Colorado Springs North Stake (CSNS)

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council Bulletin

March 15 - 21, 2021

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. 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.

2. 2021 Easter Initiative Begins:

3. Tabernacle Choir's 2021 Broadcast of Handel's Messiah, Friday, 26 March 2021, 7pm:

4. General Conference sessions, Saturday, 3 April 2021 through Sunday, 4 April 2021:

• Letter, 11 March 2021: April 2021 General Conference (to be read in sacrament meeting)

  • First Presidency | March 11, 2021: Everyone is invited to view the upcoming 191st Annual General Conference.

Recurring Announcements

1. 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 – 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

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, March 15th - Sunday March 21st

Mon, Mar 15, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

• 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, Mar 16, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

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

Wed, Mar 17, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

• Youth Music Festival [Online] 6 - 7pm

Thu, Mar 18, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

• 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, Mar 19, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

Sat, Mar 20, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

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

Sun, Mar 21, 2021

• Come, Follow Me - March 15–21. Doctrine and Covenants 27–28: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

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

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

• Stake Self-Reliance Committee Meeting [LX] 5 - 6pm

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

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

Mon, Mar 22, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

• Family Home Evening

• 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, Mar 23, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

Wed, Mar 24, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

Thu, Mar 25, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

• 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, Mar 26, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

• USAFA No Classes

• Handel’s “Messiah” by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square [Online] 7:30 - 8:30pm

Sat, Mar 27, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

• Stake Family History Workshop [LX] 9 - 10am

Sun, Mar 28, 2021

• School District 20 (D-20) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Spring Break (Return Monday, March 29th)

• Come, Follow Me - March 22–28. Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

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

• 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:

• 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

Desire of My Heart

17 March 2021

In my recent personal studies I have been pondering the following questions: “What is the desire of my heart?” “What is it that I truly want in my life?”

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof...”.

Being happy is certainly a major desire of my heart, so why is it I am not happy all of the time?

The Prophet Joseph continues, “... if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

Most of us are striving to follow this path toward happiness by living the gospel of Jesus Christ, but sometimes we become casual in our desires and efforts and we lose focus on what really matters.

President James E. Faust wisely shared, “I have concluded that since we don’t always desire that which is good, having all our desires granted to us would not bring us happiness [see Alma 41:3–7]. In fact, instant and unrestrained gratification of all our desires would be the shortest and most direct route to unhappiness. The many hours I have spent listening to the tribulations of men and women have persuaded me that both happiness and unhappiness are much of our own making.” Our Search for Happiness James E. Faust

It is fascinating to contemplate the great mercy and love God has for us in wisely making it so we can not instantly have all of our desires met. Because it takes effort and time for our desires to come to fruition, we have time to (hopefully) come to our senses regarding our unrighteous desires. Conversely, the time for righteous desires to come to fruition allows us to learn so much along the way, such as faith, repentance, patience, long suffering, endurance, purification, sanctification and much more along the covenant path.

One of the important lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon is that ultimately we obtain the desires of our heart. There are numerous examples in the Book of Mormon of people finding happiness or finding wickedness, according to their desires. When Alma encouraged his son Corianton to repent, he taught, “it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.” He then added, “The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires to do evil...” [Alma 41:3-7]

Alma’s counsel to his son is in line with what President Nelson has taught, “The joy (happiness) that we feel has little to do with the circumstance of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives”.

Think of the time of Captain Moroni, a time of war and much difficulty; yet for those who were faithful in keeping the commandments, “there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni.”[Alma 50:23]

Even growing up in similar circumstances in the same family, we can choose good or evil, happiness or misery, and the reason usually relates to the desires of our heart. Laman and Lemuel were taught by the same goodly parents as Nephi and Sam and saw many of the same miracles. Their father Lehi was “desirous that [his] family should partake” of the fruit of the tree of life, but Laman and Lemuel “would not come unto [him] and partake of the fruit” [1 Nephi 8:17,18] and did not experience the joy described by their father.

When Alma the elder invited those gathered at the waters of Mormon to come into the fold of God and described the responsibilities and blessings for those who do so, he asked, “if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord…that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? When the people heard these words, “they clapped their hands for joy and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.” [Mosiah 18:9-10] And they were baptized.

Dear sisters and brothers, is being happy one of the desires of your heart? If so, do you experience happiness? If not, then please review the path toward happiness given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, “... and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” and do a personal interview with yourself by reviewing 2 Nephi 26:29–32, Alma 5:14–30, and Doctrine and Covenants 121:33–46. As you do so with a sincere desire, we testify that the Spirit will enlighten your mind to see and endow you with the power you need to change your life so you can find happiness regardless of the circumstances.

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

• Letter, 11 March 2021: April 2021 General Conference (to be read in sacrament meeting)

  • First Presidency | March 11, 2021: Everyone is invited to view the upcoming 191st Annual General Conference.

• Hill Cumorah and Nauvoo Pageants 2021

  • Notices | March 9, 2021: Cancelation of the Hill Cumorah Pageant and postponement of the Nauvoo Pageant until after 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, 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, 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.

** 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.

Stake Interviews

1. • 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)

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

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.

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