Stand in Holy Places

Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

What an exciting week we have had!

On Sunday in our Stake Council meeting, we heard an inspiring report from Sister Kaitlyn Seiter (Oak Hill Ward) who recently returned from her missionary service in the Adriatic North Mission. Click here for more information.

Later that day, Elder Tyler Ellis spoke in his ward sacrament service and later that evening was set apart to serve in the Chile Santiago North Mission. He began at home MTC on Monday and will be flying to Mexico for language training on June 20. We are so excited for Elder Ellis. Click here for more information.

And also on Sunday morning, June 11, Brother Steve Minert of the Paradise Ward was sustained and set apart as the new 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric of his ward. Click here for more information. Here are some of the other upcoming events to be aware of...

Upcoming Events

Bishopric Training 6/15/23
Fathers Day 6/18/23
OT Tabernacle Youth Training (7:00pm) 6/21/23
Ward Conference - Morningside Ward 6/25/23
Rising Generation Devotional 6/25/23
Talking Faith Youth Discussion 6/25/23
Old Testament Tabernacle opens 6/27/23
Old Testament Tabernacle Host Date 6/28/23
Stake Girls Camp 7/11-14/23
Old Testament Tabernacle closes 7/16/23
Oakcrest Camp for Young Women 7/31-8/4/23

Talking Faith

Every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 3 pm in the stake center Relief Society room there is a group discussion specifically for youth called “Talking Faith”. Hosted by Julie and Ron Henricksen, this discussion time is meant to help youth explore and ask questions related to church doctrine, teachings, and practices. We encourage all youth in the stake to attend and invite friends.

The Old Testament Tabernacle Experience

Beginning on Tuesday, June 27 through Sunday, July 16, a full-scale replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle will be in our community for public tours (1510 Parliament Ave). Click here for more information

Weekly Message: Stand in Holy Places

What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “ stand ye in holy places”?

…a temple?

…the sacred grove?

…your home?

...the stake bowery?

In the scriptures, we learn that in the days of tribulation leading up to the Second Coming, faithful saints will be sheltered and preserved by “stand[ing] in holy places”. (Matthew 24:15, D&C 87:8).

In 1973, President Harold B. Lee gave a moving talk entitled, “Stand Ye in Holy Places”. In it, he related a portion of a vision he received just prior to the dedication of the Los Angeles Temple…

“...about three or four o’clock in the morning, I enjoyed an experience that I think was not a dream, but it must have been a vision. It seemed that I was witnessing a great spiritual gathering, where men and women were standing up, two or three at a time, and speaking in tongues. The spirit was so unusual. I seemed to have heard the voice of President David O. McKay say, “If you want to love God, you have to learn to love and serve the people. That is the way you show your love for God.”

Last Saturday, I felt privileged to witness the kind of “love for God” I believe President Lee was speaking about… at the annual household goods exchange held in the stake bowery. Those who organize and advertise…those who donate, and those who receive the wonderful donations are all blessed in a sacred…holy…event, that fulfills the saintly admonition of the prophet Alma to his people...

“...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death…

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. (Mosiah 18:8-11)

Last Saturday, we heard and saw the “clapping of hands” and “exclamations of joy” by those who participated in this sacred act of “pure religion” in what I believe is now a “holy” place.

May we each be privileged to say with our sisters and brothers of old, “this is the desire of our hearts.” May our faith truly be “shown” through our “works” (James 2:13-20)

And may we remember this recent statement by President Nelson,

“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people. (Russell M. Nelson, Peacemakers Needed, April 2023)

I love you all.

President Gardner