Bishop journal — Christmas letter to ward members
December 2004
December 2004
Dear Grandview 19th Ward members,
During this wonderful Christmas season, we as a bishopric send our love and gratitude to all of you, and we share with you our love and appreciation for our Savior. President Hinckley has taught us: “…a testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…is the most precious possession that any of us can hold. This testimony of Jesus becomes the governing force in all that a person does.” We would remind all of us of some of the transcendent ways that our Savior influences our lives:
AS OUR REDEEMER – To redeem is to re-purchase something that was once possessed but has since been lost. Jesus redeemed or reclaimed us from the Fall by willingly shedding His sinless blood in our behalf.
AS OUR SAVIOR – Truly there is no other name given whereby we can be saved from physical death, spiritual death, and the effects of sin. The saving power of His atoning sacrifice reaches into every aspect of our lives.
AS THE SON OF GOD – By doing nothing but what He was instructed to do by His Father, Jesus set the perfect example of obedience, submission, and perseverance. He then invites us to be “..even as I am”.
AS OUR MEDIATOR – He stands between us and the Father, pleading our cause and allowing mercy to become operative in our lives.
We testify of the reality of our beloved Savior. We know that He lives and that He directs and influences our lives as we accept Him into our hearts. May each of us remember that the lights, the trees, the presents, and the ornaments might provide a setting or a tone for Christmas, but selfless love and service and devotion to others provide the substance and true significance of this wonderful time of the year. During our Savior’s brief tenure here on earth, he “went about doing good … for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38). May we do the same.
Sincerely,
Bishop Michael Taylor Brother Jeremy Robertson
Brother Dale Maughan Brother Justin Reynolds
Brother Jack Peterson Brother Aaron Woods
Brother John Borget Brother Wally Breitenstein
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