The Last One

Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Dear Ward Family,

Please see this short video for some great ward news and the announcement of next week's special sacrament meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dws53qglWdE Then read on to see the meeting schedule for September 27.

Two important announcements for everyone:

1. Ward Youth Fireside tonight at 7 pm at the chapel. All youth invited and there will be refreshments!

2. Next week we will meet again in person. The Stake Presidency will be there to conduct ward business and has extended an invitation to anyone who can attend. We will follow the same safety protocols we have the last two meetings. Please come at your assigned time below:

9:00 am - Last names A-M

10:30 am - Last names N-Z

Some important reminders:

The maximum capacity has been changed to 150.

We will start weekly services after General Conference.

If you can't make it, we will miss you!!! You are still authorized to administer the sacrament at home.

Please arrive on time, but no earlier than 10 minutes before your assigned time.

Masks are strongly encouraged, especially when distancing is difficult to maintain.

NO JUDGING!!!! Everyone in the ward is going through a lot at this time, please be kind and gracious as we worship together.

I look forward to a very special meeting with all of you!

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan

Hear Him

Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Have you noticed how closely our 'Come, Follow Me' reading has aligned with world events? The Book of Helaman seemed to be taken straight from the headlines of today. If we follow that trend then this week would bring us some great news; the visitation of Christ to the Americas!

While I wouldn't be completely surprised by a visit from Jesus Christ in 2020, I think I might need to adjust my expectations. What I do see happening in just a few weeks is General Conference where we have the chance to hear the voice of the Lord through His prophets and apostles on the earth today.

At last week's amazing ward activity (thank you Binghams!) everyone received a handout hearkening back to President Nelson's talk from last conference, "Hear Him."

Along with your 'Come, Follow Me' studies, I invite you to revisit this talk and look for ways that you can hear Him. It is vital that we are prepared to hear the words of the Lord at this time. Now, more than ever, the direction that we get from the prophet and our own personal revelation are needed to lead us to Christ and peace in the world.

I am grateful for inspired leaders like President Nelson. I know he is called at this time to help guide us to Jesus Christ. With you, I look forward to the messages in just a few weeks.

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan

Forgetting

Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Dear Ward Family,

**SEE BELOW FOR THE IMPORTANT SACRAMENT DATE CHANGE INFORMATION**

Last time I wrote, I talked about remembering. I feel like this idea of remembering is important enough to address again. This week, we're reading about the Nephites at the time of Christ's birth. A sign was given them, a truly miraculous sign, where everyone witnessed a full night that appeared to be day.

Even with this incredible display of God's power, we read in 3 Nephi 2, "[T]he people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen."

The miracles did not create believers. They quickly forgot the signs and turned again to wickedness in just a few years.

I greatly worry about this very thing. It has been a few months that we have not been able to meet regularly and gather as saints. During this time, I have witnessed many miracles. But, I also worry that many people are forgetting the great things the Lord has done, even in just the last few months!

If we choose not to remember, if we don't actively worship, if we don't look to the Lord for all our blessings, then we can forget. We can forget the great blessings of Sabbath worship. We can forget the great blessings of the Spirit in our home or life. We can forget the simple things that bring joy and happiness in our life.

Please heed the counsel we have read in the scriptures and remember. Take time this week to remember the Lord in your life. Count your blessings and remember that God is in the details.

I cannot wait until we can meet more regularly and remember the Lord and His goodness together.

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan

**Sacrament Date Change**

The Brookside 1st Ward will hold it's next Sacrament Service on Sunday, September 27, not September 20 as previously announced.

We will then await any further instruction from General Conference the first weekend of October. After that, we will schedule the rest of the year accordingly.