We want you to know how much we love and appreciate you. As a stake presidency, we look forward to and enjoy each opportunity to be with you. We pray for you and appreciate your prayers on our behalf as well as the many acts of kindness and service that you provide to one another. As we begin a new year, may we each resolve to do better and be better each and every day. As we collectively place an emphasis on being more Christlike and study the life of the Savior in the New Testament this year, it is fitting that our stake theme for 2023 comes from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

 

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, will strengthen and help us to do better and be better, as we repent daily and do all we can to stay on the covenant path. We are strengthened as we turn to Christ and follow His example. Let us each resolve to focus on following three things that will help us receive strength through Jesus Christ.

 

• Daily meaningful prayer: We should express our thanks and seek Heavenly Father’s guidance and strength, in all we do. Alma counseled his son Helaman: “Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 37:36–37; see also Alma 34:17–26).  See also Russell M Nelson, Sweet Power of Prayer (churchofjesuschrist.org)

• Daily scripture and gospel study: President Nelson encouraged us to increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation. He warned us that “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,” He invited individuals and families to remodel their homes into “a sanctuary of faith” and “center of gospel learning.” He promised us as we do that, “Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng)

• Make sacrifices to serve and worship in the temple regularly: President Nelson taught of the importance of spiritual momentum. “Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple and grow in our understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessings we receive there. I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple. Your time there brings blessings for eternity. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/58nelson?lang=eng)  

 

We humbly and prayerfully invite each of you to examine your commitment to Jesus Christ and His gospel. Let each of us keep the covenants we have made and renew our focus on following the Savior. We testify and promise you that as you focus your life on Jesus Christ that you will feel His joy, love, and strength.  He will help you through successes, trials, and difficulties that you may encounter.

 

With love and sincerity,

 

President Ryan Sharp (Stake President)

President Chad Argyle (1st Counselor)

President Spencer Johnson (2nd Counselor)