Brothers and Sisters –
It was six months ago that we last met together as a complete ward, with a complete slate of church meetings and a complete list of activities … that would later be canceled or postponed.
Covid-19 has been hard. It’s been frustrating. It’s been divisive and exhausting. It’s been challenging physically, emotionally and financially.
It has been a life-changing experience that, if we turn toward Jesus Christ, can bring us an added measure of peace.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
“And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Romans 5: 2-5
The Apostle Paul understood that reliance on Christ was the only way to find true peace in this life. He also spoke of a trial cycle that shows how life’s experiences ward off self-doubt and pity. When we start with faith, we are able to feel the grace of God in our lives. It frees us from damaging perfectionism that tries to minimize the eternal and infinite significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
From there, our tribulations, missteps and trials become a classroom — maybe more accurately a laboratory — where we discover patience in the process and hope from the experience.
I remember preparing for the birth of my oldest daughter, Kate, and expressing anxiety to my mom and dad. There were times in the months leading up to her birth where I had doubt in the ability of Adria and I (mainly me) to keep the baby alive. Then, just months before her birth, terrorists attacked our country on Sept. 11, 2001. That reminded me that not only would this daughter need to overcome the failings of two inexperienced, unlearned and naive parents, but would also be doing so in an imperfect, scary world shrouded in a veil of mistrust.
Whenever I would ask mom and dad for reassurance, they would offer it, but then make sure I knew two things: 1) we would make mistakes as parents and 2) making those mistakes would make us better parents every day.
We moved forward with faith and had Kate and three more children. While we still make parenting gaffes daily, I would say that Adria and I (mainly Adria) are better parents than we were 18 years ago when we started.
The process works the same with discipleship. Knowing that we will make mistakes and that as we learn from those mistakes, we can become better disciples of Christ, we are able to appreciate the trials of life as they come.
We are in the middle (end? beginning?) of a generation-defining challenge.
What will we learn and what type of disciples will we be “when this is over?”
I encourage you to reflect this Sabbath day on how your relationship with the Savior frames your approach each day.
I look forward to seeing those members of the ward whose last names end with letters from Q to Z. For others, I am again authorizing the administration of the sacrament at home by worthy priesthood holders of the appropriate office. Please contact a member of the bishopric or elders quorum presidency with any questions.
Have a great week and remember the value of experience.
Bishop Bennett
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Study helps from the Sunday School presidency for this week’s “Come, Follow Me” can be found at http://riverview.valentinejames.net/2019/08/13/come-follow-me-teaching-resources/