Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In October 2015, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared the following tribute to mothers:
To all of our mothers everywhere, past, present, or future, I say, “Thank you. Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.” To Mother Eve, to Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, to Mary of Nazareth, and to a Mother in Heaven, I say, “Thank you for your crucial role in fulfilling the purposes of eternity.” To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion, and like the Master you follow, your love ‘never faileth.’” I can pay no higher tribute to anyone.
General Conference, October 2015, “Behold Thy Mother.”
Sisters, the Lord loves and appreciates each one of you, no matter your circumstances. Sister Sheri Dew taught, “[a]s daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, [you] are all mothers and [you] have always been mothers.” General Relief Society Meeting, November 2001, “Are We Not All Mothers?”
Brethren, President Nelson has encouraged you to honor the sisters in your lives and to “[e]xpress your love to your wife, to your mother, and to the sisters. Praise them for their forbearance with you even when you are not at your best. Thank the Lord for these sisters who—like our Heavenly Father—love us not only for what we are but for what we may become.” General Conference, April 1999, “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women.”
To all, as we celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, please remember the special women in your lives. I echo the words of love and appreciation from both President Nelson and Elder Holland, and I encourage all of us to honor the women in our lives in the manner and way in which we think, speak, and act, and in who we are and may become. We as a Bishopric love each of you and are grateful for you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Items of note:
- This Sunday, the Relief Society will have a lesson at 11:30 a.m. A Zoom meeting invitation will be emailed to all the sisters on Saturday.
- 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.
- The Stake Presidency has invited all families of our Stake to participate in the “Blessings of the Restoration” by receiving virtual lessons from the missionaries. These lessons will be coordinated through the EQ, RS and Ward Mission Leader.
- Our ward has been assigned to clean the church house (May-August). Brother Stocking is working closely with the Bishopric to give younger families opportunities to clean on a revised cleaning assignment. If you are asked to help and are uncomfortable cleaning the church let us know. It will only be your family in the building as we stagger times and assignments
- Online video meetings with the Bishop can be arranged through Brother Ryan Jensen.
We continue to pray for all of you and your families. Please let us know if you need anything.
Brother Nash