Introductory Post

Hello Brothers and Sisters!

Following up on our recent 5th-Sunday discussion in Oxford, and in keeping with the pattern of “Home Centered, Church Supported” efforts, here is the first of ongoing emails and Facebook prompts to include in our individual and family councils. These will usually be much shorter, but for this first email, we are providing a more thorough introduction. (For those who were not there, please take a look at the overview below.)

Week #1: Why Family Councils?

Choose a time this week to meet as a family, or set aside time as an individual, apart from FHE to council.

During this time, discuss the purpose of having a family council and record two or three blessings you hope to see from following this principle. Choose a day that works for you or your family each week, and set a goal to continue this pattern.

Below are some resources for families and individuals to help you get started.

Thank you, dear brothers and sisters! We look forward to continuing these weekly prompts. We hope this will bless your homes and strengthen our ward family.

For Families/Couples: From the church article The Beginner’s Guide to Family Councils, here is a list of questions to help start a council meeting. Ensure that each person has an opportunity to be heard before going to another question or topic.

You can also review Elder Ballard's talk about Family Council Meetings.

For Individuals:

Choose a time you can privately consider your current goals in life. Ask the Lord to help you see where you are in His plan. Make new goals as needed and record something you could do in the next week to better serve His purposes for you at this time.

In the April 2017 General Conference, Elder Ballard gives valuable insight into goal setting and mentions the concept of personal inventories.

Specifically, he describes, “...I need to regularly take time to ask myself, ‘How am I doing?’ It’s kind of like having a personal, private interview with yourself. And if that sounds unusual, think about it: who in this world knows you better than you know yourself? You know your thoughts, your private actions, your desires, and your dreams, goals, and plans. And you know better than anyone how you are progressing…”

For those who missed our 5th Sunday Introduction:

Our ward theme this year is “Following the Covenant Path”. Along our covenant path toward Christ come the calls to Love, Share, and Invite our brothers and sisters to Come and See, Come and Belong.

We have been prayerfully pondering how we might better establish the work of building the kingdom of God in our ward and community. President Nelson has taught us that “There is no greater work on this earth than gathering Israel…” and “Each time we help any of God’s children we are assisting in the gathering.”

In this spirit, and with an intention to follow our beloved prophet, we are developing a “Home-centered, Church-Supported” ward mission plan designed to inspire and support individuals and families in accomplishing their own goals and plans at home to lead others to Christ.

Here are some broad goals and plans that can be implemented as a ward (or Batesville group) and included in discussions at home. This list can serve as a foundation that can be built upon as we learn and grow in this endeavor.

• Strengthen Families and Individuals: We will send a weekly email & Facebook post that will focus on gathering Israel and building God’s kingdom on earth. During your family council or personal study time, consider including a discussion based on these prompts. Ponder, pray, and discuss family goals. Make plans with action items and a calendar. Follow up and review your goals and plans each week.

• Strengthen our Ward Family: Whether as a ward, a group, a family, or an individual, we can bring people together in fun and simple ways and invite friends to join. Whether dessert socials, open gym, craft or game nights, etc. The goal is simply to spend unstructured time together.

• Strengthening our Ministering: Consider setting a time each week, perhaps Sundays, to look at your ministering list and prayerfully ponder their names. Note promptings you receive and make plans to reach out, uplift, and build relationships, including with ministering companions. Seek to “bear one another's burdens” and to support each other in our goals and plans.

• Grow Missionary Opportunities: As we strengthen our family, ward, and ministering relationships, we will grow in faith, hope, and charity, becoming more available to serve and bless and share the gospel with those around us. To build Zion is to build a natural gathering place for scattered Israel, a home prepared to receive new members.

Our vision is to support one another in bringing ourselves and others along the covenant path to Christ. We can all become greater disciples of Jesus Christ, working in our homes, our church family, and our community to spread His love and His word.