Finding Peace Through Jesus Christ in the Tremonton West Stake, 345 S. 1000 W, Tremonton, UT (2026)

03/11/2023

Look to the future and live.
In Luke 17:32 it says “Remember Lot’s wife.” If we do what the scripture says we will remember the original story that comes to us out of the days of S***m and Gomorrah. The lord having had as much as he could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed. With less than immediate obedience and more than a little negotiation, Lot and his family ultimately did leave town, but just in the nick of time. The scriptures tell us what happened at daybreak following their escape. The lord rained upon S***m and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the lord out of heaven and he overthrew those cities. Genesis 19:24-25. In the next verse it says “But his wife looked back from behind him. My thought from this scripture is don’t look back but look ahead. Apparently what was wrong with Lot’s wife was that she wasn’t just looking back, in her heart she wanted to go back. Yes history is important and we must learn from it, but we need to have faith in the future and live. Faith is always pointed toward the future. Steven Barfuss

01/02/2023

At this time of the year, I like to look back on the previous year and reflect on what happened. The good and bad, and see if I improved and became a better person. I see if I lived up to the goals that I wanted to accomplish for the year. It is also a time to look toward the new year 2023, set new goals for improvement, and have hope and faith for better things to come.

For myself and my family 2022 was a good year. We are coming out of the pandemic, able to meet again in church functions and get together with friends and families without all the restrictions. But I realize for others it might not have been such a good year. There might have been heartaches caused by death, sickness, or other struggles in life. The sky high inflation prices have been a great hardship financially for many. When these hardships happen, it is hard to keep a positive attitude and keep going. Of course that is what Satan wants to happen, for us to give up and turn away from the Lord. This is when we need to turn our thoughts more to the Savior and realize that we need His help to make it through this troubled life. To find peace and a desire to push forward. I found these quotes from Pres. Nelson and from Pres. Benson. These words bring me comfort and I hope they will for you.

Pres. Nelson said, “You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world, including arrogance, pride, anger, immorality, hatred, greed, jealousy, and fear. Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest—meaning relief and peace—even amid your most vexing problems.

Overcoming the world is not an event that happens in a day or two. It happens over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ. We cultivate faith in Jesus Christ by repenting daily and keeping covenants that endow us with power. We stay on the covenant path and are blessed with spiritual strength, personal revelation, increasing faith, and the ministering of angels. Living the doctrine of Christ can produce the most powerful virtuous cycle, creating spiritual momentum in our lives”.

Pres. Benson said: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys,
expand their vision, quicken their minds, … lift their spirits, multiply their blessings,
increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”

Mack Esplin,
Stake Sunday School

12/11/2022

What a wonderful year we have had in Sunday school studying about Jehovah and His love for His covenant people. I am excited for next year to study more about His life and ministry on earth.

To echo an old classic "it's the most wonderful time of the year". The holiday season really does feel different than the rest of the year. So much so that writers and authors and singers have coined the phrase "the Christmas spirit" to describe the noticeable change that much of society goes through during this time. As devout Christians and Latter Day Saints, we recognize this Christmas spirit as an outpouring of the Holy Ghost similar to what happened to King Lamoni and his people when 'their hearts had changed and they had no more desire to do evil' (Alma 19:34) or the Nephites at the waters of Mormon who 'clapped their hands for joy' when they were about to enter the covenant path (Mosiah 18:11). These stories of faith are great examples to me but I often feel myself disappointed and saddened that in the day to day grind of life my faith doesn't seem to measure up to these new converts from the Book of Mormon. What is it about these and other new converts to the gospel that they seem to be in an eternal 'Christmas season' while I, and I dare say I'm not alone, seem to be in a perpetual summertime? An answer came the other day while listening to the soundtrack of the Polar Express.
”Ships go sailing
Far across the sea
Trusting starlight
To get where they need to be
When it seems that we have lost our way
We find ourselves again on Christmas Day
Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe"

If you just believe. What a simple concept that we can just believe in something and it can strengthen us, but it does! When we believe, we hope and when we hope we have faith and faith is what leads us to doing, to helping, to serving and loving and changing. In today's age we want to be able to say 'I know' especially when it comes to our testimonies but the Savior teaches us an important lesson when he shows himself to Thomas, "blessed are they that have not seen but have believed" (John 20:24-29). The Savior does not want our perfect knowledge of the scriptures or to have memorized all the prophets birthdays or to be able to name all the temples in Utah. All of these things are good but the best thing we can give the Savior this holiday season is our hearts and the gift of our faith.

May this holiday season not end in January and let's make all year the most wonderful time of the year in our stake and in our homes. Brothers and Sister let us all just believe.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Josh Christensen
Stake Sunday School secretary

11/27/2022

When we love and follow Him, we have faith in Him. We repent. We follow his example, and are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. We stay on the covenant path. We forgive family members and neighbors by letting go of grudges we may be holding. We strive to keep God’s commandments. We are obedient. We prepare ourselves for His second coming. We are blessed with joy! How do you seek joy daily?
Ben White

10/09/2022

I love this time of year. The fall colors, hunting season and the cool weather. I especially like watching conference with my family. It’s a great time to reflect and relax. I also enjoy taking time to relisten to all of the talks on my commute to work.

I really liked Elder Jeffery R. Hollands talk “Lifted Up upon the Cross”. I love how he explained how our savior was on the cross with arms outstretched, inviting all to come onto him. I pray that we may all find the time to reflect on the talks of this conference and receive your own witness of the questions you may have.

Shane Newman

10/05/2022

I watched general conference with my four year old grandson. As we both listened, he watched me take a few notes. He was curious about what I was writing. He touched my notes and said, “What does this say grandma?” I read to him, “Don’t ever give up on Jesus. He won’t give up on you!” He said, Oh, I know Jesus. Yes, I know Jesus.” I told him I knew Jesus too. As the day continued I found myself wondering if I really do know Jesus the way that I should. Does my knowledge of Jesus change each day of my life?

In conference President Nelson said that “Heavenly Father and Jesus stand ready to help us.” Do I know him well enough to remember; His great love for me, His example of love and caring for others and finally, his sacrifice for each of us. President Nelson challenged us to. “Take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ.” As I learn more, pray to him more and rely on his guidance, I will be able to say like my little grandson, Oh, I know Jesus.”
Suzanne Moss

09/11/2022

As I was pondering on a message that I could share with the stake this month, my thoughts went to this time of year and the changing of the season. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Even though we are in a drought and things are very dry and brown, fall ushers in cooler weather with trees and foliage changing colors.
Fall is my dad’s favorite time of the year and I guess that rubbed off on me. It was a time when we gathered the cattle from the mountains back into the valleys to get the calves ready to sell. We spent time together as a family outdoors and noticed the beauty of God’s creations, working and having fun together. So this time of the year I pause, and give thanks for a good family, and for all that God and Christ has given us. Thanksgiving is soon approaching, and this is a time that I focus on all the blessings that I have in my life. A knowledge of the plan of salvation, of the atonement, of the gospel. I believe all these blessings come because of the knowledge of these things.
Our ultimate goal in this life should be to become more like our Heavenly Father and return to Him. The way we accomplish that goal is by coming unto Jesus Christ. That is what Nephi taught us in (2 Nephi 25: 26). “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”
May we take time each day to give thanks and rejoice in Christ for all we have in this life, and the great hope and blessings we have been promised in the life to come.

Mack Esplin
Stake Sunday School President

08/30/2022

Pray for your enemy

Do you have an enemy? At times I have encountered people in my life who feel like an enemy. Christ taught us to love our enemies. And sometimes that feels hard. Jesus taught, “Love your enemies” and “do good to them that despitefully use you.” In 3rd Nephi, 11:29 it reads “For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” Again, sometimes, lots of times in fact, it is just easier to be angry with people than to try to love them. Christ also taught us to pray for our enemies. I’ve always thought that the purpose of praying for your enemy was a way to accept that person in spite of the way that they think, or the way behave toward you. I believe that Christ taught us to love our enemies, because He loves all of His. And He is our example. And while I know that that is part of it, a new thought has recently come to me, a new idea that has helped me be able to see my enemies a little differently. We are to love our enemy, because in doing so we try to understand our enemy and the way they think, which is likely to be different than the way we think. But in that light, it could be, that because of the way I think, or the things I do, I myself am someone’s enemy. And I don’t want to ever be perceived as anyones enemy, so I genuinely want others to try and understand me, and the way I think, and the the things I do. And because I hope for this understanding from others, I too, need to strive to understand those that don’t think like me. Those I might call “my enemies.” If I can understand them, find common ground, teach, be teachable in return, and see for myself that they are more like me that I realize, I will be loving my enemies. When I can love somebody who is an enemy, perhaps then, they are not truly an enemy. It could being commanded to love them, is the route to understanding them, which leads to genuine love. The Saviors kind of love.

Dallin H. Oaks said “As I have lived for many years in different places in this nation, the Lord has taught me that it is possible to obey and seek to improve our nation’s laws and also to love our adversaries and our enemies. While not easy, it is possible with the help of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He gave this command to love, and He promises His help as we seek to obey it. I testify that we are loved and will be helped by our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

I too, add my testimony too, that seeking the guidance of the Lord as we learn to love our enemies, will make the burden easier. I leave this message in the name of Jesus Christ.

Brother Bruce Jardine

08/22/2022

One thing that has been weighing on my mind a lot lately is temple attendance. We have been taught over and over the importance of going to the temple and going often. The temple is a place we can go to remove ourselves from the world. A place we can go to find comfort and peace. A place we can go to feel closer to our Heavenly Father.

My experience with attending the temple has not always been the easiest. When I was first married and attending the temple I would struggle. There was still a lot I had to learn about the sacred ordinances and covenants that are made when we are there. Not knowing what I was doing brought a lot of anxiety and stress to me. I knew I needed to do something to fix that and find the peace that I knew would come with attending the temple. I decided I just needed to go more often. I needed to learn, and the way to learn was to continue to go. My husband and I made the goal to go on a regular basis and it changed everything. I was learning more and more each time I went and becoming more comfortable along the way. The stress and anxiety slowly faded away and I enjoyed entering the House of the Lord.

President Nelson said: “If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often – not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation.

I can testify of that. I know the more I attend the temple the more it becomes a safe place for me. A place to leave the world behind and become closer to my Father in Heaven.

Melanie Wright

08/14/2022

I was rushing to get out the door, as I often do, and frustrated that I couldn’t find a bag to carry supplies I was taking with me to a study group. Leaving the mess on the dining table, I walked into another room for a few minutes. When I returned, my books were stacked in a neat little pile along with the perfect size bag holding the rest of my things. My daughter humbly said, “I saw the bag in the toy box yesterday.” She didn’t just point out where I could find it and go on her way, she dug through all the kids’ stuff to retrieve it, organized my things in it, and stacked the rest together so that I was ready to go. This simple act of service blessed my life with peace that day. This is what Elder Robert D Hales taught is discipleship. “Disciples live so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, as into a spiritual tapestry.”

As we members of the Church continue to transition from visiting and home teaching to ministering, I often have people ask me what that looks like. Elder Hales went on to say, “The attributes of the Savior, as we perceive them, are not a script to be followed or list to be checked off. They are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, which develop in us in interactive ways.” Jesus Christ is the perfect example of ministering. As He ministered to people, He recognized their individual needs.

Pondering on ministering as the Savior does has helped me to see these examples in daily life. I saw a 90-year-old sister go next door to sit with her Mennonite neighbor and shell a five-gallon bucket full of peas. I saw the husband of the Mennonite neighbor pick up and deliver the sister’s mail to her so that she didn’t have to cross the busy road for it. A new deacon saw an older man struggling to climb out of an irrigation ditch, so he repurposed some used lumber to build steps. Sitting in the temple, I watched my sweet husband help a stranger suffering with neuropathy from chemotherapy treatments dress for a temple ceremony. These disciples are teaching me what ministering looks like as they reflect Christlike attributes in their simple actions. Through these actions, we come to love and know others as the Savor does…ministering to the one.
Rosa Thornley

08/12/2022

On my mission during a zone conference we had a visit from the area authority. He asked us a question and began calling on missionaries looking for an answer. Each missionary gave a correct 'primary' answer to which the visiting authority said 'yes, but what does that mean to you?' This same questioning and answering went on for a few minutes until us missionaries realized the answer he was looking for was deeper and more personal. 'What does that mean to [me]?' Missionaries began raising their hands with answers such as ' That means I don't need to worry about my family as much' or 'I need to get along better with my companion' or 'I need to write my girlfriend less'. This visiting authority was teaching us to 'liken the scriptures unto ourselves( 1 Nephi 19:23).

As we have gone through the old testament this year I have been learning a lot. I have been comforted as I see our Savior's steadfastness and willingness to save His people despite their continued disobedience and unchanging human nature. While He can never save us in our sins He does save us from our sins( Alma 11:35-46) for He is our Redeemer.

This month Come Follow me will take us through many broad gospel teachings, from the story of Job to the short but sweet lessons in Psalms. If we read with real intent and ask ourselves ' what does this mean to me, today ' we will learn more about ourselves and our Heavenly Father's plan for us individually and can proclaim as Job does ' ...that I know that my redeemer liveth...' (Job 19:25)

Josh Christensen
TP1, Stake Sunday School Secretary

07/22/2022

At this time of year we often think back to pioneers, people who were the first to lead out in helping others who would follow after them. Many have stories of pioneers in their own families who crossed the plains to establish a refuge in the west, a place to worship and exercise their religion. I remember stories my mother used to tell about her father, who, although he never came west, was considered a local pioneer. She said, “I always remember him as a local missionary. I would go with him to hold street meetings and cottage meetings. That was my introduction to missionary work, and I don’t have any earlier memories of anything else.”

Jeffie Ransom Booth was a weaver in a textile mill in Columbus, Georgia in the 1920s-30s. He was also a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved to share his testimony whenever he could, and people would often gather around and ask him questions about his religion during lunch break at work. During the week and after work he would often hold or attend cottage meetings. On Sundays he would take his young daughter to a corner street in town and conduct street meetings, where he, and others would sing, pray and teach the gospel. He became a beloved local missionary with a gift of teaching. Many people would say, “Jeff, you could have any pulpit in Columbus if you would just give up Joe Smith.” He told them, “If I gave up Joseph Smith there wouldn’t be anything to give the
people.”

I am grateful for the pioneering testimony of my grandfather, and I, too, know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and carries with it the power of conversion. We are led by the Lord’s prophet today in President Russell M. Nelson. We have a Heavenly Father who lives and loves us, and his son, Jesus Christ is our living Savior and Redeemer. I’m reminded of these truths “whenever I think about pioneers.”
-Brother Kay Christensen

Finding Peace Through Jesus Christ in the Tremonton West Stake

03/11/2023

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12/11/2022

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