A few months ago I was released as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons as many know us).  That does not mean I was voted out or that I was fired.  It just means that my appointed tenure came to an end and it is now someone else’s opportunity to serve.  Our fifth Article of Faith states, “We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.” We believe we are called to our ministry by inspiration and also released from our callings by inspiration.  Those calls to serve and releases from service come from an authority over several congregations (or wards we Mormons refer to them) called a stake president.  A stake is a group of several wards.

In all honesty, being released as a bishop is a bittersweet experience.  The bitter is that I am no longer in the middle of so many things that go on in my ward (the Mormon term for congregation).  I miss the personal association experienced with so many wonderful people in the Noble and Ellsworth Wards where I served for the past five and a half years.  The sweet is that I now have some extra time to spend time with family and work on my house and car that are now falling apart.  I will no longer spend my free time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays and Saturdays, and all day Sundays doing bishop work (Mondays are considered sacred family nights and Friday nights are typically date nights with your spouse).

There are many, many things I learned as a bishop, including the reality that a bishop never goes on vacation or takes a break.  Wherever I went or whatever I did, I thought of people in my ward.  I often ran into people that I needed to see when I went shopping, to the movies, or out to eat with my family.  It was truly miraculous to see God’s hand in my life in so many ways and in so many places.  I learned to believe that these were not “chance meetings.”  I even began to worry that one family that I rarely saw in Church would think I was stalking them when I saw them four times in other non-Church settings.  As a bishop I often dreamt of my duties, responsibilities, and ward members.  I rarely slept in on weekends because I always had things to do and people to serve.

About a month after being released as bishop was Thanksgiving, and true to form, I could not sleep in.  I lay in bed reflecting on the many blessings I had received over the past year.  So many of those blessings came via my service as a bishop that my thoughts turned to the blessings I had received over the previous five and a half years.  Later in the day, a distant family member asked me at Thanksgiving dinner what is one thing Church members could do to support their bishop.  I will share something in the following and hope that those with whom I was privileged to serve might recognize themselves among my greatest blessings, as well as how they supported and sustained me during my tenure.  Those are things money can’t buy.  Do you find yourself feeling grateful for any of the same things?  Do you recognize yourself in this bishop’s gratitude list?  (I hope you know who you are as you review the list.  J)  Please review it and add to the list with things you are grateful for within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

I am thankful for:

Doctrines and Principles

• God’s plan for all of His children and the blessing of being a son of God
• A Savior, even Jesus Christ
• Redemption from sin and death
• Grace to be redeemed and to enable good works beyond what one could do if left to their own means
• The Holy Ghost who teaches, inspires, warns, comforts, guides, uplifts, motivates, restrains, administers spiritual gifts, purges of sin, and brings all things to remembrance
• Prophets and apostles
• The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter-days through the prophet Joseph Smith
• Personal inspiration and revelation
• Inspiration and revelation through other Church leaders
• “The Living Christ” – a personal witness of Jesus Christ authored by 15 prophets and apostles
• Scriptures including the Old Testament, New Testament, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price
• The Church Welfare Plan and the doctrine of self-reliance
• The Spirit of Elijah – turning the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to the children (Malachi 4:5-6)
• The Sacrament – an opportunity to renew covenants made with God to serve Him, obey His commandments, stand as His witness, and serve our fellow men
• Temple ordinances and covenants

People

• People who repent and strive to do better, even when they fall short of the high standards taught in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Family members who want to forgive, even when they are hurting from personal betrayals and losses
• Church members who return to more regular worship and activity
• Church members who reach out to, minister, and shepherd those who have distanced themselves from Church activity
• People willing to ask candid questions of faith in search of deeper understanding and testimony
• People willing to acknowledge what they don’t know, but continue in faith based on what they do know
• People willing to request help and seek counsel from Church leaders
• People willing to accept calls to serve that take them out of their comfort zone and stretch their existing capacities
• People who act in faith and find that God can do more with their life than they can if left to their own means
• People who support extended family when necessary
• Struggling yet striving people who join in worship
• Imperfect people willing to acknowledge their imperfection and need for the Savior
• The temporal poor who, like the poor widow (Luke 21:1-4), pay their tithes and offerings
• The poor in spirit who likewise follow the Savior and the counsel of His appointed servants
• Those willing to provide spontaneous acts of service when called upon
• Church families with children who have special needs
• Church members willing to minister patiently and lovingly to those with special needs
• Church members willing to recognize that we all have special needs
• Church members willing to accept callings and assignments that are anything but convenient
• Church members who commit to their covenants, including marriage, when others dispose of anything that is inconvenient
• Church members who sustain and support their family members in their callings and assignments, even when such assignments take their family member away from them temporarily (sometimes for a few hours, but up to a few days on special occasions)
• Humanitarian service projects and opportunities to serve others in the community
• People who refuse to take offense, even when it would be easy to choose otherwise
• People willing to help others prepare for ordinances
• People who contribute to planning, executing, and cleanup of Church socials, open houses, and other functions
• People who attend and invite others to attend Church functions
• People who make covenants in the face of great adversity and continue to keep those covenants despite that adversity
• People who endure less than optimal family of origin experiences and strive to forgive (without putting themselves at risk for abuse of course)
• People who are less than they could be as parents or children, but offer repentance to those affected by their mortal weakness
• People who continue and act in faith when most everything else in their world suggests that they quit
• People who endure chronic illness or pain with faith, hope, and charity
• People who take a chance on their spouse and continue to invest after marriage
• People who come back and keep coming back
• People who tell the whole truth, even when it would be easy or convenient to do otherwise
• People who are willing to surrender the past of important others in their lives, while looking forward in faith and hope to a glorious present and future
• Parents who support their children in Church activity, service, and leadership
• Children who support their parents in their callings, assignments, and service
• Families who appropriately involve other family members in their service to others
• Church members and leaders who keep confidences
• People who try and fail, but keep trying to live a gospel focused life
• People who forgive their bishop (and other leaders) for his weakness and imperfection and continue to support and sustain him anyway
• Spouses who are willing to support their families in spiritual practice and Church activity, even when they don’t feel so sure of their own faith
• Spouses of other faiths who support their spouse in Church activity
• Church members willing to follow inspired yet difficult counsel to make significant changes in their behavior
• Church members who follow counsel and return and report on the miracles discovered in their life
• Church members who share
• New converts to the Church
• New Church members who strive to learn more
• Old Church members who experience a reconversion or a renaissance of faith
• Single Church members who persist, thrive, and contribute in a family oriented Church
• Church members who have spontaneous social gatherings and extend open invitations to others
• Blended families who support loving, supportive relationships with all family members and step-members
• Seekers of truth
• Winter visitors
• People who remember to say thanks
• Church members and friends of other faiths who give and make Christmas merry for others
• Church members and friends of other faiths willing to accept Christmas gifts, making Christmas merry for givers
• Families who support their elderly parents and grandparents
• Student families who still find time to serve
• Parents who teach children when ready to learn
• Children who teach parents when ready to learn
• Musically talented people willing to share
• Musically untalented people willing to learn
• People talented in many respects who are willing to share
• People who honestly and courageously embrace their vulnerability with faith
• People who respond to an invitation to take a step toward the Savior
• People who respond to a call for help in the moment it is needed
• People who honor the office of bishop, without necessarily focusing on the man
• The faithful elderly who set an example to the other generations
• People who accept calls to serve and then seek out the member of the bishopric to set them apart (to set apart is to pronounce a blessing upon them giving authority to act in their assigned callings
• Families who serve each other as well as others in our ward Parents and grandparents who teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ and reverence for God
• Children who teach their parents and grandparents the gospel of Jesus Christ and reverence for God

Church Organization

• The Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods (the authority given to men to act in God’s name)
• Priesthood keys that provide order, clarity, unity, and direction – authority to direct the work of salvation within a specific geographic area and within a specific priesthood quorum
• Quorums (groups of men) consisting of young men who serve and adult men who covenant to magnify their opportunities to serve and bless others
• Home teachers who “watch over the Church always, be with, and strengthen them” – Each male over 12 years old ordained to a priesthood quorum or office ministers to specific individuals and families; every individual and family in the Church typically has a home teacher assigned to them
• Individuals and families who receive home teachers into their homes and participate in discussion
• Sacred, saving, and exalting ordinances and covenants including baptism and others performed in temples
• The Relief Society (the women’s organization – possibly the largest in the world – dedicated to helping women and families achieve their potential)
• Ward Relief Society Presidents that ministered diligently and consistently to women and families in need
• Faithful and Loving Visiting Teachers – every adult woman willing to serve other women
• Missionaries who leave home for 18 months to 2 years and pay their own expenses to preach the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and serve others
• Ward missionaries who assist the full-time missionaries
• Ward mission leaders who help organize missionary work in the ward
• Member missionaries who share the gospel with friends and invite others to hear the message of the restoration
• Members who provide meals to full-time missionaries
• Families and friends who support their missionaries General Conference messages from inspired leaders
• Stake Conference messages from inspired leaders
• The Primary – the children’s auxiliary organization staffed by volunteer fine humans who teach and serve children
• Activity Days to help young girls ages 8-11 socialize and develop confidence, staffed by volunteer leaders
• Cub Scouts and volunteer leaders who help young boys develop confidence through activity based learning
• The Nursery – a class for children ages 18 months to 3 years old staff by volunteer fine humans
• Primary leaders, and teachers who help children participate in sharing inspiring messages in word and song in the annual Primary Sacrament Meeting Program
• Primary songs and music sung by children
• Church members who are willing to share their authentic and personal experiences by speaking publicly in Sacrament Meeting (the main worship service held every Sunday in each congregation)
• Monthly fast and testimony meetings where members spontaneously share their personal experiences and witness of gospel truths
• Fast offerings – members fast typically on the first Sunday of each month for two meals and make a cash offering to help the poor and needy equal to at least the value of money saved from the foregone meals (Isaiah 58:6-7)
• Tithing – Church members pay 10% of their annual increase to the Church (Malachi 3:8-10)
• Tithing Settlement where all Church members attend a personal interview, review their annual contributions for accuracy and declare their offering to the bishop
• Windows of heaven testimonies – witnesses of blessings poured out upon faithful tithe payers as promised in Malachi 3:8-10
• Youth who strive to follow Christ when so many of their peers do otherwise
• Youth leaders who sacrifice at least one night a week and often weekends in service of youth and families
• Youth leaders who sacrifice vacation leave to attend camps and other youth activities
• Young men who fulfill their Duty to God
• Young women who strive to complete their Personal Progress
• The Boy Scouts of America, Round Table training and Wood Badge leadership training
• Bishopric Youth Discussions – candid and personal group discussions typically held in the bishop’s home with youth and their leaders; discussion topics are typically selected by the youth
• Bishopric Youth Committee Meetings – youth leadership meetings wherein youth class and quorum leaders plan activities and provide status reports on their stewardships
• Stake Presidency members who direct, support, and organize Church activities
• Stake leaders who train and support the ward organization
• Seminary – daily religious instruction for youth in grades 9-12
• Institute – religious instruction for college and university students and other young adults
• Sunday school, presidency, and teachers – Sunday classes dedicated to a thorough study and discussion of scripture
• Bishopric counselors – these are the bishop’s trusted, special assistants who help administer all the work of salvation in the ward
• Executive secretaries – committed, dedicated, and trustworthy volunteer men who schedule appointments and organize the work of salvation, ensuring that interviews occur as needed
• Ward clerks and assistant clerks – committed, dedicated, and trustworthy volunteer men who ensure that records, finances, and materials are recorded, organized, ordered, and accounted for; they ensure that ordinances are properly recorded and unit statistics are accurately kept
• Bishopric meetings – weekly revelatory experiences attended by the bishop, his counselors, ward clerk, and executive secretary
• Ward council – a bi-weekly revelatory experience involving the bishopric, Melchizedek Priesthood leaders (High Priest Group Leader and Elder’s Quorum President) ward mission leader, and presidents of all the ward auxiliaries (Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School) wherein ward activities and the work of salvation is discussed and plan for
• Ward histories and our ward historian
• Ward library – a media center with Church produced and approved materials available to assist Church members with gospel instruction and learning; staffed by volunteer librarians

The Temporal Church – Buildings and Resources

• The Bishop’s Storehouse – a place where bishops can authorize food and commodities to be distributed to members in need, and members in need can provide meaningful service
• Deseret Industries – a thrift store that provides members with opportunities to work and learn marketable skills
• LDS Employment Resources, ward and stake employment specialists
• LDS Family Services – the Church’s social service agency that provides counseling services for Church members and consultation services for Church leaders
• The Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) and Pornography Addiction Support Groups (PASG) – 12 Step recovery programs for people and family members affected by addiction
• Strengthening Marriage and Strengthening the Family Programs – special classes that help spouses and parents develop important relationships skills
• “A Parent’s Guide” – a great manual the Church produces to help parents teach children about their bodies and an appropriate context for intimacy
• “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” – a prophetic message on the role of the family
• BYU-Idaho Pathways – an affordable and inspired pathway to an online college degree for Church members
• Church buildings – meeting houses where members and friends of other faith congregate and worship each week
• Families who voluntarily clean the Church each week
• Building care and security specialists who volunteer to ensure the Church is properly secured each evening
• Facilities managers who ensure Church buildings are safe, well-maintained, and updated
• Physical facilities representatives who volunteer to ensure the buildings are well cared for by members
• Young men who set up chairs for Sunday worship and tidy up the Church at the end of worship services
• Temples – sacred places of worship where saving ordinances are performed for oneself and others in association with sacred covenants
• People who serve in the temple – staff, ordinance workers and volunteers who maintain the temple
• Family History Specialists who voluntarily help members (including the bishop) learn how to do family history work
• “A Member’s Guide to Family History” – a great Church manual to help get people started in family history work
• “My Family” – a new and simply resource created to help individuals begin their family history
• org, Puzzilla.org, and Ancestry.com – great online resources to find family history and prepare ancestors for temple ordinances

Inspiration

• Miracles in finding ancestors and relatives to take to temples for vicarious ordinances
• Confessions of truth in all their forms
• Speaking up in a class or discussion, especially when it is difficult to share
• Having an appointment with someone (person A), who someone else (person B) needs to see, right when they (person A) need to see them (person B) and going to see the person in need (person B) together
• Spiritual confirmations that subsequently come to light and are confirmed as true
• Spiritual confirmations acted on in faith which may take years (or longer) to be confirmed as true
• Answers to prayers in behalf of people thousands of miles away
• Receiving calls or answers to calls in the very moment the calls were needed
• Finding people at home during ministering visits and other important times

Gratitude may be defined as the recognition of one’s wealth.  Is one truly wealthy if one fails to recognize all that she or he has been given?  Blessings are wealth and I count myself among the most wealthy people on earth.  The blessings mentioned above are among the infinite things money can’t buy.

What else are you grateful for about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?