September News

SEPTEMBER 2010
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Bishopric message
Brothers & Sisters,

Sometimes for reasons unbeknownst to my wife, our mornings in the Hirschi household don’t quite go as planned. The plan calls for 20 minutes of uninterrupted family scripture study at a time if you ask me much too early for any child younger than 10, or adult male older than 36. I’ve been personally lobbying for evening scripture study for years to no avail. When the mornings don’t go exactly as planned, and Rachel is beginning to show signs of anxiety because the kids don’t have teeth brushed, bodies clothed, bellies fed, and the scriptures have yet to be read, I have to roll out of bed and save the day. Instead of the 20 minute scripture time Rachel had planned, I gather the children around and pull out one of the more powerful, yet shorter verses out of my repertoire. This morning, for instance, we read from Jacob 6:12, “o be wise, what more can I say”. One of my all time favorite s, and one my kids are quite familiar with. They are also keenly aware that Jesus wept and that Nephi was a tent dweller. But honestly, what better advice could a parent offer their child than to please, just be wise?
“O be wise” sounds like advice you’d hear from a parent before a sleep over (before they went out of style), something to go along with “don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” So much easier said for a 50 year old father, than done for a 13 year old son. So how best to teach ourselves and our children to be wise?
I thought President Cole gave some great counsel on this subject Sunday evening as he addressed the youth and their parents. He didn’t offer any new revelations or tricks. He talked about the same stuff we’ve heard since we were eating animal crackers in nursery. He talked about how we could each have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and revelation. The (not so secret) formula is as follows:
1. Keep our covenants the best we can. He said that covenant keeping is proving you want the Holy Ghost. Covenant keeping is the price you pay for revelation, or perhaps he said the price you pay for revelation is covenant keeping.
2. Develop a softer heart. He said developing a softer heart is thee requirement for receiving revelation.
3. Study and treasure the word of God. President Cole shared a number of personal stories which illustrated times in his life where he was guided and directed when he needed guidance from the Lord. He spoke of experiences where promises from blessings, counsel from church leaders, and words of scripture he had pondered in his heart were brought back to his remembrance and he knew just what to say and/or do. He challenged the youth to read one principle per night from “For the Strength of Youth” and to keep a journal with any thoughts, observations, and feelings about their experience and growth so they can access that wisdom when it is most needed.
It is my hope and prayer that as I scream to my children to not do anything I wouldn’t do, and plead for them to be wise, that they will understand and come to believe if they keep their covenants, develop a softer heart and treasure the words of the Lord, wisdom will be theirs.

PRIMARY HAPPENINGS:

Primary Matters..
All year we have been learning about the Savior and His love for us as manifest by the many blessings he has given to us. These include his atonement, prophets, the restoration of the gospel, knowledge of the principles and ordinances we need to return to our Heavenly Father, the Holy Ghost, the example of His life and his service to others, and the miracles which bloess the lives of those who have faith. Now over the next three months, we will be discussing ways that we can serve the Lord and the blessings this brings to our lives. Of course, you will have the opportunity to hear what the children have learned in our Sacrament Meeting Program entitled "I Know That My Savior Lives" on October 24th.

"A Scripture a Day"
Each month we have had our "scripture a day" scripture lists that have gone along with the theme of the month. In light of the challenge given the ward by our bishop, our September marker will have a list of the chapters of the four gospels and 3rd Nephi. Depending on the age of your child, you may want to read and discuss the entirety of each chapter with your child or as a family. However, you may want to just read and discuss a few selected verses from a chapter with your child. Either way, you will be able to mark the chapter as you pass through it. This will be a great opportunity to strengthen testimonies as we read of the Savior.

Friends of Scouting

The annual "Friends of Scouting" fundraising drive is upon us. We encourage all to be generous in your support of this important cause. The Leaders of the Church fully endorse the merits of the Scouting program and the need to help fund it's operations.

The Aims of Scouting are: 1. Character Development 2.Citizenship training and 3. Physical & Mental Fitness. It is a vital part in the preparation that our young men receive to become good missionaries, effective priesthood leaders, and capable and caring husbands & fathers. This program benefits all of us, even those of you who have been blessed with more daughters than sons. Someday each of them will be looking for a good husband for themselves and a good father for your grandchildren. We all benefit either directly or indirectly.

Please understand the difference between this fundraiser and the Flag fundraiser. Friends of Scouting money goes to the BSA Council office to support the camps and programs run by BSA. Flag fundraiser money stays here in the ward to assist our youth with summer camp fees and troop equipment needs. The equipment, by the way, is kept in the scout trailer and is used by all organizations in the ward who need it for their activities. Please support both of these efforts. Friends of Scouting checks are made out to: BSA or Boy Scouts of America. Flag fundraiser money is put in a regular donation envelope and the words "flag fundraiser" need to be written in the "Other" section of the donation slip.

We hope this clears up any confusion. Thank you for your support.
LV8 Bishopric