I am aware of your desires to serve me and my assurance is that as you go forth, your offerings of faith and service are acceptable to me.

[Adapted from “Beyond the Horizon,” David Nii, Jul/Aug 2019 Herald, p. 13]

I’ve really come to love this small, peculiar denomination that wrestles, and struggles, and unites together in spite of ourselves sometimes and tries to fully be the body of Christ in the world. This is my church family. This is my journey, and I celebrate that.

I’m one of those that grew up in our faith movement. My parents met at a church district conference in Hawaii, and 36 years later I met my spouse at a church district conference in California. So I have a long history of being connected with our faith movement. That is a wonderful heritage for me to have, a blessing.

Throughout the years, many scriptures have impacted my life, but I think the one that has meant the most—or I’ve come back to many times—is Micah 6:8 NRSV: “What does the Lord require of you?” And the obvious response is “to do justice, and to love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Those words have been echoing through my heart and mind for a lot of years, not only for myself but for others because I think that is the essence of what it means to be a disciple of the Christ.

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet many good people trying to wrestle with the questions of what does it mean to be a faithful disciple in the 21st century. And because of that I know God’s Spirit will continue to live, and to grow, and to bloom in the lives of all people who are willing to be open even a little bit. That gives me hope for not only today, but for the future.

I’ve had the opportunity to have many impactful experiences in my life, but I think one that has resonated was an experience in 1996, when Grant McMurray was first ordained to be prophet-president. He shared words that later would become Section 161 of the Doctrine and Covenants. “Lift up your eyes and fix them on the place beyond the horizon…journey in trust, assured that the great and marvelous work is for this time and for all time.”

Those words resonated with me and were critical when I entered full-time ministry. Over the last 20-plus years or so I’ve often had to reflect in the middle of tensions and issues—you know, “Why am I doing what I’m doing?” Those words have always come back to say, “You’re involved in this great, marvelous work that is for this time and for all time.”

We are going to accomplish that by being willing to continue to look beyond our own limitations, look beyond the horizon to the places where we are sent. That will continue to enliven and empower me in my ministry and life.

Prayer Phrase

“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Intercessory Reflection

Sit quietly with your eyes closed as you enter intercessory reflection and prayer. Ask God to bring people who need prayer to your mind and heart. Be open to images of the people or spiritual insight into their needs. Listen for signals from their lives and let the depth of God’s love for them become powerful and real to you. Write, speak, or think a prayer of blessing and healing for these much–loved disciples and friends. Ask God to help you see ways to affirm and support them when you meet them in daily life.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.