SACRAMENT MEETING NOTES - 22 MAY 2016, AND SEMINARY GRADUATES

BISHOP JORDAN MERRILL

We were warmly greeted by Brother Garth and Sister Patty Crofts.

First councilor, Brother Chris Lamb, welcomed  us and conducted the meeting.

Invocation was offered by Brother Brian Ludlow

Our speakers were Brother Sean and Sister Lynsee McLauchlin formerly of the 7th Ward.  Both of them used portions of Mosiah, chapters 20--23 as their text. Lynsee explained vs 12 in Chapter 23, which reads, in part: "Ye are bound in the bonds of iniquity.." In other words, our spiritual progression stops! She feels her spiritual progression has stopped because she has been prompted the last several testimony meetings to stand and bear her testimony and she hasn't. Instead she has been listening to the adversary giving her many excuses. She also quoted Mosiah 23:21 - "Nevertheless (even when things are going well and the people are living the gospel) the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea he trieth their patience and their faith." And verse 27 - "But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them." She loved it, that Alma would go out among the people and encourage them at a time when the Lamanites threatened to attack them.

Sean asked us how we are removed from Bondage and referred us to John 8:32-36 -  "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  Jesus answered them, Verily verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever.  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 He asked "What is our bondage?" And named three possible answers:  1) Ideology or the philosophies of men, such as our over use of 'I, My, Mine, Our' and relying on the arm of flesh.
 2) Wealth 3) Social media, sports, television; anything in excess that takes us away from the spirit. He also told us of a time in Jr High School when he was pretty full of himself and how one of the coaches told him he had to change his attitude.
Are we willing to give up everything for God? 

Benediction was offered by Brother Carson Hunt. 




Seminary graduation was held last evening! The young people in our ward to graduate were Mady Mac Arthur, 

daughter of Cary and Dave.

Noah Sato, son of John and Christie.... 

Austin Eyring

Son of Sue and Tim

 

And McKinzie Johnson  

daughter of Kendal and Nanette

 

McKinzie wrote up a few thing about herself that I am going to include here, as the few lines I had under her photo as a graduating high school senior were pretty sparse. 

(All of the Graduates from our Ward Family are outstanding young people! You will find write ups about them in previous Posts.)

McKinzie is the seventh child of eight. She loves having a big and ever growing family. She has three nieces and two nephews, and enjoys being an aunt immensely. McKinzie was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but has lived in St. George for twelve years. She is a people-person and enjoys being in the company of those she loves. Family and friends mean the world to her, and she doesn’t know where she would be without them. Her interests include reading, writing, seeing movies, singing and piano playing. She loves learning and likes to take any opportunity she can to learn. 

In high school McKinzie has participated in theater and choir. She has a passion for music and enjoys acting. Throughout all of high school she has been a part of National Honor Society and has loved serving others. In her last year of school she has been a part of Elections and Eligibility, a club in charge of all the voting in the high school. She has taken several Honors, AP, and Concurrent Enrollment classes, and by doing so she has learned how to work hard and to get the most from her education. She also took four years of French. She will be graduating with high honors and an honors diploma; she is a Utah Scholar, and has received scholarships at various colleges. For six months she worked as a nanny, and from that experience she has learned to be a good example, a good listener, and to be patient. 
After she graduates, McKinzie plans to serve a mission; she is going to work in the summer and fall, saving for her mission. She can turn in her papers in August and will be available to leave in December. After her mission she is going to go college, majoring in psychology or social work, and eventually hopes to become a child life specialist, helping children to cope with serious illnesses. She wants to help kids in any way she can. She loves children and can’t wait to one day be a wife and mother. A dream of hers is to be a published author, writing books for children and young adults. She also hopes to travel the world, learning and experiencing all of the different cultures out there.