Debbie was visiting grandkids last Sunday so I once again am making the report. I'm late getting it done because I was traveling this week, also! There is a small chance we'll both be home at the same time at least once before the end of the year! :-)
We got a special treat in sacrament meeting this Sunday. Sister M arranged with the Westpark Ward's primary to have 6 or 8 primary children visit the ward and sing a primary song to open our meeting. The kids were delightful and sang well, but acted like, well, kids! That made the treat even more enjoyable. I saw many teary eyes in the congregation during the performance.
In Ward Business, Mark J was released as Ward Mission Leader (a change in his job situation made him no longer available) and Matthew B was called to replace him. Michael D was sustained to be a member of the Activities Committee. Scott G was sustained as the Ward PFR (in charge of building clean-up and maintenance), and LaRee A as Ward Librarian. (With the new church handbook, Ward Activities Committees were eliminated, but we have too many activities to function without one. The Bishopric is deciding how best to proceed, but until we figure it out, we'll continue as currently constituted.)
Our speakers in sacrament meeting were our new Ward Advisory Couple, Bishop and Sister S. The Ss were called by the stake to assist the Lake Ward in its efforts to transition younger singles into the ward, help build up and solidify the younger age group in the ward, and to work generally on the ward's missionary and activation efforts. Bishop S served as bishop of the singles ward for 6 years during the late 1990s so has a great understanding of the singles program. They are a huge asset to the bishopric and are a wonderful couple. I hope you all are able to get to know them.
Sister S told us a little about themselves and then spoke about testimonies. The Ss met at BYU and have been married for 43 years. They currently have 4 children and 17 grandchildren. Sis. S reported that she has been blessed with children who have all been married in the temple, are active in the church, and have testimonies of the gospel. As Sis. S thought about testimony, she realized that her testimony is her life's journey -- not just her life, but the life of her family as well. She has been influenced by ancestors, parents, and children. Sis. S's ancestors are Swedish. Her grandfather was 13 years old when his parents and baby sister all died within two months of each other, of influenza. All the children were separated and her grandfather eventually became a sheep herder in Minnesota. One afternoon he had a vision of a wall that seemed important. Years later he returned to Norway and heard the Mormon missionaries preach. He joined the church and returned to America, to Salt Lake City. There he saw the walls around the temple and knew it was the same place he had seen in his dream. Sis. S told similar stories about her grandmother and grandparents on her father's side, who knew the Prophet Joseph Smith and crossed the plains with the second company of saints to arrive in Salt Lake City. Her ancestor's testimonies have never wavered and have strengthened her own. She pointed out that her testimony has come to her usually when she has been most challenged. During those times she often visits the temple and finds peace and strength. The challenges we face in life can be harsh and difficult, but we are strengthened as we work through them and overcome. Our testimony is a guide through this journey.
Bishop S spoke about the parables of Jesus. He spoke about the three parables Christ told one after the other, in Luke 15: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the prodigal son. At the time of Christ and for centuries before, since few could read, the Hebrews had used parables to help them remember, obtain and share wisdom, and strengthen each other. They had sayings called "mashal," whose root means to rule, to govern, or to have power. The mashal helped them rule their passions and govern their lives. Some of these mashal were recorded and became part of scripture. When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek, "mashal" was translated into the Greek word "parabole," from which we have the Anglicized word "parable." In his talk, Br. S expounded on several parables and helped us better understand their context, meaning, and significance. For example, we learned that the parable of the lost sheep was in reaction to the Pharisees and scribes, whom Jesus likened to sheep who have gone astray, referring back to Isaiah's mashal, "all we like sheep have gone astray." Br. S also helped us realize that in the parable of the lost coin the coin is lost by accident and represents the "choice silver" referenced in Proverbs 10:20, which is likened to "the tongue of the just," and is thus worth searching for and rejoicing over when found. Br. S likewise pointed out how the parable of the prodigal son references Proverbs 23:19-22; 28:7. This parable also contains two smaller parables, the familiar one about the prodigal son, but also one about the elder son. Both were angry, both needed to learn to react to the father's invitation. As Jesus challenged the Pharisees regarding the elder son, we should also consider how we will react to those who have sinned and are wishing to return. And as the prodigal son, we all feel misery and sorrow in our lives but need to have the humility to repent and return. I enjoyed the wisdom and learning in Br. S's talk. He kindly shared it with me so I can revisit it and learn afresh. With his permission, I can share it with you. If you would like a copy, let me know.
Again, I was unable to attend Sunday School or Priesthood/Relief Society, so I have nothing I can report about those. However, it was a wonderful Sunday, refreshing and rejuvenating. Attendance at church has been amazing these past few weeks. I hope you are all enjoying the opportunity to meet new people and rejoice with friends.
Bishop Gardner
