President Noel Jackson
Stake Presidency First Counselor
Washington Stake Presidency
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During this time of isolation, uncertainty and concern a favorite hymn comes to mind:
When life's perils thick confound you, put His arms unfailing round you. God be with you till we meet again. I'm so thankful that we have the opportunity to meet in our Sacrament meetings, even though limited, and look forward with faith to when we can more fully meet again. Until then continue to put His arms unfailing round you.
With the current uncertainty my faith in revelation from our prophet has increased through the Come, Follow Me study this year. It has been so enlightening and faith building studying the Book of Mormon. I'm kind of sad that we are so close to finishing yet its study has increased my testimony of Jesus Christ.
This week in Come, Follow Me we've read about Samuel the Lamanite and his message to the people of Zarahemla. This is just prior to Christ's birth in Bethlehem and part of Samuel's prophecy to the Nephites of the signs of the birth and death of Christ. He also warns of their wickedness. Historically it had been the Nephites who were faithful in following the teaching of the prophets and the commandments of God. Yet we read at this time, in Helaman 13, that the Lamanites "did observe strictly to keep the commandments of God". In Helaman 15:4 Samuel said, speaking of the Lamanites to the Nephites from the wall of Zarahemla, that "salvation hath come unto them through the preaching of the Nephites" and that "the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments".
I love the tie-in of the teachings of Samuel to our need to study the scriptures, especially through the help Come, Follow Me provides. In Helaman 15:7 he tells the people of Zarahemla, and us, that the Lamanites "are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written". What affect did their being "led to believe on the holy scriptures" have on the Lamanites?
He continues, "which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them". Faith and repentance which brings a change of heart.
How wonderful is our God! How caring is our Savior, Jesus Christ! How loving is our Heavenly Father! We are so blessed to have a prophet today, President Nelson, who loves us and knows that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and their plan of happiness are essential to our joy and peace in this life. Through prophetic inspiration we have been given Come, Follow Me to direct our being "led to believe the holy scriptures". It allows us, as we prayerfully and with effort read the designated scriptures and study the references, conference talks and other resources, to be lead to faith and repentance and a change of heart. This change of heart will help us care for our neighbors, be slow to anger, find peace in uncertainty, and show our love for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
We love you! We encourage you to continue to faithfully study from Come, Follow Me. If you have not been or have struggled regularly doing so we encourage you to commit or recommit to regularly investing time into reading and studying. We will be starting 3 Nephi this week. Begin there. In the following weeks we will read and study about the signs and events of Jesus' birth as well as the signs and events of His death and resurrection and His visit to them. Join with us as we continue our learning of the life, love and mission of Jesus Christ, whom we love and trust.
Love,
President Jackson
Washington Utah Stake
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