Thunder Bay Latter Day Saints
2255 Ponderosa Drive P7K 1G6 Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

5pm Thunder Bay local time Wednesday 26th

In the scriptures, I am struck by the phrase paths of righteousness. (1 Nephi 16) . It is plural. There are many covenant-keeping ways to get back to God. To ...show our devotion to Him. Look at the people of Ammon: They showed their love for God by laying down their weapons, And God consecrated their righteous choice for their good. Then, look at their sons. Just YEARS later. They showed their love for God through picking up their weapons and fighting for their families and their religion. And God consecrated their righteous choice for their good. Exact opposite choices. Exactly right for those people. Obviously, we must keep the commandments. But how we keep them looks differently for every person. Who are we to judge the working mom when you feel strongly you should stay at home? the couple who feels strongly their family is complete when you feel strongly you should have many? the family keeps the sabbath day holy VERY differently than you have felt directed to have your family keep the sabbath day holy. We can all be like Helaman, who, even when he was being attacked on all sides, said I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken. (Alma 56:8) . May we faithfully support rather than critically judge. PATHS of righteousness. Your path can be right for you. Theirs can be right for them. God can consecrate both. And if God can support both, so can we. Art by @yongsungkimartist

As we are now many months into the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought I might share some of what I have learned. I have felt great sorrow about this pandemic. I have ...mourned with families who have lost loved ones. Many have lost jobs. Some have struggled to find adequate food and supplies. Graduation ceremonies, marriages, and funerals have been canceled or postponed or altered in some way. I feel great compassion for all who have suffered. At the same time, Wendy and I have learned so much. Even through clouds of sorrow, we have found some silver linings. Many families have re-enthroned their homes as sanctuaries of faith. Many better understand how important the family is and that it really is ordained of God, with an eternal destiny. We’ve also learned fear, isolation, and loss can be mitigated by immersing oneself in caring for other people. Countless healthcare professionals have risked their own lives to care for others. Farmers, pharmacists, truckers, grocers, and others have risked their own health to serve the urgent needs of others. Dear friends, the road ahead may be bumpy, but our destination is serene and secure. So, fasten your seatbelt, hang on through the bumps, and do what's right. Your reward will be eternal. In 1831 the Lord made a promise to his Saints. It still applies to each of us today: Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come (Doctrine and Covenants 68:6).

Maybe we should all sing like this in our congregations! Lol A little bit of sunshine