Use The Book of Mormon

Dear Brothers & Sisters -

I don't typically send out the text or notes of talks I've given unless they've been requested. I feel to make an exception in sharing with you the attached notes from my leadership meeting talk from stake conference. I believe there is an urgent and ongoing need to increase our use of and teaching from the Book of Mormon as a way to strengthen faith and deepen conversion. In your review of the attached notes, I would suggest you focus on the scriptures and teachings of the prophets. You are welcome to share with other leaders as you feel to do so. I invite all leaders to ponder ways that we might use The Book of Mormon in all of our teaching, counseling and training activities.

For example:

• Members could be encouraged to use The Book of Mormon in Sacrament meeting talks.
• Home and Visiting teachers could prayerfully consider ways to use the Book of Mormon in teaching each family, especially those struggling with activity or other challenges.
• Leaders could encourage those they are counseling to read specific passages from the book.
• Teachers could be encouraged to use the Book of Mormon in all of their teaching.
• Prospective missionaries could be encouraged to read from it and to practice teaching others using it.
• Families could be invited to memorize passages from the Book of Mormon.

Many many other ideas could be shared. No doubt you have many wonderful ideas for using this remarkable book.

I pray you will be guided in your efforts to use the Book of Mormon as the Savior intends for us to use it.

Gratefully,

President Livingston

Institute Of Religion - Utah Valley

Helping Members Who Have Questions Or With Church Policies or Doctrines

Sheri Dew - Will You Engage in the Wrestle?

It is a privilege to be here-especially with President and Sister Gilbert. They are dear friends and remarkable exemplars.    

Now, we are not here today to listen to me speak. We are here to receive revelation. I invite you to invite the Holy Ghost to speak to you so that you hear what you need to hear.               

A couple of years ago a reporter from an international broadcasting network visited Salt Lake City researching a story on women in the Church. She was intrigued that a female was leading a Church-owned media company and asked me for an interview.            

A Call To Be A Missionary Minded Family

In the last two years, I have come to understand as never before how close the Savior is to His work and to His servants who are called by Him to lead and to preside. I am also learning how much our Father in Heaven loves each of His children. He is our Father. We are His work and His glory. His greatest hope is for each of us to come home and to live forever with Him as families. I know these things to be true.

With this understanding, it’s clear that our Father and Savior are inviting us to assist them in inviting others to receive the blessings of the gospel. The need is more urgent because time is running out. The Lord has spoken through His servants the prophets to tell us that He is hastening His work, and to invite us to participate.

Implementing Teaching in the Savior's Way

Preach My Gospel Continues To Bless Lives Worldwide

Contributed By Jason Swenson, Church News staff writer

In late 2004, President Dean R. Burgess was serving as a counselor in the Young Men general presidency when he attended the formal introduction meeting of the Preach My Gospel missionary guide.

As a former mission president, he immediately recognized the power of the 230-page manual for the Church’s growing missionary force. As a youth leader charged with developing Aaronic Priesthood holders across the globe, he rejoiced at its potential to change lives.

More than a decade has passed—yet his enthusiasm for Preach My Gospel only grows.

A Model For 'Hastening The Work'

President Scott Livingston

As I have pondered preparations for a upcoming meeting with our Bishop's and Ward Mission Leaders, I've been reminded of this article and its impact on my thoughts and feelings about our opportunity to participate in the hastening of the work. I invite all to read or to read again with a focus on how you feel the principles it teaches can be likened to your roles and responsibilities.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865599941/Maryland-ward-becomes-model-for-hastening-the-work.html?pg=all

Deseret News article published by Jason F. Wright, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 12:10 PM MDT

On June 23, 2013, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were treated to a historic Worldwide Leadership Broadcast on "Hastening the Work of Salvation."

Among other things, the meeting unveiled how full-time missionaries would soon be invited to use technology, including social media, to share the gospel and interact with members, less-active members and investigators. Members were also counseled to better understand their roles in this great work, and as the meeting marched on, it was clear this wasn’t some flashy new program or trendy, short-term initiative.

Ward Mission Plan - Handbook 2: 5.1.8

Handbook 2: 5.1.8

Ward Mission Plan

Under the direction of the bishop, the ward council develops a ward mission plan. The plan should be brief and simple. It should include specific goals and activities to help members of ward priesthood and auxiliary organizations participate in member missionary work, retention, and activation. The ward council coordinates the ward mission plan with the plans of the full-time missionaries assigned to the ward. The following steps may be helpful in this planning process:
1. 
   
2. 1. 
   Consider the needs and resources of the ward in member missionary work, retention, and activation, including the availability of full-time missionaries.
3. 2. 
   Set specific goals for member missionary work, retention, and activation to be accomplished within the next year.
4. 3. 
   Determine how to accomplish the goals. Leaders could plan ways to lift the ward’s overall vision and attitude about missionary work. They could develop ideas for activities to help the full-time missionaries find, teach, and baptize more investigators. They could also plan ways to befriend and strengthen new members and improve the activation of less-active members.
   
   Sample Mission Plan 

Book of Mormon Read With A Less-Active

Merlin Fish:

Brethren-Brad Baldwin just texted us saying Steve Olsen has finished The Book of Mormon!! YES!!!!!

Aaron Weaver:

That is great

Brent McAllister:

Wow that is simply wonderful!!  Thank you for sharing!!

Bryan Pratt:

Awesome!

Paul Olpin:

Love that!

Jim Brinton:

😎👍🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉

Weston Lunsford:

It is awesome.  Kirsten and I read the last two chapters with him last night, we focused a lot in the promise.  I invited him to sincerely pray to identify if this is a true book.  We also asked him what he was going to do now.  He said "I want to read it again, I feel that now I can understand more of it". He is doing great!!  We need to keep close and I feel we need to invite him to serve.  I believe he would accept.

Elder and sister fish thank you for scheduling us to read with him.  He actually could had finished a few days ago, but said he wanted to save at least two chapters for last night 😉

+1 (801) 450-6525:

Thank you. I texted him today and told him I'd be setting up a time for us to meet.

2016-5-16 Stake General Priesthood Meeting

On May 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm we will have a Stake General Priesthood Meeting at the Stake Center. We are anxiously looking forward to meeting together on this significant date - it was on May 15, 1829 the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood. Bringing back priesthood power and authority required for the organization of the church on earth.  

Please begin spreading the word and strongly encourage all priesthood holders to make it a priority to come together with us at this time.  

Thank you for your incredible service.

Mark Ward
Stake Executive Secretary