Bishopric Message December 2009

“LAY HOLD ON THE WORD OF GOD”
Helaman 3:29

Brothers and Sisters,

We are grateful for your participation in our combined Priesthood / Relief Society meeting last Sunday. In that meeting, we discussed our ward goal for this year – to “lay hold upon the word of God” (Hel 3:29). During the meeting, we were invited to do the following:

1. Lay Hold on the Words of Living Prophets: Elder Neil L. Anderson asked the following:

“Think how you would respond to the following questions: Could you tell me the names of the three members of the First Presidency and the names of each of those who comprise the Quorum of the Twelve? These are the 15 men you and I sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators.

“If we were to hold up a picture of these Brethren, would you recognize each of them?.... Could you share with me the counsel given by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from last October’s general conference?

“Perhaps more important, could you share with me a recent decision where you changed something in your life because of counsel received from one of these 15 men?” (CES Fireside for Young Adults, 4 March, 2007.)

2. Lay Hold on the Scriptures: we talked of the blessings that come from setting aside regular time for scripture study. In particular, we were encouraged to go to the scriptures with questions. President Henry B. Eyring has taught:

“Going to the scriptures to learn what to do makes all the difference. The Lord can teach us. When we come to a crisis in our life… we should go looking in the scriptures for specific help. We will find answers in the scriptures. The Lord seemed to anticipate all of our problems and all of our needs, and He put help in the scriptures for us—if only we seek it.” (Ensign, July 2005.)

For those who didn’t receive them last week, handouts from this meeting are available on the front table in the foyer.

In this Christmas season, we pray that each of us, as individuals, families and as a ward family, will “continually hold fast to the rod of iron” (1 Nephi 8:30). We testify that as we do this, we will witness great blessings and miracles.

Brothers and Sisters, we are grateful for all you do and are thankful for this opportunity to serve alongside you. We pray that you will have a blessed Christmas and feel again the reality of the Saviour’s life and love for each one of you.

Love and best wishes,

Daniel Shine...............Bob Howden............Rei Singsam
Bishop........................1st Counsellor.........2nd Counsellor
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