Stake History

Dear Sisters & Brothers of the Salt Lake Hunter Stake,

We send our warmest greetings to each of you. We hope this letter finds you well and firm in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During these uncertain times, we are grateful to receive guidance and direction from the Lord’s chosen mouthpieces, particularly President Russell M Nelson. Revelation continues to be poured down from heaven through priesthood channels to guide us during these unprecedented times. In that spirit, we send these words to you by way of encouragement and counsel.

Establishing Zion is the cause for which the Saints of God, in whatever age they live, continually strive for. During the time of the prophet Enoch, the Lord establish a City of Holiness, even Zion. We are not told exactly, step by step, how Zion was established, but the characteristics of the inhabitants of that holy city are telling. “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:18). From modern revelation we gain insight into how the Lord prepares his people to become of one heart and one mind. “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion.” (D&C 136:31).

In stark contrast to the peace and unity of Zion, the influence and priorities of Babylon are all around us. Using greed, anger, and lust for power, the inhabitants of Babylon sow seeds of division and fear, encouraging us to focus on our differences rather than what unites us. Coupled with those influences, we may feel a heightened sense of uncertainty and anxiety as global diseases and natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity. While the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily routines, challenged our preparedness, and tested our resolve, it has also allowed us to witness the divinely inspired changes in the Lord’s church in action. Recent updates to principles and procedures have prepared us for the temporary adjustments to in person church meetings and activities, temple worship and missionary service. Out of necessity, we have turned our focus inward, to our homes and families. This has been a blessing as well as a learning opportunity. Surely the Lord can use these times and work together all things for our good. With extra time in our homes and perhaps a different perspective, we may have asked ourselves some searching questions. “With previous pulls on my time, such as sports and other community activities cancelled or postponed, what have I done with that additional time? What have I replaced those activities with? Has my attention been turned more towards the Savior and His work? Who have I been able to help? How are the individuals and families that I have been assigned as a ministering brother or sister doing?”

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are invited to be actively involved with Him in the great work of uniting and gathering, the work of salvation. The focus of this work is summarized in four areas.

1. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ

2. Invite all to receive the gospel

3. Caring for those in need

4. Uniting families for eternity

The work of salvation is home centered and church supported. For a time, it may have felt that the balance between home and church has been swayed heavily towards the home. While this has been valuable and important, we should remember that the work of salvation is accomplished both in our homes and through the Lord’s church. Maintaining a proper balance between these two mediums of holiness is necessary if we are to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. No matter the state of affairs in the world, the Lord’s work of gathering continues. It is never frustrated nor put on hold. “The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.” (D&C 3:1) “There is no end to my works, neither to my words.” (Moses 1:38). With a healthy and heightened sense of home, self and family, we can continue the work of the Lord through his church. Elder D Todd Christofferson spoke about the role of the church in the Oct. 2015 general conference.

“The church is the kingdom of God on the earth and is the repository of His authority, the administrator of His holy covenants, the custodian of His temples, the gathering place for scattered Israel and a defense and refuge from the storm and from wrath when it shall be poured out without measure upon the whole earth.” How can we continue God’s work through His church during these times of upheaval and disruption? One of the answers lies in Chapter 7 of the general handbook of the church. “The Lord’s Church is governed through councils at the general, area, stake, and ward levels. These councils are fundamental to the order of the Church.” We encourage all Bishoprics, ward councils, youth councils, Relief Society presidencies, Elders quorum presidencies, Primary presidencies, Sunday school presidencies, young women class presidencies, and Aaronic priesthood quorum presidencies to counsel with your councils. Even while we can’t meet in person, we should be discussing, planning and making assignments so that the work of God continues. There are many that need your help and the best way to address those needs is for all presidencies and councils to be unified in the work of salvation, exercising priesthood keys and receiving revelation to best meet the needs of their quorum and class members. The youth especially need this opportunity to counsel. Elder Bednar said in a recent training meeting “Can we begin to see what happens when the Elders quorum, the Relief Society, the Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and the Young Women classes are all laser-beam, singularly focused on the work of salvation? The miracles that will occur, the advancement of this work in the earth, will be astronomical.” If you have not held a recent presidency meeting or council mtg, please do so soon. If you have, thank you, and please continue your efforts to focus on the work of salvation.

Being one with Him, as He is one with the Father, is the Savior’s invitation to all who would enjoy “peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59: 23) “Be one, and if ye are not one, ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27) he says throughout the scriptures. Our unity with Christ ensures that we will be intimately involved in the final gathering process, for we know “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” (Ephesians 1:10). Our hope and prayer as a united stake presidency is to have the members of the Hunter Stake claim all of the promised blessings that our loving Heavenly Father has to offer. As we unitedly and consistently involve ourselves in the greatest work on the earth, we will have joy and we will have peace, no matter what the conditions of the world around us may be. May the Lord continue to bless you in your efforts to be one with Him. May you continue making and keeping sacred covenants with Him and joyfully participating in His divine work of salvation. We love you and pray the Lord’s richest blessings for you all.

Your brothers in the gospel,

Neal Peterson

Scott Harwood

Greg Biddulph

You received this email because you made your email address available to your local Church leaders. It was sent by Gregory John Biddulph, whose calling is Stake Presidency Second Counselor

My Friends,

Due to the recent spike in COVID19 cases in our area, I invite you to continue to follow the example of President Nelson’s previous calls for faith and fasting by joining me in a stake wide fast for all whose health permits. We can pray that the pandemic may be controlled; for those who are suffering to be healed; for healthcare workers to be protected; and for a strengthened economy and a united society. I also invite our neighbors in the community to add their significant acts of faith to this effort.

In preparation for this fast, we should read Isaiah 58:6-11 which contains the Lord’s definition of the fast with the injunction for us to “deal thy bread to the hungry” where a true sacrifice of financial offerings and acts of service show forth faith in action through good works.

As we show our humility and faith in the Master Healer our Lord Jesus Christ, we then may know His fruits which include that “thine health shall spring forth speedily”.

Please share this invitation with our neighbors including appropriate and uplifting media or other sources.

Attached Word document contents:

Law of the Fast

Isaiah 58:6-11

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the ^abands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go ^bfree, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the ^ahungry, and that thou bring the ^bpoor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from ^cthine own flesh?

8 ¶ Then shall thy ^alight break forth as the morning, and thine ^bhealth shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy ^crearward.

9 Then shalt thou ^acall, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the ^bputting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the ^ahungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light ^brise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11 And the Lord shall ^aguide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in ^bdrought, and ^cmake fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a ^dspring of water, whose waters fail not.

My Brothers in the Gospel,

I have been thinking of you today on Father’s Day and many times over the past few weeks especially while studying the teachings of Alma and Amulek on the Priesthood, coupled by President Oaks talk from April Conference titled “The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys”.

These scriptures make it clear that the privilege of being ordained to the Holy Order of the Son of God comes with a clearly marked path to serve and bless outwardly as exemplified by our Savior Jesus Christ.

His life was lived in the service of others. His suffering, death, resurrection and Eternal Joy was a hallmark of selfless and one-on-one service. Oh that we may magnify this gift as he imparted.

Our current worship experiences are teaching us how to find balance in a home centered church supported gospel. This balance also applies to God’s Order for his power which is available to men and women alike through our temple covenants and ordinances, as well as our setting apart and ordinations as President Oaks taught;

“The power of the priesthood exists both in the Church and in the family organization. But priesthood power and priesthood authority function differently in the Church than they do in the family. … The Church exists to provide the doctrine, the authority, and the ordinances necessary to perpetuate family relationships into the eternities. Thus, the family organization and the Church of Jesus Christ have a mutually reinforcing relationship. The blessings of the priesthood—such as the fulness of the gospel and ordinances like baptism, confirmation and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, the temple endowment, and eternal marriage—are available to men and women alike…(President Dallin H Oaks, April 2020)

I also find it convincing that this great gift can only be exercised when men and women espouse attributes of the Savior including “persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41).

I also echo President Oaks who taught “If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do.”

The ongoing pandemic has damped our chance to meet together for Stake General Priesthood Meeting which has now been canceled for next Sunday. However, I’d urge us all to unite in studying and adopting President Oaks talk and the truths taught in these chapters from the Book of Mormon. As we do so prayerfully, I promise that it will lead us to an attitude of outward service and thanksgiving for the great gifts bestowed upon all of God’s children including a glimpse of his power, authority and keys.

May all of you celebrate a Happy Father’s Day for we all have reason to rejoice.

Best regards
Neal Peterson