As we endeavor to follow President Nelson’s invitation to hear Him, it is crucial that we strive to implement and establish daily practices or “rites of worship” as individuals, couples, and families. A rite is defined as a practice, ceremony or act.
The Nephites understood the importance of rites of worship so much so that they took up arms in defense thereof. In Alma 43:45 it reads, “They [the Nephites] were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea for their rites of worship and their church.”
I attended a sealing this week in the Bountiful temple (and what a joy it was to be back in the temple). During the sealing, the sealer offered some counsel regarding practices or rites as individuals, couples, and families. Specifically, he identified three (3) important rites which must be implemented with consistency in our lives to enable us to hear Him: (1) daily personal, couple, and family prayer in the morning and evening (and often in-between); (2) daily personal and family scripture and Come, Follow Me study (yes, both); and (3) the daily exercise of faith unto repentance (with the advice for all of us to “repent quickly and forgive easily”).
As we continue to navigate this ever-changing world in which we live and face the very real challenges that seem to be almost constantly thrown at each of us in very uniquely personal ways, the Lord promises that we can find peace (amongst the chaos and commotion) as we “hear Him.” Our ability to hear Him is enhanced and magnified as we sincerely strive to implement rites of worship in our lives, including daily prayer, scripture study and repentance. If we will make it a priority to strive to implement these daily righteous and holy rites of worship, I promise that we will better and more regularly and clearly hear Him.
Alma taught and promised in Alma 32 that as we implement these rites of worship and exercise our faith in Him, the word will swell our souls and sprout up, and that our understanding will begin to be enlightened and our minds expanded—in short, our capacities will increase and we will hear Him in our hearts and minds by the power of Holy Ghost which will continue to guide us to safety and bless us with the precious peace that only the Savior can provide.
Other Items of Note
Releases. Damon Cann has been released as the Sunday School President, Curt Hanks has been released as the Second Counselor in the Ward Sunday School Presidency, and Shawn Thomson has been released as a Deacons Quorum Specialist.
Calling. Damon Cann has been called to serve as a Deacons Quorum Specialist. We will ask for your ratifying vote for this calling when we are able to meet in person.
YW and YM Summer Activities. The young women and young men in our ward have planned several activities for the remainder of the summer where we will be meeting together in-person. Please understand that all of these activities are optional for the youth; so, please do what is best for your family in deciding whether to send your child/ren to any activity. That said, for all in-person youth activities, please note that: groups are limited to under 20; masks are strongly encouraged for all youth and their leaders; and we will follow all recommended physical distancing guidelines. As a ward, we support our leaders’ call to wear masks to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (https://www.ksl.com/article/46769135/28-faith-leaders-call-on-utahns-to-wear-masks-to-slow-spread-of-covid-19).
Temple Recommends. We continue to encourage all youth and adults to have a current temple recommend. Parents, we ask that you encourage your youth to reach out and set up an interview with a member of the Bishopric if your child’s recommend has expired. Temple recommends can be issued or renewed by meeting with a member of the Bishopric and Stake Presidency. Please contact Brother Ryan Jensen to set up an appointment. A member of the Bishopric will provide instruction on the process. Further, when meeting remotely with a member of the Bishopric and Stake Presidency, please make sure to dress as you would if you were meeting in person for the interview(s).
Other Interviews. All other online video meetings with the Bishop should also be arranged through Brother Ryan Jensen.