Salem 9th Ward
Together, even while apart
Bishopric Message
From Brother Walker:
Hello 9th Ward Family,
After studying Mosiah Chapter 18 this week, I realized that I need to consciously think about my baptismal covenants daily and express gratitude to God for his unwavering and perfect commitment to fulfill His end of the bargain. God loves us perfectly and unconditionally.
Some might view the making and keeping of covenants as restrictive and limiting to their freedom. I have found the covenants and ordinances of the gospel to be freeing and enhancing. Making and keeping covenants point my mind and heart towards Jesus Christ who is the source of healing, forgiveness and true happiness.
President Benson once said, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life.”
So how do we turn our lives over to God?
During April General Conference Elder Bednar said, “Covenants and priesthood ordinances are central in the ongoing process of spiritual rebirth and transformation; they are the means whereby the Lord works with each of us from the inside out. Covenants that are honored steadfastly, remembered always, and written “with the Spirit of the living God … in fleshy tables of the heart” provide purpose and the assurance of blessings in mortality and for eternity. Ordinances that are received worthily and remembered continually open the heavenly channels through which the power of godliness can flow into our lives.”
To one degree or another, I fall short of fully keeping my covenants on a daily basis. This is why I’m so grateful that I can literally renew my baptismal covenant every time I partake of the sacrament! When we partake of the sacrament, through the grace of Jesus Christ, we are given the chance to begin again.
I am so grateful that through the grace of Jesus Christ we can begin again. His grace is sufficient! His love knows no limits, is unconditional and eternal.
Salem 9th Ward Bishopric
Bart Thompson
Junior Baker
Josh Walker
Family History Month
We testify that the Spirit will come into your life the moment you begin a sincere effort to connect with your ancestors. It will change you and your family. We make that solemn promise to you! Let us help you!
Elder Spencer Van Ausdal to Talk about his Mission Online
Spencer is going to share his testimony and experiences from his mission on Zoom
Sunday, May 17 @ 11 am. He would love to have you join!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89357011269?pwd=VmZ1a2NocUZWUFRZZmhKSEg4dHMydz09
Meeting ID: 893 5701 1269
Password: 291736
Spencer will also be on Facebook live on his account @ 11 am on Sunday.
(Please do not share the Zoom link on Facebook).
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.