Salem 9th Ward
Together, even while apart
Bishopric Message
Lord, I Believe
From Bishop Thompson:
A few days ago, as our family was reading verses from this week's Come Follow Me lesson, I noticed some interesting verses that I believe are quite applicable and important for our time.
In the first few verses of Mosiah 26 we read about the "rising generation" during the reign of King Mosiah. These people were children just a few years before when King Benjamin gave his powerful sermon to his people. They were there, they witnessed their parents make and keep their covenant to take the name of Christ upon them, and "to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments..." (Mosiah 5:5) They were raised with the gospel truths in their homes.
And yet, in Mosiah 26 we learn that many of the rising generation had fallen away. How did this happen? As we read these few verses (Mosiah 26:1-4) we find a formula for how they fell away. First, "they did not believe..." (v.1-2). They didn't believe the traditions of their fathers, or in the resurrection of the dead, or the coming of Christ. Second, "because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God" and Third, "their hearts were hardened" (vs.3). Finally, "they would not be baptized, neither would they join the church...and they were a separate people as to their faith" (v.4).
As I first reflected on this "formula," it frightened me to see how simple it was. It comes down to:
Unbelief-->Not understanding the scriptures-->Hardened hearts-->Separate themselves
Because the formula for falling away is simple, perhaps the reverse formula is just as simple. Perhaps, if we wish to protect ourselves and our children, we simply need to reverse the formula. If we can simply seek to BELIEVE. Belief is the first step in the formula. If we choose to believe, our understanding of the scriptures will be opened. If we choose to believe, our hearts will be softened as we recognize God’s hand in our lives. If we choose to believe, we will have a desire to be united with one another.
Believing is the crucial first step. Elder L.Whitney Clayton spoke about belief this way:
“Every day each of us faces a test. It is the test of our lifetimes: will we choose to believe in Him and allow the light of His gospel to grow within us, or will we refuse to believe and insist on traveling alone in the dark? The Savior provides His gospel as a light to guide those who choose to believe in and follow Him.” ("Choose to Believe" April 2015)
Choosing to believe is not always easy. We all face times of doubt, skepticism and unbelief. Yet, in those moments we can find strength in the truth that belief is a choice! Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said the following,
“Skepticism is easy —anyone can do it. It is the faithful life that requires moral strength, dedication, and courage. Those who hold fast to faith are far more impressive than those who give in to doubt when mysterious questions or concerns arise” (“Be Not Afraid, Only Believe”, October 2015).
We all have times where we feel as though our candle of faith is flickering, dwindling or perhaps gone out. We wonder if we ever truly believed. In those times, I challenge each of us to respond as one father in the New Testament who cried out to the Savior for help to heal his afflicted son. When Jesus said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth,” the father responded, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke of this statement as follows:
“...When facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation: “Lord, I believe.” I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. In the growth we all have to experience in mortality, the spiritual equivalent of this boy’s affliction or this parent’s desperation is going to come to all of us. When those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.” (“Lord, I Believe” April 2013).
Brothers and Sisters, I testify these principles are true. I testify that as we act in faith, our faith becomes stronger. I pray that we all can choose, today, to believe. I testify as we do so, additional light and knowledge will come into our lives. Let us all seek to bless and sustain each other in our personal faith journeys.
Salem 9th Ward Bishopric
Bart Thompson
Junior Baker
Josh Walker
Latest News on Our Return to Meetings
Our Area Presidency is working closely with President Quesenberry (and the many other Stake Presidents in our area) to ensure the process is safe and appropriate. More details will be coming in the forthcoming weeks. However, at this time, we ask for continued patience. It will be several additional weeks or more before we are able to meet in any capacity. When we do gather again, it will most likely not be "business as usual" for some time.
We are so grateful for your patience and faithfulness through this time. We are grateful for a living prophet to guide us and direct us through these difficulties. We look forward to being able to be reunited in the future.
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!
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.