January 6, 2014

Spiritual: This week has been one where I have really seen how a ward is supposed to function. This week we had a discussion with the heads of all the auxiliaries and we were discussing our goals for 2014. There were some very smart, very powerful, very rich men in this discussion. I was blown away. The Spirit can enlighten the mind and bring new ideas into the heart by means of "pure intelligence." I had never understood what that exactly meant until this meeting. They were discussing the goals and how we achieve these goals and grow the ward. Last year the ward goal was 6 baptisms. The actual this year was 14 convert baptisms. The Goal this year for 2014 is 24 convert baptisms. While discussing not only how we find and teach these 24 new people the topic came up of how to retain these 14 people that we have already brought into the church. It is amazing how influential each person can be in the church if he/she does the best they can do in magnifying their calling and using all the talents and gifts that God has given them. Discussion came around to a deacon’s quorum president who saw that we had just baptized two new 13 year old hoodlums. He then planned an activity specifically designed for them to attend and enjoy. A nerf gun war was planned. He did this without any promptings from leaders or anyone else. He prayed, pondered, planned then presented his idea to the quorum. We then found the boys and made sure they came to this activity. The result was incredible. They loved loved loved it. They were so enthused about the whole idea of it and they felt totally fellowshiped and now a part of the ward. It does not matter about what calling you have or what your role is in the church. The Lord will bless us if we come to him in prayer and ask Him how to best perform our calling. He will inspire us and sustain us as we plan for ways to serve others in the church and even people not in the church. It was amazing. The Lord blesses us for our efforts. Every blessing we attain on this earth is due to our obedience, our initiative being within what the Lord requires, and our hard work. The Lord lives and Loves us. He will bless us for our righteous actions. It does not matter what title you hold. Only how much you involve the Lord in your calling. Be wary about seeking after the praises of man when it comes to these matters. We must have a pure heart when we serve. 

Funny: We need to have another lesson with our recent converts about Obeying honoring and sustaining the law. It is not okay to graffiti the church with love notes on the sidewalk. Sigh. They will get there sometime. 

Where I am at: With our ward council on board things are really going to start picking up around here. Things are going really well with the less actives and recent converts. We need more people to teach. The Lord will keep His end of the deal, but we have to keep ours. The ward here is so cool! I think it’s amazing how a body of saints can all be here together on such an individual yet personal journey. 

I love you all!

Elder Black