Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During this “Stay Safe, Stay Home Directive” one of our daughters said during our home schooling, “I can’t wait until I go to heaven where there is no Math!” This has been a wonderful teaching opportunity for our family. In Utah we watch as State officials give guidance for health behaviors to individuals and businesses using various color phases; red, orange and tomorrow we will move to yellow. Each phase brings different guidance. We watched during the red phase, when “Essential Businesses” were operating and other businesses were closed. Staying at home, we have seen the importance of “essential business” within the family is vital to our happiness and unity. Early bed time and early mornings help each of us function better and allow us to accomplish more during the day. Starting the day with Come Follow Me and family prayer, sets a tone for the day as we put our Father in Heaven first. Filling our days with meaningful activities, spending time together, encouraging our children to help each other in their school work – and play together too, working on projects as a family, and recreational activities as a family. It has been some awesome together time. We have focused on God and on our family. This is “essential business.” I pray we may each evaluate our personal and family life and look for things essential to our eternal happiness. Our Father’s “work and…glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Let us listen to his guidance as we seek personal revelation to accomplish His “essential work” for His children.
We congratulate the young women and men of our ward who are the graduating senior class of 2020. We wish them the best as they enter the next chapter of their life.
Danielle Alder
Sammy Boyce
Emily Stevens
Samantha Worthen
Josh Backlund
Connor Casselman
Wyatt Harris
Tanner Jenkins
Isaac Lagerholm
Jaxon Riggs
The Stake Presidency would like the missionaries to feed the members of the stake by providing virtual (15-minute) lessons. The stake has created a calendar that has dates and times that work with the missionary’s schedule. I have attached the link for your convenience. If you would like to sign-up but are unable to use the link, please contact our ward missionaries, Mike and ZoeAnn Weston for assistance.
Please remember I have directed President Boyce in the administration of the sacrament within the walls of your home each week. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Our Sunday and youth Zoom meetings are supplemental to your home centered studies. Please remember these are to help you connect to your neighbors and give you some spiritual nourishment, but should not replace home centered worship/study. We will not be holding a Zoom meeting this Sunday. We will have an Elder’s Quourm meeting next sunday and a special meeting for all on May 31st. Rachel and I enjoy seeing your faces on Zoom! We miss you.
This week I was visiting with Lloyd Berentzen of our ward and Director of the Bear River Health Department. He said he wished the term “physical distancing” instead of “social distancing” was used as we all need to connect socially during these unprecedented times. I have witnessed elevated ministering with members and neighbors in our ward. Ministering is needed more than ever. Please respect the guidelines for physical distancing when ministering while also being respectful of those who are in the high risk and perhaps are uncomfortable in close physical proximity. There are many ways to connect socially. A heartfelt thanks for all you do.
May our Heavenly Father’s choicest blessings rest with the wonderful members of the Elk Ridge Ward.
Warmest Regards,
Bishop Allen