Worldwide Fast for Relief, April 10, 2020

President Nelson issued an invitation and call to a day of fasting and prayer. He said, “Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!”

“For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again. Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic. I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”

“Let us unite in pleading for healing throughout the world.”

As a stake presidency, we also add that we should continue to do our part to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

It seems hypocritical to ask our Heavenly Father to intervene on our behalf and then not do our part to bring to pass the relief.

We have been encouraged by our church leaders to follow government directives which include:

• Stay at home as much as possible

• Encourage socializing by phone and video chats

• Engage in appropriate social distancing

• Follow strict hygiene standards

• Help others as reasonably appropriate to practice the same principles.

For more information go to: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/stay-at-home/

Peace through faith in Jesus Christ

President Nelson spoke of these trying times then asked, “How can we endure such trials?” “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” was his answer.

President Nelson continued: “Our ultimate quest in life is to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing, and strengthening power. Then we can feel enduring peace and joy, even during turbulent times.

President Nelson further asked us to hear, heed and harken to the Savior. “Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.” “We pray that you will begin anew truly to hear, hearken to, and heed the words of the Savior. I promise that decreased fear and increased faith will follow.”

President Nelson then gave examples of how to hear, heed and harken:

“We can go to the scriptures. Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval. As we feast on the words of Christ daily, the words of Christ will tell us how to respond to difficulties we never thought we would face.”

“We can also hear Him in the temple.” Due to Covid-19 pandemic, worshipping in the temple is currently not possible. Even when the temples reopen there may be other reasons why we are not able to worship in the temple, President Nelson’s invitation is still valid: “I invite you to increase your participation in family history, including family history research and indexing. I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him.”

“We also hear Him more clearly as we refine our ability to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.” “I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. Doing so will help you know how to move ahead with your life, what to do during times of crisis, and how to discern and avoid the temptations and the deceptions of the adversary.”

“And, finally, we hear Him as we heed the words of prophets, seers, and revelators.” “What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets? I promise that you will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness. I promise miracles in your marriage, family relationships, and daily work. And I promise that your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life.”

Joy of the Restoration

“What does it mean for you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth?

"It means that you and your family can be sealed together forever! It means that because you have been baptized by one who has authority from Jesus Christ and have been confirmed a member of His Church, you can enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. He will guide and protect you. It means you will never be left comfortless or without access to the power of God to help you. It means that priesthood power can bless you as you receive essential ordinances and make covenants with God and keep them. What an anchor to our souls are these truths, especially during these times when the tempest is raging.”

From the Bicentennial Proclamation to the World: “We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

May our Father in Heaven bless you with health, safety and increased access to the Spirit.

Sincerely,

The Stake Presidency

President May
President Kezerian
President Wright