10 May 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are very grateful to be able to gather for our stake conference May 22 and 23, 2021. Due to the pandemic we have not had the opportunity to gather for a stake conference since October 2019. We express our deep appreciation to our Heavenly Father and to you for your faith and prayers for relief from the pandemic which has allowed us to increase our ability to gather.
The Saturday Evening Session will be Saturday, May 22nd at 6pm at the Lexington building, ages 18+
The Stake Priesthood Leadership Session will be Sunday, May 23rd at 7am at the Lexington building
The General Session will be Sunday, May 23rd at 10am
The following wards will attend in the following buildings:
Lexington building: Cordera Ward, Gleneagle Ward, Northgate Ward
Jamboree building: Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward, Mount Herman YSA Ward, Pikes Peak YSA Ward
Monument building: Jackson Creek Ward, Monument Ward
Black Forest Building: High Forest Ward, King's Deer Ward
Due to COVID restrictions, the Pine Creek Ward and Meadow Run Ward will attend the General Session remotely at home
Specific instructions on how to access the broadcast will be forthcoming for members in all wards attending remotely
The theme of this stake conference will be Making and Keeping Covenants. Like all worthwhile activities, advance preparation will enhance our experience and learning by the Spirit during our stake conference. We invite you to consider studying the following in the most recent general conference talks and standard works.
What is the Abrahamic covenant and the gathering of Israel?
Blessings of the covenant
True covenant keeping and the transformative power of Christ
As a stake presidency we are very excited to be with you and to learn from the Holy Ghost as we counsel and discuss together these sacred principles. We know the Lord loves effort and will bless us according to our preparation and efforts to learn and walk along the covenant path toward Him.
With much love and appreciation,
President Sterling L. Rogers
President Jeffrey A. Johnson
President Christian K. Lovejoy
12 May 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
President Russell M. Nelson extended an invitation in the October 2020 General Conference address titled, “Let God Prevail”: “As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life.”
President Rogers recently encouraged us to prepare for Stake Conference by inviting us to study about the Abrahamic Covenant.
“The theme of this stake conference will be making and keeping covenants. Like all worthwhile activities, advance preparation will enhance our experience and learning by the Spirit during our stake conference. We invite you to consider studying the following in the most recent general conference talks and standard works.
1.What is the Abrahamic covenant and the gathering of Israel?
2. Blessings of the covenant
3. True covenant keeping and the transformative power of Christ.
We have been given wonderful promises in the Abrahamic Covenant. Promises of protection, comfort, peace, knowledge, faith, direction and many more. The blessings that come to those who make and honor covenants with God are beyond description. Our mortal state does not allow us to fully comprehend the tremendous blessings that await us as we strive to keep our covenants.
The way we learn and grow and stay on the path is through obedience and repentance. Just as the pride cycle takes us away from God and His mercy and grace, the repentance cycle brings us back to Him, humbly willing to open our hearts to His influence and embrace His plan for our return to His presence.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles made the following statement about 2 Nephi 33:1: “Nephi teaches us, “When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth [the message] unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart. A teacher can explain, demonstrate, persuade, and testify, and do so with great spiritual power and effectiveness. Ultimately, however, the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter. Learning by faith opens the pathway into the heart” (“Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, September 2007).
Can you just hear Elder Bednar explaining how we must prepare to learn? He goes on to say:
“A learner exercising agency by acting in accordance with correct principles opens his or her heart to the Holy Ghost and invites His teaching, testifying power, and confirming witness. Learning by faith requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception.
"It is in the sincerity and consistency of our faith-inspired action that we indicate to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, our willingness to learn and receive instruction from the Holy Ghost.”
“Ultimately, the responsibility to learn by faith and apply spiritual truth rests upon each of us individually. This is an increasingly serious and important responsibility in the world in which we do now and will yet live.”
We invite you to ponder, pray and study the topics that have been revealed for us to discuss in Stake Conference. We know that our faith in Jesus Christ will increase as we prepare to be taught. As we study and prepare for conference our minds and hearts will be opened to the influence of the Holy Ghost and we will be blessed in our studies and our actions. Faith will increase and revelations will come. The faith to act on them will be strengthened and the light and knowledge of God will be fortified. All of these good fruits are available to us as we put in the effort to prepare.
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. Stake Conference: Saturday, May 22nd and Sunday, May 23rd
The Saturday Evening Session will be Saturday, May 22nd at 6pm at the Lexington building, ages 18+
The Stake Priesthood Leadership Session will be Sunday, May 23rd at 7am at the Lexington building
The General Session will be Sunday, May 23rd at 10am
The following wards will attend in the following buildings:
Lexington building: Cordera Ward, Gleneagle Ward, Northgate Ward
Chair Setup: Cordera Ward Elders Quorum (Saturday afternoon by 5pm) - overflow, cultural hall, stage, relief society room, primary room)
Parking Lot: Gleneagle Ward Elders Quorum
Ushers: Northgate Ward
Chair Take-down: Stake Young Men (Sunday afternoon after 5pm)
Jamboree building: Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward, Mount Herman YSA Ward, Pikes Peak YSA Ward
Chair Setup: Pikes Peak YSA Ward Elders Quorum (Sunday morning by 9am before General Session)
Chair Take-down: Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward Elders Quorum (12pm after General Session)
Monument building: Jackson Creek Ward, Monument Ward
Chair Setup: Jackson Creek Ward (Sunday morning by 9am before General Session)
Chair Take-down: Monument Ward (12pm after General Session)
Black Forest Building: High Forest Ward, King's Deer Ward
Chair Setup: High Forest Ward (9am before General Session)
Chair Take-down: Leave chairs up for Black Forest Ward afternoon meetings
Due to COVID restrictions, the Pine Creek Ward and Meadow Run Ward will attend the General Session remotely at home
Specific instructions on how to access the broadcast will be forthcoming for members in all wards attending remotely
2. Multistake Youth Devotional with Brad Wilcox, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency
Sunday, May 23rd, 4pm-5pm at the Lexington building chapel (and virtually), ages 11 - 18
3. Attention High School Seniors!
The Colorado Springs institute will be hosting a high school seniors-only workshop on Thursdays from April 29th through Thursday, May 20th at 7:00 pm at the Jamboree building; please mark your calendars and plan to attend:
4. Young Single Adult (YSA) BBQ and outside dance, Saturday, June 12th, 7pm at the Liberty building:
5. Single Adult Face to Face Broadcast with Elder Andersen, Sister Bingham and Sister Eubank, Sunday, June 13, 2021, 4pm-5pm:
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and President Jean B. Bingham and Sister Sharon Eubank of the Relief Society General Presidency will host a Face to Face event for single adults ages 31 and older on June 13, 2021.
“We know that many single adults are facing difficult challenges or have questions or concerns,” said Elder Andersen, adding that “the Savior’s love can heal every sorrow. We hope to be able to share the incomparable love of the Savior with our friends around the world.”
1. Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):
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.
All of our information is on our website: cospringsinstitute.org. Please helps us spread word!
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 - May 10–16. Doctrine and Covenants 49–50: “That Which Is of God Is Light”
“He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24). Ponder how you are receiving light by continuing in God.
Mon, May 10, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 10–16. Doctrine and Covenants 49–50: “That Which Is of God Is Light”
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, May 11, 2021
Wed, May 12, 2021
Thu, May 13, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 10–16. Doctrine and Covenants 49–50: “That Which Is of God Is Light”
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm
Fri, May 14, 2021
Sat, May 15, 2021
Sun, May 16, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 17–23. Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
Studying the scriptures helps you recognize the Lord’s voice, for the scriptures were given by Him through His Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–36).
Mon, May 17, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 17–23. Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
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, May 18, 2021
Wed, May 19, 2021
Thu, May 20, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 17–23. Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm
Fri, May 21, 2021
Sat, May 22, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 17–23. Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX and Virtual] 6 - 8pm
Sun, May 23, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 17–23. Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX and Virtual] 7 - 8:30am
Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN,BF and Virtual] 10am - 12pm
Multistake Youth Devotional with Brad Wilcox [LX and Virtual] 4 - 5pm
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:
Tue, May 11, 2021
Rescheduled: Multistake Presidents YSA Coordination Council [LX] 7 - 9pm from Tue, May 4, 2021 [Online]
Sun, May 23, 2021
Change: Stake Seminary Graduation [LX and Virtual] 3:30pm-4:30pm to 2pm-3pm
Added: Multistake Youth Devotional with Brad Wilcox [LX and Virtual] 4pm-5pm
Canceled: Institute Graduation [JB] 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thu, Jun 3, 2021
Cancelled: Stake Temple Night [DCT], 5pm-11pm
Fri, Jun 4, 2021
Cancelled: Multistake Single Adult Temple Night [DCT], 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Sun, Jun 6, 2021
Rescheduled: Stake Adult Leadership Committee Meeting including Ward Elders Quorum Presidencies and Relief Society Presidencies [LX] 7am-8am to Sunday, Jun 13, 2021, 7am-8am
Sat, Jun 12, 2021
Changed: Stake Relief Society Women's Conference [LX] 10am-12pm to [Fox Run Park, Pavilion 4 and 5] 11am-1pm
Cancelled: Multistake Late Saturday Temple Sessions [DCT] 7pm-9pm
Cancelled: Multistake Young Single Adult Temple Night [DCT] 7pm-9pm
Sun, Jun 13, 2021
Changed: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-8am to 6:30am-7am
Changed: Stake Adult Leadership Committee Meeting including Ward Elders Quorum Presidencies and Relief Society Presidencies [LX] 7am-8am
Sat, Jun 26, 2021
Cancelled: Multistake Youth Outdoor Casual Dance [LB] 7pm-10pm
Fri, Jul 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.
First Presidency | May 10, 2021: Activities should be well planned and follow the safety guidelines included with this letter and at safety.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Notices | May 6, 2021: The First Presidency has given approval for areas to establish gathering places for young single adults based on area needs.
Senior Service Missionaries Around the World
First Presidency | May 6, 2021: Starting this May, and based on Area Presidency direction and approval, eligible members anywhere in the world may be considered for a senior service mission.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Missionaries
Notices | April 23, 2021: All missionaries and prospective missionaries are encouraged to safeguard themselves and others by being vaccinated.
Single Adult Face to Face Broadcast, June 13, 2021
Notices | April 23, 2021: Announcement of the June 13, 2021 Single Adult Face to Face Broadcast with Elder Neil L. Andersen, President Jean B. Bingham, and Sister Sharon Eubank.
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.
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 President Henry B. Eyring
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
It is in the temple that we can receive the assurance of loving family connections that will continue after death and last for eternity.
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.