Relief Society Gathering Links

 Relief Society Gatherings

Links to referenced sites

Inklings Institute

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKMRw_kB22I/?igshid=1ruyxavk2glyn

Charity Lighten web page

https://www.charitylighten.com/

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE PRIMARY GENERAL PRESIDENCY. PLEASE WATCH WITH YOUR FAMILY

 

"....if ye shall do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God...”

 MOSIAH 4:9-12 

M

Crosswinds 3rd Ward Hears Him

Crosswinds 3rd Ward Blog-

Hello Ward Family! I hope you are all doing well and that you remain healthy.  This morning during a walk that I took I was reminded of a spiritual prompting that I had that I hadn’t really acted on.  This blog is that prompting.   I received it around General conference time and I am slow to act but here we go.  I hope that this blog can be another opportunity for us to unite and remain connected with each other in a small way.  

It’s my desire to try and communicate things as best as possible and to make sure that we all stay united in our faith and love of the Savior regardless of our circumstances and the distance we feel physically.  

I hope that each of you know that we as a Bishopric and Ward Council pray for our ward.  I think about our ward and each of you throughout the day and pray for you always.  I love the members of this ward.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves us too.  I have felt His love strongly these last few weeks and months specifically how much he love each of us individually.  I know that He knows His children and that he is aware of each of our struggles and trials.  He is available to provide peace and desires to do so.  

A couple months ago, just before General Conference I sent an email out to all the ward requesting your testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith as we commemorated the 200th year since the first vision.  I wanted to publish the testimonies of our ward members.  If you’d still like to share your testimony or thoughts about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the First Vision you can email your thoughts to Cw3hearshim@gmail.com or comment below.

The following are the testimonies I received.  I am strengthened by them and echo these testimonies that God lives!  We know that both from personal revelation and inspiration as well as from the experience of Joseph Smith in 1820.  We are following the Savior who has restored His Church to the earth.  The Book Of Mormon is true.  As we read it and study the gospel in the Book Of Mormon and the Bible, we draw closer to Jesus Christ.  Our faith in Him becomes strong, our desire to follow Him grows, and we become fellow saints together. I testify that this is true and that we are led by a prophet today, President Russell Nelson.  I pray that we will continue to F.O.C.U.S on Jesus Christ, unite in faith in our hearts even though somewhat distanced physically.  I pray that we each continue to look to Jesus Christ who is, “mighty to save...” (Alma 34:18). 

With Love, 

Bishop Peterson

—-

I am grateful to Bishop Peterson for the opportunity to share my witness of the certainty of the restoration of the gospel, and of my conviction that Joseph Smith is the prophet of this dispensation.  

For the past several weeks I have been carefully reading and studying the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church Joseph Smith manual that was used for Priesthood and Relief Society during 2008.   I learned from the recordings about the Joseph Smith Papers that  this manual was so carefully researched (by church scholars) as to Joseph's teachings, discourses, journals and testimony and I was anxious to study it in more detail.  The result of doing so for me has been inspiring and remarkable. The Holy Ghost has certified to me over and over throughout my life and again during general conference that he is indeed the Prophet of the restoration.  

I felt the boldness of conviction from President Nelson when he powerfully shared the recent proclamation to the world, which unequivocally  states without reservation, that the Father and Son did appear to Joseph; that John the Baptist,  Peter, James and John, Elijah and others came to restore the Priesthood and sealing power.   

I too, certify that this is Christ's New Testament Church restored and that latter-day revelation is alive and well. 

Richard Roach   

—

Brothers and Sisters -- 

How blessed we are to live in a time of advanced technology when we can hear the words of prophets and apostles in our own homes -- during a time when the world needs their messages so desperately.  I am so thankful to live on the earth during this time of the continuing restoration of Christs's church, and to be able to witness the miraculous preparation that will lead to the Savior's return to the earth.  The new symbol for the Church is beautiful, and we are blessed to be able to study and share the inspired proclamation of the restoration of the fulness of the gospel.

I'm so thankful for the life of Joseph Smith.  I know that he was the prophet chosen to usher in this last dispensation. I enjoyed studying and hearing more about the First Vision and all the miracles that brought about the Book of Mormon to our generation.  I feel great love, gratitude and admiration for Joseph Smith, and for his family and all those who believed his heavenly message and aided him in his tremendous assignment.

I admire our wonderful missionaries who are quarantined in their mission apartments or at home awaiting new assignments.  They are so dedicated and humbly seeking ways to still spread the gospel.  I'm grateful to ancestors to lived a pattern of obedience, sacrifice and dedication which left us a legacy of their testimonies, and taught us how to endure hard times.

I miss being in the temple, and being with family, but I know that "This Too Shall Pass" and that every day we can see the Lord's hand in our lives.  I testify that this is the Church of Jesus Christ; that President Nelson is our prophet and seer and that he receives continuous revelation for this day; that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ; and that the Father and His Son did appear to Joseph Smith -- and that they love us and continue to watch over us.

Kristee Roach

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Camille Sheridan

As I prepared for this conference, I chose to finish reading Saints Volume I.  It contained amazing and sad stories. But I didn't really feel the spirit testify to me.  Listening to the first really sessions of conference I felt like a lot of the talks were rereading/retelling stories of the prophet that we have heard a hundred times. However, I kept feeling the spirit build up and up during those specific talks as the apostles bore their testimonies of the events to us. That was the most special part of conference for me. 

I think for me the reason the restoration of the gospel brings hope was summed up by elder Holland. If Jesus worked miracles during his life, healed, blessed, and raised the dead. Why can he not do so now? He promised eternal life and that we shall have, with our families. We have those blessings and priesthood keys because if the restoration.  

I have to admit when I go out to the store I feel the panic and the anxiety. But when I return home I feel peace. Because the gospel brings peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth; give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.

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Heidi Pounds

I love the Prophet Joseph Smith! His life was his testimony.  I am grateful he was willing to go through all that he did to restore the gospel.  I am so thankful for the missionaries who brought my grandparents this wonderful book and gospel.  My grandparents and parents lived the gospel and passed this precious birthright to me.  Because of the BOM, I know that Jesus Christ lives and has made it possible for me to repent and to live again with my Father in Heaven.  The Savior is always by my side.  He takes all my heartache, fears, and pain and gives me comfort and peace. He lifts me up when I fall and helps me to keep going.  How blessed we all are to live in this beautiful country. We have such wonderful freedoms and opportunities.  We have had a small taste of what other people in other decades and other countries have had to go through.  May we all stay focused on our many blessings and the love and hope the Savior gives to each one of us!

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Keith and Patty Olsen

Thank you Bishop for this opportunity to say hi and bear testimony to the ward.  Keith and I have been trying to read the Book of Mormon every day.  We heard the promise given that if we do so miracles will happen.  As we do this and follow with much of the media helps that are available, we are gaining a stronger love and reverence for the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Savior.  We certainly do need miracles right now, and the sweetest miracle has been this growing love and the testimony that the scriptures are true.  Best of all is discovering that the Lord wants us to understand them with revelation to our minds and hearts.

We pray for you, Bishop, and for all the ward.

___

John Leatherwood

Thank you for your inspired leadership and for giving us the opportunity to connect spiritually with our brothers and sisters in the ward.

I am so grateful that I could participate in General Conference this weekend.  There were so many messages that were divinely inspired.  I will need the spirit to help guide me so that I can learn line by line and incorporate many needed changes in my life.  

I am grateful for the messages of hope that were shared.  We were given examples of people who keep the commandments, pay their tithing, attend the temple, and fulfill their church callings.  These people will be blessed with personal revelation that will enable them to successfully work through the problems in their own lives.  They will not need to depend on the church to solve their problems for them, but they will personally receive enabling power and revelation from God to help them overcome their challenges.  They will also be actively involved in serving and helping others overcome their challenges.

I am grateful for Joseph Smith and his inspired life.  I know that he was foreordained to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today.  I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that he saw God, the Father, and his son, Jesus Christ, and they answered his fervent prayer.  By that same power, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from studying the Book of Mormon.  Most importantly, I know that I can repent of my sins and be cleansed and sanctified from them.  I know that Jesus Christ stands with open arms waiting for us to come to Him.  The gifts of His love, mercy, grace, and kindness are freely given, it is up to us to choose to receive them or not.  We are filled with light and peace as we come unto him and we are blessed and happy.  

I am grateful for our Latter-Day prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.  I know that he has been called of God and that revelation from heaven continues to guide the church today.  I am grateful for the priesthood that has been restored to the earth so that we can receive the needed ordinances of the gospel to sanctify us and prepare us to return to our Father's presence.  

I know that as we love and serve each other as a ward, we will be protected and blessed with peace during these times of trial and strife.

I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

_____

Venus Ernst

Testimony of Venus Gilger Ernst

I am so grateful for my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I contemplated what the Prophet asked about us to think about before this conference, I was so grateful for my knowledge. I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. started the restoration of Heavenly Father’s true church. It is amazing to me that a boy of 14 was willing to go to the woods to ask Heavenly Father for his help in understanding which church was true. I was 15 when I prayed for an answer to Moroni’s promise in The Book of Mormon. At that time, I had been attending fairly regularly for two years. My seminary teacher asked me if I had a testimony of The Book of Mormon. My brother and I were the only ones attending church in our family. I knew I liked going to church and I knew I believed the church was true, but no I didn’t know if The Book of Mormon was true. 

That day I thought about his challenge throughout my school day. I went home and prayed for an answer, but really didn’t put any work into it. I then decided I had to read it from cover to cover to find out for myself. I read for several weeks and when I finished it, I went back to the promise and reread it. I knelt down that night and prayed for some time. I got up and climbed in bed. I thought about it some more and knelt down and prayed again. This time I just kept praying and praying. After some time of praying I started to get tears and prayed some more with true faith that I would receive my answer. I received it that night. I had finished my prayer and I felt an energy flow from the top of my head to my feet. I felt it swell in my breast. I cried and thanked Heavenly Father for my answer. 

When I went to Ricks College my home teacher asked me about my testimony. I bore my testimony to him and he asked if I had one of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I had never really thought about gaining a testimony of the Prophet. He challenged me to study and gain that testimony. I checked out some books from the library and started my study. It took me several months and books before I gained my testimony that Joseph Smith, JR. was the right prophet to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. My testimony continues to grow today. 

My mother passed away quite suddenly on March 31 of this year. There was a lot of grief in our home. We knew there couldn’t be a funeral and we knew we couldn’t even go down to Nevada because of the corona virus. This was very hard for me to accept. My mother and I were always very close. I couldn’t imagine not being there. We called the kids to come join us in our back yard keeping us all 10 feet apart. Tyna-Minet and her family were on quarantine from the virus and Megdalynn and Tonya lived out of state. Each of them gathered their families together on Zoom and we had a family prayer. It was so hard not to be able to hug each of my children and grandchildren. Tim and Wyatt gave me a blessing of comfort. As we all parted that day, we all felt Heavenly Father’s comfort.

The next morning Tim left for work leaving me home alone. I started crying again. I called my brother and we consoled each other. Then I called my sister. I was still feeling a little troubled and I read a couple scriptures and went in to pray again. I prayed that I could be forgiven for saying things about my mother at times that I should not of said. I prayed that I could be forgiven for the things I had done wrong over the years. I prayed hard for my mom and my dad. I prayed for a deeper understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I prayed for comfort that all would be well with my parents. I felt that comfort. I know our Savior loves them as much as he loves the rest of us.  I have felt peace in my heart. The time will come when our whole family will be able to get together and have a celebration of both our parents. Then we will have closure.

I know for a fact that if I didn’t have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, I would not have my family. I would not live in Utah. I wouldn’t even have Tim in my life. I would have lived a life like most of my family and friends who have wander this earth without purpose. I would have taught school, but probably not with others who were faithful. I would hope that eventually someone would have introduced me to the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I would have accepted it.  I know that when Heavenly Father is ready to take me, there will be a grand reunion in heaven. I will see many members of my family there. I will be at peace knowing I tried my best to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those I love. I will be at peace knowing I loved my wards and all my neighbors. I know my Redeemer lives and loves each of us. I know He will help us through these hard times and many more hard times as we help to prepare this earth for His coming. If I could challenge anyone, I would challenge them to start to gain their testimonies. Never let it die, hold it sacred and protect it by continuing to grow it. I know that someday my three daughters and their husbands will come to know for themselves, but they have to be willing to do the work it takes to gain a strong testimony.

I love Tuesdays, because that’s the day I serve others by serving in the temple. There is so much to learn there. As a young wife I always had to hurry when we went to the temple because there was a baby at home who needed nursed. Now I can go to the temple and enjoy every minute of my service. It’s through my temple service I am gaining a stronger and stronger testimony of our Savior and His atonement. I have gained a greater love of all people. I can promise you there are many blessings of temple attendance. This is the Lords work. Please come often and worship. 

I love my Heavenly Father, my Savior, the Holy Ghost and my family. I love them all dearly and hope that I will always be a contributing member of His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

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Tim Ernst

To my dear brothers and sisters of the Crosswinds Third Ward and the world,

Bishop Craig Peterson has asked that we share our testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration.  I have to start by saying that I cannot point to any one particular time in my life when I first gained this testimony.  Since I was a little boy, I have always known that the Church was true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet.  I remember as a young boy in a part-member, mostly inactive family that my mother dressed me each Sunday for church and sent me out the door, but then again, she didn't mind sending me to the Baptist Bible school, also.  Nevertheless, all my friends were members and my brothers and sisters were active and somehow, in my little heart of hearts, I just always knew that the Church was true.  In fact, I don't really ever remember a time when I didn't know that the Church was true.

Now just this January, I found me asking myself if I had received a specific testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet.  As we get older, earlier testimonies sometimes need re-strengthened, and so I made it a matter of prayer.  Nothing specific happened at first, but a few weeks later, I happened to be reading a story about an early-day member of the Church by name of Zebedee Coltrin.  When many of the leading authorities in the church were proving false or leaving the Church during the difficulties in Kirtland, the Prophet Joseph came to rely on Zebedee for his stalwartness towards him, towards the church and the Lord.  Ironically, this was also a time of great spiritual renewal, and one of the greatest blessings in those times of difficulty was the dedication of the Kirtland temple.  On Passover Sunday, not only Elijah and Moses visited the Prophet in the Kirtland temple, but also the Savior Himself, who stood upon the breastwork of the pulpit with gold like amber under His feet.  Then Zebedee shared something that we don't often talk about.  He said that for the next two weeks, the Savior continued visiting and instructing the Prophet Joseph Smith, and specifically taught him, among other things, about how the temple endowment and ordinances were to be reinstated and fulfilled in these last days.  

As I finished reading the account, I took a moment to step outside.  The moment I stepped outside I felt a burning glow within me, and I thought to myself, "Oh, how I love that man (the Prophet Joseph Smith.)"  The moment that I thought of this, it was brought forcefully back to my mind that all of my life I have had this love and respect for the Prophet, and that this was nothing new to me.  I have often felt this burning deep inside, along with this outburst of love and devotion.  It was a very satisfactory feeling to me to know that I hadn't neglected my testimony of the Prophet, I just needed to renew it once again.

So it is with our lives.  We gain testimonies and slowly over time they shrink a little and need to be renewed occasionally.  Or perhaps it is true that they are often renewed, and we just need to pay closer attention to the Holy Spirit as it communicates with us (in whatever form we may be most used to communicating.)  I'm a firm believer that if we are in a hustle-and-bustle all the time, or if we have our noses in our phones or on TV that we can easily miss His "still small voice," and we carry on without even noticing.

The Gospel is true, Joseph Smith is the Lord's prophet of the restoration, Russell M. Nelson is a living prophet today, the Book of Mormon is true and the Priesthood as we know it, is the Savior's authority to act for Him, here upon this earth.  In matters too sacred to share, nevertheless, I testify that Jesus Christ lives today, and that He is aware of our every-day, personal lives.  Even more importantly, He has restored His holy Priesthood through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Whenever we perform an ordinance with His Priesthood, we are acting in His name.  From the weekly Sacrament to the highest ordinances of the Temple, they are all officiated in Christ’s name and by His authority.  When we are sealed as husband and wife with our children, they are sealed to us by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.  Not only by Zebedee’s testimony, but through my own personal testimony, I know that the Priesthood authority to seal a husband and wife together, lasts forever, throughout time and for all eternity.  Of this I have no doubt, and I so testify.

Jesus Christ lives and we, too, can Hear Him!