HCS Book of Mormon Blog pgs: 525 – 531

HCS Book of Mormon Blog Post

Week of Dec. 11^th – 17th

Pages: 525 – 531

We are now down to the final 3 Chapters of the Book of Moroni and the end of the Book of Mormon. These are three chapters contain some vital and beautiful scripture. Chapter 8 is essentially a letter from Mormon to his son Moroni. It is probably best known for its doctrine concerning infant baptism. It is a stern rebuke to anyone who believes that God would hold little children accountable for sin. It thus becomes a lesson on the rules of accountability, in addition to the purity and innocence of infants and little children. I know in my personal life and that of our family, this doctrine has “rung true” and provided much comfort during some challenging times.

Mormon also “re-teaches” some common themes found throughout our study of the Book of Mormon…namely the importance of meekness, humility, some functions of the Holy Ghost, and the danger of pride (the opposite of humility).

Spencer W. Kimball once said….”ALL progress in the gospel in IMPOSSIBLE without the prior attainment of humility”. Mormon shared with his son Moroni these words of doctrine and truth…”And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart (humility); and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with GOD”.    Moroni 8:26

The last chapter of Moroni (Ch. 10), which is also the last chapter of the Book of Mormon brings to full circle a statement made by Nephi in the first chapter of the BofM, 1 Nephi 1:20, in which he states that one of his major goals in writing is to show us “the tender mercies of the Lord.”

Now, in this last chapter of this sacred record, verse 3, Moroni also speaks of the mercies of the Lord. He desires us to remember “how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men.”

Thus, the “mercies of the Lord” become “bookends,” if you will, to the entire Book of Mormon. As you think about this concept for a moment, you might recall to mind the almost countless times within the pages of the BofM that all  people, including each of us, have been invited to repent, to come unto Christ, and be saved. Truly, the Lord is merciful!  Moroni 10:33

Our dear brothers and sisters of the Hunter’s Creek Stake, we love you and want you to know of your Stake Presidency’s testimony of the Book of Mormon and the blessings it will bring in your life as you study, ponder and LIVE it’s divine commandments and principles. As we conclude our reading this year of the Book of Mormon, may we each keep its teachings “close to our heart” and use it as our guiding compass throughout our daily lives!

- Richard Garrison - Stake Executive Secretary

Thanksgiving

This week we are blessed to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving.  I am grateful for so many things.  I am grateful for family, for our Savior and for hard blessings (challenges and difficulties that bring me closer to Savior).  As I sit here writing, I am particualry grateful for the Book of Mormon and the opportunity I’ve had to read 3rd Nephi recently.

In chapters 18-20, the Lord institutes the sacrament, ordains the Twleve, ministers to the people, prays for them and performs miracles.  Regarding the sacrament, Christ declared it was a “testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me.  And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you” (3 Nephi 18:7).  As Christ teaches about prayer, He declares that we must “pray always” and “whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Nephi 18:18, 20).  And as we pray in our families, our wives and children will be blessed (verse 21).  

I couldn’t help but reflect on the faith necessary in prayer.  I’m confident others have felt like I have...that “good” intentions in prayer often seemingly go unanswered.  How often has a righteous son or daughter of our Heavenaly Father prayed for the miraculous recovery of a loved-one (sick or otherwise afflicted) only to witness that very same loved-one’s death or continued spiral into afflication?  How often have we personally asked for help without immediate and obvious response?  I know that life’s experiences can often seem overwhelming.  Sometimes, despite our faith, it’s difficult to see the miracle...to understand the process.  There is much I don’t know.  But, I know a few important things, born of personal experience and confirmed by the Spirit:  1) Jesus is the Christ and our Savior; 2) prayers are answered and answers are understood in the Lord’s timing and in His way; He isn’t keeping things from us but rather he is delivering His peace and His direction according His perfect understanding of our needs.  And 3) this is His church on earth, led by His prophets; as we obediently follow, our faith increases, our sensitivity to the Spirit is magnified and our ability to receive and understand answers to all of our prayers is increased.

Please keep the faith, keep being obedient, and keep praying and the Lord will bless you in the most important ways this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

HCS Book of Mormon Blog Post

Week of Nov. 6th-12th Pages: 420-441

This week’s Book of Mormon reading is some of our most cherished scripture. The time of the Savior’s crucifixion in the Holy Land and the associated manifestations of that event and the resurrection of our Savior are predicted and fulfilled in the Americas. As we read of the destruction of the wicked in the Americas as well as the increase in righteousness among the faithful, increased miracles and powerful preaching of the Gospel. In short, about the same thing is happening in our last days before the Savior’s Second Coming.

We also see how the Lord always fulfills the prophetic words of His prophets. “And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land”

That prophecy, along with all the others, were fulfilled. Storms came, darkness descended for 3 days, entire cities were destroyed, all signifying the end of the Savior’s earthly life and the beginning of the hope of the atonement and His resurrection.

Of all scripture, certainly some of the most beautiful and reassuring moments are recorded in 3 Nephi 11 as it record both the voice of Heavenly Father and then the appearance of His divine son, even our Savior Jesus Christ:

“And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard….it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center….and again the third time they did hear the voice, and did OPEN THEIR EARS to hear it….and it said to them…..”Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name-hear ye him.”

Next we witness through the account of Mormon the wondrous event as the Savior himself visits “His sheep” in the Americas…

“…they saw a Man descending out of Heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe, and he came down and stood in the midst of them, and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon Him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared to them. And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people saying….”Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come to the world.”

With that divine declaration, the Savior confirmed his life and Gospel mission to his faithful. He immediately then organizes His church, calling his Apostles and administering to the people as He delivers His words of gospel principles to them (Sermon at the Temple) as He had done in the Holy Land with the Sermon on the Mount.

Many wonderful lessons and gospel truths were given by the Savior in these verses. To us, his Latter Day followers, may we simply heed His admonition to the saints of old….”Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day.” May that hope dwell with all of us!

-Brother Garrison

Still on Track? BOM reading

How is your Book of Mormon Reading going?  Still on track?

Recently, early morning seminary has moved back into our home.  What a sweet and beautiful spirit comes with this opportunity.  Every night there is the need to prepare the house for the early morning, clear off the table, organize and try to provide a nice learning environment. Of course there is also the struggle to get my own kids to the class ON TIME in the home they live in.... good times.  The listening of prayers and song so early by high school kids does warm the heart.

Our family is back around to the end of 2 Nephi in our reading and we are trying to get back to where we were at the beginning of the challenge.  We have some catch up to do, but we can't give up.    When reading the following, I was reminded of how necessary it is not to give up:

2 Nephi 28:8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

When I was young, this verse seemed so strange and far away.  We used to laugh at it a bit. As I grow older, I realize how tempting and real this verse is.  Later in the chapter we read words that describe the devil's actions like "pacify", "flattereth", and"cheateth".    It now reads as such a real warning to me.  Once we allow for sin to be OK in our life.... even just a little... we are headed for disaster.   

The good news is that the Lord is there to help:

2 Nephi 28:30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more;

We can't give up!  May each of us keep the hope that we can learn here a little and there a little.  May we be worthy to recieve "more" from the Lord.  

Please keep reading!  


JR

Hunters Creek Stake Mormon Helping Hands T-Shirt Desk

We have been asked to volunteer at the Orlando Cares: Hope for Puerto Rico event where they will be putting together over 4 million meals to be sent to Puerto Rico.

At the event we will have a desk setup to hand out Mormon Helping Hands T-shirts to members and those volunteering with them who don't already own a shirt.  Our stake is responsible for managing the desk from Monday, October 9 to Thursday, October 12 from 10am - 7:30pm. The time is divided into two hour shifts for those 4 days.  If you already own a shirt please wear yours.

If you wish to volunteer at the desk click the link below and sign up to help.

hcstakeshirts.eventbrite.com

You Can Read Anywhere

Over the past few months, I've found myself all over the place geographically.  It doesn't matter where I go, I've tried to take the scriptures with me.  They have been a source of comfort and strength and I've watched it be the same for my family and others.  When we make the commitment to daily study it doesn't matter where we are....we can bring God into our lives if we choose.

In North Georgia at Scout camp we read under the cover of the stars.

While in NYC, we read in the subway, our studio apartment (so close to the Empire State Building), hotel room, and even the hospital.

Our family finished the Book of Mormon and are starting again.  The promise in Moroni 10:3-5 is real.  When we seek and ask, he will remind us of the truth.

Moroni 10: 3-5

3.  Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it... 
4.  And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true ; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power... 
5.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I testify that this is true.  Daily scripture study makes a difference!  And you can read and study anywhere!

Goals

Brothers and Sisters-

We've attached our Stake/Area Plan (mission statement, vision, etc) and our Stake Steps (goals) for your reference.  Please be a revelatory family and regularly hold family council.  Please have a plan and review your plan regularly.  

We love you and pray for you always!

-The Stake Presidency

Become, and Help Others Become, 

True Followers of Jesus Christ 

and Enjoy the Blessings of the Holy Temple

1. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Strengthen ourselves and our families by receiving the ordinance of salvation and exaltation and keeping the associated covenants 
• Strengthen our faith in Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and His Atonement by regularly studying the Book of Mormon and by honoring the Sabbath Day.

2. To Gather Israel through Missionary Work, we will:

• Teach repentance and baptize converts
• Rescue less-active members

3. To Care for the Poor and the Needy, we will:

• Build spiritual and temporal reliance 
• Live the law of the fast and serve others

4. To Enable the Salvation of the Dead, we will:

• Find family names
• Take family names to the temple for ordinance and teach others to do the same

Stake Steps/Goals

• Personal plan for each family/individual (My Plan)
• Every individual or family will counsel and prepare a specific Individual or Family Plan with specific and personal goals relating to the 4-fold mission of the church.  The plan will be reviewed monthly in family council meeting.

• Live worthily of receiving the blessings of the temple and hold an active recommend
• Every adult member will strive to receive the living ordinances of the temple and hold an active temple recommend (limited-use or full recommend).  Every youth will strive to live worthily of the temple and hold a limited-use recommend.

• Attend the temple regularly 
• In each family council, each individual and family will make a goal regarding regular temple attendance and will bring own names for work in the temple

• Read the Book of Mormon daily
• Participate in the stake's Easter to Christmas reading challenge 

• Be registered on JustServe and participate in at least 1 service activity a quarter

Book of Mormon and Goals

Brothers and Sisters of the Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake:

I am grateful for this opportunity to share some thoughts regarding the Book of Mormon.  It's not too late to join our stake's challenge!  Start reading now until Christmas and see what blessings come!

By Sunday if you are following the bookmark, you should be at page 196, chapters 25 and 26 of Mosiah.

I love the Book of Mosiah.  It contains the account of the faithful prophet Abinadi. 



Can you imagine what he felt when brought before evil king Noah under threat of death?  This picture depicts Abinadi as an older man yet strong and determined in the face of opposition.  We are privy to some insight in his state of mind and spiritual strength despite such circumstances when we read Mosiah 12.  When the priests were ordered to kill Abinadi he said, "Touch me not...for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver...I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God has commanded me."  Essentially, Abinadi still had work to do and he was committed to doing it irrespective of his current state.  I've read the account of Abinadi many times.  This most recent reading really drove home the principle of persevering always and maintaining faith regardless.  He had such great faith; He was so steadfast and true.  As the world unravels around us, as the inequity and ufairness of mortality weighs heavily on us, we can find strength in Abinadi and courage to continue our personal and ongoing journey of conversion...and we can help others likewise become converted to the gospel.  Abinadi declared powerfully that he believed completely in the Savior and trusted in what would come.  He spoke with power and the authority of God in declaring his belief.  And though almost all those that heard his testimony that day rejected him, one man listened and was touched...Alma.  Alma repented and changed his life and brought the redemptive joy of the gospel to many.  

Despite the challenges of life and irrespective of opposition, we can find joy and peace through Jesus Christ.  When we share our experiences and bear testimony regarding gospel truths, we can help others also find that joy.  We have a work to do.  We are commanded to do it regardless of the hurdles that are in our way.  If we doubt or lack the faith, let's not give up...but rather let's dig in, study, ponder and pray and see what transpires.  

I know that God lives and Jesus is the Christ.  I know that we have much to do and we can do it!  Keep trying, keep working, keep believing!

-The Stake Presidency 

HCS Book of Mormon Blog Post Week of June 18-25th Pages: 126 – 140

This week’s readings are taken from the Book of Jacob. Up till now, all that we have read in the Book of Mormon was recorded by Nephi. Now he challenges his younger brother, Jacob, to take over the record-keeping of his people.

Jacob is the older of Lehi’s two sons born during the eight years of journeying in the wilderness. He has personally not “seen” the former lands or life his family led. What he has seen is his brother Nephi’s dedication to and testimony of Jesus Christ. At this point he is about 45-50 years old and he now “takes up the mantle” of recording on the Small Plates of Nephi and continuing to testify of Jesus Christ to all people.

Jacob is probably best-known for his writings in Chapter 5, “The Allegory of the Olive Tree”. An “allegory” is a story or parable which symbolizes things in real life. The allegory Jacob relates comes from the writings of Zenos (see vs. 1 of Ch. 5), a prophet whose writings are not found in the Bible.

The Allegory of the Olive Tree is simple yet very complex. Much can be gained by reading and re-reading Chapters 5 and 6 of Jacob. While many of our Church leaders have expounded on these prophetic words, it is still up to each of us to gain wisdom and knowledge as we “ponder and pray” about the words of the Lord through his Prophets.

David J. Ridges, the famed Church teacher and scholar, gave this guiding background: “The use of the olive tree as a symbol of the house of Israel is an excellent example of how God uses symbolism to teach his children gospel laws and principles. For centuries the olive tree has been associated with peace. When the dove returned to the ark, it carried an olive leaf in its beak, as to symbolize that God was again at peace with the earth. The olive branch was used in ancient Greece and Rome to signify peace, and it is still used in that sense today in the great seal of the United States where the American eagle is shown grasping an olive branch in its talons. The ONLY true source of peace is Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.”

There is also much symbolism as Jacob relates Zenos’ allegory of the “cultivation” that must take place with the olive tree. If the green slip of an olive tree is merely planted and allowed to grow, it develops into the wild olive tree, a bush that grow without control, tangled and producing only small, worthless fruit. To become a productive “tame” olive tree, the main stem must be cut back completely and a branch from a tame olive tree grafted into the stem. With careful pruning and cultivating the tree will grow healthy and over time produce “good” fruit. In other words, the tree cannot become productive just by itself…it requires grafting and care by the “husbandman” to bring it to its full potential.

This story was and is true of Israel…and more importantly, it is true of you and I. We CANNOT do it alone. While we may have the best of intentions, we are mortal and we sin. Only the “husbandman”, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, can prune and cultivate us to be ALL that we can BE! May we each constantly strive to this end!

BOM Reading Mormon 9

When I search and ponder and seek for God in my life, I find miracles happening all around me.  

Our youth conference a few weeks ago brought blessings of faith to many youth and leaders in our stake.  To see lives change and testimonies grow is an example of miracles.  A heart that softens and changes right before my eyes is a miracle to me.

Photo by Eva Snider

For a sinner like me to have away to return to our Father in Heaven is a miracle.  Through Jesus Christ this is possible:

Mormon 9:13 And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection...

I believe that miracles large and small happen to us if we choose to recognize them for what they are... the hand of God in our lives. 

I know we have a Father in Heaven who is aware of us.  I see his hand in my life and for that I am eternally grateful.

Mormon 9:5
And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

Happy Father's Day!

BOM Reading pgs 98-112

Brothers and Sisters,

I know 2 Nephi is sometimes a hard book to get through especially, with families of small children like we currently have! However, I appreciate the writings in these chapters because the study of it helps us gain greater understanding of the basic doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved reading and pondering the prophecies from Nephi, Jacob, and Isaiah as they gave prophecy of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day, the scattering and gathering of God’s covenant people, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the Millennium.

In 2 Nephi 30:9–10, Nephi prophesies of a time when “the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people.” So the question we need to ask ourselves is what must we do in order to be on the Lord’s side of this great division that is occurring?  The answer I believe is simple in thought (remember our thoughts proceed action so this is a good place to start! 😉) but, sometimes more difficult in action. In order to be numbered among the Lord’s people, we simply need to separate ourselves from worldly ways now! 

So, how do we do this? Elder Neil L. Andersen stated: "Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity. "Elder Larry W. Gibbons of the Seventy said: “In this day of moral relativism we must be prepared to take a stand and say, ‘This is right, and this is wrong.’ We cannot follow the crowd! We can be in the world, go to school, go to work, join worthwhile community organizations, and so forth. But we must hold to the Lord’s standards."

Life is a journey with a beginning and an end. We are striving to live celestial lives here in mortality and I have learned that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Brothers and sisters, walk and stay on the straight and narrow path. In fact, stay in the middle of the straight and narrow path! Don’t drift; don’t wander; don’t dabble; be careful! I know that if we keep the commandments and endure to the end we will receive eternal life and I know that is the greatest gift God has to offer us. He loves us and He wants us to return home to Him after we have completed that which is needed for us to become more like Him. If you are attending church regularly to partake of the sacrament and renewing your baptismal covenants each week then, you are becoming more like Christ. Next step is to help others come unto Christ while striving to live life to be able to enjoy the blessings of the temple.

Wherever we are in our journey, we can take inventory, assess, and make necessary corrective actions to ensure we are on the Lord’s side when he surely comes again. What are some thoughts or suggestions you have that can help ensure we are on the Lord’s side of this great division of good and evil that is occurring? 

Sincerely, 

The Mathis Family

 

George A. Mathis, Jr. - Stake Clerk

Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake

Catching up on our blog posts :)

Brother and Sisters, we are super excited that so many of our stake members are engaged in reading the Book of Mormon.  If you are just getting started, keep at it!  If you've fallen behind, don't fret!  The promises are real: "Such simple acts of faith as studying the scriptures daily... shores up our weaknesses, increases our joys..." (Elder L Whitney Clayton, April 2017).

I'd like to share some thoughts and feelings from studying 2 Nephi 2:11, 12 and 25.  In this chapter Lehi is preaching and instructing his children regarding the plan of salvation and the need for opposition and agency.

Sometimes we get frustrated in life when our own unrighteous use of agency and others' unrighteous use of agency causes pain; we might even shortsightedly exclaim, "if only we didn't have to deal with these choices!"  Remember, that there was a plan that included no pain, no misery, no choice and everyone saved regardless...that was the adversary's plan and he asked for all the glory.  Rather, we elected Jehovah's plan, that we might all be able to choose right from wrong, to learn from our experiences and rely on Him (our Savior) to overcome our limitations...and all the glory to our Father in Heaven.  It is only through the Savior's plan/our Heavenly Father's plan that the requisite experiences and training needed for eternal progression and exaltation are given...freely but according to the principles of mercy and justice.

We can often feel frustrated, overwhelmed, under-qualified.  But that's part of the learning curve, the requisite experiences if carefully navigated that will indeed bring eternal joy.  That is our Heavenly Father's goal...and that was/is our goal when we sided with Christ in the pre-mortal existence.  Joy is not possible without opposition and agency.

Members of the Hunters Creek Stake...BE BRAVE!  Have faith and rely on the Lord.  Trust that as you follow gospel principles, that your weaknesses will be shored up and that your joy will be increased.  We love you!

-Stake Presidency      

11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Week 2: BOM Reading Challenge pgs. 15-28

Hello Friends,

For our family reading, we decided to continue our reading from where we were currently… rather than start over at the beginning (as it normally takes us way too long to complete and we were excited about where we were).  If you are reading somewhere in the Book of Mormon and don’t want to start over, just keep reading and try to make it back around to where you are now by Christmas.  

We are currently in the beginning of 3rd Nephi.  I really love this part.  The Laminates and Nephites are actually working together at this time to defeat the Gadianton robbers.  Their wise Governor, Lachoneus, makes a wonderful move and appoints Gidgiddoni as the chief Captain.  The people have a tradition (when they are righteous) of choosing for their “Chiefest” of Chief Captains a man who had “the spirit of revelation and prophecy” (3 Nephi 3:18).   This Gidgiddoni must have been a spiritual man.

Upon Gidgiddoni’s recommendation (3 Nephi 21),  Lachoneus has all the people of the land collect everything they own (family, flocks, provisions) and gather together in one geographic location.  Leaving their homes, fields, work, and normal lives…  In some ways this sounds like an exciting event (like a ward campout with everyone who isn’t a robber).  Logistically it was probably a real nightmare.  I have to remember, they were in fear of their lives and I’m sure it wasn’t anything like what I have in my head.  It says later that they had provisions for up to 7 years!  Imagine that!

Rucker camping - took two trips to get our provisions for 3 days.   More like "glamping" I guess... (sigh...)

My son, the avid RISK gamer, isn’t too sure about the success of this plan. He thinks it will be too easy for the Gadianton robbers to come down and wipe them out.  I won’t spoil the ending for you or my son… keep reading...

What I continue to learn is this… When I really stop and ponder, I’m caught up in the story and the scriptures come alive for me for a while.  My family and I see such parallels to our day and even see strategy we can use to combat our own struggles.  I really love that we are reading the Book of Mormon as a “stake” group.   We usually do better together as a group when we are all focused on something good.  I think that must be why we are continually asked to gather together.  Sunday meeting, weekdays youth nights, home teaching, FHE, youth conference (pic below) the list goes on…  We find strength when we are feeling alone or find ourselves strengthening others in need.  I know many times when I gather with the saints and friends, I leave feeling uplifted, recharged, and blessed.  

Hunter's Creek Stake Youth Conference 2016

Even if we are virtually gathering on this blog, we can feel connected as we all read, ponder, and study together.

Has gathering together ever helped you?
Where are you at in your reading?

May your reading and pondering be consistent and fruitful,

Pres. Rucker

Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake Conference ~ April 29-30

The Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake invites all to participate and attend our upcoming Stake Conference sessions this weekend. We are confident that if you prayerfully participate and attend, you will be blessed with answers to your questions, and you will receive inspired guidance from the Spirit.

Saturday, April 29

Priesthood Leadership Session: 4:00–5:30 p.m.Adult Session: 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 30th
Sunday Morning Session: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 
This session will be broadcast to St. Cloud and Kissimmee buildings; Spanish translation available at the Stake Center.

We also would like to invite and encourage you to participate in our Book of Mormon Reading Challenge. Be sure to check our our weekly blog post and feel free to comment by visiting www.HCStake.com.

Brothers and Sisters of the Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake-

Thank you for joining us in our Easter to Christmas reading of the Book of Mormon.  We are grateful that you have accepted the invitation.  

In the most recent General Conference, President Monson stated, "I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.  As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives."  We need this great help in our lives.  The Book of Mormon is true.  It contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pres. Monson promised that, "if you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you.  If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."

In my studies of 1st Nephi this week, I was again impressed with Nephi's statement in the very first verse, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father."  This scripture motivates me as a father to be the best example possible to my children...to keep trying with a brightness of hope to convey my faith in the Lord to my children (and others)...that we might together be eternally happy.  I recognize that in striving to do my best, I still fall short...and sometimes woefully short.  But I'm so encouraged that regardless of my shortcomings, if I continue to hold firmly to the rod of iron, that indeed I can have that promise...and so can my children.  

As I begin the Book of Mormon again, I'm so thankful that I know how the story ends!  I know that the Lord does not forsake His people.  As I read the Book of Mormon, I hope to enlarge my knowledge of our Savior so that I can be more receptive to His spirit.  I hope that I might convey in some small measure my knowledge, my experiences to others...that they might find the safety of which Pres. Monson spoke in General Conference.  

What do you hope to learn and who do you hope to become by reading the Book of Mormon?  

Thank you for joining this spiritual adventure with us!

-Pres. Munns

Church Expresses Concern for those Fleeing Violence, War and Religious Persecution

NEWS RELEASE

28 JANUARY 2017 - SALT LAKE CITY

In response to recent media inquiries, the following statement has been released:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned about the temporal and spiritual welfare of all of God's children across the earth, with special concern for those who are fleeing physical violence, war and religious persecution. The Church urges all people and governments to cooperate fully in seeking the best solutions to meet human needs and relieve suffering.

 See original article on mormonnewsroom.org