Inside This Issue:
- Stake Presidency Message
- Editor’s Message
- A Legacy of Faith and Love
- Find a Better Job with The Church
- Sheffield Stake Women’s Conference
- Fun Facts About President Nelson
- 17 Invitations from President Nelson
- Roadshow 2024
- Love and Kindness in our Hour of Need
- New Relief Society Presidency in Mansfield
- Farewell, Elder Basoah
- Did you know Des Broome?
- Village Ventures
- Called to Serve
- Missionary Messages
Stake Presidency Message
To everyone 8 years old and above
Our Stake President has asked all members 8 years and over to become Ward Missionaries for the next 3 months and to use the ‘authorities’ that are bestowed upon us as set apart Ward Missionaries to take our place in the gathering of Israel.
Each of us has three months to find out and do what our Heavenly Father needs of us. He has a specific task for each of us – to play our part with those he has prepared to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Imagine the miracles we will see if we all take on this opportunity! Hundreds of saints across our Stake mobilising their faith and action to fulfil God’s plan!
President Nelson made it clear that “the Gathering of Israel is the most important work on Earth. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.”
I love the thought of us all being united in this work in every corner of the Stake with real purpose and then to allow the Lord to bring all our efforts together in a way that only He can.
Brother, Sisters, YSA, Youth and Primary Children (8 and over), there is inspired work to be done between now and Christmas. We are a covenant people, united in our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
We may not know right now everything that we need to do or even know what the outcomes of our efforts will be. What we do know is if we take the first step our Heavenly Father will mobilise the power of Heaven to help us accomplish our part in his plan.
As a Stake Presidency and fellow Ward Missionaries we look forward to being united in this work with you.
May the Lord bless each of us to find the faith, courage and inspiration to stand as living examples of the light of Jesus Christ and open our mouths to share his message.
President Simon Wainwright
Editor’s Note
Earlier this month I extended an invitation to you all to share personal experiences of ministering to the one, especially as the recipient of those acts of love and service.
Sadly, I didn’t get much of a response, so I’m going to share a couple of examples from my own life where small and simple acts have meant a great deal to me. Both date back to when I was a young first time mum in Northampton, 100 miles away from family.
My first baby was very unsettled. I often struggled to get her to sleep and by the time Ami got home from work I was exhausted and desperate to hand her over.
One evening I took Rosanna to homemaking. I was pacing the floor when the Relief Society President appeared at my side, offering to take the baby. What an angel! I was so grateful that she’d spotted my need and done something about it.
Just after Rosie’s birth, I received lots of visits from members of the ward. It was lovely to see them and spend time with them, but the visit I remember is from an older sister who offered to vacuum the house.
The scriptures tell us that Jesus went about doing good, and as disciples of Christ small and simple daily acts of service should be part of our nature.
One thing that helps me be a better minister (whether at Church, in my family or within the wider community) is to pray to recognise opportunities to serve, and to be guided to individuals who need my help that day.
Sometimes the promptings I get are very simple, such as to send someone a message, but they usually come.
The wife of one of the Apostles goes to Church every Sunday with the intent of finding someone she can minister to. Her experience at church has become more enriched and meaningful because her focus has shifted from what she can get out of it to what she can give to it.
One Sunday I spoke to a sister who told me she felt invisible. I recognised those feelings. Since that day I’ve made a point of speaking to her every week. Now neither of us feels invisible!
I pray we may all follow our Saviour’s example, and our prophet’s admonition, by ministering to the one.
Debbie Singh-Bhatti
A Legacy of Faith and Love
Recently, President Nelson celebrated his 100th birthday. His energy, dedication, clarity of mind and enthusiasm to service in the Church and to his family are an inspiration and lesson to us all.
I hope you all managed to watch the birthday celebration given for President Nelson by leaders of the Church along with family and friends. If you haven’t yet done so, I invite you to watch it.
President Oaks and President Eyring talked about how they have observed President Nelson’s warmth and respect for others, especially for women. He mirrors the Saviour’s love.
Since 2018, President Nelson has announced 168 new temples! His desire is to offer all people the opportunity to become the Lord’s covenant people by participating in temple ordinances. He wants to make temples more available to us all.
Sister Camille Johnson, General Relief Society President, noted how President Nelson makes the sisters of the Church feel like part of his family.
She expressed gratitude for the prophet’s kindness, love and respect. She talked of his invitations to understand God’s power better through covenant keeping and his emphasis on focusing on Jesus Christ.
I was particularly touched to see members of President Nelson’s family, with two of them sharing their reflections during the broadcast.
Marsha Workman, one of the prophet’s ten children, spoke of cherished memories growing up in the Nelson home, and Ashley Owens, one of the prophet’s great grandchildren, shared her personal experiences.
I felt emotional as many of his family were shown in a video singing, “I will be what I believe” and “Army of Helaman” – his eternal legacy was there for us all to see, and wow, what a legacy he has!
It made me realise even more what is important in this life; that to lead our families to become faithful covenant members of Christ’s church in righteousness and by example is the best that we can do, that this should and can be our legacy too.
Finally, some further words of prophetic wisdom shared by President Nelson at the close of the commemoration:
“My dear brothers and sisters, the length of your life is not as important as the kind of life that you live.”
President Nelson continued,
“For each of us, even for a 100 year old man, life passes quickly. My prayer is that you will let God prevail in your life. Make covenants with Him. Stay on the covenant path. Prepare to live with Him again.”
I am so grateful to be led by such an inspirational prophet of God in these latter days.
Sister Jacqueline Gilmore
Find a Better Job: With the Help of The Church
Are you or is someone you know looking for a new job? There are many reasons someone could be job hunting, they may be out of work following redundancy or a prolonged illness, or they may just want to take that next step on their career journey to increase income or better their job prospects.
Whatever the reasons, the church has a resource that is packed with useful advice and tips for anyone’s job search.
‘Find a better job’ is one of the church’s self -reliance manuals that can, like the others, be studied on your own, with a friend, with a small group or part of an organised course.
The manual can be purchased in paper form from distribution centres or from the church’s online shop: store.churchofjesuschrist.org
The manual is also available in digital form on the church website – click on library then books and lessons then self-reliance resources and all the self-reliance manuals should come up.
The manual covers topics such as:
- Networking
- Job search principles such as matching your skills to an employer’s needs
- Power statements
- Writing a resume / CV (with examples)
- Writing a cover letter (with examples)
- Job applications
- Preparing for an interview including questions you might be asked
- Practice interview tips and examples
- Job search principles
- Employment goals
- How to turn negatives into positives
‘Find a better job’ is a comprehensive (250 pages) guide that I think could be invaluable in a job search but it is also easy to follow and full of tips and examples.
As always, let me know if you have any questions or require some support. Alternatively, speak to a member of your Relief Society / Elders’ Quorum Presidency.
Tara Gill
Fun Facts About President Russell M Nelson
On Monday, September 9th, President Russell M Nelson celebrated his 100th birthday. To honour the occasion, I shared in our Young Women’s class the following facts and stories from his amazing and very interesting life. Some you may know already, but maybe you’ll discover something new. One of the Young Women was so impressed she exclaimed, “This guy is cool! I want to meet him!”
He became a doctor at the age of 22.
President Nelson completed his medical degree in three years, graduating with the highest honours at the age of 22.
He completed his surgical training at Harvard Medical School.
President Nelson attended LDS Business College and the University of Utah before receiving his PhD from the University of Minnesota.
He additionally went on to receive surgical training at Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was a surgeon for 35 years.
He met his wife Dantzel through theatre.
President Nelson was persuaded to join a production by his friend Gail Plummer. At first he declined because he was busy with his studies, but she persisted, and eventually President Nelson went along.
At one of their first rehearsals, he heard beautiful singing and asked his friend Gail, “Who is that beautiful girl singing up there?” It was Dantzel White, and the two were married 3 years later in the Salt Lake Temple.
He is a convert to the Church.
Growing up, President Nelson’s parents were not active members of the Church but still felt it was important for young Russell to attend Sunday School.
They often would send him on his way, only to have him skip Sunday School to play football with his friends instead.
However, a patient home teacher and kind sales clerk at Deseret Book helped introduce Russell to the Gospel and he was baptized at the age of 16.
He has performed nearly 7,000 heart surgeries.
After President Nelson completed his medical education, he quickly became a renowned heart surgeon. He has saved thousands of lives through his diligent work, including an open-heart surgery on then-President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Spencer W. Kimball.
He and President Oaks opened the doors to missionary work in Eastern Europe.
From 1985 until 1990, President Nelson helped establish the church in every country within Eastern Europe, many of which were still under communist rule.
He is a world traveller.
During his medical career, church service, and family life, President Nelson has always had a love of travelling and often takes a family member with him. It’s been reported that he has visited at least 134 different nations.
He served in the Korean War.
Soon after graduation, President Nelson served a two-year term of medical duty for the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In November 2014, he received a medal for his diligent service during the Korean War.
He is a father of 10.
President Nelson has nine daughters and one son. He has 57 grandchildren, and at least 140 great-grandchildren.
He served as an apostle for 34 years.
President Nelson served as an Apostle from 1984 until becoming President of the church in April 2018.
He was on the team that created the first artificial lung and heart.
While an intern at the University of Minnesota, he and his team developed one of the first machines that could perform the functions of a patient’s heart and lungs during open-heart surgery.
He has perfect pitch.
This means he can sing any note without needing to hear it first. He plays the piano and sings baritone.
Dantzel’s vision.
In the autumn of 1957, President Nelson’s late wife Dantzel woke in the night saying she’d had a vision that they would soon be having a beautiful baby boy.
At that time Dantzel was pregnant with their sixth child, and they both felt very excited to welcome a boy into their family.
But they were blessed with 3 more daughters before their son Russell Marion Nelson Jr. was born. On seeing him, Dantzel exclaimed “He’s the one! He’s the one I’ve seen and known all these years.”
He has lost two daughters.
In 1995 his daughter Emily died at the age of 37, the mother of five young children. Ten years later in 2005, President Nelson’s wife Dantzel died suddenly at home after almost 60 years of marriage.
In 2019, tragedy struck the family again when another daughter, Wendy, died at the age of 67. She was the mother of seven children.
He married Wendy Watson on April 6, 2006.
He and Wendy were robbed at gunpoint while visiting Church leaders in Mozambique. A gun pointed at President Nelson’s head misfired, and everyone’s life was spared
He has studied at least 12 languages.
These include French, Latin, Greek, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hebrew, Bulgarian, Czech, and Romanian.
He is also fluent in Mandarin. While serving as the general president of the Sunday School, President Nelson attended a meeting where President Spencer W. Kimball urged those in the meeting to learn Chinese. President Nelson excitedly accepted the challenge and became fluent in Mandarin.
He loves technology.
He was one of the first General Authorities to get a computer and adopt new technologies. After becoming the prophet, he was the first to have Wi-Fi and a computer installed in the President’s Office.
He has lots of hobbies and interests.
He likes to garden and go fishing. He collects stamps and coins. He loves putting together jigsaw puzzles. He’s interested in photography and loves the outdoors and went skiing every winter until becoming prophet.
He is the oldest President of the Church.
In April 2022, President Nelson became the oldest president of the Church, passing President Gordon B. Hinckley who died at the age of 97.
In his years as the prophet, there have been over one hundred announcements and major changes, including the introduction of ministering, Come, Follow Me, the combining of the elders quorum, the shortening of Sunday meetings, a re-emphasis on the entire name of the Church, and temple-related changes.
Debbie Singh-Bhatti
17 Invitations from President Nelson
President Nelson is the seventeenth prophet, seer and revelator to lead the Church in these latter days. Here are 17 invitations he has extended since becoming prophet.
1/ Stay on the covenant path
“Now, to each member of the Church I say: Keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Saviour by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women and children everywhere.”
2/ Repent Daily
“I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance — of doing and being a little better each day.”
3/ Hear Him!
Increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,”
4/ Gather Israel
The gathering of Israel is “the most important thing taking place on earth today… This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth.”
5/ Let God prevail
“Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life?”
6/ Build bridges of understanding
“We need to work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of segregation. I plead with us to work together for peace, for mutual respect and for an outpouring of love for all of God’s children.”
7/ Give thanks
“First, I invite you — just for the next seven days — to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for and why you are grateful. Second, let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer.”
8/ Strengthen your spiritual foundation
“If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.”
9/ Increase your faith in Jesus Christ
“Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.”
10/ Maintain spiritual momentum
Echoing previous invitations he had extended, President Nelson suggested five specific actions that can help maintain positive spiritual momentum:
- Get on the covenant path and stay there
- Experience the joy of repenting daily
- Learn about God and how He works
- Seek and expect miracles
- Strive to end conflict in your life
11/ Take charge of your testimony
“I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with the false philosophies of unbelieving men and women and then wonder why your testimony is waning. Engage in daily, earnest, humble prayer. Nourish yourself in the words of ancient and modern prophets. Ask the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better. Spend more time in the temple and in family history work. As you make your testimony your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.”
12/ Focus on the temple and find rest
“My plea to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through your covenants with God… Worship in the temple as regularly as circumstances permit.”
13/ Be a peacemaker
“Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. …Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to be a peacemaker, now and always.”
14/ Seek forgiveness and forgive others
“My dear friends, I invite you prayerfully to consider if there is someone whom you should forgive. Will you free yourself from a grudge you may be harbouring? I can think of no more fitting way to honour the Lord Jesus Christ this Easter. I promise that as you forgive, the Saviour will relieve you of anger, resentment and pain. The Prince of Peace will bring you peace.”
15/ Think Celestial
President Nelson invited all to have an eternal perspective and “take the long view” when making choices.
“Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.”
16/ Reach out to ‘the one’
President Nelson invited all to prayerfully consider a few questions:
- Who do you know who may be discouraged?”
- Who might you need to reconcile with or ask for forgiveness?”
- Has one name been on your mind lately, though you haven’t quite known why?”
As these questions are brought to the Lord, “He will inspire you to know how to reach out and lift one who needs help.”
17/ Be a better version of yourself
- “Call upon God for the strength you need as you labour diligently to become a better version of yourself — a better disciple of Jesus Christ, a brighter light in the world,”
- Be patient
- Be persistent
- Be prayerful
Debbie Singh-Bhatti
Roadshow Details
On 16th November at the Stake Centre we are bringing back the roadshows! It will be a time travelling, alien busting extravaganza!
The evening will commence with a prologue where our hero and 3 companions find a strange looking box with very attractive levers and buttons.
Before they know it they are lost in time and space, trying to find their way home.
Each roadshow continues the story in a 10 minute Doctor Who-esque episode starting from exiting the Tardis onto a new world or point in time and ending with running back to the Tardis (maybe just in time).
What’s involved?
Generally essential would be an alien(s), a dastardly plot, an innovative twist and a lot of running.
- Digital scenery equipment
- Doctor Who costumes (Tom Baker and Jodie Foster)
- Coloured spot lights, smoke, sound effects and 2 radio mics provided (we’ll train a technician from each unit to operate these from a laptop)
Awards on the night will be presented, including:
- Best script
- Best alien costume
- Best prop
- Best digital backdrop/use of technology
- Best (over)acting
Further spot prizes will be awarded for:
- Dancing
- Singing
- Comedy appeal
- Audience participation
All of the above is encouraged, but not required by each act due to the short time frame necessary to allow all units to participate (even with a small cast of 5 – Doctor Who, three companions & one alien)
Love and Kindness in our Hour of Need
My family and I have certainly received love and kindness from the Church in our hour of need very recently.
My husband Pete went into hospital for a routine operation but whilst in theatre he suffered a massive heart attack that put him in ICU.
I asked our friend and Stake President Graeme Holt to give Pete a priesthood blessing.
The setting couldn’t have been more perfect, with the sun streaming in through the window onto Pete’s face. It certainly felt like we were being touched by the Holy Spirit.
Even though Pete was in a medically induced coma he began to cry! It was amazing.
This experience has so touched our eldest daughter Christina and her husband Mark who were there too. They have both said how special it was, so much so that Christina has been asking me a lot of questions about our Church, and when Pete is eventually OK to be left on his own, she wants to come to a service with me.
She is already watching some of the talks from past General Conferences in our Gospel Library. Who would have thought it – certainly not me!
My testimony has grown so much these last few weeks. I most certainly know there is a God because I saw and felt him in action! Pete is celebrating his 63rd birthday today and it’s a birthday we didn’t think would come.
Miracles do happen! I’ve seen it not once but twice over the last five weeks, when for some reason Pete went into a coma for a while and the doctors and nurses didn’t know why.
They told us to prepare ourselves again for the worst. Two hours later, he woke up by himself and he has been improving every day since.
Pete came back twice – first after a heart attack and the second time from a coma. Heavenly Father obviously still has work for him to do. He is very lucky to be here with us!
Sister Angie Firkins, Worksop Ward
New Relief Society Presidency in Mansfield
Sunday 1st September saw the sustaining of a new Relief Society Presidency in Mansfield Ward. Marian Gesto was sustained as President with Natasha Somerville and Lisa Harris as counsellors.
It’s with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the outgoing presidency for all they have given.
It often goes unnoticed the level of personal sacrifice and challenge that accompanies serving in the church and Carole Groves, Jeannette Price and Gemma MacDonald have given so much and stepped outside of their comfort zones to serve the Sisters of the ward and all others.
It’s through callings we can stretch ourselves and, through faith, grow in ways we would never be able to otherwise.
Thank you to the wonderful sisters of the outgoing presidency for all they have given, and to the new presidency for all they will give in the future to the building up of the kingdom.
Bishop Ashley Devine, Mansfield Ward
Farewell, Elder Basoah!
Sunday 15th was the final Sunday for Elder Basoah before heading off to the Preston MTC.
A special day with a munch & mingle so members of the ward could wish him well.
On Tuesday 1st October he will be flying out to Ghana to serve out his mission in the Ghana West mission.
As a ward we are incredibly excited to hear about his adventures serving the Lord and seeing him grow as an individual.
Bishop Ashley Devine, Mansfield Ward
Did you know Des Broome?
Next year (2025) marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, and to commemorate it, the family would like to produce a book that celebrates his life and legacy.
We are inviting anyone who knew and loved Des to submit their memories and photos so that we can help future generations get to know and love him as we do.
If you would like to be involved, please contact Debbie Singh-Bhatti at debbie@yourmag.net or by phone 07811 339282.
Robert Field
Cataract Surgery Programme
Wow, it’s been my race across the world, almost..
I chose to drive once again to Mali, taking much needed donations for our Cataract surgery programme. It was long and hard trip with many issues along the way, but with the help of everyone’s prayers and our Father in Heaven watching over us all, we managed to achieve great things, in my opinion.
Not only were we able to have doctors operate on 274 people and examine more than 1,270, give spectacles or sun glasses to everyone, and eye creams and eye drops to those who needed them, we were also able to help the keepers of the town a little. The photo below is of a small group of lepers we met with.
I would like to add that without the support of the Branch President of our Bamako branch this programme would not have taken place. He supported me in everything. The whole team worked extremely hard under tremendously difficult circumstances. The heat was horrendous every day. It was a struggle for me, but somehow I hung in there.
A quick update on Ukraine… Just before leaving for Africa we sent money again to buy foods for the poorest. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone for the continued support..
Pam Young, Sheffield Third Ward
Called to Serve
Sister Katie Baines
Bulgaria/Central Eurasia Mission
katie.baines@missionary.org
Mar 2023 – Sep 2024
Elder Benjamin Brown
South Africa Pretoria Mission
bcbrown@missionary.org
Apr 2023 – Apr 2025
Elder Jonah Hirst
Canada Vancouver Mission
jonah.hirst@missionary.org
Apr 2023 – Apr 2025
Elder Austin Wright
England Bristol Mission
Apr 2023 – Apr 2025
Elder Joseph Dyson
Kenya Nairobi Mission
Sep 2023 – Sep 2025
Elder Joshua Marshall
England London Mission
joshua.marshall@missionary.org
Nov 2023 – Nov 2025
Elder Samuel Hearten
South Africa Johannesburg Mission currently serving in London Mission
samuel.hearten@missionary.org
May 2024 – May 2026
Sister Anna Baines
of Sheffield Third Ward has been called to serve in the England Manchester Mission
Sep 2024 – Mar 2026
Elder Malachi Basoah
of Mansfield Ward has been called to serve in the Ghana Accra West Mission
Sep 2024 – Mar 2026
Sister Skie Miller
of Sheffield Second Ward has been called to serve in the Italy Rome Mission
Oct 2024 – Apr 2026
Elder Zachary Needham
of Sheffield First Ward has been called to serve in the Philippines Baguio Mission
Nov 2024 – Nov 2026
Elder Joseph Martin
of Mansfield Ward has been called to serve in the New Zealand Auckland Mission
Dec 2024 – Dec 2026
Sister Wendy Gore
Sheffield England Stake
Senior Service Missionary
supporting the CES system
Missionary Messages
Elder Joshua Marshall
Wow can you believe this?! Two emails in the space of 2 weeks??? So, this week has been crazy. Last week was chill – we just did the usual missionary work of finding and teaching.
This week we had exchanges with the ZL’s so I went with Elder Hansen. We did some service for an older guy painting his fence and he was from Hull. So me and him were just teaching the other elders northern slang, which was great.
The exchange itself was amazing. We drove to Luton to pick up the Luton Elders for their District Council (DC) which we were able to go to.
And in that DC we were talking about how at the end of our mission we are gonna have to look prezzy in the eyes and tell him we did our best on the mission.
Me and Elder Hansen were also talking about how little time we have left. He came out one transfer before me. It’s crazy how time is just flying by and I’m loving that tbh.
Speaking of which, my trainer is going home this week which is flipping crazy. And before I know it that’ll be me.
Anyways, after exchanges we were just having a normal week… until we got locked out of our flat!! Fun! But it’ll be fine we’ll just call the Senior missionaries with the spare key and
they’ll let us in right? WRONG! They were in a meeting in Hyde Park and weren’t gonna get back till 10pm… THE NEXT DAY!! So we would have to sleep at the ZL’s flat.
Thankfully they had spare mattresses and we had volleyball at Enfield which was a lot of fun. But yeah, long story short we got back into the flat the following day.
Been an eventful week to say the least. But I’m loving the mission and can’t wait to see what happens next. Also been seeing SO many people from back home getting ready to serve a mission and that makes me so happy and proud of you all.
As always I love you and miss you all!
joshua.marshall@missionary.org
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