Colorado Springs North Stake (CSNS)

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council Bulletin

February 15 - 21, 2021

Upcoming Events

1. Friend to Friend Event for Children, Parents, and Primary Leaders and Teachers, Saturday, February 20th, 11am-12pm [Online]:

• We invite children ages 3–11, their parents, and Primary leaders and teachers to participate in a Friend to Friend event. This is a Face to Face–style event for children.

• It will include music and activities as well as messages by President Russell M. Nelson, members of the Primary General Presidency, and Elder Ulisses Soares. You may view or download it any time after its initial launch.

• We invite parents to view this event with their children when convenient (during the live broadcast, during home evening, on Sunday, or at another time). We also encourage Primary leaders and teachers to share this event with children, especially those who may not be watching with their parents.

• Depending on local circumstances and government restrictions, priesthood leaders may encourage children, parents, and leaders to gather in homes, meetinghouses, or other locations to participate. The event could also be shown in a Primary activity. Priesthood leaders should follow the counsel of local and government leaders on gathering at the time of this event.

• The event will be broadcast on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, Facebook, BYUtv, and other channels. After the live broadcast, you may view or download it through face2face.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, and other media. A broadcast schedule will be sent approximately three weeks before the event.

• During the event, children will be invited to participate in activities. It may help to have a piece of paper, drawing utensils, and scriptures nearby.

2. RootTech 2021, Thursday February 25th through Saturday February 27th:

3. Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting, Sunday, February 28th, 7am-8am [Online]

• Brethren who attend this meeting include:

  • The stake presidency

  • High council

  • Stake clerk and assistant clerks

  • Stake executive secretary

  • Stake Young Men presidency and secretary

  • Bishoprics

  • Ward clerks and assistant clerks

  • Ward executive secretaries

  • Elders quorum presidencies and secretaries

  • Aaronic Priesthood quorum advisers and specialists

  • Ward mission leaders

  • Ward temple and family history leaders

4. Stake General Priesthood Meeting, Sunday, March 14th, 4:30pm-5:30pm [Online]

• All Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood holders in the stake are to attend.

5. Youth Music Festival, Wednesday, March 17th, 2021, 6pm [Online]

• A Great Work - An inspiring concert with music and testimonies:

• On March 17, 2021, we invite youth worldwide to watch the 2021 Youth Music Festival, a virtual global concert. The theme of the festival is “A Great Work,” which is the 2021 youth theme.

• The prerecorded 45-minute virtual concert will feature personal, powerful testimonies from youth and Church leaders; inspiring music in various languages; and photos, videos, and performances of youth from around the world.

• We encourage youth to invite their Latter-day Saint friends and friends of other faiths to watch.

• How to Watch

  • On Wednesday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time, tune in to the Strive to Be channel on YouTube to watch the concert. It will also be available on the Church’s Live Broadcasts page.

  • Wards and branches that have previously scheduled activities for March 17 are encouraged to watch the event at a later time.

Recurring Announcements

1. 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, Tuesday 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

2. There is a change in contact information to schedule interview with a member of the stake presidency for temple recommends or BYU ecclesiastical endorsements:

1. • ** UPDATED January 24th **: 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

3. Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):

1. • 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:

1. Foundations of the Restoration

2. The Divine Gift of Forgiveness

3. Old Testament Solutions to New World Problems

4. The Unique Doctrine from Latter-day Hymns

5. Missionary Preparation – Begins 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

4. Young Single Adults (YSA), ages 18-30

• • Colorado Springs YSAs Facebook and Instagram groups

5. Middle Single Adults (MSA), ages 31-45, Events and Information

• • Colorado Springs LDS Midsingles (ages 31-45) Facebook group and email: CSMidsingles@gmail.com

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Temple Ordinance Workers and Temple Volunteers are Needed at the Denver Colorado Temple

• • If interested, contact your bishop

9. Colorado Springs Home Storage Center (Bishop Storehouse) normal weekly schedule:

• Wednesday: 4pm-7pm

• Thursday: 9am-12pm

• Saturday: 9am-11am

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."

The online stake calendar provides event details: e.g. event start and end times, participants invited, point of contact for questions, address, reserved building room(s), setup time, cleanup time, etc.

This Week: Monday, February 15th - Sunday, February 21st

Mon, Feb 15, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

• Family Home Evening

• Presidents' Day

• School District 20 (D-20) No School

• School District 38 (D-38) No School

• USAFA No Classes

• Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm

• Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm

• Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [JB] 7 - 9pm

Tue, Feb 16, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

• Ministering Tools: Welfare and Self-Reliance Training [Online] 7 - 7:45pm

Wed, Feb 17, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

Thu, Feb 18, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

• Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm

• Institute [JB] 6:45 - 8:30pm

• Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS] 7 - 8pm

Fri, Feb 19, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

Sat, Feb 20, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

• Stake Primary Presidencies Appreciation Brunch [LX] 8am - 12pm

• Stake Family History Center Staff Meeting [LX] 9 - 10am

• Friend to Friend for Children [Online] 11am - 12pm

Sun, Feb 21, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”

• Third Sunday: Sunday School (Primary held every Sunday)

• Stake Adult Leadership Committee Meeting [Online] 7 - 8am

• Stake Missionary Work Coordination Meeting [LX] 4 - 5pm

• Ward Mission Leader Council [LX] 5 - 6pm

• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB] 6 - 7pm

• Stake Seminary D-20 DCC New/9th Grade Youth and Parent Meeting [Online] 6 - 7pm

• Stake Seminary D-20 Liberty, Rampart, Pine Creek New/9th Grade Youth and Parent Meeting [Online] 6 - 7pm

• Stake Seminary D-38 New/9th Grade Youth and Parent Meeting [Online] 6 - 7pm

Next Week: Monday, February 22nd - Sunday, February 28th

Mon, Feb 22, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

• Family Home Evening

• 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

• Institute [USAFA] 6:20 - 7:50pm

• Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [JB] 7 - 9pm

Tue, Feb 23, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

Wed, Feb 24, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

• Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm

• Institute [JB] 6:45 - 8:30pm

• Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS] 7 - 8pm

Fri, Feb 26, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

Sat, Feb 27, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

• RootsTech Connect Family Discovery Day [Online] 12 - 1pm

Sun, Feb 28, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - February 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 18–19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”

• Fourth Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary held every Sunday)

• Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7 - 8am

• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB] 6 - 7pm

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:

• Sun, Feb 21, 2021

  • Cancelled: High Council Meeting [Online] 6:30 - 7am

  • Changed: Stake Seminary D-20 DCC New/9th Grade Youth and Parent Meeting [DCC] 6pm-7pm to [Online]

  • Changed: Stake Seminary D-20 Liberty, Rampart, Pine Creek New/9th Grade Youth and Parent Meeting [LX] 6pm-7pm to [Online]

  • Changed: Stake Seminary D-38 New/9th Grade Youth and Parent Meeting [MN] 6pm-7pm to [Online]

• Sun, Feb 28, 2021

  • Changed: Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7 - 8am to [Online]

• Sat, Apr 24, 2021

  • Cancelled: Multistake Youth Spring Formal Dance [LX] 7pm-10pm

The Nature of God's Love

17 February 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We have often heard that God loves us no matter what, that His love is unconditional, without reservation, infinite and eternal. These statements are true. He does love us with a depth and breadth that is beyond our mortal understanding. I think we catch a glimpse of this love when as parents we see that first little cry or we watch as our little ones struggle and wish we could take away the pain. At these times we can have a small insight into how deeply and fully God loves us. It is a remarkable feeling.

We need to be cautious however in thinking that because God loves us, He will tolerate sin, or willful disobedience, that we can “justify a little sin,” and He will “beat us with a few stripes.” The temptation “to eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die” is enticing and popular in our world today. (2 Nephi 28:7-9)

We have been warned that in the last days, even the elect will be deceived. We are at risk of being lulled into a sense of carnal security and complacency if we fail to recognize our mistakes and sins, or discount them, and then fail to repent. Each week we are invited to “prepare for and worthily partake of the Sacrament.” This is an invitation and opportunity to feel God’s love for us regularly, to see the symbols relating to the ordinance of the Sacrament in the light they were intended, an overwhelming manifestation of God’s love for each of us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “...In spiritual matters some suppose that men and women need not strive for personal righteousness—because God loves and saves us “just as we are.” ... God does not save us “just as we are,” first, because “just as we are” we are unclean, and “no unclean thing can dwell … in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man [of Holiness].” And second, God will not act to make us something we do not choose by our actions to become. Truly He loves us, and because He loves us, He neither compels nor abandons us. Rather He helps and guides us. Indeed, the real manifestation of God’s love is His commandments...

As Lehi expressed it: “If ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.” (2 Nephi 2:13)

It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self-respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom.

I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.” Free Forever, to Act for Themselves Elder D. Todd Christofferson

We can take great comfort in a loving Heavenly Father who cares enough about our eternal happiness to share with us the principles and doctrines upon which that happiness is based; a God who then presented a plan for our salvation that will afford each of us the opportunity to choose our own course and destiny, who loves us enough to honor our choices, even as He pleads for us to “come to ourselves,” like the Father of the prodigal son. (Luke 15:17)

His love, grace and mercy can overcome all of the sins, sorrows and challenges the world can conceive. Through His light we can see beyond the darkness that satan

uses so cunningly to deceive and blind us. We are invited to come unto Him, through the gift of repentance. This gift was made possible because He loves us enough to sacrifice His only Begotten Son. We testify of the power of divine love and the blessings that come as we return that love by our obedience. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Let us manifest our love for Him by striving to obey and repent. We testify of His redeeming love and of the wonderful plan of salvation that allows us to live with Him again.

President Sterling L. Rogers
President Jeffrey A. Johnson
President Christian K. Lovejoy

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

• Notice, 17 February 2021: February and March 2021 Area Devotionals for Young Adults in Their Languages

  • Area devotionals for young adults in their languages will be transmitted live in February and March 2021.

Selection of Previously Released

• 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.

• Notice, 30 January 2021: Friend to Friend Event for Children, Parents, and Primary Leaders and Teachers

  • Children ages 3–11, their parents, and Primary leaders and teachers are invited to participate in a Friend to Friend event for children.

• Notice, 26 January 2021: Youth Music Festival, March 17, 2021

• On March 17, 2021, youth worldwide are invited to watch the 2021 Youth Music Festival.

• 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.

• Notice, 3 January 2021: Friend to Friend Event for Children, Parents, and Primary Leaders and Teachers

  • We invite children ages 3–11, their parents, and Primary leaders and teachers to participate in a Friend to Friend event [Saturday, February 20th, 11am-12pm, Online]

• Notice, 18 December 2020: Revised General Handbook Chapters

  • Six chapters and other content have been revised in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• Notice, 3 December 2020: RootsTech Connect 2021 Leadership Instruction and Family Discovery Session

  • Those with callings listed above are invited to participate in the upcoming Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction.

** NEW ** - 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.

Using Virtual Meeting Technologies

The ready availability of audio conferencing and video conferencing solutions allows local ecclesiastical leaders to conduct virtual meetings with councils or members while avoiding an increase in technology costs for the Church. Local leaders are encouraged to use a free, reputable solution that works best in their area. Some possible options may include:

• • Google Hangouts or Google Hangouts Meet

  • Zoom

  • Webex

  • WhatsApp

  • Facebook Messenger

  • Skype

These solutions should be adequate to meet most virtual meeting needs. If these tools are unfamiliar, it is recommended that leaders test their preferred solution before hosting actual meetings.

• • Consider the following when selecting and using virtual meeting technologies:

  • Understand the time and participant limits of your selected platform

  • Use good lighting for a better video conference experience

  • Minimize background noise and other potential distractions

  • Encourage everyone to mute their microphones when not speaking

  • Be sensitive to confidential information, and avoid recording meetings

If a leader has an account with a videoconferencing platform from their employment, they should ensure they have their employer’s approval before using that platform for Church purposes. Be aware that employer administrators may have access to personal meetings. In all cases, leaders should consider confidentiality and safeguard the personal information of members and others. Please share this information with the leaders in your wards and stake.

Latest official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College speeches.

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.