Elder Scott Teaches About Faith and Prayer

"When we receive help from our Father in Heaven, it is in response to faith, obedience, and the proper use of agency."
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"Perhaps Oliver Cowdery’s experiences were recorded for us to understand how to pray and how to recognize answer to prayer. Oliver was told: “That assuredly as the Lord liveth, … even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive. …

“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.” (D&C 8:1–2; italics added.)

When we receive an impression in our heart, we can use our mind either to rationalize it away or to accomplish it. Be careful what you do with an impression from the Lord.

Repentance Builds Faith

Preach My Gospel states that "changing to become Christlike requires ... repenting."

To become more faithful, like Christ, you and I will benefit from asnswering these questions: what will I repent of today? what will I keep (feeling, thinking, doing)? What will I improve? What will I stop? What will I start?

These questions strengthen faith because once they've been answered, a second question is neccessarily posed: how am I going to do it? The correct answer to that question will always include increased faith.

Is there something you need to confess to your bishop? Really, ask yourself that question. If there is anything in the slightest that comes to your mind as you read that question, come to me. Call David Hawkinson (801-373-7495) and schedule a time for us to chat. Mortality already provides enough impediments to speedy progression without the burden of conscience. As Elder Hafen taught in General Conference back in April 2004, "because of the Atonement,(we can) learn from (our) experience without being condemned by it" - the Lord wants you to progress, so much so that He is willing to take away your guilt through His sacrifice.

Praying for increased faith is sure making my days more meaningful so far this month. I hope you are experiencing the same.

-Bishop Macdonald

How Do I Build My Faith?

"Strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ." 
- Bible Dictionary, Faith

Entering March!

Wow. March is already here. How have the first two months of the year been for you? Have you grown in "love for others, God, and yourself?" Have you resolved to be more "obedient?" I have.

This month we have the blessing of studying one of the most precious doctrines - the Plan of Salvation. We'll study chapters 5 and 6 from Gospel Principles (The Creation; The Fall of Adam and Eve), and we'll discuss "The Purpose of Mortality" (Stake Theme, March). I call these doctrines precious because they're mysteries to those outside the current reach of the restored gospel, and because understanding them changes everything. Understanding these two doctrines prepares the learner for a correct understanding of the Atonement - which is what changes everything. This would be a great month to invite your friends and family to attend church with you.

While we study these precious truths, I invite you to pray for the Christlike attribute of faith. "Your faith will increase through diligent study, prayer, dedicated service, and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the commandments." (Preach My Gospel, p. 116)

In February, we just resolved to be more obedient. Now, let us take that dedication, couple it with diligent study, and pray for the Lord to fill us with faith. I know this is a righteous desire that the Lord will grant as we seek it earnestly, daily, this month. Page 117 of Preach My Gospel provides a good place to begin your study.

The Lord has filled me with love for you, members of the Provo Peak 3rd ward. I love you. I know he will bless us as we seek to become more like him.

- Bishop Macdonald

Advice from Elder Busche

Elder F. Enzio Busche gave this advice back in 1996 in a BYU devotional.

Obedience

"If ye love me, keep my commandments," taught the Savior hours before going to the garden. Throughout January we as a ward have prayed to be filled with love as we've studied our duty to our eternal family. Now, the opportunity is our's to prove that love by seeking after greater obedience while studying discipleship.

Focus First on Becoming

With all the things that we could possibly do and pursue each day, how are we to know which is best? My simple solution to this question is the motto with which I've entitled this post: Focus First on Becoming.


Focus First on Becoming, to me, means first deciding the answer to these questions: of all the ways of being that I could choose today, which one is the way that I desire? What do I want to become?

January 17, 2010 Bishopric Letter to the Ward

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Provo Peak 3rd Ward,

This past week, on January 12, 2010, we held an expanded ward council meeting wherein we decided upon an exciting way of advancing the 2010 ward theme of Come Unto Christ. We would like to present it to you here below. The purpose of the theme is to direct our efforts in becoming a Christlike, temple-going covenant people by praying for and seeking 12 Christlike attributes throughout the year.

The Church's Relief Effort to Haiti

Hope and Confidence for a New Year

This question was poised to me at work this morning:

"What if 2010 begins with you confident that this will be the most remarkable year yet in your life?"

The following questions were these:

"If you believe that, how does it affect what you'll do in the first days and weeks of the new year?"

"What would you do if you knew that a new level of success is just around the corner?"

I asked my boss if I could share this thought with our ward. I've thought about the range of expectations that we may have for the new year - ranging from poor, through benign, to great - and I've been moved by the realization that is up to us. If we want if to be "the most remarkable year yet in (our) lives" then it will be.

May we set our sites and expectations high for this new year with faith that all is possible with the Lord.