Dear Friends and Ward Family,

Sacrament Meeting on December 26th was wonderful to hear which hymn is your favorite and why then to sing the song as a congregation.  From the stand, we witnessed many tears as the spirit bore witness of the Love the Savior has for us.  His love is all-encompassing.  Because of his love for us we have the potential to return.

I wanted to share one of my favorite hymns.  There are many fond memories of hearing my father and his six brothers sing this hymn when the family would gather, “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”.

First, he shows his light of mercy:  Brightly beams our Father’s mercy, From his lighthouse evermore, But to us, he gives the keeping Of the lights along the shore.

Second, he tells us that sin is dark.  Sin doesn’t need to keep a grip on us if we but look toward him:  Dark the night of sin has settled; Loud the angry billows roar.  Eager eyes are watching, longing, For the lights along the shore.

The last verse of this song along with the chorus has always had profound meaning to me as the Lord asks us to always be watchful as we shine his light in a troubled world:  Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed, Trying now to make the harbor, In the darkness may be lost.

Let the lower lights be burning;  Send a gleam across the wave.  Some poor fainting, struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save.

2022 is here.  With a new year, we have the opportunity to start a new. 

Last week I thought a lot about how I hear him.  I listened to the messages from our Prophet and the Twelve on how They hear Him.  Each gives a different explanation of how they hear Him.  Might I ask the question; how do you hear him?

I hear him as I look outward toward others.  It is a wonderful blessing to be a Bishop because it provides a means to look outside myself, setting my own needs aside for the moment and extending a hand of friendship and love to others.  This is when I feel of His love.  Impressions come and I do my best to ack on these impressions.  I also hear him when I take a moment, silence the noise around me, and am still.

Might I ask, How do you hear him?  Are you willing to share your impressions?  I would love to have you respond and tell us how you hear him.

I testify that he is there.  He is aware of you and loves you.

Love,

• Bishop Jeff Anderson
• Highland 28th Ward
• 801-372-2072
• [email protected]

Ward Blog: www.highland28th.org

“Stay Humble, Work Hard, Be Kind, and Forgiving”