3.5 Invitations

 My friends,

This week, my e-mail is very simple. During sacrament meeting on this past Sunday, I was impressed to extend three simple invitations on behalf of your Bishopric. 

1) We personally invite you to come to ward conference ready to receive revelation, pondering what it means to you to be a disciple of Christ. As a 1a, what has the Lord promised you as you become a master of discipleship?
2) We invite you to bring a friend, family member, or somebody who the Lord has inspired you to invite.
3) We invite you to use this Ward Conference as inspiration as you prepare for General Conference.

 I promise that if we all come to ward conference willing to be taught from on High, the Lord will answer deep questions of your heart and mind. You will experience His love and feel His hand in your life. He lives. As we turn to Him with a humble heart and a contrite spirit, He will speak to us.

I do have one other small invitation... I'm just thinking of how close we are to Easter and General Conference. The Church recently encouraged my thoughts by releasing a video from Elder Oaks. I echo his Apostolic invitation to prepare for Easter by pondering something special that you and your family can do as an Easter tradition this year. 

With love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

Please Come

 I am SO EXCITED to write this e-mail!. Even though I actually started it 3 days ago... I'm still so excited to press send!Our ward is just so amazing. There have been several distinct moments when I was reminded that this week. I honestly, think there isn't a better congregation in the church. I am just so thrilled. Like I implied above, I have had several inspiring experiences this week and witnessed mighty miracles. Brothers and sisters, if you aren't seeing them, I invite you to ask the Lord to bless you with these miracles. I promise that the faith exists in our ward to make those miracles happen for you and for the people you're seeking to love and serve.

First and foremost, I want to talk about how excited I am for WARD CONFERENCE on Feb 23.  I am ecstatic and I want to promise you a faith promoting and revelatory experience by your attendance. I will be speaking about true discipleship, the miracles the Lord is promising us, and the revelation I've personally received regarding the next 6 months. Will you please come? Will you please invite your neighbors and those you minister to? Will you please ask the Lord who He wants you to invite? I have strong prompting that the Lord is preparing something special for you. 

I feel prompted to say that this ward conference will be unique and powerful. The Lord has mighty plans for you and for our are congregation and community. I know that if we seek to understand His will and come unto Christ without restriction, we will say the mightiest of miracles occur all around us. 

I'd also like you to do one more thing in preparation for ward conference... come to the temple. Will you attend the temple before ward conference? And if you don't get there by ward conference, let's make a plan for you to get there by Easter and/or General Conference. Brothers and sisters, I know that the Lord wants to endow you with his Love and His Power. He has a plan for you. Whatever is keeping you from your spiritual goals, there is a plan to overcome. What is His will for you?

Feb 14: Valentines Day dance for all ward families. Go to the church now! ;) 
Feb 15: Temple night!!! - Youth will leave church at 4:45 pm (baptistry reserved at 6pm). - Many adult/endowed members will plan to attend the 7pm Endowment session. Make your reservation for an endowment session here.- If you aren't endowed, please know we'd love you to join us in the baptistry <3. 
Feb 23: Ward Conference! And Linger Longer! And Ward Youth Council and Bishop's Youth Discussion!

March 09: Firm in the Faith Fireside at 7pm at the stake center. If you feel like you need something other than Sunday School, come here. Do you have bigger questions? Come here.

April 5-6: General Conference
April 13: Easter Concert (that will be sooooo amazing)
April 20: A Sacrament service to remember. :) 

With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

Desires to serve

 Delightful Disciples,

 

I had to write this e-mail tonight. You are all my absolute heroes. You bring me so much joy. I just couldn’t help myself tonight.

When I received this calling in August, I was at a loss for words. I’ll confess that I cried quite a bit in President Schilaty’s office, and later at home. I was terrified. I knew that this calling couldn’t be shrugged, it was not a “Sunday calling”, it would take my full devotion, it would take my consecration. Admittedly, I also knew that I was going to have to sacrifice. I knew I’d have less time for family, for cleaning the house, for fun in the mountains, for spontaneous trips out of town. I was also terrified because I clearly felt the call of the Lord. I felt his invitation, I knew it was Him that called me. I knew I had wasted too much time over the past years and recognized that I had not been consecrating my life to Him. I had desires to serve and I would not neglect His call.

As I reflect on that fear now, I realize how foolish I was. You fill my life with SO MUCH JOY.  There is truly nothing that brings more joy than service in the church of Jesus Christ. It has brought me an unparalleled perspective into the miracles that you work in your own lives, in our congregation, in our community, and in the Gospel. As I serve with you, I am blessed by your testimonies and your spirit.  Your goodness inspires me to fulfill my promises and consecrate more and more of my life. Nothing brings me more joy than that consecration.

I guess I’m writing this for those of you that feel overwhelmed or are wondering what is missing in your life. If you’re struggling tonight or this week, know that the Lord will strengthen you. If you are seeking answers or guidance, know that the Lord has the answer to your prayers. If you’re seeking comfort, you’ll find peace in service to the Savior.

Nothing brings me greater peace than service in the Church of Jesus Christ. Nothing has brought me more confidence than paying my tithing. Nothing has brought me closer to the Lord than reading Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon. Nothing has settled my soul like trusting in the words of the Prophets. Nothing has brought me more clarity than maintaining my focus on my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  

Sometimes, in Sunday School, I hear the following response about missionary work, “I want to share the thing that brings me so much joy” or “The Gospel brings me peace and so I want to share that peace with others”. Brothers and sisters, service and consecration has brought me more peace than I could have ever imagined. It has helped me to overcome. I want to testify that if we dedicate and consecrate our lives to the Lord, we will find peace and Joy. The Lord will qualify us and He will stand with us. We will feel His presence and know Him.  I’d like to invite each of you to search your lives and find one thing that you can consecrate more fully to the Lord – one simple thing. If you need help, you can also talk to Jesse, Ryan, or myself. I promise that as you consecrate that thing, your eyes will be opened, the Lord will answer your prayers, and you’ll feel His love and guidance more abundantly in your life.

I’m so humbled and thankful that the Lord has trusted me with this calling. I truly do not deserve it and I feel so very unqualified.  However, I have felt the Lord’s might, I have felt your mighty prayers. You and the Lord are clearly working to qualify me and guide me and I’m so thankful for each of you.

With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

PS. I'm sorry for leaving out hyperlinks this week. My service was bad and having trouble loading the website :c

Look Unto Christ

 Fantastic friends,

I truly hope that you are doing so well! I love you all so much and I'm so thankful to know each of you. Are you as excited for the new youth presidencies as I am!? We are doing some amazing things! Before getting further, I want you all to be aware of some of the upcoming activities;

1/25 @ 6 PM: Junior/Senior FHE. At the Martinsen's home (Jim Creek Rd) for Juniors/Senior in highschool. 
1/26 @ 1:30 PM: Linger Longer. Bring an item to share. Kienzles will bring lasagna :) 
1/26 @ 7 PM: Program Purpose for Youth/Parents. Ethan Lockard and Brooke Schilaty will lead a meeting introducing us to the purpose of the youth program for the year.
2/14 @ 7 PM: Ward Valentines Day - a dinner and dance with live band for the whole ward. All are invited!
2/15 @ 7 PM: Temple Trip for Youth + Adults (ward and stake). All are invited! Make reservations to attend the 7pm Endowment session, join the youth in the baptistry (at 6pm) or just come enjoy the spirit of the temple!

There are so many great things happening! Please invite some friends to some of these great activities. Our family is growing and it's because of the love that is felt there. 

I received some e-mails in response to my last e-mail. First, I want to say that I LOVE reading those responses. They comfort my heart and fill it with so much joy. Also, I want to say that if you're having a rough time this week, please know that I am here for you AND I PROMISE that somebody else in our ward is there for you too. I have personally witnessed so much love this week. Our ward family is just full of so much kindness, purity, and goodness. I feel like you are the angels in my life and I can't express enough how thankful I am for each of you. There is only one part about Sunday that I don't like - when Brother Wiggins starts conducting and I realize that I have to stop visiting with each of you. 

I just have one simple message for today. With Christ, you are each capable of making heavenly miracles happen. I know that because you regularly bring miracles into my life. As I read JSH 1:27-30 this week, I thought about how I often get caught up in my own distractions and worldly interests. Despite Joseph's distractions, he was able to pray with perfect faith that he would receive forgiveness for his mistakes and saw an angel. I know that you all have faith just like that (or are capable of such faith) and it gives me hope that I can have that faith too. 

Sorry for the short e-mail this week. I just want you to know that your faith is enough, you are perfect, our ward family is exceptionally awesome. The Love of Christ will overcome all despair, all wickedness, all doubt. 

With Love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

Finding Fuel

 Angelic associates of Arlington, 

Did you know that I'm in my sixth month as Bishop of the Arlington Ward!? I've reflected on that as we start this new year. It has become more poignant as we've called new youth leaders and as youth have graduated from primary and moved into the youth program. I realized that I will likely be their Bishop for the entirety of their time in young men and young women. That weighs heavily on me. I've wondered if I'm enough. I've wondered if I will always say the right things, ask the right questions, be the right example, and act on the right promptings at the right times. I'm confident that I've driven my counselors, the rest of the bishopric, and possibly the ward council crazy with my micromanagement and the "vision" for the ward (that I don't always understand). However, I've prayed mightily over that vision, and I promise I'm trying my absolute hardest to follow the Lord's will. 

I'd like to take a moment to share some that vision. By the end of the month, I'll have it formatted clearly and beautifully. ;) I envision the members of our ward, including the youth, developing a sure and unshakable testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, their eternal Redeemer. I envision us becoming a diligently faithful people that makes and keeps covenants and thrives to make new ones as often as possible . I envision us developing an insatiable love for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being proactive participants in the work of salvation - both for the living and for the dead. I envision, that over the next five years, our ward will be a powerful and mighty discipleship training center. 

As I've been thinking on those things, I've been a little worried because I've been quite tired the past couple of weeks. I've worried about getting burned out. I've wondered, 'what is the fuel that I am missing?' There has been a bit of talk about that around our home lately. We've discussed sources of influence, guidance, and inspiration. What are the relationships that we foster that influence us? Am I surrounding myself with positive influences? Am I surrounding myself with powerful examples of righteousness and goodness? Am I fueling my soul with light and joy? Lastly, what brings me purity and lasting joy?

How has your understanding of your purpose and temple covenants led you to experience God's love for your personally? How has proclaiming the Gospel and loving your temple covenants brought you closer to Christ? Have you found strength as you've understood your covenants more deeply? Have you gained strength through Christ as you've shared the Gospel? What goals do you have for 2025? What is your mission for 2025?

I learned this week that I gain strength as I focus on gaining a deeper understanding of my covenants. I know that I can find joy and energy as I share the Gospel. I know that if I am humble, I can find strength. I'm not perfect but I don't need to be. I know that serving the Lord is the quickest way to finding happiness. I know that the fuel I need is faith, the water I need is Christ, and the energy I need is His Holy Sacrament. 

Thank you to all of you that have inspired me so incredibly much over the past several months. Thank you for bringing us to the temple, for sharing the Gospel with your friends, children, spouses, mothers, siblings, daughters, sons. Thank you for speaking in the name of the Savior of the world.


With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

Lasgna made known abroad

 Most choice associates,

First, I want to say thank you for being patient with me this month. I also want to thank so many of you for so much that you did and do! I just can't mention you all by name because there were soooooo many of you doing sooooo much this month. I saw SO MANY baked goods being delivered and carols sung to SO MANY families and neighbors. I saw miracles happen this past month and I hope you did too. December has been glorious.

The new year is upon us! We have so much joy to share with the world and to make known to our community and our friends. Our congregation, and the Church of Jesus Christ, has so so much joy to share. I just have to say that I am so excited for the new year. I've still been thinking about the Shepherds that went to witness the nativity scene and how they then went to make known abroad what they had seen. I've been wondering... How long do you think they shared those good news? How long did they go about sharing all that they had seen and heard? With what amount of passion did they emphatically declare, like the angel had to them, the good tidings of great joy? How much did they spread that message of peace on Earth and good will to men?

I'm not sure of the answer to that question. However, I do know that ~2000 years later, we are still proclaiming that message. I also know that just a couple of hundred years ago, that message was proclaimed to a boy in the woods asking for truth. I know that that the message of the restoration is that Christ, in all His Glory, lives and loves His children and is reaching out to us to follow Him. I know He has restored the fullness of His Gospel back to the Earth. 

I love the temple. I love it because I feel like when I'm in the temple, I'm like one of those shepherds, beholding the Glory of Heaven and His presence. I feel pure in the temple.  The message of the restoration is that the Heavens are open, my friends. I'm so excited for 2025 because I've set new goals to share that message with my friends, neighbors, family, and all of you. And it feels so good to have those goals. I'm excited to proclaim that the Heavens are open, God is speaking, Christ lives and is leading, and all of His Glory can be felt (just like it was by the shepherds and wise men and early witnesses of Christ's coming) by visiting the temple and participating in the sacred ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all so much and I love feeling the joy of the Gospel with you as we did last week and as we will tomorrow and every single moment of 2025 as we worship Christ together. It's going to be an amazing year and I'm excited to share it with you in a way I never have. 

Now, I want to share some things coming up and invite you to be a part of it in any way shape or form you can be :). We are a family. 

December 29: 5th Sunday Lesson ;) 
December 29: Linger Longer Lasagna Lollapalooza 
January 03:    Temple Night for EVERYBODY
--- Baptisms: We have the baptistry reserved at 5pm (meet at church at 3:40pm to carpool
--- Endowments/Initiatory/Sealings: Come at the same time as the youth OR coordinate in Relief Society and Elders Quorum to carpool
January 05:    Worldwide Discussion for Youth: Look Unto Christ (stake youth watch party @ 7pm in the stake center)
January 18:    Stake Temple night (Starting next month, we will switch our ward temple trips to the third Saturday of every month)
February 02:   Renewal through Christ, Ensign Chorus free presentation at the stake center
February 23:   Arlington (Ward) Conference
April 13:          Arlington Easter Concert
April 20:          Arlington Easter Sunday Church Service (best service in the history of the church)

With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

Thank you for the Hope of Christ

 Brothers and sisters,

The Christmas season is in full force and I have been absolutely inspired by you and our congregation! There is beauty among us! I've met with many youth this week and I am awestruck by their faithfulness. I've seen countless members of our congregation glowing with the Spirit of Christmas. You absolutely inspire me. 

"A Bishop must... ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection... For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God."  I know I've said it before but I need you to understand so very clearly that I am neither of those things. My children are certainly not in subjection and I feel extraordinarily unqualified taking care of the church of God. My house is an absolute mess, our decorations are half up, I struggle to meet the needs of my children, I'm behind at work, and I'm confident that I've let more than one of you down in some way.  How often do you feel like you're trying your very hardest but seem to be coming up short? How often do you pray to be calm, but find yourself frustrated? How often do you beg the Lord to change your circumstances, yet they remain unchanged? How often have you prayed for faith, and felt unanswered? How often do you wish that you had more of the Christmas spirit? How often do you lament? How often do you come to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit? How often do you come to the Lord?

Personally, I have a fairly unreasonable expectation of the Christmas season - I envision my house looking like the Griswolds', my wife thinking she's in a romantic Hallmark movie, and my children being angels on earth. However, that's just not that case. That was blatantly clear in the Kienzle household tonight, it wasn't good. I'm so thankful that I was able to stop by the church where, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, I was absolutely inspired by each of you and you reminded me that I'm not alone. I'm also thankful for the angel voices that were present and reminded me of the divine night when Christ was born. He was born 2000 years ago and He brought hope into the world for you and for me. He brought hope to remind us that all things are right as long as we have Him. He came to show us that His grace is sufficient and his Atonement is all encompassing. Hope in Him endures all things and is enough for even the greatest of struggles. 

If you feel alone, weak, betrayed, lost, or inadequate, know that you are not and remember that Christ was born, lived, atoned and now IS your REDEEMER. Come to the Nativity Festival and see that miracles are real. Come and be lifted up by the angels that are there and I promise you, there are angels in our chapel this weekend. If you seek an answer, I feel inclined to promise you that you find it there.

Finally, if you haven't invited every single one of your neighbors, please do so. Christ loves you and He loves them. He has placed you in your home and in your circumstances for a reason. I promise that the Lord will bless you as you share His Gospel and as you bring glad tidings and good cheer to others. 

He is our healer and our friend. He is our comforter and our King. He is our light and our life. He is the Joy of the World. He is the Light of the World. Through Him, you will find hope this holiday season and always. 

With love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

PS: Please, talk to me about getting ready to visit the temple on Jan 03. We will do baptisms at 6pm and attend the 6pm endowment session. However, no matter your circumstances, please just come and be with us. 

Email me if you're coming!!! <3

PSS: Sacrament meeting will be amazing for the next couple of Sundays (and forever) so also a really special opportunity to bring friends, co-workers, neighbors, distant neighbors, forgotten loved ones, strangers, gas station attendees, and anybody else to church. ;) 

PSSS: Love you so much. 

There is room in the Inn!

 Friends,

I want to share my thoughts with you from inspiration I received while at the temple with the youth last night. As we gathered together, I found myself reflecting on one of the topics of our sacrament meeting - making room in the inn for Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child. I think sometimes we forget that there is room for us in the inn. How often do we knock and ask to be let in? Because of Christ, there will always be room in the inn, His door will always be opened for you. Our Savior is the God of Miracles. And so, miraculously, the Lord has provided us with places of refuge, sanctuaries of safety, houses of holiness. He has opened his House to us and given us access to His Glory where we can visit with Him in His holy inn.

Brothers and sisters, there is always room for us in His inn. We will always find Him there, always find peace in his covenants, always find power in His ordinances. 

The youth last night were a POWERFUL example of that power. I want, more than anything else, for you to experience that beauty, unity, and light. The Lord can light our world as we we visit Him. And if we catch that light, we can light the world with His love.

Will you please come to the temple with us? January 03 will be the next temple night. It will start off our new year. Last night, I told the youth that there may come a day in their lives when they will be nervous to return to the temple because it has been so long. I begged them to remember this day when/if that day comes and to return, to not be afraid, to know that the temples' doors are always open and the Lords arms always outstretched. 

Please, please, please consider this my personal invite to you, Will you join me in the temple on January 03? You can do any of the following;
- Come to the baptistry with us (sit and watch or participate, we have a session reserved at 6pm)
- Just sit in the temple's internal waiting room or chapel
- Participate in invitatories
- Sit on the grounds with your family
- Participate in sealings or an endowment session

I love you all so much and look forward to seeing your beautiful, bright, shining faces tomorrow, every Sunday, and in the temple. I know that the Lord is blessing you for your righteous desires and you will receive all that was promised, none will molest you. You are heralding in the moment when Jesus will say to all Israel, 'Come Home". May we continue to be guided.


Sincerely with all the love and adoration I can muster,

Bishop Kienzle

PS: I really, really do love you all so much <3

Light the world

 Delightful Disciples,

Let's first talk about how wonderful our ward is! I'm so excited for the Missionary Blitz and Outreach tomorrow. This missionaries have worked so very hard into turning this into a powerful experience for our youth. The whole goal is to help them catch the fire of the Gospel. This activity is truly for all of us. Please feel free to come by the church tomorrow at 2pm and join the group. Ultimately, I'm inviting all of you to go out tomorrow afternoon to the families you minister to, to neighbors, and families that you have been inspired to minister to. Invite them to the Nativity Festival, invite them to the Ward Christmas Party, invite them to Church or the Temple (as appropriate). More than anything else, I personally invite you to be inspired, be prophetic.

This week, somebody was prophetic in my life, they received revelation and acted on it. I came home to find a card that had been written in by every member of a family in our ward. The purpose of the card was simply to help my family feel seen and loved. There were some personalized short, sweet messages from their family to mine. It filled me with light and hope. My heart swelled. I felt like I could see the light of our Lord's love. 

As I read Ether 6 this week, I felt inspired. I received new insight into that story that I'd like to share. I'll be short and sweet. Friends, I think that we are the rocks that can be touched by the Lord. We can bring light to the lives of others if we just allow the Lord touch our hearts and fill our souls with our light. We can shine brightly and be a source of light and security to our neighbors, friends, family/ward members so that no matter how much the storm of life rages, there need not be fear or darkness.

The season is upon us, let's light the world.

PS:

1) Please reach out to a member of the Bishopric or Brother/Sister Hubbards if there is a Christmas Hymn that is special to you. We would love to hear why it's special and possibly make it part of the Christmas Cantata on Dec 22.

2) You may not know, but Elizabeth Kienzle, is a joined the Church when she was 18. Recently, her younger sister reached out to us to let us know that she wanted to understand more. Subsequently, she decided to be baptized and asked us to participate in her program. The Kienzle family is out of town again this Sunday as we participate in her baptism. My heart is heavy to miss another Sunday but luckily you don't really need me ;). And I'm also soooo excited to be a part of such special moment in Alex's life. Love you all so much. Thank you again for your faith and for making miracles happen in our ward. 
- I promise this will be the LAST missed Sunday in a loooooooooong time. Don't judge me too harshly (a little is okay). 

Mighty Prayer

 My friends,

 

The time is here. The season is upon us. I'm looking forward to the next month and a half and am overwhelmed (in a really good way) by all the activities, festivities, service opportunities, and feelings that will bring me (and all of us) closer to Christ. I've made a list of activities that I see as our prime opportunities to be swallowed up in the joy of the season and Christ.

 11/16, 6pm: Church Music Festival from Temple Square

11/23, 2-6pm: Ward Missionary Outreach/Blitz. Our entire ward will be meeting at the church and heading out to bring cookies to the people we minister to and invite neighbors/friends to the Arlington Festival of Nativities. It is going to be GLORIOUS!

11/28: Thanksgiving Day!

11/30, 4-7pm: Live Activity at Arlington Hometown Holiday - our ward/stake is in charge of this event. We need volunteers – contact Becca Yadon!

12/03, 6pm: Ward Christmas party! 

12/06, 5pm: Youth/Ward Temple Trip! 

12/08, 5pm: First Presidency Christmas Devotional

12/13 – 12/15: Arlington Festival of the Nativities. Plus, the youth pop-up choir on Dec 14 @ 6pm. Volunteers are realllly needed for the nativity fesival! Contact Elizabeth Kienzle.

Jan 03: Youth/Ward Temple Night

 

I’ve been thinking that that this upcoming season is going to set the fire as we turn to 2025. I’ve been utterly impressed as I’ve been reading about Mormon and his son Moroni. I find myself continuing to dwell on Mormon’s words when he said, “I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel”. I am absolutely blown away by the faith he exercised by dedicating his life, his work, his writing, his effort, his words to a people that he only believed would come. Sometimes I struggle as I prepare a lesson or write one of these e-mails wondering if it's really to somebody, if it’s a message that somebody really needs to hear. But Mormon! He wrote to a people 2000 years into the future with absolute dedication and decisive faith that his message would reach our hearts. He confidently promises that that "great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world" will be revealed to us WHEN we shall "rend that veil of unbelief" (Ether 4:15). Moroni believed in us and knew that we could rend that veil and see miracles. Do we believe that we can be like Mormon and Moroni? Do we believe that we're tools with a glorious purpose? Do we believe that we can have the same confidence and decisive faith that Mormon and Moroni had?  

I know that the lord believes in us. He believes in me and each and everyone of you. Moroni exhorts us to, after we receive the message of the Book of Mormon, pray with real intent, having faith in Christ, and the Holy Ghost can manifest the truth of all things. 

I'd like to invite each of you to join me in prayer this holiday season. Let's pray that the Holy Ghost will reveal the truth to us - the truth of our worth, of our purpose, and of what our ward family can become in 2025? I invite you to pray mightily with me and our ward for 1) the spirit of prophesy and revelation in your life and calling, 2) the success of the rising generation, 3) establishing zion in our ward in 2025. 

With love and admiration,

Bishop Kienzle

My Testimony (Sacrament meeting is your's)

 Fellow Saints,

I've let you down this week! My goal is actually to send these out on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, feel free to hold me accountable to that ;) 

On the other hand, you have all lifted me up. I pray that I can convey this message clearly to you. I'm writing this message to YOU. I imagine that your assumption is that this is a letter to the ward. However, I've been praying that I can reach YOU. I promise that each sentence in this message is for one of you. I've earnestly prayed for the Spirit to deliver it to your heart and I have faith that it will. If there is fault, please forgive me and if you are inspired, please glorify our God, love our Lord, and share His Gospel.

I learned this week with greater surety that the Lord knows you and loves you, He sees you. You are not alone. I know you're tired - I promise that the Lord can strengthen you in your weakness.  I know that you wonder if you're adequate, I promise that you are qualified for the work. I saw you forgive your neighbor and I witnessed the Lord forgive you. You are concerned about your children, the Lord is concerned for them too - I promise, with so much surety that He has a plan for them.  You are worthy of the greatest promises that heaven has to offer. You have wondered if you should return to the Temple - the answer is He is begging you to return and I promise that we will find a way to get you there. You will find the Lord in the temple. You have sought your family's support, your family is here, we are your family too. You have been frustrated with those few that don't recognize your dedication - I have seen the Lord recognize you, I recognize you. Your covenants matter. If you seek peace, please forgive. If you seek peace, please ask the Lord to soften your heart. If you seek security, come to the temple. You are seeking perfect righteousness, practice patience and just remember that the Lord doesn't expect perfect righteousness, He seeks only a broken heart and contrite spirit. If you wonder if you're welcome, YOU ARE WELCOMED. If you wonder if there is love for you here, I love you.

This week, I wondered if I could be enough. In the temple, I learned that I am not. I also was powerfully reassured that the Lord absolutely is. I doubted if I was worthy enough to be around such powerful saints. I was reassured that the Lord qualifies each of us and that His atonement makes each of us worthy. I learned that He is the miracle we are seeking. I learned that if we sacrifice desires and consecrate our gifts to the Lord, He will unify us. I learned that our ward is becoming mighty and strong, great and beautiful.

Brothers and sisters, come to church. If you have a calling, will you magnify it? If you don't have a calling, will you seek one? Please, come to the temple with me. Zion is awaiting us.

Lastly, thank you so much for restoring my faith in miracles. Thank you for igniting my passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His Church. I was lost and I truly am found. I have had ups and downs and, my friends, I have never felt so up as I do now. Thank you for your patience with me and for molding me into a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I have hope that we are molding each other. I am going to extend a little prophesy that Zion will be built in our testimony meeting today. Jesus is the Christ, He is our Redeemer and Prince of Peace. He died that we can live. Joseph Smith was the prophet through which Priesthood Authority and Sealing Power was restored to the Earth. President Nelson is absolutely 100% the Prophet of all the Earth today. The Book of Mormon IS another testament of Jesus Christ, it is perfect and was translated by the power of God. The way to everlasting joy is through Christ the Lord.

With love and admiration,

Bishop Kienzle

PS I'm soooooooooo excited for the Christmas season!!!

Stake Conference Broadcast Plus

 Friends,

I'm sorry you haven't heard from me this week! Last night was a fabulous evening in the temple. I attended with the youth in the baptistry. However, we had members doing initiatory sessions, endowments, and sealings. I believe that our ward was richly blessed. There are miracles happening in our ward, it is so very true. I hope you're seeing them, if not, please let me know ;). I want EVERYBODY to experience them. 

I'm really trying to think of how to bring the miracles to everybody.  I am putting a LOT of hope and faith in the outreach activity, the Missionary Blitz activity on Nov 23. That activity is for EVERYBODY so we can minister, meet our neighbors, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please help us to make cookies :). Ask the missionaries for details. It is going to be awesome. One of the main opportunities for this activity is to invite people to the Arlington Nativity Festival - we'll have a ton of cookies and nativity invites to provide to the people we minister to, our neighbors, and anybody else. 

I recently listened to President Uchtdorf's talk, "Nourish the Roots, and the Branches will Grow". In the talk, he briefly talked about how he had "the great privilege of assisting in this important task." He says that he pumped with all [his] strength so the organ would not run out of wind. As I read those comments, I thought about how each of you are pumping with all of your strength to keep the music going. I thought of how beautiful the allegorical music of our ward is as we pump that fuel of testimony into our congregation. You are FABULOUS.

Also, if you aren't able to attend stake conference due to some impairment, please attend with us online. I'm attaching the link to the broadcast below. The Saturday adult session today at 7pm and Sunday General Session at 10am will be broadcast online. Please, please join us. Of course, if you can come in person, please attend with us. There is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing your BEAUTIFUL faces :) 

https://zoom.us/j/99079536364?pwd=M2xGdHdwWnJacm5XWDNVSmFyVUx2QT09 

With so much love and adoratin,

Bishop Kienzle

Now is the time (still)

 Fantastic friends, breathtaking brothers, and spectacular sisters,

I'm late this week but better late than never! :)  I am SOOOO excited for the upcoming weeks! There is just so much. Also, it's embarrassing to say but, I'm already getting excited for Christmas! As I look forward to the upcoming activities and hear of your excitement and energy, I just know that our community is going to be so full of faith, hope, love and the Christmas spirit. That's because of you!

Here are some of the things getting me so excited;
- Primary Program this Sunday! 
- 10/29: Trunk or Treat plus Chili Cook-off
- 11/01: Youth/Ward/Stake/Everyone Temple Night!  Baptistry is reserved at 6pm. Come as you are, ALL visitors welcome :) 
- 11/02 - 11/03: Stake Conference
- 11/23: Missionary Blitz Activity
- 12/13 - 12/15: Arlington Nativity Festival

Do you see how exciting it is!?

In General Conference, President Nelson said, "now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority". As I've studied 'Come, Follow Me' this week, I've been reflecting on a specific verse. Nephi said, "they had all things common among them". I've wondered, 'what exactly was common among them?' and 'can we be similar?'  The same verse says that they were all partakers of the heavenly gift. I've wondered how to bring that commonness to our ward. How can we stand united with each other? How can we make sure that we are all equally committed to Christ?

I just really, truly believe that we too can have mighty miracles among us and be free of envy, strife, and lies. We can be as the Nephites were - we really can be. I'd like to suggest that at least part of the answer is found in 4 Nephi 1:15. "There was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people."

As we come in to this marvelous season, let's replace our anger with love, our bitterness with meekness, our pride with humility. Let go of your hurt.  If there is something in you that is keeping us apart, come to church this Sunday and be healed by Christ. Come and wrestle with the Lord. I promise that there will be angels in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday that will heal your wounds. I invite you to come and let them minister to you. I will be there with you, asking for my own weaknesses and frustrations to be eased and lightened. Let's look to the Lord together and receive His Heavenly Gift.

With unimaginable amount of love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

PS. Don't forget, we have the Linger Longer after church (bring your favorite comfort foods!). We also have a special Bishop's Youth Discussion. We'll be watching the worldwide youth devotional at 7pm at Brother Wiggins' home. 

Days Never to be Forgotten

 Awesome, amazing, and awe-inspiring associates,

I love you all so much! It appears that I'm going to be authoring these messages on a weekly basis. It's official. I feel out of place with this goal of mine, many of you are so much more inspirational than me. I'm confident the work will go on without my wondering thoughts put to e-mail. Nevertheless, the Spirit continues to prompt me incessantly that it needs to happen and I feel constrained to listen. Some of you have certainly contributed to those promptings. I'm going to work on making the messages come around the same time of the week and I hope you'll be patient with me. 
I truly believe that we are commencing an era of our lives, the ward, the stake and The Church that will be unparalleled. I'd like to share with you why I absolutely believe that to be true. Coming to know each of you reaffirms that to be true. Other things that have been reaffirming that faith include; seeing you in sacrament, witnessing your love for each other, feeling the spirits of the youth in the temple and as they speak in sacrament meeting, and sharing revelatory experiences as a ward in marvelous and miraculous sacrament meeting. As I listened to Elder Kearon's talk in General Conference, I knew that the Lord was happy with our efforts exemplify his Church of Joy. Do you believe it? Do you feel it? Do you feel to sing the song of redeeming love with me? Perhaps that's why I love musical numbers, so we can all sing that song of redeeming love...

What will make this next era be the greatest? What will make us experience an era never to be forgotten? I watched a video from the Church this past week that filled my heart with hope. I'd like you to watch it. It's about the perfect balance that should co-exist between the Lord's greatest commandments; that we shall "love the Lord [our] God with all [our] hearts... and the second... like unto it, [that we] we shall love [our] neighbor". On those commandments, hang all the laws and the prophets. As we balance that struggle, I promise that all the rest will fall into position and will support even the weightiest of burdens. As we allow the Lord, through His love, to bear those burdens, we will be able to be cross the bridge that exists between where are now and the potential he sees in us. We will be able to live up to our privilege and be partakers in our noble birthrights. 

As we cross that bridge, held up by our love of God and his children (our neighbors), we will live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have compassion for those in need, share the gospel, and make sacred covenants in the House of the Lord. 

I so so so look forward to seeing you all in Sacrament on Sunday. The momentum continues to build. I'm confident that the upcoming stake conference will also be absolutely amazing.

With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

PS: I just had a prompting. Let me know your thoughts. I propose we all go to the temple together on Nov 01. The youth will be doing baptisms. If you're not sure about endowments or initiatory, go to the baptistry with the youth. If you're not sure about the baptistry, come have a picnic on the grounds. If you're not sure about being on the grounds, we should meet for pizza after. ;) Truth is, I just love you guys and we should be together. <3.

PSS. I'm sorry I wasn't there last Sunday but I heard those amazing talks and that absolutely spectacular musical number and it filled me with joy. This sacrament meeting will also be revelatory, I'm sure.