Our hearts are saddened and very grateful for the safety of Riley Schwenke and his family with the loss of their home due to a fire this past week. Their hojme is on the southwest corner across the street from the Stake Center. Riley is our High council representative assigned to missionary work in the stake. He does an incredible job with this. We are so sorry for their loss and so very very grateful that there was no injury or worse. I would invite each of you to offer prayers in their behalf over the next weeks and months as the Lord directs them in their lives.

And when we find Him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves.

Thomas S. Monson  |  The Search For Jesus

We’re not going to survive in this world, temporally or spiritually, without increased faith in the Lord – and I don’t mean a positive mental attitude – I mean downright solid faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the one thing that gives vitality and power to otherwise rather weak individuals.

A. Theodore Tuttle  |  “Developing Faith,” Ensign, November 1986, p. 72

To the Wonderful Ward Missionaries of the Payson 10th Ward. I hope so much that this past week was wonderful for you and your family. I hope that you have felt the love of Jesus Christ increase in your heart and homes.

I’m grateful for each of you and your willingness to try to develop these friendships. Only 30 minutes a week and great are the rewards. Plant those seeds. As you plant in others, the Lord will plant new seeds in you also. God bless each of you. Please let me know either personally, by individual text or email or phone call, know of your efforts. To make it easier on each of you this can be our HUDDLE.  But, I need so much to receive feedback from each of you.  I really appreciate those of you who have communicated with me.  It is very helpful in letting the Bishop, Relief Society President, Elders Quorum President, and Primary and Sunday School Presidents know of the flock they each have stewardship over. If there is anything I can do to help you or your families with, please do not hesitate to let me know. 

Exercising agency in a setting that sometimes includes opposition and hardship is what makes life more than a simple multiple-choice test. God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied if our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, not just do some things. He is endeavoring to make us independently strong – more able to act for ourselves than perhaps those of any prior generation. We must be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as President Brigham Young said, even “in the dark.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson  |  “Moral Agency” Ensign, June 2009, p. 53

Below is a picture of a tree that over time overcame the strength and hardness of a rock to eventually break through and flourish. It has such a wonderful message for each of us. That is what this life is all about. Planting seeds, it is our decision if we are planting good or bad, God like seeds or evil seeds throughout our lives.

I love each of you. I witness to each of you that your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. They will assist you in your efforts to simply plant seeds.

May the good Lord bless each of you in your personal lives. May he bring peace, charity, health, revelations and the righteous desires of your hearts. In Jesus name Amen.

Steve Larsen

801-380-8307

sglarsen@gmail.com