Spiritual Preparation

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

I cannot wait until we can return to gathering at our chapels. As that day approaches, there are two areas of preparation to consider: logistics of returning and spiritual preparation.

Logistics

As I mentioned in my message two weeks ago, we do not have a date scheduled for return. We are following the guidelines from the First Presidency that advised, “Wards with large attendance at meetings may need to wait to begin holding meetings at the phase-2 level.” There are simply parts of phase-1 that would make it difficult to have a reverent, spiritual meeting at this time. We will be looking for the state of Utah to ease their guidelines and for the Church to allow for phase-2. This will allow for our ward to meet together appropriately and for more members to enjoy the Sabbath together.

I anticipate having an update on our return within the next two weeks.

Spiritual Preparation

In the meantime, I want to point out the very important spiritual preparation that should be taking place before we return. It has to do with what we have learned during our home-centered worship. Ask yourself some or all of these questions:

What have I learned about worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ at home?

What is the importance of gathering in the gospel?

What insights have I gained about the importance of the Sacrament?

Have I been a better minister?

How will my home worship continue when we return to Sunday worship at church?

How can I apply the insights I’ve gained at home to worshiping together at the church? (No, the answer to this question is not to continue home church only )

Before we return, I hope we can all understand better how to properly worship at church and at home. I hope we can find areas of our worship, and life, that we will continue to simplify. I hope we continue to care for one another at the level I’ve seen the last couple months. I hope we can keep the importance and reverence of the sacrament in our minds.

Most of all, I hope to see you very soon and live the gospel along side you each Sunday and throughout each week.

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan