Salem 9th Ward
Together, even when apart
Bishopric Message
From Brother Baker:
As we celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, the bishopric expresses our gratitude to each mother and woman in the ward. The thoughts of three of the brethren come to mind as we think of the role of mother. First, President David O. McKay described motherhood as the most potent power in the world. Said he:
A mother is the most potent influence in the World!
They say that man is mighty,
He governs land and sea,
He wields a mighty scepter
O’er lesser powers that be;
But a mightier power and stronger,
Man from his throne has hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
I next think of President Ezra Taft Benson who said, “Mothers in Zion, your God-given roles are so vital to your own exaltation and to the salvation and exaltation of your family. A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy.” Lastly, the words of Elder Dallin H. Oaks: “Latter-day Saint women understand that being a mother is their highest priority, their ultimate joy.”
Sisters, you are marvelous as you rear your children; teaching them faith, prayer, and living virtuous lives. Thank you so much for all your efforts.
Recently, most of us were pleased when the meeting block was moved from three hours to two hours. The message delivered with that news was an emphasis on family teaching. We learned a new phrase, that gospel learning is “family centered and church supported.” I thought, at the time, that a sifting would take place. Each of us had a greater responsibility to study the scriptures, increase our faith, and work on our own salvation, together with those of our spouses and children. I could see that we could easily fall away or we could become more valiant. The power was in each of us to step forward and be a stronger tool for the Lord to use in the last days. Little did I see that a family centered gospel would become so important with the worldwide pandemic (can I use the word plague to reference biblical prophecies of the last days?). With our meetings, and even our temple worship temporarily suspended, it is more important than ever that gospel teaching takes place in the home. The tools have been provided; Come Follow Me, Preach My Gospel, various guidelines, the Ensign, and, most importantly, the scriptures. Are we using the tools provided to teach our children in these times?
One of the things we can do, both individually and as a family, is to become involved in family history. Bishop Thompson challenged us last week to become involved with family history during the month of May. He promised us if we follow the counsel of the brethren and get involved with family history, we will more readily be able to hear the voice of the Spirit. We don’t often think of family history as bringing spiritual strength, but see what the brethren have taught:
Then Elder Russell M. Nelson, in April Conference 2010, said, “While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.”
President Benson, talking about family history stated that “Exaltation is a family affair.”
Lastly, Elder Richard G. Scott, in October Conference 2012 stated: “Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple . . .”
That latter statement is not only true for our young people, but for all of us. If we want to be closer to the Spirit and eliminate the influence of Satan in these trying times, we need to accept the Bishop’s counsel to become involved in family history. Go online, read stories about your ancestors, see the challenges they faced and what they did to overcome them. Find an ancestor to link to your family tree. Prepare a name to take to the temple when it re-opens. Do indexing. You don’t need to do everything, just do something. As we follow the counsel of our priesthood leader, blessings will come to us is my testimony.
Brothers and sisters, be patient and teach the gospel during these challenging times. Follow the counsel of the prophet. Follow the counsel of the Bishop. This is the Lord’s work and He will prevail. We need to use our agency to increase our faith and the faith of our families.
Salem 9th Ward Bishopric
Bart Thompson
Junior Baker
Josh Walker
Mother's Day Gift
If we somehow miss you, please except our sincere apologies. Feel free to reach out to Austin Underwood (801)369-5344 and we will get you one.
Family History Month
Elder Spencer Van Ausdal Returning From San Antonio Texas
Spencer Van Ausdal flies home Wednesday, May 13 from his mission in Texas. We would like to invite you to drive by and welcome him home that evening.
99 S 620 E
6:30-7 pm
Line up cars down 80 S facing west around 6:25.
Love, The Van Ausdals
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.
Help to Tabitha's Way
Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry, which serves the 9 cities of South Utah County, has been serving this area for 10 years. They normally serve about 3500 people a month (about half of whom are children) and with the pandemic, the demand has increased recently.
Over the past few years, many of you have donated food and other items to Tabitha’s Way, individually, or as part of the Scouting for Food Drive or the Postal Workers Food Drive. Both of these have been canceled this year, meaning that the pantry will not receive tons of food and supplies.
In the spirit of the health and social distancing directives of the Governor, we are inviting our stake and ward members to consider three ways to serve; Food Donations, Financial Support, or Volunteering. We are NOT recommending that any food drive occur, or that any collections be done by groups or individuals. This is strictly for individuals and households.
For Food Donations:
1. Needed Food Items: Currently Tabitha’s Way needs almost everything that would be donated during the Scout Drive. The Exception: they DO NOT need (Green beans, Tomato Soup, Mac and Cheese, and Ramen). And they currently have a special need for canned fruit. Go to www.tabithaswaysouth.org to check if there are any specific current needs.
2. Deliver your donation to the designated donation site at Tabitha’s Way at 45 East 1000 North in Spanish Fork, Utah. They have created a donation station where the donations can be made via a drive-by and safe placement of foods in a large wire basket that is unattended. Please sort your donation into the wire baskets, separating the hard (cans) and the soft (paper, plastic, etc.) and the glass. These wire baskets will be quarantined for 3 days to ensure no transmissions.
3. Ward Food Donation Schedule: They have created a stake/ward schedule to manage the amount of donations so as to not overwhelm the Tabitha's Way staff. Salem 9th Ward's assigned week is: JUNE 1st-5th from 8:30am-3:00pm (M-F).
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.