21 April 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In his opening remarks at the April 2021 General Conference, President Nelson mentioned some of the work being done to restore and strengthen the Salt Lake Temple, Temple Square and the Church Office Building area. His comments made me think of times when I needed to F and remove debris from my life.
“As I have watched workers dig out old tree roots, plumbing, wiring, and a leaky fountain, I have thought about the need for each of us to remove, with the Savior’s help, the old debris in our lives.
"The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance. Because of the Savior’s Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing, and becoming more pure. It is a gospel of hope, of healing, and of progress. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy! Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take.
"As we listen to the messages that have been carefully prepared by our leaders under the direction of the Holy Ghost, I invite you to pray to identify the debris you should remove from your life so you can become more worthy.” (President Russell M. Nelson, Welcome Message, April 2021)
President Nelson taught the brethren in the Priesthood session, “For a time, the pandemic has canceled activities that would normally fill our lives. Soon we may be able to choose to fill that time again with the noise and commotion of the world. Or we can use our time to hear the voice of the Lord whispering His guidance, comfort, and peace. Quiet time is sacred time—time that will facilitate personal revelation and instill peace.
Discipline yourself to have time alone and with your loved ones. Open your heart to God in prayer. Take time to immerse yourself in the scriptures and worship in the temple.” (President Russell M. Nelson, What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget, April 2021)
These pictures and captions from the Church news show the progress...
We can see the efforts to remove the debris and other obstacles that were blocking or impeding access to the foundation of the temple. This all must be done before the foundation can be strengthened.
In our efforts, we too can remove the distractions and habits that become debris in our lives. We can prayerfully ask for the Lord’s help to identify those things that are limiting our growth and keeping us away from the covenant path. Our weaknesses can become strengths when we council with the Lord and use the Atonement of Jesus Christ effectively in our lives.
Sometimes it may be difficult to part with some of the debris we have accumulated over a lifetime, we feel attached to those favorite habits or mindsets. This debris is often the most liberating to remove and once gone from our lives we are able to have “a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world.” (see Bible Dictionary, Repentance)
Once we recognize and remove the debris in our lives, we can have access to our foundation. We then can fortify and strengthen it. As we immerse ourselves in the scriptures, open our hearts to God in prayer and take time to be alone and time with family, we will see our homes, families and souls strengthened and fortified against the fiery darts of the adversary.
We testify that “the gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance,... of hope, of healing and of progress.” As we strive to identify the debris in our lives and repent, we can rejoice in the assurance that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is fortifying our foundation, drawing us closer to our loving Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Home.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
President Sterling L. Rogers
President Jeffrey A. Johnson
President Christian K. Lovejoy
Most announcements should be electronically distributed weekly prior to Sunday so they do not take time in sacrament meeting; the bishopric may give essential announcements briefly before the opening hymn (see General Handbook 29.2.2.2).
From Elder Quentin L. Cook's general conference talk Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (after President Nelson's two-hour meeting block announcement), "To help members prepare for the Sabbath, some wards already send an informative email, text, or social media message midweek. In view of this adjustment, we strongly recommend this type of communication. These invitations will remind the members of the Sunday meeting schedule for that week, including the upcoming class lesson topic, and support continuing gospel conversation at home."
1. Upcoming stake leadership meetings for ward organization presidencies (more information to be sent directly to meeting attendees):
Stake Sunday School Leadership Meeting, Sunday, April 18th, 7:00am-8:00am [LX and Zoom]
Stake Young Women Leadership Meeting, Sunday, April 18th, 4:30pm-5:30pm [LX and Zoom]
Stake Primary Leadership Meeting, Sunday, April 25th, 4:30pm-5:30pm [LX and Zoom]
Stake Relief Society Leadership Meeting, Thursday, April, 29th, 7:30pm-8:30pm [Stake Relief Society President's Home]
2. Attention High school seniors!
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
The Colorado Springs institute will be hosting a seniors-only workshop on Thursdays from April 29th through Thursday, May 20th at 7:00 pm at the Jamboree building.
Please see flyer for workshop courses.
2 BYU Women's Conference, April 29th-30th, 2021
The 2021 BYU Women’s Conference, cosponsored by Brigham Young University and the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be available online beginning Thursday and Friday, April 29–30, 2021.
The annual conference, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary, has historically been considered one of the largest gatherings of Latter-day Saint women in the world. The conference will be entirely online this year and will include both free and paid experiences.
The 2021 theme is “I Am a Child of God. His Promises Are Sure.” Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, will speak at one of the seven free sessions.
The free sessions also include the Sister to Sister event and five other sessions with presidency members from organizations of the Church. These sessions will be available in English with closed captioning and translation in Spanish and Portuguese. No registration is required for the free sessions. All women and men ages 16 and older are invited to participate.
3. Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, Sunday, May 2nd, 6pm,-7pm
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Lesa Stevenson will be the featured guests at a worldwide devotional for young adults on May 2, 2021.
All single and married young adults (ages 18–30) and students who will be finishing high school or the equivalent are invited to participate
View the live broadcast on the Church’s YouTube channel, ChurchofJesusChrist.org or the Church satellite system on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time
4. Young Single Adult (YSA) BBQ and outside dance, Saturday, June 12th, 7pm at the Liberty building:
Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):
Draw closer to the Lord during the quarantine through Institute. Register using the Seminary and Institute app (for Apple or Android) or at myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org. All meeting link and other information will come once students are registered.
Winter 2021 Institute
Begins Thursday, January 14th, and we are going to start in-person! We will continue to provide a grab-n-go meal before class at 6:45pm.
Below are two images of digital flyers images you can use to post/share and text to help spread the word about institute starting on January 14th
An Institute Class Descriptions PDF file is available that will be our poster that hangs in the hallway of the Jamboree building.
All of our information is on our website: cospringsinstitute.org. Please helps us spread word!
The classes we will be teaching on Thursday nights:
Foundations of the Restoration
The Divine Gift of Forgiveness
Old Testament Solutions to New World Problems
The Unique Doctrine from Latter-day Hymns
Missionary Preparation – Began March 4th
Finally, we are holding workshops again this semester. The topics are:
Learning from Past Mistakes
“I think I’m Addicted”…overcoming all sorts of habits
Beware of the Double Life
Habits of Success
Reed Romney, Institute Director - Colorado Springs, 719-377-8056
2. Young Single Adults (YSA), ages 18-30
3. Middle Single Adults (MSA), ages 31-45, Events and Information
Colorado Springs LDS Midsingles (ages 31-45) Facebook group and email: CSMidsingles@gmail.com
4. Single Adults (SA), ages 31+, Events and Information
Colorado South Single Adults (CSSA) Website
Colorado Springs LDS Multi-Stake Single Adults 31+ Facebook group
Denver LDS Singles Website
Castle Rock LDS Singles crssingleadults@hotmail.com email
5. BYU-Pathway Worldwide
A one-year program that helps members of the Church start or return to college
Students earn 15 credits toward a degree and upon completion, may continue working toward a skills-based certificate, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor’s degree online through BYU-Idaho – at a GREATLY reduced cost
Learn more and apply online or contact your local Pathway missionaries: Elder & Sister Zenger (ages 18-30) 503-290-9933 or 503-684-6073; or, Elder & Sister Riding (ages 30+) 719-761-2955.
6. Temple Ordinance Workers and Temple Volunteers are Needed at the Denver Colorado Temple
If interested, contact your bishop
7. Colorado Springs Home Storage Center and Bishops' Storehouse normal weekly schedule:
Wednesday: 4pm-7pm
Thursday: 9am-12pm
Saturday: 9am-11am
The online stake calendar provides event details: e.g. event start/end times, participants invited, point of contact for questions, address, reserved building room(s), setup/cleanup times, etc.
Come, Follow Me - April 19–25. Doctrine and Covenants 41–44: “My Law to Govern My Church”
“If thou shalt ask,” the Lord promised, “thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:61). What questions can you ask in order to receive the revelation you need?
Mon, Apr 19, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 19–25. Doctrine and Covenants 41–44: “My Law to Govern My Church”
Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML] 12 - 1:30pm
Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm
Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm
Tue, Apr 20, 2021
Wed, Apr 21, 2021
Thu, Apr 22, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 19–25. Doctrine and Covenants 41–44: “My Law to Govern My Church”
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm
Fri, Apr 23, 2021
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”
President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95).
Mon, Apr 26, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”
Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML] 12 - 1:30pm
Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm
Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm
Tue, Apr 27, 2021
Wed, Apr 28, 2021
Thu, Apr 29, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm
Stake Relief Society Leadership Meeting [Stake Relief Society President's Home] 7:30 - 8:30pm
Fri, Apr 30, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”
Stake Youth School Teacher Appreciation Night [LX] 7 - 8:30pm
Sat, May 1, 2021
Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”
Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN] 9am - 12pm
Sun, May 2, 2021
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Cancelled: Multistake Youth Spring Formal Dance [LX] 7pm-10pm
Friday, Jun 9, 2021
Added: Hill Cumorah Pageant Broadcast [Online]
Tue, Jul 27, 2021 through Sat, Jul 31, 2021
Rescheduled: Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp [CF] to Tue, Jun 7, 2022 through Sat, Jun 11, 2022
Thu, Aug 5, 2021 through Sat, Aug 7, 2021
Rescheduled: Stake Young Men Deacons Camp [CF] to Thu, Jun 2, 2022 through Sat, Jun 4 ,2022
Unless an exception is noted below, all wards hold sacrament meeting first and ward weeknight activities are at the same building as Sunday meetings
Lexington building, 8710 Lexington Dr, Colorado Spring CO 80920
Pine Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:10am, quorums and classes 9:20am - 9:50am, Wednesday weeknight activities at the Jamboree building
Cordera Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:30am - 11:10am, quorums and classes 11:20am - 11:50am, Tuesday weeknight activities
Gleneagle Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:30pm - 1:10pm, quorums and classes 1:20pm - 1:50pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
Northgate Ward: Sacrament meeting 2:30pm - 3:10pm, quorums and classes 3:20pm - 3:50pm, Thursday weeknight activities
Monument building, 950 West Colorado Highway 105, Monument CO 80132
Jackson Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:10am, quorums and classes 9:20am - 9:50am, Tuesday weeknight activities
Monument Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:30am - 11:10am, quorums and classes 11:20am - 11:50am, Wednesday weeknight activities
High Forest Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:30pm - 1:10pm, quorums and classes 1:20pm - 1:50pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 2:30pm - 3:10pm, quorums and classes 3:20pm - 3:50pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
Black Forest building, 6950 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs CO 80908
Meadow Run Ward: Sacrament meeting 9:00am - 10:00am, quorums and classes 10:10am - 11:00am, Wednesday weeknight activities
[Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake): 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities]
Jamboree building, 8295 Jamboree Cir, Colorado Springs CO 80920
[Chapel Hills Ward (Colorado Springs East Stake): 9:00am - 11:00am, Tuesday weeknight activities]
Pikes Peak YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:20pm, quorums and classes12:30pm - 1:10pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities
Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:30pm - 1:20pm, quorums and classes 1:30pm - 2:10pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities
Mount Herman YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:20pm, quorums and classes 2:30pm - 3:10pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities
The church’s Official Communication Library messages may contain confidential or privileged information and are only accessible by and for the use of the individual(s) addressed in the letter/policy.
May 2021 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults
Notices | April 9, 2021: A worldwide devotional for young adults will be transmitted live on the Church satellite system, ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, and other media on Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Notices | March 31, 2021: Revised General Handbook Chapters
Four chapters and other content have been revised in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
General Handbook: Summary of Recent Updates - March 2021 (links to updated sections)
Church Newsroom: See the March 2021 Update to the General Handbook
75% of the English handbook has now been revised
Effective January 1, 2021, local unit leaders and clerks should record stake conference, sacrament meeting, and Sunday quorum and class meeting attendance (excluding Primary) in Leader and Clerk Resources or Member Tools.
Letter, 15 January 2021: Youth Activities and FSY Conferences in 2021
This letter contains information about holding stake and ward youth conferences, Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood camps, and FSY conferences.
Four times each year (at the end of each quarter in March, June, September, and December), the ward clerk completes the Quarterly Report. The stake clerk works with the ward clerks to ensure that the report is submitted by the 15th of the following month after the end of each quarter.
Clerks may complete the Quarterly Report here or sign into churchofjesuschrist.org/lcr and click Quarterly Report in the Reports menu. To view specific instructions for completing the report, click each of the numbered links presented in the report.
Thank you for your diligence in making sure that Church records are accurately maintained.
As a reminder, effective January 1, 2021, local unit leaders and clerks have been asked to record stake conference, sacrament meeting, and Sunday quorum and class meeting attendance (excluding Primary) in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) or Member Tools, including both number of members who attend in person and the number of those who attend remotely. (See Official Communication dated February 10, 2021 – 2021 Guidelines for Recording Attendance in Stake Conferences, Sacrament Meetings, and Sunday Quorum and Class Meetings)
Attendance recorded will be reflected, as follows, on your Quarterly Report in LCR:
Sacrament meeting attendance – Average of the first three months of recorded attendance.
Sunday quorum and class meeting attendance (excluding Primary) – Average recorded attendance in March.
Primary attendance will be calculated using historical unit reported attendance.
Please note this information cannot be changed on the Quarterly Report page in LCR. Any changes would need to be made on the “Class and Quorum Attendance” or “Sacrament Meeting Attendance” reports in LCR for the first quarter of 2021.
Many bishops’ offices, clerks’ offices, and meetinghouse resource centers contain excess and outdated materials. In considering what to discard, please refer to the list of meetinghouse resource center materials and guidelines on what to discard. Please also consider the following:
With the introduction of Come, Follow Me, many manuals have been replaced, including Primary 1–7, Gospel Doctrine, and youth Sunday School manuals.
The new Children and Youth program has replaced materials associated with Scouting, Duty to God, Personal Progress, and Faith in God.
Online processes in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) have replaced most administrative forms.
Clerks and resource center specialists should identify materials that are not being used regularly or that will not be used again and discard them or offer them to members for use at home. Clerks can also shred outdated stationery, forms, or sensitive materials.
To schedule an interview with a member of the stake presidency for temple recommends or BYU ecclesiastical endorsements send an email to stake.interview@csnorth.org or text/call 719-644-6401
Interviews are held on Thursday evenings at the stake offices or online (by appointment only) to not interfere with leader/parents commitments to weekly child and youth activity nights on Tuesday and Wednesday; church dress requested
Stake presidency interviews are not to be scheduled until after the bishopric interview is completed
Stake interviews are usually scheduled within a week of their request and should be completed within 30 days of the bishopric interview
Members are encouraged to keep their recommends current and avoid last-minute efforts to schedule an appointment under very difficult-to-fulfill time constraints; please plan ahead when scheduling your appointment
The stake offices are located as the southwest corner of the stake center with an access door to the right of the main foyer doors (8710 Lexington Dr; northwest corner of Lexington Dr and Research Blvd)
Latest official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College speeches.
By Joy D. Jones
Recently Released Primary General President
We cannot wait for conversion to simply happen to our children. Accidental conversion is not a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
April 2021 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
By Jan E. Newman
Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
The responsibility rests squarely upon each of us to follow the example of the Master and teach like Him.
April 2021 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
Official Newsroom and Church News announcements and articles of interest to our stake.
New videos, images, music, and articles from the church from the Church Media and Come Unto Christ.