A Message From the Bishopric

There is no single word that better characterizes the life and mission of the Savior than the word love. The Savior's mission was begun out of love which the Father had for his children. In John we read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The greatest mission in the history of the world was ordained and begun because of the love of our kind and caring Eternal Father. The great mission in our own lives can be summed up in one word, love. We are to love the Lord and love our neighbor.      
     As a church, we are able to show love and render service in an organized way. Our missionary program is an expression of love for our neighbors as we share the message of the gospel. Our tithes and offerings, are an expression of love that we have for the Lord's work and for those in need. The groups of belonging created by priesthood quorums, Relief Society, youth programs, and primary are available to all who will “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.”    
     Focusing on improving a few qualities will help us become kinder, gentler, and more loving people.
  First, be considerate. Be sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others, being careful not to demean or belittle by either word or act. Be encouraging, uplifting, careful not to break down a person's confidence.
     Second, be complimentary. Look for attributes and acts of others that you can be genuinely complimentary of. Everyone is lifted by sincere and deserved commendation.
     Third, be charitable. The prophet Moroni counsels us with respect to the need for charity: “For if he have not charity he is nothing.” Moroni 7:44 What does it mean to be charitable? Charity is the opposite of selfishness. It means being generous and giving of both one's means and one's time in the service of others.
     Fourth, be grateful. If we would show our love to our Heavenly Father, we would be grateful. We would show our gratitude by the way we live, not just by what we say or profess.
     May we all strive more diligently to show our love of the Lord by the way we emulate Christlike love in our relationships with others.

~Bevan Heaton