BISHOPRIC MESSAGE:
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| Jamin Rowan, 1st Counselor |
There are a series of interactions between the Savior and his disciples recorded in Luke 9 that I love. As the disciples were traveling with their Master, John informed the Savior that they had seen someone “casting out devils in thy name.” They assured the Savior that they had “forbad him” from doing so “because he followeth not with us” (Luke 9:49). Shortly afterward, upon learning that a group of Samaritans would not allow Jesus to stay in their village while he was making his way to Jerusalem, John and James asked their Master if they should “command fire to come down from heaven and consume them” (Luke 9:54).
I am embarrassed to admit that the unrighteous judgments that John and James exercised in these moments are only slightly exaggerated versions of the unrighteous judgments that I make all of the time. Like John, I find myself developing all sorts of arbitrary categories to police the boundaries of discipleship. I tend to mistake my way of discipleship as the only form of discipleship and use my judgment to reinforce that mistake. And it is not just that I rely lazily on the category of church membership too often to distinguish true from false followers of Christ but that I am constantly finding ways to dismiss those who are followers of Christ but do not follow Him in the same way that I do. I do this when I am sitting in Sunday school and hear a comment that I feel has not accounted for more sophisticated ways of understanding the doctrines of Christ. I do this when I hear a teacher present a gospel principle in a way that I feel represents a slightly outdated understanding of that principle. I don’t know that I have ever wished that fire would consume any of my fellow saints but have found myself wanting my version of gospel living to consume what I felt were inferior expressions of gospel living.
I have learned much and still have much to learn about righteous judgment from the way that the Savior responded to his disciples’ behavior in these two instances. When John assured his Master that the disciples had forbidden the man who was casting out devils in the name of Jesus from doing so because the man did not follow the son of God in the same way the disciples did, the Master scolded John: “Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9:50). The Savior’s instructions to John are at the heart of Bishop St. Clair’s reminders that our covenants and commitments to follow the Savior—even if we carry out those covenants in different ways—should provide a foundation upon which we can appreciate and love each other. Righteous judgment, Jesus taught, rests upon an eagerness to include individuals in the circle of discipleship rather than an eagerness to police that circle to keep out those who disciple differently than I. I know that I need to be quicker to recognize that those in this ward who bring generational, cultural, and educational backgrounds to covenant keeping that differ from my own are not “against” the Savior’s kingdom but are simply building it in different ways than I choose to build it.
The Savior deepens my understanding of what it looks like to judge righteously when he reprimands James and John for wanting to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans by reminding them that the “Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56). Jesus taught James and John that righteous judgment has a single bottom line: to save God’s children. Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught that the “proceedings of a righteous judge are merciful, loving, and redemptive, not condemning.” Although condemning others for their way of thinking about or living the gospel might temporarily make me feel better about my way of thinking about and living the gospel, it does nothing to hasten the work of salvation. Righteous judgment always facilitates the Savior’s efforts to save our brothers and sisters, whereas unrighteous judgment frustrates those efforts.
While I hope that I will learn to be the kind of judge that the Savior was and is, I ultimately need to learn to let the righteous judge do what only he can do. I need to realize that I don’t need to police the boundaries of discipleship and have greater trust that the Savior will do his own policing. I need to realize that rather than spend my time calling down fire upon those around me who choose to live the gospel in a different way than I do, I need to spend my time helping people make their way to the “fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 17:3).
PRAYERS AND HELP REQUESTED
On August 8th Matt Memmott will be having heart surgery. As a ward family we would like to extend our faith and prayers on behalf of Matt, Renee and their family. Many other opportunities to assist the Memmott family are available. Look for emails from the Relief Society on how you can serve. Prayers are always appreciated.
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Sunday, August 19th
6pm-7:30pm
*****
McMurrays-1045 Ash Ave.
Konnekers-1046 Ash Ave.
Raile & Skousen-1056 Ash Ave.
H&B Andersons-1079 Ash Ave.
Lams-1080 Ash Ave.
Elder Issac St. Clair
Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission
House 2B, Street 222, Off Norodom Blvd.
P.O. Box 165
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Zuster Grace Acheson
Schuttersveld 2
2316 ZA Leiden
Netherlands
grace.acheson@myldsmail.net
Elder Michael Champenois
Baltic Mission
Cesu iela 31-2K2
Riga LV-1012
Latvia
News from
“We had a baptism of our investigator Marianella. Her family came to the baptism. It was so great! It was spiritual and amazing. We love her and her family. This week I am thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and for prayer. I know that because I have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and because I am honoring my baptismal covenants, I was able to receive the guidance I needed to carry on and help others. I am so thankful for the still small voice that guides and comforts; I would be lost with out it! And that is what I'm trying to do out here, HELP PEOPLE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!! It's the best!!!”
Three primary children from our ward were baptized this summer. Congratulations to Elijah Phillips, Hannah Beutler amd Sara Daniels.
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| Elijah Phillip |
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| Hannah Beutler |
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| Sara Daniels |
In Primary we celebrated our pioneer ancestors. Sister Holly Anderson taught the Primary children pioneer songs and surprised them with an ice bucket challenge. This was a fun way to test the endurance of the children to withstand cold while singing a song.
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| Jeffrey Smalley and Sister Holly Anderson |
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| Lizzie Beutler and Benjamin Rowan |
59 MINUTE VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
Thanks to all those who volunteer their time helping out members of our neighborhood. Look for weekly volunteer opportunities in your email each week. If you are aware of a 59 minute project, contact: Rod Mortensen:801-292-4266
The Orem Owls, in conjunction with JustServe and the Community Action Food Bank of Provo, will host a Feed the Hungry Night at UCCU Ballpark on Tuesday, August 14th. 5 cans of non-perishable food will earn a general admission ticket , and 10 cans will earn a reserved seat ticket for the ballgame between the Owlz and The Orem Raptors. All proceeds will be donated to the Provo Community Action Bank for local distribution to those in need.
NEWS FROM THE WARD:
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| Welcome Back to Bishop St.Clair and his family from their study abroad program |
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| Many members of our ward Primary children volunteered their time up at "This is the Place Park" |
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| Jackson Deurden, Benjamin and Kate Rowan and Layla Deurden |
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| David and Barbara Acheson FINALLY became grandparents. Little Elizabeth Louise Acheson was born to Chase and Sarah Acheson. Baby and grandparents are doing well. |
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Email submissions to bacheson@gmail.com
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