Coming Back to Church?

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

Dear Ward Family,

Most of you have seen the Church's announcement about returning to church by now. You've seen that there are instructions to follow a two-phase plan while honoring all local and government guidelines. We are also to council with the Area and Stake leaders on how to implement these phases in our wards and stakes.

We met as bishops and with the Stake Presidency tonight to discuss the timeline and procedure for going back to church. At this time, we have not set a date to return. We will continue to monitor the situation and look for further updates before setting a date.

A few thoughts that went into this decision:

1. Home centered church is largely going well.

2. We don't want undue pressure put on any at risk individuals to return before they should.

3. Logistically, it would be very difficult to coordinate a meeting schedule with the size of wards we have in the stake and the current restrictions on numbers of people and strict sanitizing guidelines.

The Sacrament remains authorized to be performed in the home and will continue to be until it is safe for everyone to return to church. Please continue holding at-home services and ensure that your neighbors and those you minister have the opportunity to partake of the Sacrament.

I feel this is the best decision at this time and ask for your support as we continue to navigate these crazy times. Your hope, faith, and prayers are needed on behalf of all those suffering. Whether that be physically, emotionally, mentally, or financially.

The brightness of hope is shining on the horizon. We will be back together soon. If you have any thoughts on returning to church, please share them with me by replying to this email or emailing me at rsullivan137@gmail.com. Thank you for all you are doing to serve where you are.

With love,

Bishop Sullivan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0UnA47tmDI&t=10s

Prophets and Temples

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

 It’s amazing to watch as President Nelson leads the worldwide church through such an unprecedented and difficult time. More than any other world leader, President Nelson has been confident, decisive, and has communicated wonderfully. One would almost conclude that he’s a prophet!

It’s also exciting to see some temples, like Payson, start to reopen for weddings. The work of God will go forward.

Our great Family History Leaders, Brother and Sister Bingham, recently shared with me this quote from President Nelson:

“Brothers and sisters, during times of our distress when temples are closed, you can still draw upon the power of your temple covenants and endowment as you honor your covenants. Please use this time when temples are closed to continue to live a temple-worthy life or to become temple worthy.

“Talk about the temple with your family and friends. Because Jesus Christ is at the center of everything we do in the temple, as you think more about the temple you will be thinking more about Him. Study and pray to learn more about the power and knowledge with which you have been endowed – or with which you will yet be endowed.”

What a prophet!

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan

We Will Overcome

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

 Here is the truth, I miss you.

We were out on a family walk last weekend and we saw so many of you out and about. As I caught up with you over your fences or passing on the trail, it reminded me of why Moroni was adamant about gathering. After wandering alone for many, many years and having hundreds of ‘at-home’ church meetings, Moroni instructed,

“And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.” (Moroni 6:5-6)

I’m sure Moroni longed for the day that he could ‘meet together oft’ again. In pondering our situation and Moroni’s, I thought of another group of people that was kept from one another for a long period of time: Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah. After serving 14-year missions, these life-long friends reunited and Mormon wrote:

“Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.” (Alma 17:2-3)

I know that these strange times will come to an end. I know that we will have the opportunity to meet together again and worship together. When that day comes, I know that everyone will have “given themselves to much fasting and prayer.” When we meet again to worship and partake of the sacrament, I imagine our reunion will be much like those sons of Mosiah.

Stay strong in the faith. Know that God loves you and that through Christ we will overcome all things.

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan

Miracles

 Have you seen miracles lately? Maybe the ever-changing, ever-evolving, and ever-frustrating circumstance we find ourselves in is keeping us distracted from the good that is happening around us.

Last week’s fast helped me look more closely at the great things going on around us. If you haven’t seen this global Facebook group about the fast, I encourage you to check it out here. The group is full of inspiring stories from around the world and from nearly every religion. It’s a great reminder of the goodness in the world and one of the many miracles of the fast.

Besides worldwide miracles, what miracles are happening in your home?

I know in the Sullivan home, between fighting over homework, or screen time, or anything else, I actually see my kids getting along better. I see them developing better relationships with each other. And family time is becoming even more sacred.

In our ward and neighborhood, I see ministering fulfilling its purpose. Neighbors and ward members supporting each other to a greater degree than ever before. Treats and notes are on doorsteps. Primary teachers and youth leaders are still fulfilling their callings in a new way. There is simply more love and unity.

These are miracles.

God is interested in the details of our lives. He loves us and wants us to become like Him. It may not be His will to eradicate this disease at this time, but it will always be His will to love us, help us, and show Himself to us through these daily miracles.

Bishop Sullivan

Good Friday Fasting Invitation

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

Wow! General Conference delivered on its promise of being unforgettable. I am so grateful for the words of our prophets and apostles. It brought a needed peace into my life. Like the hope of Christ’s resurrection, the messages brought a brighter hope that our current afflictions will be short-lived. I encourage you to return to those messages soon and often.

We now have an amazing opportunity to prepare for Easter Sunday like never before. The Church has created a library of ways we can ‘Hear Him’ as we celebrate this week. You can find the suggestions here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../easter-plan-hear...

In addition to family traditions for the weekend, President Nelson has also called on all of us to fast on Good Friday. He asked:

"I am calling for another worldwide fast. For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again. Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic. I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers be protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”

As I stated in a recent message about fasting, a fast includes prayer, abstaining from food, bearing of testimony, and giving a generous offering.

As you fast with the rest of the world and prepare for a joyous Easter celebration, you will be blessed with health and the Spirit of the Lord in your home.

Christ is risen. Because he rose from the grave on the third day we can always have “hope for a better world” (Ether 12:4).

Happy Easter,

Bishop Sullivan

COVID Newsletter

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

First and foremost, one of the most important things we can do right now is be a light. We have something so many people do not, a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and a living prophet. Faith in Christ can bring peace and comfort in a time like this. We can truly comfort the comfortless.

Second, we can fortify our own homes by keeping the sabbath day holy. As President Buckner addressed in his email to the stake, until we return to our normal schedule all worthy priests and Melchizedek priesthood holders are authorized to administer the sacrament in their own homes. As this is done under the keys of the bishop, please only do this in your own home or in the homes of members of our own ward. Also, limit this practice to Sunday and do it in a reverent manner, dressed appropriately. If you are unable to contact a ministering brother or neighbor to help you with the sacrament, please reach out to me or President Walker and we will make arrangements to ensure the sacrament can be in your home.

I also highly encourage you to spend time each Sunday reviewing “Come, Follow Me” and studying the First Vision as a family. For some, this may be a fifteen-minute exercise and for others this may be a full Sunday afternoon. Either way, spend time living and studying the gospel in your home.

Finally, find joy and happiness in our strange and shared situation. Serve one another. Seek to brighten someone else’s day. Watch someone’s kids. Share some extra treats or toilet paper! Follow the guidelines we have been given on social distancing, but do not distance yourselves from ministering to one another.

We have the gospel of Jesus Christ. He lives and is our Savior. There is a light and a hope in the eternal plan of happiness. Let us live that way and help others do the same.

Study of the First Vision

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

“Vi una columna de luz”

This was the first phrase I memorized in the MTC. It was fitting it was the first, as I repeated these words thousands of times as I shared the First Vision with the people of Peru. Each time I shared this sacred account, my testimony of its veracity grew—even when I felt I had a strong testimony to begin with!

Starting a few years before my mission, I fell in love with studying church history. So much so that my friends gifted me a replica of Joseph Smith’s wedding ring when I left for my mission.

As you can imagine, I couldn’t be more excited for our prophet’s invitation to study the First Vision in preparation for the 200-year anniversary to be commemorated at this April’s General Conference. https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/

Here are a few resources I’ve loved reading that you might enjoy as you prepare:

The original is still the best: Joseph Smith – History https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng

I particularly enjoyed the most recent history compiled by the church here: Saints: Volume One https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/media-library/ebook-pdf/Saints-v1-English-PD60001624.pdf?lang=eng (also on Gospel Library app)

Have questions about the different accounts of the First Vision? Read the Gospel Essay here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/first-vision-accounts?lang=eng

Or if you prefer to listen to the experts, try out this podcast: The First Vision:  A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/the-first-vision-a-joseph-smith-papers-podcast?lang=eng

If you have a lot of time and want to search what different prophets, apostles, and professors have said about Joseph Smith at BYU Devotional, browse this curated collection: BYU Speeches Collection https://speeches.byu.edu/topics/joseph-smith/

For a longer read, but very exhaustive, this is my second favorite biography: Joseph Smith: A Biography https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/592733.Joseph_Smith

And saving the best for last, my favorite biography: Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling https://deseretbook.com/p/joseph-smith-rough-stone-rolling-richard-l-bushman-5351?variant_id=104298-paperback

Have a great week!