RELIEF SOCIETY NEWSLETTER JULY 2025
PRESIDENCY MESSAGE
Dear Sisters,
I recently started listening to a podcast called Standard of Truth, hosted by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat. He is a historian and works as an associate professor of church history and doctrine. He also worked in the Church History Department on the Joseph Smith papers. In the first episode, he discussed how historians determine whether a document is a forgery. He explained that historians can only use documents to show what most likely happened in the past. When it comes to miracles, he made an insightful point:“Miracles, by their very definition, are always the least likely thing to occur. If they weren't, we wouldn’t call them miracles, right?” He illustrated this with the example of Jesus Christ walking on water. Even if historians asked countless people to try it, none would succeed. But does that prove Jesus didn’t walk on water? Of course not. Dr. Dirkmaat explained, “If Jesus walked on water, He did so by the power of God—and that’s not replicable.” Historians would refer to such a moment as a phenomenological event—something that cannot be proven or repeated, but still deeply meaningful and real to those who experience it. As you witness miracles in your own life, I encourage you to do two things. First, write them down in detail. Time has a way of blurring even the most powerful memories and recording them helps preserve your memory of those events. Second, hold firm to your belief in those experiences. Others may question or doubt, but if you know it was a miracle or a tender mercy, that truth belongs to you. No one can disprove your experience or label it as mere coincidence. As Krista Tippett wisely said, “You can disagree with another person’s opinions. You can disagree with their doctrines. You can’t disagree with their experiences.”
My hope is that as you seek, recognize and record your miracles it will bring you much peace and joy and help you to recognize the Lord’s hand in your life.
With love,
Kim McKenna
ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 11th Proxy Endowment session 2:00 pm arrive by 1:30
July 19th Walden Hills Ward Independence Day Breakfast at Hidden Village Park
Aug 6th Neighborhood cleanup
Baptisms
Emma and Sammy Walkington July 5th 9:30 am
Memphis and Savannah Miller July 12th 11:00 am
FAMILY HISTORY
July is a great month to ponder and express gratitude to our ancestors. It is a good reminder to be grateful to all those who came before us and the sacrifices they endured to make our lives better. This includes all ancestors, not just those pioneers who established Zion in Utah. Each family has a history that deserves to be remembered, honored, and preserved.
“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearning for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple.” President Russell M. Nelson, “Generations Linked in Love”
“It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Faith of the Pioneers”
WARD CLEANING SCHEDULE
July 5th & 12th
Vern & Nanette Garrett
Donna Goeller
Dennis & Linda Shaffer
Morris & Kathy Haggerty
July 19th & 26th
Randy & Carol Hall
Chris & Sarah Hansen
Ed & Carol Hansen
Rex & Gloria Hansen
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
July 2 Rebecca Butt
Sally Haslam
July 4 Peggy Hettinger
July 5 Janet Taylor
July 9 Teri Herbon
July 10 Deborah Lynne Shields
July 12 Tiffany Blacksher
July 14 Kayla Hansen
July 16 Amanda Sofonia
July 19 Lezlee Huff
July 20 Kirstin Longson
July 21 Natalie Baird
July 23 Lisa Hansen
July 24 Deanna Palma
July 25 Julia Roberts
July 26 Tiana Barlocker
July RS Lessons
July 13th “Worship” By Elder Christofferson
July 27th “Divine Helps for Mortality” By Elder Oaks