March 20, 2020

Elders,

What a week! It is amazing how quickly things can change. At times like these it is easy to feel like we have lost control. We are such creatures of habit. We have a routine for this and a routine for that. Now, so many of those routines have been disturbed. It would be weird if we didn’t feel a bit out of sorts after all of this. That feeling of being out of control can be assuaged by our faith and belief in our Heavenly Father’s plan and in his Son Jesus Christ.

Many things have changed in the past two weeks, but one thing we can control is our relationship with the Savior. Don’t let the changes and pressures upset your relationship with Him. He said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Making time for studying his words and for quiet contemplation and prayer will help make everything else a little easier. He is a sure foundation that we can build upon and hold onto as things around us are in commotion.

April Conference is coming in two weeks. It will be a memorable and historic conference in many ways. We have been encouraged to prepare to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s first vision. I have been doing some study and preparation (not as much as I probably should) but I came across a talk from Elder Uchdorf shortly after he was made an Apostle. In his talk from April 2005 titled “The Fruits of the First Vision” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/the-fruits-of-the-first-vision?lang=eng he talks about how the purpose of prophets is to bring us closer to our Savior – to have more faith in Him. He said “we come to believe in Jesus Christ through the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith”. The reality of the Joseph Smith’s vision increases our faith in Jesus Christ – and this is something we could all use a little more of today.

This Sunday our bishop has authorized us to have the sacrament in our home with our immediate family. The prayers can be found in D&C 20:77,79. It can all be done by one priesthood holder that is a priest in the Aaronic priesthood. Guidelines for the sacrament are available in the general handbook of instruction in section 18.9 – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number27. I encourage you to read through it in your preparation for sacrament this Sunday. This will be a unique and significant experience for you and your family. I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity.

Elders, continue to reach out in ministering and love to those around us – even through our new favorite term of “social distancing”. Reach out to our loved ones and reach inward to our Savior. He loves you and will help calm you through the changes taking place around us.

Let me know if there are things I can do to help – from TP to Priesthood Blessings.

God Loves you. I know it to be true,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828