Be Still
Be Still
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
April 29th, 2024
Sister Quinn and I returned late Saturday evening from the semi-annual North America West Mission Leader Seminar. It was held for four days last week in Portland, OR. This is an opportunity we enjoy every six months to meet with our Area Presidency and the other 29 mission leaders here in our area. We learned a great deal and were inspired by the instruction during the seminar. We look forward to sharing many of the things we learned with you over the next six months.
One of the things we came away with from the seminar is our gratitude to serve with each of you here in CASRM. We spent four days bragging about our missionaries and sharing your inspiring stories with the other mission leaders. How grateful we are for you!
For my message this week, I have chosen a quote from Elder Bednar’s address in our most recent general conference, Be Still, and Know That I Am God:
“I believe the Lord’s admonition to “be still” entails much more than simply not talking or not moving. Perhaps His intent is for us to remember and rely upon Him and His power “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in.” Thus, “be still” may be a way of reminding us to focus upon the Savior unfailingly as the ultimate source of the spiritual stillness of the soul that strengthens us to do and overcome hard things.”
I love this counsel from Elder Bednar. Our Area Presidency began the seminar this week by portraying a watercolor of the Savior walking in a field among a heard of sheep. The message was clear, the Savior is our shepherd. He walks among us – His sheep. President Bragg pointed to the watercolor and reminded us that the Savior is central to all we do in the Church and that the Savior would be the center of the instruction we would receive throughout the seminar. He was!
I am grateful for the reminder that the Savior is central to all we do in CASRM – and that He should be the focus of our life. It is easy to become busy and distracted with the many duties and responsibilities we each carry as missionaries. It is easy to become discouraged by the work and challenges of missionary work. However, as President Nelson has taught:
“… the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” President Nelson, General Conference October 2016
When the circumstances of your missionary work or life cause you to feel discouraged, I hope you pause, “be still”, and refocus your life on Jesus Christ. I know thoughts of the Savior and the blessings of your life will replace feelings of discouragement with the warmth of the Spirit and joy.
We are sad to have Elder and Sister Stock return home this week with our other six young missionaries. We are grateful to you for your service in CASRM. All who have come to know you – love you. We pray the Lord’s richest blessings upon you and your families as you return home.
Love,
President Quinn
(707) 758-6380
