CSNS Bulletin - Apr 19

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...

Aerial view of Salt Lake Temple Renovation, with focus on the area north of the temple. The square-shaped excavation on the right side of the picture is where the foundation for another tower crane will be placed.

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)

The temple is now surrounded on three sides by a secant wall. The secant walls are installed as close to the bottom edge of the existing footings as possible to contain and brace them in place. The secant wall is built by drilling deep holes where alternating steel and concrete columns are installed. These overlap with each other to create the retaining wall.

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

Announcements

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."

Upcoming Events

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:

Recurring Events

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 14^th, 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 14^th
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 4^th

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

- Colorado Springs YSAs Facebook and Instagram groups

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

Stake Calendar of Events, Lesson Schedules, and Ward Assignments

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.

This Week: Monday, April 19th - Sunday, April 25th

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

Tue, Apr 20, 2021

Come, Follow Me - April 19–25. Doctrine and Covenants 41–44: “My Law to Govern My Church”

Wed, Apr 21, 2021

Come, Follow Me - April 19–25. Doctrine and Covenants 41–44: “My Law to Govern My Church”

Thu, Apr 22, 2021

Fri, Apr 23, 2021

Sat, Apr 24, 2021

Sun, Apr 25, 2021

Next Week: Monday, April 26th - Sunday, May 2nd

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

Tue, Apr 27, 2021

Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”

Wed, Apr 28, 2021

Come, Follow Me - April 26–May 2. Doctrine and Covenants 45: “The Promises … Shall Be Fulfilled”

Thu, Apr 29, 2021

Fri, Apr 30, 2021

Sat, May 1, 2021

Sun, May 2, 2021

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

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

Ward Meeting Times for 2021 starting Sunday, January 3rd

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

Church Letters, Notices, and Policy Updates

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.

New This Past Week

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.

Selection of Previously Released

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
Notice, 10 February 2021: 2021 Guidelines for Recording Attendance of Stake Conferences, Sacrament Meetings, and Sunday Quorum and Class Meetings
- 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.

Administrative Updates

NEW - Quarterly Report Submission Reminder - Due No Later Than Thursday, April 15th

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.

NEW - Reminder - Recording Attendance

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.

Callings and TrainingsServing in your calling in the Church can help you learn and grow. This collection of training media will guide you in your ministry and development as a teacher and leader.

New Feature Lets Parents Manage Children’s Online Church AccountsA new feature on ChurchofJesusChrist.org makes it easier for Latter-day Saint parents to create and manage their children’s Church accounts.

Instructions for Discarding Obsolete Materials

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.

Stake Interviews

- 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)