Family, Love Marshall, a Sunday School Teacher

Our Incredible Organization: Thoughts on Elder Uchtdorf’s 2013 October General Conference talk “Come, Join With Us”

Family,

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is an incredible organization. It is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. However, when you think of all that is asked of us as members, it is understandable why many people do not understand why the church is so incredible.

In a talk given by Elder Uchtdorf mentions that members of the church participate in church callings, home and visiting teaching, full-time missions, weekly family home evenings, temple work, welfare and humanitarian service, and assignments to teach. Members also attend 10 hours of general conference twice a year and three hours of church weekly. Members of the church also participate in family history, youth camps, devotionals, scripture study, leadership training, youth activities, early-morning seminary, maintaining church buildings, and of course there is the Lord’s law of health, the monthly fast to help the poor, and tithing.

So why would anyone want to join this church? For everyone, the answer to that question is slightly different but the over arching theme is because the church is amazing! Although much is asked of members of the church, we also receive a lot.

I recently taught a lesson in church where I asked everyone what they love about our church.

These are some of their responses:

“I love that the church offers a peaceful reset to my hectic life. Attending three hours of church on Sunday and reading the scriptures and praying throughout the week allow me to perform better at work and school.”

 

“Because it is true!”

 

“I joined the church because I wanted more than just one to two hours of motivational talks on Sunday. I wanted to be enriched daily.”

 

“Ever since I was a young child, I recognized that families that were members of the church were happier and closer than other families. Since then I have always known that even if I still didn’t know if the gospel was true, I still wanted my family to be members of the church. Now that I know it is true, it is further proof of how amazing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is.”

 

“Because I love the unity and friendship. I love that no matter where I go, there will be a group of members that meets on Sunday and will welcome me.”

The church is amazing. Even though we are asked to give a lot, we receive far more than we ever give. That is what is so incredible about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am lucky and blessed to be a member.

Love Marshall, a Sunday School Teacher

Here’s My First Post! Loves, Em

When Marshall and I first moved into our ward, we were given the calling of nursery teachers (watching kids younger than 2 years old during Sunday School classes). To us, it was the best calling in the world. We absolutely loved teaching the little children in the ward. The only downside was that we did not get to attend our other meetings—Relief Society, Priesthood, and Sunday School—very often.

After several months went by, we woke up one Sunday morning to a text from a member of the Bishopric. We knew what that meant. New callings. I was heartbroken. I did not want a new calling. I received a calling for the Relief Society, and I felt so inadequate. I hadn’t been to Relief Society for months, and the few women in the ward I did know were moving out.

At first I was frustrated and maybe a little bitter about my calling. How was I supposed to serve all these girls I didn’t know? I didn’t understand why I had been given a calling I couldn’t do as well as some of the other girls probably could. A few weeks went by and I felt like I was doing a horrible job. Our ward was rearranging presidencies, people were constantly moving in and out, and they split our Relief Society into two, so everything was hectic at first. But slowly, things have calmed down and I have been really getting to know others in my ward so that I might better serve them in my calling. I’ve realized that Heavenly Father gave me this calling for a purpose, not only to serve the girls in the ward, but also to increase my faith and bring me closer to Him. I’m grateful for His love and guidance in my life, and I know that He truly loves us, and if we have faith, everything will fall into place perfectly.

Loves,

Em