My Ward ROCKS!

I cannot express the love that I have for my singles ward...not, just because there are cute boys but honest to good people. I love the feeling of the extreme love from my Bishopric whenever I see them. I love that I have great friends in this ward. I love that people are so friendly and are not afraid to meet new people. I love that my bishop, Pepper Murray, knows that I read lips and will only talk to me in that way. I am sharing with you all an eloquent letter to us, his flock, written by our dear sweet bishop!

I love the story of President Spencer W. Kimball: “When I was a little boy … I heard my teachers tell me over and over: ‘We do not drink; we do not smoke; we do not drink tea or coffee; the Lord has prescribed that.’ … “Then as I was out alone, milking the cows, or putting up the hay, I had time to think. I mulled it over in my mind and made this decision: ‘I, Spencer Kimball, will never taste any form of liquor. I, Spencer Kimball, will never touch tobacco. I will never drink coffee, nor will I ever touch tea—not because I can explain why I shouldn’t, except that the Lord said not to.’ … I made up my mind. “That’s the point I am trying to make. I made up my mind then, as a little boy: ‘I will never touch those things.’ And so, having made up my mind, it was easy to follow it, and I did not yield. There were many temptations that came along, but I did not even analyze it; I did not stop and measure it and say, ‘Well, shall I or shall I not?’ I always said to myself: ‘But I made up my mind I would not. Therefore, I do not’ ” (in Conference Report, Stockholm Sweden Area Conference 1974, p. 86). As your Bishop, I would recommend that you take this story to heart and apply it to the evils of our day. Not only is the Word of Wisdom a temptation, but also moral sin and corruption and dishonesty bombard us daily from all sides and even within our own homes and iPod earphones. Prepare now, today, this minute for the temptations that will surely beset us all. The great blessing of being prepared gives us freedom from fear, as guaranteed to us by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. (D&C 6:36). The temptations we face are not new. They are as old as the earth. As we face these evil enticements another of my favorite parables comes to mind: An elderly Cherokee Grandfather was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, jealousy, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.” His grandchildren thought about it for a moment, and then one child asked his grandfather, “ Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee replied simply, “The one you feed.” I have put that counsel to the test in my own life and stand as a witness that it is a true principle. Thus my beloved brothers and sisters, now is the time to choose. Choose you this day whom you will serve. Choose which wolf you will feed. You cannot feed them both. Make the decision now to shun evil in all its forms. Choose to turn away from pornography, moral transgression and sexual sin in all its forms. Choose now to remain chaste, pure and virtuous. Resolve to hold fast to the iron rod, to seek for those good things, and to find the beauty in our world and the goodness in men and women who surround us. Choose to serve others. Choose to be true Christians and let your light so shine before the world. Then go out and DO IT! Be honest with yourself and the Lord. Be faithful and true, and never, never, never give up. The Lord will never forsake you. He stands at the door and knocks. Decide now to let him in and turn away from all forms of ungodliness. If you do so, you will find joy, and peace. Be courageous. Dare to be different. The choice is yours and always will be. Decide now, then fill up your idle time with good things, and when the monster of sin appears, there will be no room for him. Let us be faithful, true and obedient. Cast fear far from you heart as you prepare yourselves spiritually and temporally for this great adventure we call life! May God bless us in this great work, as we are worthy of such blessings. Bishop Murray

Friends and I with Bishop Murray