Weekly Update February 28th

Bishopric's Message:

Brothers and Sisters,

We hope you are safe and well.  This week we had the unique opportunity to participate in RootsTech online.  One of the activities of RootsTech was specifically designed for the youth.  The challenge for the youth was called “Our Quest for Connection” and provided the youth a chance to connect with their past, present, and future through various challenges.  They shared their experiences on social media with #questforconnection.

I think we can all agree that the past year has really taught us the importance of connection with others and how it can bring joy into our lives.  Time away from friends and loved ones has provided us the opportunity to appreciate the relationships we have with one another.  Moments of connection create shared memories and experiences that we can cherish throughout our lives and record for our future posterity to feel connection with us.

We echo the words that faith and family are our most important possessions and encourage you to accept the recent invitation from Elder Holland to “continue to build memories with your loved ones”.

Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.

Your 23rd Ward Bishopric

Meeting Program

February 28, 2021

Opening Hymn: #85 How Firm a Foundation

Closing Hymn: #96 Dearest Children, God Is Near You

PRIMARY

Parents and Leaders of Primary, we have a new Primary Presidency! We would love to start getting to know the kids and their leaders and need your help. Please fill out the questionnaires below! (One per child)

Child Questionnaire
Leader Questionnaire

Announcements:

Virtual Attendance in Sacrament Meeting

If you are attending sacrament meeting online, we are tracking and reporting your attendance. However, we would love to know if you are with other family and friends while you are attending. We are only seeing each login to the meeting as one participant, but would love to know if there is more than one person watching online. Due to this issue, if you attend sacrament meeting with more than one person, please text, call, or email Bro. Pittman to let him know how many attended sacrament meeting online.
 
Bro. Pittman: (801) 349-5004; gap3245@gmail.com

Temple Preparation Class

We are looking at starting a Temple Preparation class on Sunday, February 28th. If you are interested in attending, please talk to Bro. or Sis. Woodbury ((801) 966-1678) about attending. This class is for those that would like to receive their endowment or if you have been through the temple and would like to review the blessings of the temple.

Language Classes

Anyone wanting to learn Spanish contact Sister Lyman or Brother Feil

Building Cleaning

We are in need of individuals and families to assist with Building Cleaning

Weekly Update February 21

Bishop's Message:

Brothers and Sisters,
Last Sunday afternoon, I had the opportunity to witness a baptism of a young woman in our ward who made the intentional decision to be baptized and enter into a covenant with the Lord. It was a blessing of the gathering of Israel and the wonderful missionary work that is going on around us.

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited by the missionaries to fast and pray for missionary opportunities. I am grateful for that invitation. And, since then I have had the opportunity to witness this baptism, as well as share my testimony with several individuals over the past couple of weeks. What a blessing.

I would invite you to seek opportunities to help gather Israel on both sides of the veil. Pray for those opportunities. As you do so, you will witness the blessings of the gathering of Israel take place right before your eyes.

We all have the opportunity to participate in Roots Tech this next week (Feb. 25-27), also. I would encourage you to attend a session or a few to learn how you can write your family story and learn about your ancestors that the prophecy may be realized that we will turn our hearts to our fathers and our fathers will turn to their children (Malachi 4:6).

I love you and pray for you.

Bishop Cox

Meeting Program

February 21, 2021
Opening Hymn: #84 Faith of Our Fathers
Closing Hymn: #83 Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah

PRIMARY

Parents and Leaders of Primary, we have a new Primary Presidency! We would love to start getting to know the kids and their leaders and need your help. Please fill out the questionnaires below! (One per child)

Child Questionnaire
Leader Questionnaire

Announcements:

Virtual Attendance in Sacrament Meeting

If you are attending sacrament meeting online, we are tracking and reporting your attendance. However, we would love to know if you are with other family and friends while you are attending. We are only seeing each login to the meeting as one participant, but would love to know if there is more than one person watching online. Due to this issue, if you attend sacrament meeting with more than one person, please text, call, or email Bro. Pittman to let him know how many attended sacrament meeting online.
 
Bro. Pittman: (801) 349-5004; gap3245@gmail.com

Temple Preparation Class

We are looking at starting a Temple Preparation class on Sunday, February 28th. If you are interested in attending, please talk to Bro. or Sis. Woodbury ((801) 966-1678) about attending. This class is for those that would like to receive their endowment or if you have been through the temple and would like to review the blessings of the temple.

Language Classes

Anyone wanting to learn Spanish contact Sister Lyman or Brother Feil

RootsTech

February 25-27: From inspirational keynote speakers to hundreds of on-demand classes and a cutting-edge virtual expo hall, RootsTech Connect will be one virtual event you won't want to miss. Don't know what to expect? Watch these videos to find out more. Want to prepare? Ensure you have an account on FamilySearch, make one here.

Building Cleaning

We are in need of individuals and families to assist with Building Cleaning

Weekly Update Sun. February 14

Bishop's Message

Brothers and Sisters,
 
I am grateful for the love that our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ have for us. I hope you can feel that love and are aware of the hand of the Lord in your life. He is looking for ways to bless you and those around you.
 
As I have been reading through the Doctrine and Covenants this week, as part of the Come Follow Me, I am impressed by the willingness of the Lord to send messengers to help answer prayers. As you may be aware, D&C Section 13, is the words John the Baptist used to ordain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood. John the Baptist was an answer to the prayer of Joseph and Oliver regarding baptism. I love that the Lord is so willing to bless Joseph and Oliver.
 
We can be the Lord's messengers to those around us. To be able to be those ministering angels, we must listen and "give heed to His word"(D&C 12:2). The Lord has said that "no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care" (D&C 12:8).  Look for the opportunities to serve those around you and hear Him.
 
I know many of you need the blessings of the Lord. Know He is mindful of you. He cares for YOU! He loves YOU! Pray for His love and His help if needed, and watch carefully - with spiritual eyes, and you will see miracles happen.
 
I love you. I pray for you. I know the Lord loves you!
 
Bishop Cox

Meeting Program

February 14, 2021
Opening Hymn: #58 Come, Ye Children of the Lord
Closing Hymn: #70 Sing Praise to Him

PRIMARY

Parents and Leaders of Primary, we have a new Primary Presidency! We would love to start getting to know the kids and their leaders and need your help. Please fill out the questionnaires below! (One per child)

Child Questionnaire
Leader Questionnaire

Announcements:

Virtual Attendance in Sacrament Meeting

If you are attending sacrament meeting online, we are tracking and reporting your attendance. However, we would love to know if you are with other family and friends while you are attending. We are only seeing each login to the meeting as one participant, but would love to know if there is more than one person watching online. Due to this issue, if you attend sacrament meeting with more than one person, please text, call, or email Bro. Pittman to let him know how many attended sacrament meeting online.
 
Bro. Pittman: (801) 349-5004; gap3245@gmail.com

Self Reliance Classes

The stake will be starting the next round of Self-Reliance classes on Sunday, February 21st from 3:00-4:30 pm. The classes will be taught virtually. They are offering two classes - Emotional Resilience and Personal Finance. If you would like to attend one of these classes please let Bro. Clay Cox (claytonmcox@gmail.com) know by Feb 16th, along with which class you are interested in attending.

Temple Preparation Class

We are looking at starting a Temple Preparation class on Sunday, February 28th. If you are interested in attending, please talk to Bro. or Sis. Woodbury ((801) 966-1678) about attending. This class is for those that would like to receive their endowment or if you have been through the temple and would like to review the blessings of the temple.

RootsTech:

February 25-27: From inspirational keynote speakers to hundreds of on-demand classes and a cutting-edge virtual expo hall, RootsTech Connect will be one virtual event you won't want to miss. Don't know what to expect? Watch these videos to find out more. Want to prepare? Ensure you have an account on FamilySearch, make one here.

Relief Society Activity:

Join the Relief Society for a virtual activity all about holiday traditions on Wednesday, February 17th at 7 pm.

Building Cleaning:

We are in need of individuals and families to assist with Building Cleaning

Weekly Update

Bishops message:

Brothers and Sisters,
 
I appreciated the opportunity on Sunday to discuss the blessings promised to covenant Israel, and the gathering of Israel. I am looking forward to working together as a ward to carry out our Ward Mission Plan and Temple and Family History Plan.  Also, I hope you take the time to personally ponder and pray about how you and your family can prepare for the Taylorsville Temple and help gather Israel.
 
I am truly humbled at the light that I have seen over the past week. This week we had the opportunity to see the youth in our ward perform various small acts of service in the ward and community. What a blessing it was to see the joy they brought to those that they served. It was also a blessing to see the light that emanated from these young brothers and sisters.
 
We are taught: "Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days." (D&C 64:33-34)
 
These youth are great examples of serving and building the kingdom of God through small things. May we look to serving those around us - our families, neighbors, friends, and the Lord, and follow their example of faith and love. As we do so, we are promised great things and the blessings of Zion. We will feel the love of the Lord!
 
May the blessings of the Lord rest upon you.
 
Love,
 
Bishop Cox

Please view the 23rd ward work of salvation plan here.

Meeting Program:

February 7, 2021
Fast and Testimony Meeting
Opening Hymn: #264 Hark, All Ye Nations!
Closing Hymn: #73 Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice

Primary 

Parents and Leaders of Primary, we have a new Primary Presidency! We would love to start getting to know the kids and their leaders and need your help. Please fill out the questionnaires below! (One per child)

Child Questionnaire
Leader Questionnaire

Announcements:

Self Reliance Classes

The stake will be starting the next round of Self-Reliance classes on Sunday, February 21st from 3:00-4:30 pm. The classes will be taught virtually. They are offering two classes - Emotional Resilience and Personal Finance. If you would like to attend one of these classes please let Bro. Clay Cox (claytonmcox@gmail.com) know by Feb 16th, along with which class you are interested in attending.
 

Temple Preparation Class

We are looking at starting a Temple Preparation class in the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in attending, please talk to a member of the Bishopric about attending. This class is for those that would like to prepare to receive their endowment or for those who have been through the temple and would like to review the blessings of the temple.
 

Temple and Family History Class

We are holding our Temple and Family History class on February 9, at 7 pm. Join here: Temple and Family History Class
 

Building Cleaning

We are in need of individuals and families to assist with this. Please sign up here: Building Cleaning Sign Up

Sunday Meetings

We are excited for this Sunday (2/7/2021) as we begin to meet united as a ward at 9:00 A.M. for our Sacrament worship service.  There will be no more alternating of in-person attendance.  This is an exciting opportunity and we are looking forward to being together!

With all our love, we invite you to return and worship with us in person. We miss you! For those who feel uncomfortable meeting in person, we will still provide an online option. It is our sincere desire that each member will have an opportunity to attend. As a reminder, you can find the links to all virtual meetings on our ward website by clicking on the following link:  23rd Ward Virtual Meetings Link

Please note that second hour meetings will continue to be broadcast over the Internet. Primary meetings will not be held during the second hour, but we encourage parents to enhance home instruction and learning by teaching and singing with their primary-age children using resources available for primary children.

We urge all members to exercise an abundance of caution. Please wear face coverings. Please wash hands frequently. Please maintain a social distance of 6 feet between families. And please don’t feel any guilt if you need to stay home because of health concerns. We want you to be safe. We also want you to know that you are invited back, with open arms, to participate in whatever way makes you most comfortable.