Dear Ward Members:

The story of the Jaredite’s travel to the promised land has parallel teachings for our day. 

The Lord caused a “furious wind to blow…. towards the promise land”, Ether 6:5.  In fact in verse 8, we are told that the wind never ceased to blow TOWARDS the promised land. 

If we look at our own individual lives, we can see that Heavenly Father has never ceased to move us towards Him, always towards and never away.  If we move away from our Father in Heaven, it is of our own doing. 

Whether the Jaredites were tossed upon the waves or buried in the deep “no water could hurt them” and “no monster of the sea could break them neither whale that could mar them”, verse 7 & 10.  Why was this so?  The Lord had instructed and prepared them for what lay ahead with barges that were tight like a dish, a source of light and air, and the needed supplies for the journey.  The Lord knew what they needed, but the Jaredites did not know.  They acted in faith on the Lord’s counsel and were thus prepared. 

We too have been provided with what we need for these unprecedented times.  For example, in recent years we have been given “Come Follow Me”, also a reminder to increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation, and a reminder to keep the sabbath day holy (a sign of those who are of the House of Israel), and to love and respect all of God’s children. 

When the waves of trials (pandemics, social unrest and civil discord and even restricted church attendance and temple work) abound, we can rely on the Lord to have in place that which will prepare us to meet exactly the challenges we face.  He will always prepare a way to move us towards Him if we listen and obey. 

We are still building temples and learning to do things a little differently and the work goes on.  Missionaries are still being called to preach the gospel to the world. 

Christmas time is a time of rejoicing, a time of peace.  Jesus Christ was born into the world and was of royal lineage, yet there was no place for them in the Inn.  This humble backdrop tells us a lot about the humility Mary and Joseph had as they found a place secluded from the noise of the world to bare a newborn King.  Angels testified of his birth to those that believed.

During this Christmas season, let us all take a moment to ponder and reflect on the beautiful blessings in our lives.  Recognize the Lord is in charge.  Place your faith on him and trust he is there to help you through your trials.  Continually express gratitude to your father in Heaven for sending his son to provide his atonement to us, that we might overcome the world and return to him. 

Remember that the Lord will always work on moving us toward him if we but learn to trust him.  I want to express my gratitude to all of you for your prayers.  I am humbled to be in this calling at this challenging time in the world.  Isn’t is wonderful to listen to the prophet’s voice as he testify of the Love our Savior has for each of us. 

I plead with you to rededicate yourself to the Lord.  I testify that he lives and continues to reach out to us with his arms always open, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

• Bishop Jeff Anderson
• Highland 28th Ward
• 801-372-2072
• [email protected]
• Ward Blog: www.highland28th.org