His Spirit To Be With You - Henry B. Eyring
We have the priceless promise of the Holy Ghost as a companion, and we also have true directions on how to claim that gift. These words are said by the Lord’s authorized servant with his hands on our head: “Receive the Holy Ghost.” At that moment you and I have the assurance He will be sent. But our obligation is to choose to open our hearts to receive the ministration of the Spirit over a lifetime.
The experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith offer a guide. He began and continued his ministry with the decision that his own wisdom was not sufficient to know what course he should pursue. He chose to be humble before God.
Next, Joseph chose to ask of God. He prayed in faith that God would answer. The answer came when he was a young boy. Those messages came when he needed to know how God would have His Church established. The Holy Ghost comforted and guided him throughout his life.
He obeyed inspiration when it was difficult. For instance, he received direction to send the Twelve to England when he needed them most. He sent them.
He accepted correction and comfort from the Spirit when he was imprisoned and the Saints were terribly oppressed. And he obeyed when he went down the road to Carthage even as he knew he faced mortal danger.
The Prophet Joseph set an example for us of how to receive continual spiritual direction and comfort through the Holy Ghost.
The first choice he made was to be humble before God.
The second was to pray with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The third was to obey exactly. Obedience may mean to move quickly. It may mean to prepare. Or it may mean to wait in patience for further inspiration.
And the fourth is to pray to know the needs and hearts of others and how to help them for the Lord. Joseph prayed for the Saints in distress when he was in prison. It has been my opportunity to observe the prophets of God as they pray, ask for inspiration, receive direction, and act on it.
I have seen how often their prayers are about the people they love and serve. Their concern for others seems to open their hearts to receive inspiration. That can be true for you.
Inspiration will help us minister to others for the Lord.
Announcements -
Thursday, August 30th - Blood Drive at the North Paradise church from 3-8 p.m. For more information contact Jason Winn.
A member of the Stake Presidency will be here in our building each Sunday except for Fast Sunday, at 4 p.m. to sign temple recommends. Please come to the West foyer to meet them.
Ministering -
Next Sunday, August 19th, we will be conducting Ministering Interviews for those of you who are in District 2. Interviews will take place starting at 2:15 and will continue through 3:45. (Please come to the East hallway in the church for the interviews.) **Please take time to go to the blog for June 26th and look at the Ministering chart to see if you are in District 2 and to check for what time you are to come. (The times are listed directly underneath the District number). We appreciate your efforts to be there and to report on the ladies and families that you minister to.
Released -
Stake Young Men’s Presidency
Rand Curtis - President
Eric Andrus - 1st Counselor
Brent Haslam - 2nd Counselor
Blake Rich - Secretary
Called -
New Stake Young Men’s Presidency
David Thatcher - President
Shaun Peck - 1st Counselor
Mark Stevenson - 2nd Counselor
Congratulations to Ty Russell on becoming a Priest!
Congratulations to David Widmer on his mission call to the Ohio, Cincinnati Mission. He leaves November 28th.
Relief Society Lessons -
August 19 - Council Discussion - Erin Foster
Birthdays -
August 6 - Christina McDowell and Annie Stevenson
August 7 - Paige Taylor
August 8 - Sally Johnson
August 11 - Natali Stevenson and Becky Skaggs
August 12 - Mindi Pulsipher
August 13 - Shanna Fredrickson
August 17 - Crystal Bird and Jill Hansen
