The Lord places great importance on attending our Sabbath day meetings. In fact, He has commanded us to “go to the house of prayer and offer thy sacraments upon my holy day.” Attending church is one way that we can feel connected to Him and to other members. When we attend we show our obedience and receive blessings. There may be many reasons that individuals stop going to church. But whatever the reason, when we distance ourselves from the Lord’s church, we will begin to feel distant from Him.
It should be noted however, that the connection to God is not accomplished simply by putting on our skirts and ties and sitting through the sermons. It is only when we attend with a prayer in our hearts, and with our eye single to God’s glory, that the power of godliness can be manifested to us through the ordinance of the sacrament. Then His grace will be apparent to us and sufficient for us.
Being “at Church,” (whether in-person, at home, or remotely), is critical to our spiritual survival. Considering this, I recently asked two members about their experience of being away from the Church for a period of time, and then coming back. I wanted to know what led to their return and what blessings they have seen in their lives because of their choice to come back.
Gary Baker
1) What led to your return to full church activity?
The easy answer to this question is my wife; our children played a big role and 3 decades of daily prayers from my mother and father I am sure didn't hurt! As we become experienced in this life and our mortality becomes more clearly evident we also recognize that same mortality in our parents and siblings (if we are lucky enough to still have them). As the door for this stage of my life opened up I realized that I was facing what was most likely my last opportunity to bring the level of joy into my parents' lives that seeing their eldest son return to the gospel would bring, this was important to me.
But perhaps the greatest factor to my return stemmed out of the exponential rate of moral and ethical decline that has occurred in our society over the last decade. If I am to be forced into the eternal conflict of good and evil, I will choose good and I will stand with my brothers and sisters. It was time for me to return home and that place is here, with all of you!
2) What blessings have you seen in your life because of your return?
Our most immediate blessing has been greater strength in our unity as a family and the resulting impact upon our children. Our decision-making process and clarity of purpose is much more focused given the integrity inherent in living the principles of the gospel. Additionally, I have no idea how to quantify the disasters I have averted by ridding myself of some of the habits I had acquired while out in the world.
There is no doubt in my mind that I was put on this earth to travel some interesting roads and to experience the consequential growth, this became evident at a young age. I don't deny that perhaps there were some paths that were better left untraveled, but at the end of the day with help from our Heavenly Father and all the good people in my life, my purpose is coming more into focus all the time and I am more excited about the future than ever before.
Trisha Kikuchi
1) What led to your return to full church activity?
When asked this question, I rarely hesitate with an answer. It began when I was young. The seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was planted in my heart when I was a child, thanks to my loving parents. But as I grew older, I drifted from the Gospel, not purposefully, but in my day-to-day choices. However, regardless of those choices, I had never doubted there was a God, a loving Heavenly Father. I knew He and His Son, Jesus Christ lived and loved us, I just didn’t recognize that love until much later in my life.
Almost thirty years had passed. In that time I had experienced two marriages, one divorce and another was imminent, a health crisis of cancer and then more cancer. But amidst these trials my beautiful children were born. They gave my life purpose more than anything I had ever known before, a far greater capacity to love, and to sacrifice.
As I would look into their precious faces, I marveled at our Heavenly Fathers miracles. They were His children, sent to me to care for, love, and teach, yet they were doing the same for me. It was then that I started to ponder my role as a mother. I wanted to be an example to them, so I began with prayer. This was a principle of the Gospel I hadn’t made a regular habit of, but I knew that in order to receive divine help, I would need to commune with my Heavenly Father.
I know my prayers, and the prayers of many faithful family members and friends, were heard. I felt a deep desire to go to church, go and learn, begin again. I knew there wasn’t any way I could possibly do all of this on my own. My husband at the time was against attending church and especially against me teaching or taking our children. It was a time of great contention which I did not want in our home. But there it was. I felt compelled to continue, press forward. It took every fiber of my being to take courage and go, many times without my children, and without my husband. I just kept pressing forward, and all the while I clung to hope and faith, which to this day, I still do.
2) What blessings have you seen in your life because of your return?
I will never forget the first sacrament meeting I attended, it was with my children. I felt an overwhelming confirmation that all would be well. This is where I was to be. My Heavenly Father knew my heart, my struggles, my love and concern for my children, and He would always be with me. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I have found that when I do all that I can and place my trust in the Lord, I feel connected to Him and my life is filled with purpose and direction.
Truly these are just a few of the great blessings I have received as a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of His church. I recognize His loving hand in my life each and every day, tender mercies and miracles extended to me and my family. I have felt great peace and have been comforted and lifted when the burdens have been far too great.
I know He has always been there throughout my life, waiting patiently, and lovingly holding out his arms to me and to all of his Father’s children. I like this scripture from the Book of Mormon: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. “ (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 22:2)
Written by: Scott J. Wakefield, Bishop.
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