Getting Better Attendance At Church

Two weeks ago we had a record attendance in Gospel Principles class. In fact, the class was full, and each class member seemed to have an opinion they wanted to share. I found it a little difficult to keep the discussion on point and to manage the time.  However it was good to have so many attending. Kind of a funny side note, we have a member of the Branch that attends the class. She is a dear lady and tries to befriend investigators that come to class. This member also has a habit of commenting, often without being called on. She normally makes good comments, but at times, monopolizes the class discussion. Sometimes I have had to ignore her, so that others have an opportunity to participate.  I think she is learning to raise her hand, but then she regresses at times. Since we don’t know who will show up for the class from week to week, it can be a little challenging teaching the class at times.

So while after the class I was thinking the lesson could have gone a little better, one of the class members came up and said some very positive things about my efforts as an instructor. While I realize his comments were embellished beyond reality, it still made me feel good.

A Good Sunday At Church

This past Sunday we had the newly baptized member attend for the first time since her accident back in January. She swerved to miss a deer and rolled her car and had been in a hospital and then a nursing home recovering ever since. We had a young couple who are investigating the Church attend with their two primary age children. We also had another newly baptized member along with her husband attend. They all stayed for the full three hours which was a first, so that was pretty special. I believe we had a record number attend Gospel Principles class. It seems at times we go along and wonder if we are making a difference, and then all of a sudden there will be a week like last Sunday, and I think the gospel is changing lives. At times people don’t make those changes as fast as we think they should. But then, I suppose the Lord is thinking the same thing about us at times, as he observes our slow progress. It’s line upon line and precept upon precept for most of us, most of the time.

Investigators come to Gospel Principles Class

I teach the Gospel Principles class each week and sometimes spend a fair amount of time preparing. We have had less active members attend and a newly baptized member attends along with several members from the Branch. Last week we had two nonmembers attend as well, hopefully that will continue. We would like to have the class full of investigators.