Bishopric message

We begin the month of July in Church singing hymns about freedom and end the month with songs about the pioneers. Elder Charles W. Penrose tied these two themes together beautifully with a third theme – Temple work – when he wrote the words of the majestic hymn, O Ye Mountains High.

Temples have gradually grown on me. As a child, I remember passing the magnificent temple on Santa Monica Blvd. whenever we would go to my Aunt Elaine’s house in West Los Angeles. Later, after joining the Church, the L.A. Temple Visitor’s Center became a regular “hang out” place for Sunday-night movies with my friends. We occasionally performed youth baptisms, and a week or so before my mission I received my endowments there. During my MTC experience, I became a regular Temple patron for the first time in my life. My only Temple experience while in the mission field in Peru was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lima Temple; I will never forget the prophetic promise Elder Boyd K. Packer gave, that Peru would arise and take its place among the leading nations on earth once the Temple was built. After my mission and marriage, Temple attendance became occasional to monthly, and we then moved to the Midwest, where Temple attendance became a few-times-a-year event, mostly whenever we traveled to see family living near a Temple.

Since that time, I have had several poignant revelatory experiences in the Temple. Of equal or greater significance than those, however, has been the spiritual strength gained since I started regularly attending. Regular Temple attendance, to me, means weekly attendance with my wife Trish. That doesn’t necessarily mean we actually make it to the Temple every week, but since establishing a regular “Temple night” we have been getting there 2-3 evenings per month. If we only have an hour or two, we go and do 5-10 initiatories, or maybe sealings. These blessings of regular Temple attendance include better control of my temper and thoughts, increased ability to understand the Lord’s will or Priesthood power, more harmony in my marriage and family, and a desire in my children to participate in Temple baptisms with their friends.

President Howard W. Hunter made the Temple the focus of his short prophetic ministry. In his October, 1994 Ensign First Presidency Message, “The Great Symbol of Our Membership”, he asked us to consider the Lord’s promises for Temple patrons and the qualifications for Temple service in D&C 97:15-21:
“And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God… And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible. And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there; And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower. Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice.”
President Hunter also counseled us to, “be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people”, to “hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow… not only for our kindred dead, but…also…for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety which is provided within those hallowed and consecrated walls”.
Temples are changing the world. Endowed people must have the freedom to abide by their covenants. The full sanctifying power of Christ’s Atonement must be extended to all of God’s children. This is the dispensation of the beginning of Israel’s great gathering, on the earth and through ages of time past. Regular Temple attendance will also change our lives. Section 109, the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, speaks of these things. The very mountains that surround us here in Utah are symbols that remind us of these truths, as Elder Penrose recognized in his lovely lyrics. I solemnly testify and promise that they are true.

Review of June’s Home Teaching Message:

“To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. You ask, ‘How might we achieve these goals?’ I answer, ‘By gaining a true perspective of who we really are!’ We are sons and daughters of a living God, in whose image we have been created. Think of that: created in the image of God. We cannot sincerely hold this conviction without experiencing a profound new sense of strength and power.
In our world, moral character ofttimes seems secondary to beauty or charm. But from long ago the Lord’s counsel to Samuel the prophet echoes: ‘The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7).
The Redeemer chose imperfect people to teach the way to perfection. He did so then. He does so now—even yellow canaries with gray on their wings. He calls you and me to serve Him here below. Our commitment must be total. And in our struggle, should we stumble, let us plead: ‘Lead us, oh lead us, great Molder of men, out of the darkness to strive once again.’
My prayer is that we will follow the example of the Man of Galilee, who could be found mingling with the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed, and the afflicted. May a true song come from our hearts as we do so.”
–President Thomas S. Monson
Review of June’s Relief Society Message:
“When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life. …
“Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.”
-Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
“I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, ‘I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice. …
“… It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them.”
-Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.
Announcements:

Canyon Outing – For all Women and Young Women, aged 12 and up
Saturday, July 10th from 10:30am to 3:30pm at Christensen’s Cabin, near Sundance

• We will meet in the church parking lot at 10:30am to carpool, as parking space at the cabin is limited. It takes about halt an hour to drive to the cabin.
• The area is forested and unfenced, with a swift-running stream crossing the property, so please do not bring small children.
• We will relax, enjoy nature, and eat lunch at the cabin. Please bring whatever you would like to cook on a grill, and sign up for a potluck contribution (1 per family).
• One vehicle will leave right after lunch for those who may need to return early.
• We plan to leave for home about 3:00pm, arriving back at the church at 3:30pm
• Please bring a jacket, walking shoes, and WATER shoes if you wish to wade.
• Please sign up if you plan to come, so we will have an idea of numbers.





The Crawford’s home at 1760 S. Main Street will be available for rent in July. The rent can be either to three singles for $350 per month plus utilities, or to a family for $1100 plus utilities. If interested, please call Bro. Crawford at (801) 368-2262.