Dear
Sisters and Brothers – over the past several days over and over the prompting
has been to write the following; Inviting each to come for their meetings – to
fellowship others – lifting up especially the newer members. This applies to
any Church you choose to belong to but since this is from me – it would be my
Ward and Stake more especially. As our world is going Heavenly Father needs all
those who are enlisted – and His Son and our Savior has said, “if you
love me Keep My Commandments.”
(Note
– remember you can each choose to delete this at any time!)
There
is a Commandment given – 3 Nephi 26: 32 And again,
the Lord God hath commanded men … that they should not contend one
with another; … and that they should do none of these things; for whoso
doeth them shall perish; and also
another far more in importance, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength.” This we are told is the first commandment. And the second is like
unto it, namely, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” [Mark 12:30–31.]
Therefore
my goal is to implore with love – that we each need each other!
We’ve
some wonderful members of our Ward – who never attend – each with their
personal reasons and each with their own choices. One of the three fold
purposes of the Church is the ‘perfecting of the Saints’ which means you and I.
Yet with so many non-attending for whatever reasons – this is most difficult to
do. Yet, we’re to keep all of the Commandments. Thus neither you nor I can
accomplish this Commandment by our self!
Yes
we’ve many who attend regularly – and some once in a while. As many know I can
only attend for the Sacrament due to my immune system – but it doesn’t mean I
do not study – try to assist others – or in other ways participate in building
up the Kingdom. Our roles change over the years – and we each are to do what we
can.
Let
me tell you a true story – it happened to my family and myself. When we first
joined the Church over 42 years ago – in a very active Ward – it was filled to
overflowing each Sabbath Day – and within every two or three months splits
would occur. And with reason each Sabbath Day we would attend with high hopes –
and invariably each Sabbath I’d find my bride in the Bishop’s office crying
because of the mean things others would say about our oldest son. He was only 1
year old but had multiple birth defects – and people had some mean things to
say about our exposing him to their children and scaring them. (Understand this
was only a very small but vocal few – but even one is enough that it upset our
feeling the spirit. We had serious choices to make – and the number one
consideration was that we were going to attend Church every Sunday. The reason
was the Church was true in spite of the meanness of some. It was difficult at
times – but because we went for the right reason – to the right place and at
the right time – we indeed could feel the Spirit that others apparently could
not.
(Understand
this is what happened to us – and most likely we’re in a very small minority.)
This
is the same as today – we go not because of the members (which going for the
other members is an excellent reason) – but because the Church is true and
every Sunday it is the right place to be – at the right time and for the right
reason. Yes we try to greet all - and make them feel welcome – we do all we can
to try to lift the Spirit of others – and like some flourish others choose not
to do so.
We
will never let another interfere with our Testimony (which each must have) for
it is our responsibility – and this means to have an active Temple Recommend –
to be found fully in the service of our Heavenly Father – and to strive to
learn and comprehend more and more of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As
I’ve indicated above – each is responsible for their testimony – yet for those
new in the Church it is difficult without the strength of other’s testimonies
and lifting up – to grasp this mighty change in their life.
Now
each of those reading and receiving this must understand that they are fully
responsible for their actions or in-actions. Heavenly Father uses all of
us as an example – a good example of a good example or a good example of a bad example
– but all of us will be used – and sometimes the adversary steps in and uses us
also.
Please
understand this is written in love – we’re in the last days and our
tribulations will continue to get more difficult the closer we live to the
Commandments of God the Father and His Son. We’ll all experience the trials of
Abraham – with no exceptions at some point in our lives.
None
of us are perfect – we’ve been commanded to become as The Father and the Son
are perfect (which in the Greek means – complete/whole) – and thus like them.
Most of us feel this is one of the impossible commandments but none are
impossible to attain. However, we need each other – to lift up – to cheer up
and to set a good example of a good example.
This
is the beginning of a new year – many are making resolutions – maybe one of
them for each of us could be to reflect on our membership in The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – and where we are in relationship to where
we should or could be or would like to be. Nothing is easy which has eternal
worth – nothing! However, long ago I learned it is easier to stand up rather
than to just lie on the ground and get stomped.
Again
nothing will be easy – some will be the same as the last time you encountered
them – tuning into the Spirit requires fine tuning – but it is worth it – for
each of you and for me and my family. We need to love one another – thus
keeping the 1st Great Commandment to Love the Father and the Son.
Remember
we’re the membership of those Churches we’ve chosen to associate with and the
attendance of most is barely making us stand up and be counted – each of us
must be counted – we’ve to sustain our leaders – and the way we do this is to
respect them – as being called by the Son – most are only human – but in order
for us to sustain we’ve to live to the covenants we made at Baptism – renewing
these covenants each Sabbath Day with the Sacrament – honor is what sustains
Heavenly Father and the Son – as it also does our brothers and sisters. May God
bless each of you this year – if you need help call (912-464-7922) if you’ve
questions ask – I need each of you – as you need each of us – your brother in
the Gospel of Jesus Christ amen – chuck ingerson
“Needing Each Other”
cji
12/31/15
Shaking hands of
hello
extending smiles of
hope
concerned questions
of family members
Visiting Teaching
Home Teaching
needing each other
learning names each
discerning new
members
inviting the Spirit
within
understanding
tribulations
jumping into the
refiners fire
accepting Abrahams
trial
we need each other
for none can do it
alone!
Copyright © 2015 –
cji
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