In keeping with the month's theme on love and charity, the bishopric's wives spoke today. Sister Eaton spoke, followed by Sister Moon, with Sister Gardner finishing.
Sister Eaton helped us understand how love leads to repentance while anger has the opposite effect. To illustrate the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and showing love, she related the following story. An employee at an automotive shop once encountered a young man stealing parts, so he chased him down and wanted to call the police. The employee's father, who owned the shop, however, took the thief aside and walked him back to the shop, talking all the way about the car problem the young man was facing. When they arrived back at the shop, the problem had been diagnosed and the owner gave the young man the parts necessary to fix it. This young man was so touched that he became friends with the shop owners, repented, repaid for all the items he had stolen, and eventually joined the church. Sister Eaton closed by quoting from Matt. 25:34-40, which says in part, "...I was a stranger, and ye took me in... When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? ...Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Sister Moon told us about her 18-month old Gavin who has learned to shut doors but not to open them. He backs himself out of a room and pulls the door shut, but since he can't open it, he puts a barrier between himself and his parents. Sister Moon pointed out that we often do the same thing ourselves. But this barrier is lowered through forgiveness. Just as the Israelites were asked to simply look upon the upraised staff and be healed, forgiving others is simple. Sister Moon pointed out how there are many touching examples of forgiveness in the scriptures -- Joseph forgave his brothers in Egypt, Nephi forgave his siblings for tying him up and beating him, Joseph Smith forgave while in the Liberty Jail. But the greatest example of forgiveness was when Christ on the cross forgave those who had hung him there. When we are wronged, let the Savior carry the burden and forgive. Sister Moon closed by telling the story of how she had been wronged by a shoe store and she kept ranting and complaining about it, until finally Sister Clayton told her, "Enough with the shoe story!" So let's forgive and let it go. It is simple, especially if we put the burden upon the Savior.
Our final speaker was Sister Gardner. She told how she had moved a lot as a child but had always felt loved and accepted until 8th grade in San Jose. Because her mother insisted that she wear a long skirt, she was ridiculed and shunned. Although the gospel helped her through the year, this experience taught her that we need to be inclusive and accepting with others. We are all different and that is beautiful. Think of an orchestra. If every member of the orchestra played the same instrument and same tune, it would be beautiful but boring. The combination of different instruments, rich and varying sounds, and musical harmony makes the music interesting and joyous. Tolerance leads to compassion which leads to love. Just as the Savior loved the outcast, the sinners, and was inviting to everyone, we need to do the same. Sister Gardner advised us to reach out, include others, and open up our circles. Smile and say Hi to each other!
It was an amazingly uplifting and spiritual sacrament meeting. Of course, the best part of sacrament meeting was having our wives sit on the stand with us so we could hold hands and enjoy each others' company while listening to the talks, something the bishopric doesn't get to do very often!
In other news, our priesthood leadership was reorganized during Priesthood Meeting. Glenn F, Thom Z, and Bob B were released with a vote of thanks for an absolutely astounding job they had done during their year and a half of leadership. Dale P was called as the new Elders Quorum President with Chris H and Scott G serving as counselors. Chris Y was called as our High Priest Group Leader. This is the first time we've had a High Priest Group Leader in the ward and we are looking forward to great things!
Thank you for being such wonderful friends and ward members,
Bishop Gardner
