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