Sisters and Brothers –
I hope each of you had a wonderful Easter last week and celebrated by hearing the words of living prophets proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ’s mission and what it means for us in this life and the next.
As each of us drink from the living water (John 14:4), seeking the Lord’s will in our lives and living worthy of His Spirit, we will find healing from the past, grace in the present and hope in the future. There will still be unknowns, but we will be blessed as our faith increases.
Sometimes as we seek the Lord’s will in our lives, we are only directed a step at a time. Other times, we feel confident about what we want, but are gracefully guided into a situation better than we could have dreamed.
This week’s reading for “Come, Follow Me” gives such an example. Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson were called to preach to the Native Americans living near Missouri. The recently translated Book of Mormon speaks of such missions (1 Nephi 13:34-41, Enos 1:11-18).
Despite their efforts, though, the mission companions baptized zero Native Americans. However, they did stop by to visit Parley P. Pratt’s old friend, Sidney Rigdon, near Kirtland, Ohio. While visiting Sidney and his fellow seekers, the group baptized more than one hundred people — essentially doubling the size of the young church.
So, was the mission a failure? Were church leaders misguided in their assignment and call?
I would argue that the humility of the servants — and their desire to build the kingdom in whatever way the Lord led them — brought fruits that greatly strengthened the early church and prepared the way for a temple to be built in Kirtland, Ohio, and for increased knowledge, leadership and capability for the prophet and the small band of saints.
But, what would have happened if the mission companions wouldn’t have been prepared and humble enough to notice when the Lord presented another option? How would the Restoration played out differently?
In our lives, too, plans change. This doesn’t mean that the Lord didn’t value the dedicated goal setting or direction from church leaders. It means that sometimes we take a few steps down the road only to find new opportunities presenting themselves.
I pray that each of us can develop confidence in our ability to seek and feel the Spirit in our lives. I pray that we will have the humility to accept the Lord’s will and the Lord’s timing for what we righteously desire. And I pray that we will have the courage and faith to adjust as opportunities for growth arise.
I look forward to seeing many of you at sacrament meeting today. For those who can’t join us in person, please watch the broadcast here. Also, those unable to join us in person are authorized to administer the sacrament in their homes. As always, the sacrament should be administered by worthy priesthood holders of the appropriate office. Please reach out to a member of the bishopric, elders quorum presidency or Relief Society presidency with questions or clarifications.
I love you all and hope you have a wonderful Sabbath day.
Bishop Bennett