Lent 2026 Day 5 – Busy Sunday
It's been a long day. I'm still actively attending and serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even while I wrestle with doubts and questions. I need to stay anchored to something while I figure things out. But as a member of my ward's bishopric, that means my Sundays are usually quite busy.
A ward bishopric is made up of the bishop (the presiding authority in the ward, like a pastor) two counselors, an executive secretary, and a ward clerk. I'm the First Counselor.
If you'd like to read an overview of what is expected of a counselor in a bishopric, you can read this overview.
It's a lot.
I spent most of today attending church meetings. My first meeting started at 10am. My last meeting ended around 7:15 pm. I was able to stop by my home a couple times in there to eat lunch and dinner, but it's been a full day.
We have obligations during the week, too. On Tuesday I will go to the weekly youth activity at 7pm. Sometimes we visit the homes of a couple members on Wednesday evenings.
And there are always less frequent but regular devotionals, training meetings, conferences, and other meetings in addition to the weekly ones.
This is all volunteer, by the way. The church has a mostly lay clergy (some general authorities – senior church leaders – receive a stipend) and no leaders on the local level are paid. So we do all of this in addition to working to support our families.
This is the second time I have served as First Counselor in a bishopric and it's actually been harder for me this time compared to last, especially given my ongoing faith struggles. But I'm trying to push through.
Yet amidst the meetings, there were some inspiring and spiritual moments today. I can't help but feel good when I'm around good people teaching about and testifying of Jesus Christ.
#100DaysToOffload (No. 135) #faith #Lent #Christianity