Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are humbled by and grateful for the call we have received to serve with you as your stake presidency. We love and acknowledge all who have led and taught our stake over the past several decades. Their love and devotion has helped prepare us for this time. We are humbled by the strength, faith and devotion of so many within our Stake family.
As we accepted this call in faith we have prayerfully ask the Lord what He would have us do at this time within the Stake. We have felt the spirit of revelation and the confirming witness in what we now share with you. It is a time to be ready –- to have our lamps trimmed, to rely upon the Holy Ghost to be our guide - to be prepared for the events of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (D&C 45:56-59)
We live in a time of great uncertainty and unrest. The world is in commotion, nations are rising against nations, the family and marriage are under attack, the moral compass of nations is crumbling, and wickedness and iniquity abound. (Matt 24, D&C 45) Sometimes it seems overwhelming and we each struggle with the question of “what are we to do to prepare for the days ahead?” We have all felt the uncertainty of the future, but we also know that if we are prepared, we shall not fear.
We testify to you that the only way to find peace and security in these troubled times is through faith in God and obedience to His commandments. We have felt strongly the Lord’s admonition to “organize yourselves and prepare every needful thing” (D&C 88:119-126).
The attached document, Salem Utah Stake Vision: Establish Zion, outlines the first steps of what we have received from the Lord. There are three areas of emphasis: Receive Revelation, Establish Homes of Zion and Love One Another. As we share with you the initial impressions that have come to us, we invite you to seek the guidance of the Lord through the Holy Ghost in what He would have you do at this time in your homes and families. We will all need the spirit of revelation more fully in our lives.
We testify that God lives! We are humbled to know that God our Father loves us, He knows us, and will guide us as we seek His direction. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for all our mistakes, all our sins and all our sorrows. His kingdom – the kingdom of God – is on the earth today. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His kingdom and He is directing it through His Son Jesus Christ, who personally speaks through His servants the Prophets and Apostles. We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercies. As you turn to Him and trust in Him, we promise that He will teach you how to establish Zion in your home and prepare your family for His Son’s second coming. We feel humbled to know that He loves us and He will guide every member of this stake to prepare for the days ahead.
With love,
The Salem Utah Stake Presidency