Preisthood Keys

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

Enjoy this quick, 5 min, Sunday School lesson this weekend.

"What are Priesthood Keys and How are You Using Them in your Home Today?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkQFMCfnK18&t=10s

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and have a great weekend!

Bishop Sullivan

Bridges of Cooperation

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

 Dear Ward Family,

I cannot say anything better than our dear Prophet, President Nelson. Please read his remarks from today and consider what you can do to “build bridges of cooperation rather than walls of segregation and alienation.”

Read his remarks here: https://medium.com/.../locking-arms-for-racial-harmony-in...

At this time of unrest, seek for peace, truth, and happiness at its source, Jesus Christ.

With Love,

Bishop Sullivan

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

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