I believe that much of what we do in the church today was discussed in the Great Council in the pre-existence. We knew then that much would have to be done to bring to pass the immortality and Eternal life of man. We knew we could not do it all ourselves, but we would have to do some of it. We knew that we would falter and hence needed a redeemer to bring us home. There is only one that could return home without rescue and we needed him (Jesus Christ) to atone for our sins and gain victory over death. Therefore, the Great Council in Heaven was, besides other things, the planning of a marvelous rescue mission. And now we are all about being both the rescued and rescuer as we participate in and share the work that we can do.
Our Ward Focus is RESCUE:
1) Be supportive, forgiving, and pentitive. (This behavior will help you be caring, bridge gaps, and be humble. As a result, others, including family members, may become receptive to your good influence. I have raised my family on this line and I know of its power, but this extends beyond the family, to the ward and others.)
2) Be an effective Visiting Teacher or Home Teacher. Having a private conversation with your Heavenly Father about how best to serve the families you visit is a good place to start. (Visiting Teachers and Home Teachers watch over and strengthen those they serve. These are inspired programs with the potential to make a big difference in someone’s life.)
3) Regarding your church calling(s), prayerfully study the handbook of instructions, note any spiritual impressions you receive, gain a vision of what the Lord would have you do, and determine how to know if you are on target. (As we receive and heed direction from the Lord regarding our callings, our joy will increase greatly, you will strengthen others, and help to make the ward a sanctuary from the world.)
4) Pray for inspiration to know who the Lord would have you help. (This is an opportunity to be a true disciple and have a positive impact on anyone the Lord chooses.)
Bring Everyone to the Temple:
1) Consistently maintain 3 temple trips on your calendar.
2) Pray and ask Heavenly Father, who is one person you can help bring to the temple.
3) Perform temple work for your own ancestors or help others with names of their family members.
Bring the Spirit of the Temple to Every Heart and Home:
1) Study
a) Mosiah chapters 2-6. (Found HERE)
b) “Honorably Hold a Name and a Standing” - Elder Bednar, 2009. (Found HERE)
c) “Taking Upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ” - Elder Oaks, 1985. (Found HERE)
2) Place a picture of the temple in every child’s room and engage children and youth in appropriate temple discussions and activities including temple visits, temple recommends, indexing and family name searching all at appropriate ages.
3) “Establish a house, even a house of glory, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8). In establishing that house include activities such as daily prayer and scripture study as well as weekly family home evening.
4) Monitor your relationship with the Savior, your change of heart and the Spirit of your home during the ordinance of the sacrament weekly.