Two weeks ago, we got the news that our stake was finally going to re-allign the ward boundaries. This is big news, and a long time coming. Last year about the same time, 3 stakes in our area were combined into two. This area of Salt Lake has struggled in recent years to maintain members. So, many of the wards, including ours, have struggled a lot.
Our ward currently has just a handful of members. We have maybe 100 attending sacrament meeting. Enough youth to count on one hand, and just a few more primary children. It is hard. So, I am very excited for the change.
However, many of our ward members are a little less enthusiastic. There are many in our ward and the surrounding wards who have lived in this area for 30+ years. For them, this is a change that they know is necessary, but it is one that brings sadness and worry.
It is a common practice in many areas to divide, and re-divide wards. I have experienced this numerous times as I have been a member of the church. It is part of the Lord’s work. And, although wards shrinking is not necessarily part of growth, it is still necessary to remind ourselves of the eternal perspective.
If you are experiencing something similar in your area and are struggling with it, remember the following:
Change can bring better results for missionary work
The Lord’s plan may be different than ours
We will make new friends, and still hang on to the old
There are righteous leaders who are praying to do what is best
Pray a lot for comfort, and the Lord will comfort you
I cannot wait to see what the next few weeks will bring. I am sure there will be those close to us that are no longer in our ward, but that does not mean that they can no longer be our friends. Instead, we can look at a ward boundary change, or division as a chance to make new friends, and add to those we already love.