The Pride Cycle, these are the continued theme of the last couple of weeks in the Book of Mormon. How the people could go from such spiritual strength to the point of the church being broken up continues to leave me concerned at our ability to reject what we once held in such esteem. Even a people who had seen the sun set and the daylight remain fell from belief to reviling the believers. I can only assume that this is included in the writings of the Book of Mormon to warn us in our own day.
In the recent General Conference, our prophet President Nelson declared, “Repeatedly, past prophets have declared ‘great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe.’ It is no different in our day. Through the years, great and marvelous things have been heard from dedicated pulpits across the earth. Yet most people do not embrace these truths—either because they do not know where to look for them or because they are listening to those who do not have the whole truth or because they have rejected truth in favor of worldly pursuits.”
His message this last conference was very clear we must Hear Him, meaning Christ and hearken to His commands. We need to “go to the scriptures” and ponder their meaning, “feast(ing) on the words of Christ daily, (because) the words of Christ will tell us how to respond to difficulties we never thought we would face.”
When I consistently read and ponder the Book of Mormon, I am sustained in my devotion and can withstand the adversary with his deceptions. I find words of comfort and teachings that uplift my family. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
Ultimately, President Nelson gave us one more word of advice that I would like to mention, “when these temporary COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, please schedule regular time to worship and serve in the temple. Every minute of that time will bless you and your family in ways nothing else can.” I encourage each of you to check your temple recommends and see if they are current, and have a name prepared, printed and ready to take to the temple when we can return to that sacred worship. I know we anxiously and hopefully anticipate that day.
Brother Matt Rogers
Sunday Worship
Starting this Sunday, we will have the opportunity to return to a more routine Sunday worship. I would like to reference the letter for more detailed information from our Area Presidency.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/utah-area-resource-covid-19.pdf
Weekly Sacrament for our ward will begin this next Sunday September 20th at 8:30 AM.
In person attendance:
- Families with the last name beginning in A-I. Note the change here as this group was larger and needed to be reduced slightly.
- Individuals who are not able to consistently receive the sacrament in their homes
- Individuals without a priesthood holder in the home who can bless the sacrament
- Empty nesters who would prefer to attend weekly.
Those who attend this part will participate in the sacrament portion of the meeting following the talks and closing prayer.
Virtual attendance:
The remainder of the ward is invited to be a part of the meeting virtually which will begin at 8:30 and include an opening hymn and prayer, announcements, talks and closing hymn and prayer. After the closing prayer is done, the virtual part of the meeting will stop broadcasting. Those individuals not present at the meeting physically will be able to partake of the sacrament at home.
Please mute your microphones and turn off your cameras.
We also encourage those at home to come to the meeting in their Sunday best to help maintain the important nature of this special meeting.
Topic: Elkridge Ward Sacrament Meeting Zoom
Time: Sep 20, 2020 08:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
2nd Hour:
We will also continue to have our Sunday School, Elder’s Quorum and Relief Society as we have always had but now these classes will all be held at 10:00 am. This next Sunday will be Sunday School. We invite you all to attend as this Sunday, we will be hearing from recently returned missionaries David Alder and Matt Backlund.
Topic: Sunday School
Time: Sep 20, 2020 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Youth classes will begin according to the regular schedule with weeks 1 and 3 being Sunday School and weeks 2 and 4 being Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood starting after General Conference in October.
Electronic Assistance:
If you feel like you need assistance with electronic devices, or have been unable to connect virtually in the past, please reach out to President Hanks of the Elders Quorum or reply to this email. We ask each of you to check with those you minister to assure that they are set up electronically for virtual Sunday worship.
Mission Calls:
Tanner Jenkins has been called to serve in the Minneapolis, Minnesota Mission. He will start his MTC training on November 4th and head to Minneapolis on November 25th.