Salem 9th Ward
Together, even while apart
Bishopric Message
If We Are Prepared, We Shall Not Fear
From Brother Baker:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We are living in a time of many trials. A worldwide pandemic has affected each of us. Our nation, and many others, are in upheaval over racial tensions. We each have our personal trials, as well as in our immediate and extended families. This is a time to remember that trials are part of the Plan of Salvation to help us grow and become like our Heavenly Father. In order for us to navigate through these troubled waters, we need to remember that our Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cares for us. In order to proceed in a safe manner, we need to listen to and follow the counsel from our prophet. President Harold B. Lee stated:
“The only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized [see D&C 21:4-5]. . . . There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you” [D&C 21:6].”
We are all familiar with the scripture that tells us if we are prepared, we shall not fear. We often think of that in the realm of physical preparedness. However, let’s not overlook our spiritual preparedness. President Nelson, in April Conference, told us not to overlook our spiritual preparedness. He said:
“How can we endure . . . trials? The Lord has told us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Of course, we can store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial is our need to fill our personal spiritual storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony.”
It has been quite a while since we have had the opportunity to “meet together oft” to share our testimonies of Christ and our love for each other. It looks like it will be yet quite a while before we can all meet together at once. The First Presidency announced this week that October General Conference will be a digital conference, the same as the April Conference. This is one of the ways we typically fill our spiritual storehouses. How do we fill them without the opportunity to meet together to spiritually strengthen each other? Isn’t it interesting that the Lord has instructed us recently through our Prophet that the gospel is home centered and Church supported. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught this:
“The home is usually the place where most of our faith is established and increased, for there we witness the examples of righteous parents as we work out our salvation in a setting that requires love, forgiveness, patience, and all the other virtues. . . . homes . . . should be a prep school for the celestial kingdom.”
We need to take the time in our personal lives and with our families to study, learn, and live the gospel in our homes. It can be challenging, but it can be done. President Nelson understands. In his first General Conference as President of the Church he said:
“To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you - even miracles - will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.”
I have always liked the picture of Christ with the caption that reads: “I didn’t say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.”
These are challenging times, but we can make it through them. We need to have faith, hope, and patience. We need to gather our families and teach them the gospel. We need to be in tune with the Spirit to receive inspiration for our families. We need to follow the Prophet in our deeds, not just our words. It is my testimony that trials aren’t easy, but we can succeed and the end result is worth it, as we are promised “all that the Father has,” together with our families.
Salem 9th Ward Bishopric
Bart Thompson
Junior Baker
Josh Walker
Latest News on Our Return to Meetings
Brothers and Sisters-
We wanted to re-post the details of our Sacrament Meeting schedule and plans for the time being. NEW INFORMATION IS IN BOLD.
Our ward will be allowed to meet once per month for an abbreviated Sacrament Meeting.
We will meet on the 2nd Sunday of the Month, beginning JULY 12th.
Our ward will be divided into two smaller congregations during this time to minimize the number of people gathered at one time. These smaller congregations will be decided based on your LAST NAME:
Group 1: Last Name beginning with A-J
Group 2: Last Name beginning with K-Z
Each smaller congregation will be invited to attend a 30-40 minute sacrament meeting on our assigned Sunday (2nd Sunday, beginning July 12th).
The smaller congregations will be staggered to allow for the chapel surfaces and sacrament trays to be properly cleaned and sterilized.
Group 1: (A-J) will meet at 10:00am
Group 2: (K-Z) will meet at 11:30am
Seating:
We will have ushers assigned to assist in seating. Families will sit together, and will social distance from other individuals/families. Ushers will assign seating to help facilitate proper distancing.
Music:
During this time, we have been asked not to sing hymns together as a congregation. This will be especially difficult for me, but I understand the reasoning. We will still ask our organists/pianists to play the hymns as a prelude/postlude as well as during the preparation of the sacrament, and we invite you to read and ponder the words of these hymns as our organist plays them.
At-Risk Members
From President Quesenberry’s letter to the stake: “Our leaders and the Utah state guidelines encourage particular care with respect to high-risk individuals (defined as those 65 years and older, and those with underlying medical conditions). We are particularly mindful of you who are in this category, and think it wisest for you not to incur the risks of attending these shortened sacrament meetings, and instead to continue to receive the sacrament in your homes. Ministering brothers and sisters, and ward leaders, will make sure that the sacrament is available to all ward members no less than once per month. If you choose to attend, however, know that we are doing our best to keep you safe in a difficult circumstance.”
Administration of the Sacrament
We have been encouraged to only use adult priesthood holders to administer the sacrament during this time, so please help out if you are able.
Members will each be passed the sacrament individually by a priesthood office holder (no passing of trays down the rows).
Water cups and pieces of bread will be spaced so as to avoid contact with other cups/pieces.
Additional information will be coming as we get closer to Sunday, July 12th regarding entering/exiting, seating, sacrament distribution, music, speakers, etc.
Macie Munns Baptized
We are so happy for her decision to follow her Savior.
ONGOING Weekly Ward Walkabout
We just ask that you PLEASE maintain social distance (a MINIMUM of 6 feet) and respect others who wish to maintain larger space.
Ministering
As our current situation continues into the future, the importance and need for Christ-like ministering will only continue to grow. Please continue to love one another through this inspired calling.