Dear brothers and sisters, Bless you all in all that you do and are doing. We see and hear of wonderful things happening, service being rendered, love being shown. We love and appreciate you all. We thank you for your love and support. You are in our prayers. COVID19 has brought disruption and interesting change to our lives; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Many have lost family and friends. Many have become discouraged. We recognize the challenges many have and continue to face during this troubled time. We are encouraged, though, by the opportunity to return to our regular two hour meeting times in person. We recognize these are blessings from the Lord. We hope everyone rejoices, as we have, in this return. We know the Lord is watching over His flock. We love Him and are so grateful for His care and love. Over the past number of years, the month of May has been designated as our Stake's Family Month. We continue this important focus. We encourage everyone to set a goal of 100% participation in daily family prayer, family scripture study and weekly family home evening as well as regular participation in family history work and temple attendance as we are given the opportunity to do so. We encourage you to set goals for the month of May in participating in these life enriching and family blessing activities. We testify that blessings will be poured upon each of us, our families and our wards and stake as we participate in this marvelous opportunity to serve and strengthen our families in whatever form they may be. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, loves us and directs this work of bringing families together through saving principles and ordinances. He leads us to our Father who is in Heaven in their united work and glory to bring us eternal life with them. This week in our Come, Follow Me studies, we've had the opportunity to study in Doctrine and Covenants section 45. There is a lot there and I really encourage prayerful study of it. There is a verse that I would like to share though. It's verse 6. 6 Hearken, O ye people of my church, and ye elders listen together, and hear my voice while it is called today, and harden not your hearts. The first part that leads me to ponder is "hear my voice". In the April 2020 General Conference, President Nelson spoke about hearing Him, our Savior Jesus Christ. "Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance." He continues: "I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. Doing so will help you know how to move ahead with your life, what to do during times of crisis, and how to discern and avoid the temptations and the deceptions of the adversary." Continuing in verse 6, including "hear my voice"; "hear my voice while it is called today". While it is called today. To me this is a direction to do so now, without delay, do not procrastinate. I know Jesus Christ loves us and that it is imperative that we learn how to "hear Him". I know that as we learn to hear His voice we will receive revelation that will "guide [us] to know what to do in any circumstance". The Washington Utah Stake Presidency
Noel Jackson
Stake Presidency First Counselor
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