Last Sunday was a very special sacrament meeting for me. I had been wondering for some time whether Laurie A were ready to speak in sacrament meeting so soon after her baptism and finally decided to ask her. Not long after that decision I had a wonderful chat with Melinda S and realized her story had much in common with Laurie's, so I decided to have them speak together. I was thrilled when they both agreed!
Laurie told us about her conversion to the church and bore a very sweat and simple testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the impact it has had on her life. Her story began when Jeannette J moved in to her neighborhood and told her that she was Mormon. Jeannette told her about the construction of the Newport Beach temple and invited her to tour it. Since Laurie had been thinking about Jeannette, she agreed to attend, and then to attend church meetings. She felt so welcomed and loved by the members that she continued to come and investigate the church's teachings. Laurie had been having health problems and needed a new kidney. She prayed for one and waited. When word came that one was available, all she could think was, "Thank you, Heavenly Father!" After taking the missionary lessons twice and receiving a new kidney, Laurie felt she was ready to be baptized. She said she has felt overwhelming love ever since her baptism and feels that "This is where I belong."
Melinda first met the missionaries 2 or 3 years ago on a street corner. She said, "I was blessed the day I spoke to the elders on a corner. Their lessons lit up my life." Meeting with members and making new friends left her with a new charge in life and let her say, "I know Jesus loves me." Melinda spoke about her respect for Joseph Smith's dedication despite persecution and said she needs to learn how to choose that which is holy, which is why we are here. (I think we all need to learn that lesson!) Melinda told us a little about her life and how she became the Cinderella to a cruel step-mother. She lost hope but cried to her Heavenly Father in her sorrow. She grew and learned to cope, and especially learned to forgive. Melinda told us that we love one another by forgiving and asking for forgiveness and closed with the testimony that, "You are an answer to my prayers -- a loving family."
Joyce R and her twin sister, Janice W, sang "Love at Home" accompanied by their mother, JoAnn U. It was a beautiful, touching musical number by a special family.
John W was the final speaker. Before beginning his remarks he told about growing up with the U's and learning how to conduct hymns from Sister U! What a fun coincidence. John chose to speak about duty. He quoted frequently from the scriptures and their admonition to learn and perform our duty. These verses are worth looking up and reading -- Ecc. 12:13, Alma 7:32, D&C 20:38+, and D&C 88. John told us that he did not learn about duty in his secular life, but that the church introduced the concept of duty to him. However, duty is not always "happy land" -- you will experience great joy by doing your duty, but it requires work! John noted that he did not learn duty from his parents, but instead learned it from the members of the church. For example, the women of the ward know their duty and set a remarkable example. Glenn F came to life when the mantle of priesthood authority fell upon him and he took up this new duty. For most of us, John pointed out, the greatest duty we have is home teaching and visiting teaching. We are the arms of the bishop and the Lord and must do His work. As the Lord has commanded, we must do good acting as agents unto ourselves and not be commanded in all things. John finished his remarks by noting that we have a duty to determine if the church is true and follow the answer that we receive. (I will note that this applies to both members and non-members of the church.)
That is my report. It was a wonderful sacrament meeting attended by many wonderful ward members and visitors. Each Sunday is just so uplifting and renewing for me. Thank you all for blessing my life.
Bishop Gardner
