April 2010 Newsletters

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Bishopric Message April 2010

Easter – A Time of Renewal, Remembrance and Recommitment

Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Easter! As we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we recognize that many face challenges, disappointments and difficulties. To all, we hope this Easter season becomes a period of renewal, remembrance and recommitment.

On February 9 2007, Bishop Christopher Williams’ life changed forever. That day, he was involved in a car accident where his pregnant wife and two of his four children were killed. Shortly thereafter, he addressed the members of his ward. He acknowledged that he and his family had been "handed a bitter cup." However, he said, a counselor in his stake presidency had explained that not even the Savior, when he was enduring the agony of Gethsemane, drank all of His bitter cup at once:

"In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior drank of [the bitter cup] a little, and then He went back to His disciples, to His friends, for a little bit of support, and then He went in and drank some more. He had an angel come and strengthen Him and support Him, and He drank a little more. He went back to His disciples, and was able to have a little bit of a respite. Then He started to drink the remainder on the cross, until it was all gone, until it was finished. I think it's like our lives; we're not asked to drink more than we're able to all at once… The gospel gives us such strength to draw on the Lord and to allow Him to put His arm around us and help us to drink” (LDS Church News, 17 Feb 2007).

As we face our versions of Gethsemane, we pray that we will remember the Savior – His life, His love and His willingness to help us – each step of the way. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel… May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear” (Ensign, May 2009).

We pray that this Easter week and always, we will stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in.” (Mosiah 18:9). We testify that Jesus Christ lived for us and died for us, because He loves us. Hang in there Brothers and Sisters!

Love and Best Wishes,

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