I want to start this email with something that’s been on my mind for the last couple months. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to approach it so no one will be offended so I hope and pray none of you are. This is not directed at anyone in particular. Just something I feel needs pondering by each of us. I may address this further at a later date but for now I hope this is positive and helpful….
Covenants
The subject is Covenants. We are a covenant making church. For some of us we are born into the Abrahamic Covenant. For others that comes late. We make covenants at baptism. There are Priesthood Covenants and covenants we make in the Temple. These covenants or promises we make with our Heavenly Father are made of our own free will and choice.
Some would say there is coercion or pressure to make these covenants and in some cases that is probably true. The keeping of these covenants however is up to us individually no matter what circumstances they were made under and if necessary they can be annulled. This is not something I recommend but rather than make a mockery of them it is probably the better option. It is also true that the way we keep and honor these covenants is personal and something that is between us and God. For this reason there is no calling to the carpet or guilt factor unless it is done by our Heavenly Father.
I sincerely ask each one of you to take some time to review the covenants you have made and then honestly examine yourself and your life and see if you are fulfilling your part. Here is an old talk but one I found really laid out nicely the covenants we make. https://www.lds.org/general-
My concern is there are too many of us ( myself included ) who fall into the category of I know what I’m doing is wrong or I could do more but it’s not that big of a deal. I’ll just cross my fingers and hope things will work out. God knows me and knows I had good intentions. I believe that is wrong and will not work. It is after all we can do that we are saved. We need to take advantage of the time we have right now. No one knows the day or time we will leave this Earth and how bad would it be to get to the other side and feel like we wasted our opportunity. If you have some time please read Alma chapter 5 and see if your mind and heart are changed. Here are a few verses from that chapter…
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?
17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?
18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?
19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?
20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?
21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.
I realize life is busy and overwhelming. All I ask is that we who have made sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven do all we can to put those things first and let the other stuff go. It’s not easy because the appetites of the flesh are strong and the world is enticing but if we can get our hearts in the right place the Lord will strengthen us and help us find joy and happiness in keeping his commandments.
All right. Moving on…
Adjusting to the New Elders Quorum
I have heard there are some of you who are having a hard time with the new Elders Quorum. I can absolutely understand. Change is difficult no matter what it is. I’m not great at leading or making sure everyone is involved. I want you to know the Presidency loves you and we want you to feel welcome and comfortable in the Quorum. Please come talk to me and lets see what we can do to make that happen. I promise I will do my best to make it a positive experience for everyone.
Thanks to Bro McCoy we had a wonderful lesson on Sunday talking about meekness. This is something I would say the majority of us struggle with. Who likes to admit they are wrong or worse keep quiet when you know you are right!! Not me usually… Or how about taking time to do something for someone else you really don’t want to do. Isn’t it amazing though how every time you do you feel good and happy! Hmmm
Cross Orchards Service
Tomorrow Saturday the 15th we are doing a community service project with Cross Orchards. We will meet there at 8am and be done around 11 or 12. We’ll take anyone who wants to come.
Quorum Lesson
Sunday Sept 16th Bro Larsen will use the talk given by Elder Cook “ Prepare to Meet God”
Please take a few minutes and read through it before class.
Temple Trip
Saturday Sept 22nd – Temple Trip – 10:15am or 1pm Endowment Session. Please let Bro Hawks know if you can attend.
General Conference
Just a heads up General Conference is approaching. It will be Saturday Oct 6th and Sunday Oct 7th. Take some time to ponder questions you would like to have answered during the conference.
As always THANK YOU to all of you for you support and sustaining. You are all the best!
Sam Taylor
EQ President
EQ President
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