Small and Large Gatherings

If we make effort to listen and observe with inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can see divine potential in everyone

The Lord’s work includes small, medium and large gatherings. We’ve mentioned in prior posts that in addition to Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support meetings we coordinate Emotional Resilience classes and also lead Spouse and Family Support meetings. The latter is for those who need healing because of the choices of loved-ones such as addiction. We can’t overstate how valuable these small and medium gatherings are, for our guests, and us. Like the ARP, each of these meetings are held in the confidential environment of the church high council room, allowing for safe sharing and compassionate support. We wish more would attend. Regardless of the emotions, source of the disappointment or hurt, we realize that all of us need hope and peace by coming unto the Savior.

In the weekly Spouse and Family Support, discussion principles range from God’s consolation, chains that bind us, taking care of self, gratitude, honesty, service, patience and peace, all wrapped warmly and completely in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This week we discussed, “In everything give thanks.” Key messages included the following:

“The more we focus on negative emotions, the stronger they become, until they begin to dominate our thoughts, diminishing our ability to feel the Spirit and find happiness.” During our session I was reminded of my theme missionary scripture from decades ago, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken,” (Proverbs 15:13)

“As we consistently take time each day to ponder and record the things for which we are grateful, the evidence of God’s hand in our lives becomes clearer.” This includes God-given gifts and talents as well as finding the good that exists in our loved ones. “If we make an effort to listen and observe with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can see the divine potential in everyone, even those who have hurt us.” 

After our closing prayer in the high council room, the stake president’s door opened. Standing in the doorway was President Hanks and Elder Peter M. Johnson, General Authority Seventy. Apologizing for the interruption, they invited us to continue our meeting but first Elder Johnson kindly walked over to each of us for a warm greeting and brief introduction, a small gathering, then they went back into the stake president’s office to continue their preparations for stake conference, a large gathering.

Earlier that day as encouraged by our stake presidency to all stake members, Sister Hardman and I had watched a Church video about Elder Johnson, “Running Toward the Light.” Wow! Please watch it. What a hard start in life! What faith! We quickly became more excited to hear from him that Saturday evening and again on Sunday.

That afternoon we felt prompted to text and offer a ride to one of our ARP friends to attend the evening session with us. She readily accepted. During the ride to the church we enjoyed some light conversation, a small gathering, and were grateful for her up-beat spirit. That evening Elder Johnson testified to the large gathering in his very special way that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, “is all true… It’s all true!” He invited repeatedly and in various ways each of us to share the gospel with the person or persons (small gatherings) who we were prompted to think of during the meeting. The next day, Sunday, was equally spiritual as the large gathering again met for powerful messages from President Hanks and his wife Nancy, many called from the audience for spontaneous testimonies, as well as Elder Johnsons strong, gentle, and passionate assurance that God lives, the Church is true, and true prophets lead us. He concluded with something like, “This is Christ’s church! This is His church!” Such was confirmed by the Spirit to us.

On Monday, a couple hours before our ARP meeting, we got a tender call (a small gathering) from a sister in our ward whose brother in Utah is dying of an illness. Unable to see him again due to distance, she called us for love and support. I did my best to express love and compassion, but Sister Hardman said all the right things. We offered to come over and give a priesthood blessing which our friend accepted. I texted several brothers in our ward and found Brother Davis available who joined us at her home, a small gathering, for loving conversation and a blessing which he was asked to provide. We then went to our ARP meeting for another emotional but spiritual experience.

Also this week, we’ve been wrapping up the Emotional Resilience, medium gatherings, another great Family Services course, by asking participants for testimonials to promote the next session. Here are some of the anonymous expressions.

“I am grateful for all I learned in the Emotional Resilience class. Emotions and challenges can be overwhelming! Not only the beautiful, simple, spiritual solutions benefitted me and my life; I feel less alone. I feel supported like I joined a community that we created. I felt like I was guided through life’s challenges with Heavenly Father at my side.”

“My husband and I enjoyed it very much and the chance to bond with people from our ward and stake was outstanding. There were so many good tips and suggestions for making our communications more thoughtful and I would say it was a life changing experience that will help in our families and marriage.”

“I appreciated the safe environment that was created with our intimate group.  Some were very vulnerable in sharing their experiences, but it is through sharing that we are supported and feel a bond with others in our class.”

“We felt joyful and excited about all we were learning. We’ve been able to identify problems emotionally and learn valuable ways to address them and push forward. We’ve learned to communicate more effectively with each other and others. We hope to continue to apply the principles taught in class. We know they make a difference. They have for us. Mahalo!”