Brethren
I hope everyone had a good Christmas. We had a great time with family and friends. Now it’s time to plan a raging party for New Years! Lots of cookies and diet beverages… that’s right you need balance in all things 
Focus on the Savior
Last week we had a musical Sacrament Meeting Program that focused on the Savior. The spirit there was wonderful. I especially enjoyed Bro Phelps talk about Christ’s influence in his life. I hope all of us can recognize this in our own lives and especially how we can serve and bless the lives of others.
Combined 3rd Hour Meeting
This Sunday is the last of the three-hour block. Church will be normal except for the 3rd hour we will combine with the Relief Society. In this meeting, we will get instruction on the changes starting in January so please attend if possible.
New Year, New Beginning, Strengthen our Spirit, Mind and Body...
I like to go to the gym and work out. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that I’m trying to keep my body healthy and strong. At the beginning of each year, the gym gets really busy. Those of us who attend regularly joke with each other about all the new year's resolutionists ( not sure if that’s a word ) and how if we just give them a month the gym will clear out and it will be back to normal. I may not do this with exercise but I do it with plenty of other things. The point is the new year becomes a sort of new beginning where we resolve to change things we don’t like or do more of the things we do like. I like this because we feel like even though there are things we’ve done in the past were not happy with we can move forward and not let those things hold us back. Generally, this is something that affects our physical bodies but we can and should have the same desire for our spirits. It’s important, maybe even more so, that we strengthen our spiritual body. I know you can’t tell by looking at me but I spend way more time on my physical body. Actually, that just made me picture in my mind what my spiritual body must look like!! OUCH!!
Point is if we don’t strengthen our spirits we are more susceptible to the enticings of Satan. It becomes harder for us to stand up for what is right and stand as a representative of Jesus Christ. There are many ways to strengthen our spirits. Some are obvious… go to church, pray, scripture study, etc… Others may not be so obvious… think nice things about others, be willing to serve as the holy ghost directs, structure our lives in a way that the lord can use us to spread his gospel. Here is a talk that I enjoyed reading and was really able to relate to that helps with what I’m thinking… https://speeches.byu.edu/
As we look forward to the beginning of each year with renewed vigor for making changes in our lives we should look to the taking of the sacrament each week with the same desire. Each week we have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and start anew. The Savior gave us this gift and paid the price. Please, let's show him how grateful we are by loving him and keeping his commandments.
Sorry, that was kind of long winded but hopefully, you can understand my intention. Thanks for all your support and all you do!
Sam Taylor
EQ President
EQ President
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