.  While this may be understandable in light of the cultural and social patterns that have grown over years of membership in the church, we invite all members to review the direction of President Nelson and Elder Cook and fully embrace these changes.  

For marital or life challenges, self-reliance needs, blessings for health, etc., our ministering sisters and brothers, along with caring and capable Relief Society or Elders Quorum leaders CAN and SHOULD be the first people we call for assistance. 

As we move forward in our preparations for the Second Coming of the Savior, I pray we will all embrace all of the revealed changes announced by our inspired prophets and apostles.  

There will be more!  

They are helping us to establish Zion and giving us the direction and preparatory experiences we need to survive these “perilous times”. (2 Timothy 3:1-13)

I love you all.

President Gardner