9th Ward Elders

Elders,

Happy New Year! January is always an interesting month. It is the start of a new year and this year it is even a new decade. What were you like 10 years ago? How has your family / life changed over the past 10 years? Are you in a better position physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or financially? We talked last Sunday about perfectionism and not being too critical of ourselves. I do think it is important to check in from time to time to see how we are doing. The start of the new year is a great time for that little bit of introspection.

It has been a wonderful year for me and my family. There certainly have been ups and downs with challenges and successes along the way. I have enjoyed serving with each of you and seeing our quorum grow together. I don’t know what the new decade has in store, but I am optimistic about the future and what it can be.

One thing I know for sure is that our church block time has changed. We now meet from 9:00-11:00 each week. That makes it a little more difficult with the kids and teens, but it does give you more time after church to spend with your family and focus on improving your relationship with our Heavenly Father. The new curriculum for 2020 is the Book of Mormon. I really loved going through the New Testament this previous year. I learned more about him and his character. I learned about the early disciples and their struggle to implement Christianity. I learned about the great love that God has for me. My testimony grew and I’m better for the experience. I look forward to studying the Book of Mormon as the primary course of study. It is a powerful book that is another testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the truths of the Gospel and points us to Christ at every turn. I encourage you to join together and re-experience or just experience the Book of Mormon in 2020.

Keep doing the great things that you do. God loves you and is watching over you and your families.

The lesson in Sunday school this week is all of the introductory pages of the Book of Mormon – everything up to “I Nephi, having been born…”

Have a wonderful start to the New Year. See you at 9:00 this Sunday. Contact me if I can help in any way.

Thanks,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Wow, December is here. Christmas is upon us and another year is close to wrapping up. Time just keeps on “slipping into the future”. 

This last week Kris and I went to the Messiah Sing-In at Abravanel Hall. Many years ago we had the tradition of going each year and we somehow fell out of the habit. Maybe it was all the kids. I really can’t remember – the last 20 years have been a blur. When Kris announced that we had tickets, I was both excited and a little conflicted. It was the night of the Utah / Colorado football game after all…

I have always enjoyed Handel’s Messiah. Most everyone is familiar at least with the tune of several of the numbers. His oratorio has become a regular fixture of Christmas. It was originally performed at Easter but quickly became a Christmas favorite. It is broken into three parts. Part 1 speaks of the prophesies about his birth and culminates with the message to the shepherds. Part 2 is about his life and death. Part 3 is about his resurrection and Christ’s place in heaven. Virtually all of the lyrics are taken directly from the bible – Isaiah, Malachi, Psalms, Luke, Matthew, Hebrews, Romans, Revelation, etc.) It is amazing to me that Handel was able to compose the entire work in less than a month and that it has survived for over 250 years.

As I sat there with my wife and participated with several hundred others in singing about the Savior, it really moved me. In a world that is so focused on everything but the Savior – here was a gathering of people singing their hearts out to glorify him. I was stirred by many of the numbers but I think that the soprano solo quoting from Job 19:25-26 “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” moved me the most. It strengthened my testimony and belief in the Savior and in the reality of the resurrection.

As we enter into this Christmas season, I hope and pray that the message of the Messiah will ring in our ears and in our hearts. He truly is our pathway back home to our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful opportunity it is to have this holiday season to celebrate this babe of Bethlehem.

This Sunday, we get to meet as a quorum and hear from Farrell Barlow. I am really looking forward to hearing from him and participating in his message to us.

Just a couple of announcements:

• Renee Goodfellow is out of the hospital and is recovering at a rehabilitation center from her hip surgery.
• Brad Woolley is making great progress and may be back home this weekend.

• Tonight is the Relief Society Christmas dinner – please help make it so that your wife can attend.
• December 21 is the Ward Christmas Breakfast – 9:00am at the Stake Center.
• January 5 we switch our Sunday meeting time to 9:00am.

God bless you this Christmas season. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Happy Thanksgiving! It seems like the weather decided to suddenly shift gears and make a statement. We can always use the water, but it does make it challenging to get around this holiday weekend. Please be safe as you travel to visit family and friends.

I just want to say thank you to each of you. I love having this opportunity to serve alongside each of you. I appreciate and love seeing the good things that go on in our ward community. We have had our share of ups and downs and you have all responded so positively and with great love and generosity. We have a wonderful and caring neighborhood and community. 

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It encourages us to turn our focus and give thanks for all the blessings that we have received. It isn’t that we turn a naked eye towards our challenges and difficulties. They are real. They are hard. They are painful. We all have them. We aren’t pretending that they no longer exist or that they will go away in an instant. Rather, it prompts us to lift our heads up, look around and take in a bigger picture and view. Even in our difficult circumstances there is good to be found and things to be thankful for.

You may be facing real giants. They are out there. I am sorry. We have many quorum members that are. Some of these giants are open and obvious, others are every bit as big, but aren’t visible externally. We are all in this together. If you are in need, reach out. If you see others in need, extend a hand, hug, and help where possible. 

I love the story of the Jaredites traveling to the promised land. The story is short and contains many lessons for our lives (See Ether 6:1-13). They built boats and set off. They didn’t know how long the journey was going to take – a few days, a few weeks, years? They faced may troubles and hardships throughout and I am sure that it was more than a little daunting and scary. Once they arrived they gave thanks and praises to God, but I find verse 9 strategically placed between two verses of them being “driven forth”. It is simple and beautiful and shows their attitude as they were going through this challenge:

“And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yeah, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.” – Ether 6:9

I hope and pray that we can do the same.

I am grateful to my God for his plan of happiness and that Jesus Christ marked the path and led the way that we can all succeed in this game of life and return to our Heavenly home. 

Here are the announcements (thanks to Kristine Pitts):

Home Study this week:
Nov 25 – Dec 1:  1 and 2 Peter “Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory”
Next week’s Sunday lesson:
Sunday School: James, 1 and 2 Peter

Announcements:

• Tithing Settlement is in progress.  Schedule is posted on the ward clerk’s door.
• LightTheWorld.org website available, including the downloadable calendar and other inspirational videos.  
• Dec 1 – Bishopric will be teaching the YM/YW during Sunday School. Youth Sunday School teachers will not need to prepare a lesson that day.
• Dec 4 (Wednesday) Young  Women and Young Men combined. Meet at the clubhouse at 6:30 to go to Temple Square to see the lights.
• Dec 5 – Relief Society Christmas Dinner
• Dec 21 – Ward Christmas Breakfast

The Christmas season is officially kicked off with a big dose of Thanksgiving. It is a great way to start.

Love,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

It has been a little while since I last wrote to you. I always have great intentions but then life happens. I hope that I’m not the only one in that boat. I always worry about being caught up in the “thick of thin things”. Am I spending my time and energy in the most effective manner? Some days I’m not quite sure.

I think that we all fall into the trap of perfectionism at one time or another. We try and try to do everything and be everything to everybody. We even accomplish many good things. However it always comes with an asterisk because we didn’t get it all done. Sometimes we are able to look at our situation rationally and realize our accomplishments, other times we listen to the natural man within us and start to punish ourselves for our imperfections – this leads to a spiral of discontentment and discouragement.

What do you do in this kind of situation? How hard is it to pull ourselves out of our self-defeating thoughts and actions? Where do you turn and how do you get out? Are you able to confide in a spouse, friend, co-worker, or ministering brother? Does prayer help? A trip to the temple? A hike in the mountains? 

The adversary tries to get at us in so many ways. As we realize the subtleties of the attacks and see them for what they are, we can get the better of them. God knows that we can’t be perfect here in this lifetime. He wants us to grow and change a little each day, take care of any backsliding, and move forward. President Nelson has encouraged us to repent daily and move forward. We shouldn’t fault ourselves for failing to run faster than we can. 

Elders, we are all in this together. Thank you for all that you do, for lifting other’s burdens, and being great examples of good.

This Sunday Eric Oliver will lead our discussion on Elder Christofferson’s conference talk last April titled “Preparing for the Lord’s Return” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/44christofferson?lang=eng. I’m looking forward to discussing it with all of you.

Our stake presidency reminded us of the Light the World One by One campaign https://youtu.be/WlGiX33ZK84 – The Light the World programs have been an integral part of the Christmas season for me and I encourage you to visit the website https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world and sign up for daily reminders to help you find ways to serve other “ones” during the fast-approaching Christmas season.

Check your email (from Christine Pitts) or Facebook for other general announcements. 

Elders – I love being part of your quorum and I appreciate the support and strength you provide, even if you don’t realize it. 

Thanks again,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Happy Wednesday! I’m winging my way back from another Louisiana trip and figured that I ought to write to all of you before I get back home and am embroiled in all the things that come with being gone for a few days.

If you haven’t heard, Brad Woolley has a new heart. It has taken some time for it to start behaving well, but he is making great progress. They took a fair amount of time to bring him out of sedation, but as of Wednesday night he is awake and talking! He isn’t out of the woods by any means, but he is steadily improving. We are all so excited for him and their family. Your continued thoughts and prayers – cards and emails are loved and appreciated. Soon, he’ll be able to receive visitors. Check in with Marlene about when you can go see him.

We have several things coming up in the next couple of days.
Friday –

• Day at the temple. We are encouraging you to spend as much time at the temple as possible on that day. Hopefully you have already asked for the time off and can come and participate throughout the day. We’ll meet to have lunch at noon and dinner at 6:00 in the cafeteria

Saturday –

• Hispanic festival at the stake center from 6-9pm. The 5th ward is hosting the event and there will be plenty of food, costumes, and cultural experiences from several Latin American countries. 

Sunday – 

• Eric Oliver will be leading our lessons in quorum. He will be using the talk from Elder Christofferson in April 2019’s conference “Preparing for the Lord’s Return”. We encourage you to read it in advance and come with your thoughts and ideas. We love getting to discuss topics together and learn from each of you.
• Teacher Council training in the Relief Society room at 2:30 for all organization leaders and instructors.

Elders, miracles happen. Brad’s heart and everything surrounding it has been nothing short of a miracle. We are so blessed that there are heavenly parents watching out for us and providing miracles – even when the miracle we receive is only seen as a miracle in hindsight. Most miracles go nearly unnoticed by most and I believe that if we really knew the extent of the heavenly help in our lives that we would be amazed. Many of the miracles happen because you feel a prompting to do something for someone else. It doesn’t need to be pronounced, but the subtle thoughts, intuitions, and promptings we receive can make a huge difference in other’s lives. Don’t miss out on a chance to be a miracle in someone else’s life.

Thanks for being the men you are and helping me become better. I appreciate the support that you give to me and to the quorum. You are all exceptional men. Please do let me know how I can help you.

God be with you,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Another week is gone and I’m not quite sure where it went. These things happen. It is a perfect time to be a sports fan. I’m not a die-hard sports junkie by any means but I do enjoy sports and this week is the perfect convergence for me. College football is in full swing and all three of the Utah schools notched good wins last week. The Jazz just started their season with a come-from-behind win over the Thunder last night. The NFL is rolling along. MLS is wrapping up but unfortunately RSL is now out. NHL is just starting as well. For my son Parker, the Overwatch world cup is next week. My co-workers are following the Lease of Legends world championships this month. Baseball is in it’s final throes with the World Series going on. I have a soft spot for the Nets and though I can’t follow baseball over the full season, the playoffs and World Series are special. Whew! With so much going on one could easily get caught up in it all and find yourself in a spots coma on the couch every night. I’m not that bad (note to self – check with Kris)…

One thing about sports is there is a winner and loser and by necessity it is a zero-sum game. Your success is my failure. As Ricky Bobby put it “If you ain’t first you’re last”. The scriptures too, talk at times about winning the race, fighting a good fight, or destroying your opponent on the battle field. Most computer and board games as well are focused on a single victor.

It is a good thing that God’s plan for us isn’t a zero-sum sports game. I’d certainly have no chance of competing on any level. God’s way is different. He wants the best for each of us and strangely our best means helping others be better and accepting help from others that too are trying to be better. That should be the point of families and our congregations. It is the backbone of ministering, and I believe it to be the core of our Savior’s teachings. 

This coming Sunday we get to participate with Matt Newton as he shares more about our hearts. This is the third in his series of talks about our hearts and it will be good to hear from him.

Tonight is the annual Spooktacular over at the church at 7:00pm put on by the YW and YM. Bring your kids (in or out of costume) and enjoy the fun.

After our meeting block on Sunday we are going to do our “Sunday Snacks” again. Bring a snack to share and leave it in the kitchen or in your car during our meetings and then we’ll enjoy a potluck of snacks afterwards. We did this a few months ago and it was a lot of fun getting to talk and laugh with each other and let the kids be kids.

Other upcoming calendar items include:

• Nov 8 – Ward “day at the temple”. The bishop is asking us to do all that we can to spend the whole day in the temple. He’s asking us to take a vacation day from work and spend it in temple service. We know that it isn’t possible for everyone, but he’s encouraging us to make a small sacrifice of time if possible. We’ll try to have lunch as a group at noon, and again dinner at 6pm – both in the cafeteria. I’m looking forward to it. I have gone and done the ordinances, but I have never hit for the cycle and done them all in one day, nor have I tried to do more than one session at a time. It is going to be a good boost and I hope that many of us can serve together throughout the day.
• Nov 9 – The stake is sponsoring a hispanic festival from 6-9 pm. There will be a short program and plenty of food from 13 hispanic countries. Come and learn more about the hispanic culture and enjoy the food and fun.
• Nov 10 – 2:30pm – Teacher Council. We have our quarterly teacher council. We discuss how to be better teachers and how to overcome particular classroom struggles. 

Thanks for all you do. You are great men and I look up to you. Thanks for helping me be a better quorum leader, husband, father, son, and neighbor. Take care of those around you.

God bless you,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Another week has flown by and here we are again. The company I work for had Columbus Day as a holiday this year. I know that we have several people that work for banks in our quorum so it isn’t odd for you, but for me, it was the first time ever not working on Columbus Day. Everyone else was at school and I had grand plans of getting so much done around the house… It of course didn’t work out as well as planned and I ended up spending time solving office problems for some of our clients and hanging out at the tire store for way too long. Oh well – maybe Saturday will be more productive… 

Saturday and Sunday’s stake conference was great. We were asked to think on “What will I learn? And then What will I do?” I tried to determine what I needed to learn and do throughout the conference. We were given several specific invitations, but two hit me personally and I felt the impression to act. I need to forgive and I need to stop being judgemental. These are two areas that I need to work on. There were several other invitations and I wonder what you got out of conference? The messages are great but if we don’t change and improve then it wasn’t as effective as it should be.

This week we are back to our regular schedule. Kris will be leading our Sunday school lesson on Philippians and Colossians. It’s hard to study both conference talks and Paul’s letters, but both are great.

This year we didn’t have a Stake summer party. Instead, they have decided to team up with the 5th ward and have an activity to celebrate the hispanic culture. They will have food, costumes, dancing, and music from 13 different hispanic countries. The celebration will be November 9th from 6pm->9pm at the Stake Center. There are posters up in our building with more information. I’m looking forward to going. The food will be amazing (I do enjoy my food).

Several of our friends and neighbors are suffering. Look out for them, minister to them, and pray for them. There is great power in prayer.

Thank you for being good examples to me. I love and appreciate all that you do. See you on Sunday if not sooner.

Thanks,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Welcome to fall. The temps tonight may feel more like winter, but fall is certainly upon us. It has been a nice week and so far no unexpected business trips. I’m glad to be home and enjoying my time with the family. Conference weekend was wonderful and with the announcement of a Taylorsville Temple it has sent the whole city aflutter with rumors and speculation. That coupled with the changes to the youth organizations could cause us to miss the main message and focus of our conference and church meetings. Elder Holland’s talk was a great lead-off message to keep us grounded. He said “in spite of everything else this conference tradition may offer us, it will mean little or nothing unless we find Jesus at the center of it all. To grasp the vision we are seeking, the healing that He promises, the significance we somehow know is here, we must cut through the commotion and fix our attention on Him.”

I am excited to re-read and study the messages given at conference. they are filled with so many good and wonderful things -connections, teachings, warnings, and promises. There may be messages that stir your soul and maybe some that prick your soul. Some may also be hard for us to understand as well. The conference messages are both timely and timeless and I have much to learn.

Elders – this coming weekend is a great opportunity to come and learn from another general authority as well as from our stake leadership. It is our stake conference. Sometimes we look at stake conference as an opportunity to take a week off, or we don’t go because we have young families and the hard chairs make for a long two hours. I hope that you can step aside from those traditions and come to stake conference. The adult session Saturday night at 7pm is always wonderful and I encourage you to attend.

After the evening session we could use your help to setup chairs at our building for the Sunday session. 

Sunday, the 10:00 session will originate at the stake center and will be broadcast to the other buildings (including ours). If you have young children, you could sit in the primary room or relief society room and let them do their thing. Otherwise, snacks and subtle bribery can be effective to help young ones make it through. Stake conference will be great. I hope that you’ll choose to make it a part of your weekend.

Remember our friends and neighbors. Help them and bring them with you to conference!

Thanks,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Life just flies by. You blink and the moment is gone. I want to apologize for not communicating with you on my usual schedule. Between a cold, traveling for work, and some family intrigue – blink – here we are. 

The Woolley family continue to struggle. Brad’s health is worse. Pain, internal bleeding, and blood clots are major events happening now. Marlene is trying to balance time with Brad and needed things at home. They could use your faith and prayers this weekend.

Speaking of the weekend. It is general conference weekend. I love it for many reasons. I love the messages of hope, inspiration, and prophecy. I love the general spirit that it brings into our home over the two days. I love the traditions we have built around conference. I will miss having a priesthood session tonight, but love to see the traditions spread to the women in my family. It is a wonderful season of restoration and I am excited to hear and learn and grow this weekend. I hope that conference is part of your weekend plans. Continue or start a new tradition. Take the opportunity to gather your loved ones and listen to the voice of prophets and leaders.

Next Sunday (10/13) we have Stake Conference. Plan to attend. It too will be a good experience for you and your family.

Our Come Follow Me study for this week and next week is the book of Ephesians. It is a great course of study along with General Conference.

Thank you for your friendship and brotherhood. I love our little quorum. Keep watching out for and helping one another. Please ask for help if you need it. We can’t solve everything but we can help bear each other’s burdens, mourn, comfort, and strengthen each other.
“Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” Eph 6:13

God bless you men,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

Elders,

Good evening Elders. First off, Brad Woolley was taken to the hospital today with a potential blood clot in his heart. He is resting while they monitor the clot. They have administered heparin and are waiting to see how his body reacts. Hopefully the clot clears out and the kidneys clean it up. Right now, they could use the collective prayers of our quorum. Marlene is updating his status on https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/everyonelovesbradleyp/journal

This week’s Come Follow Me reading is 2 Corinthians 8-13. One of the major themes of the reading is around taking care of the poor and needy and being a cheerful giver. One take on it is that we should contribute fast offerings and give to the poor. Money isn’t always the answer. God asks for a cheerful giver – regardless of how or what we give. Elder Holland says “I don’t know exactly how each of you should fulfill your obligation to those who do not or cannot always help themselves. But I know that God knows, and He will help you and guide you in compassionate acts of discipleship if you are conscientiously wanting and praying and looking…” 

I encourage all of us to make an active effort to ask God to lead us to find ways and people to help. It could be someone that is in an impoverished country or inner city. It could be a close family member or friend. There are those “in need” all around us and I know that God will answer your prayers if you ask sincerely for opportunities to bless his children.

We have a ward adult social next Thursday at the clubhouse. It will be a potluck social starting at 7:00pm. Our neighbor and friend, President Omar Canals will share some of the impactful moments of his life. If you have any questions, please contact Doug Moore at 801-231-2636. 

David Oka will lead our quorum lesson this Sunday. The talk is Elder Holland’s talk “Behold the Lamb of God”. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/28holland?lang=eng

I look forward to see you on Sunday. Please reach out if there is anything I can do to help you.

Thanks,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828