St. Cloud Florida Stake Blog

“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them.” (Doctrine & Covenants 58: 27–28) 

This past Christmas season I have had opportunities to reflect on these verses and the beautiful application they can have to our lives. 

It began with the St. Cloud Stake Choir’s Christmas Concert that was performed on the evening of December 7th. Concert goers filled the chapel and the overflow, where there was already a hum of anticipation. Lighted Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths decorated the pulpit area, and a collection of precious Nativities were displayed in the back of the gymnasium. The central focus was a stunning fabric hanging of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus just above and behind the choir. 

The concert was titled “A Night of Christmas Joy!,” and it truly was that. Under the direction of Sister Jessica Valdez, the audience were enchanted and captivated by more than a dozen musical numbers, including “Carol of the Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” The variety was delightful–Spanish and French carols, Gregorian chants, and holiday movie classics–while the talent–solos, duets, small groups, and instrumentals–was dazzling.

As I sat there, enjoying this beautiful gift, I was in awe of what it must have taken to put all of it together. The time each choir member sacrificed to weekly, sometimes biweekly, rehearsals, for months. The effort it took Sister Valdez to lead such an endeavor. The decorations, logistics, flyers, set-up, and break-down, all including countless other people, and all with the intent to make it a memorable and Spirit-filled night for the community. 

I then was able to witness, during the concert, the honoring of a community member who is “anxiously engaged in a good cause,” Ivette Rodriguez, the director of Beyond Pregnancy Care. President Carlos Palomino was able to present her with a Christus statue and church members were able to donate diapers, wipes, and formula to her organization, which aims to support single mothers in their choice to continue with an unplanned pregnancy. What a labor of love she is enacting in our community. I thought about the sacrifices she is making and the Christlike example that she is. 

Finally, at the concert audience members were invited to take a “Giving Machine” card from the foyer’s Christmas tree. Located at Altamonte Mall from December 16 to January 1, the Giving Machine was an opportunity to support local charities through purchases toward a concrete item. When my family and I went, each of our children had so much fun picking out an item to give. One chose pet care for a senior, another picked school meals for a child. The experience was a beautiful Christmas memory, aided by smiling and helpful volunteers who, once more, were sacrificing their time to be there. 

So what do all of these experiences add up to? And how do they relate to the scripture quoted above? 

As Latter-day Saints we are already practiced at volunteering within our own church community. We accept callings, fulfill obligations, and do some remarkable things because of it. 

But all of these experiences in December of 2024 have taught me that there is something even more remarkable waiting beyond our checklists. Things that take creativity, initiative, perseverance, and vision. Heavenly Father does not want to direct us in all things; He wants to see what we are capable of doing and creating. He gives us a baseline, but if we never move beyond being told what to do, we will miss out on the joy and satisfaction of being anxiously engaged in good causes. The joy of gifting a Christmas concert to the community, or supporting our local nonprofits, or creating the concept of a Giving Machine. The power is not in a list we can check off, “the power is in [us].” 

It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “When I look back at not only this past month but the past year, I am so happy with the many efforts made by our stake members to minister to the larger community,” President Adam Zern said. “At least in my own memory, I’m not aware of a time in our stake’s history in which we have had so many opportunities to reach out beyond the walls of our own church to lock arms with good people in the community to make a difference.”

What will 2025 bring as we continue to look beyond our stake borders and roll up our sleeves to serve in the community? I believe it will be good causes and good works that inspire, uplift, and change us for the better.