26 May 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Just a short note to express our love and appreciation for the prayers, messages and music that were shared this past weekend as part of our stake conference. We are grateful for each of you for joining with us, whether in person, at one of our remote buildings or via the church’s webcast system. Thank you for exercising your faith, and joining with ours, as messages were shared about covenants and the blessings associated with keeping and honoring those covenants throughout our life.
We again remind and invite each of you to stand tall and to be strong in defense of those covenants that you have made. We reaffirm to you that as you and your family unite in keeping your covenants, your blessings will be limitless. As shared by President Lovejoy in our adult session on Saturday evening, “We increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision. Our covenants bind us to Him and give us godly power.” (President Russell M. Nelson)
As part of the youth devotional on Sunday evening with Brother Brad Wilcox, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, we were reminded of the need for each one of us, in a world of crumbling values, decaying support of religion, and where the adversary seems to be in control, to stand firm in our understanding and faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As shared by Brother Wilcox, we too know the strength of this next generation. He encouraged our youth to be ever courageous and prepared to stand for what they believe. To know that as they stand in defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they do not stand alone. That our Father in Heaven and angels stand with them, side by side, in defense of all that is good.
Brother Brad Wilcox's comments reminded us of a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland several years ago in southern Utah, where he reminded the young adults present, to never check their religion at the door of a classroom, at an event, at a meeting, at a party, or anywhere or anytime. Elder Holland said, “It is not discipleship at all” when we do so. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have committed to walk the covenant path; to stand as disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We have vowed to follow the example of our Savior. Imagine how the world would be blessed and transformed for good if all the members of the Lord’s Church throughout the world lived up to their true potential, were converted in the depth of their souls, committed to building the kingdom of God, and devoted themselves to honoring their covenants.
As we go through the coming months and years, we beseech our Heavenly Father to bless each of you in your homes. May there be peace, love and harmony in each of your lives. May you focus and find your home centered around the Savior, Jesus Christ, and aligned with the covenants that each one of you have entered into and made such an important part of your lives.
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. Young Single Adult (YSA) BBQ and outside dance, Saturday, June 12th, 7pm at the Liberty building:
2. 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.
Independence, Missouri, by Al Rounds
Come, Follow Me - May 24–30. Doctrine and Covenants 58–59: “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
President Dallin H. Oaks taught, “The scriptures will help us resolve all of our personal questions because by reading them we invite and qualify ourselves for the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, which will guide us into all truth” (in David A. Edwards, “Are My Answers in There?” New Era, May 2016, 42).
Mon, May 24, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 24–30. Doctrine and Covenants 58–59: “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
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 25, 2021
Wed, May 26, 2021
Thu, May 27, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 24–30. Doctrine and Covenants 58–59: “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX and Online] 6 - 9pm
Fri, May 28, 2021
Sat, May 29, 2021
Sun ,May 30, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 31–June 6. Doctrine and Covenants 60–62: “All Flesh Is in Mine Hand”
President Ezra Taft Benson taught that when we study the scriptures, “testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” (“The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 81).
Mon, May 31, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 31–June 6. Doctrine and Covenants 60–62: “All Flesh Is in Mine Hand”
Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm
Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm
Tue, Jun 1, 2021
Wed, Jun 2, 2021
Thu, Jun 3, 2021
Fri, Jun 4, 2021
Sat, Jun 5, 2021
Come, Follow Me - May 31–June 6. Doctrine and Covenants 60–62: “All Flesh Is in Mine Hand”
Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN] 9am - 12pm
Sun, Jun 6, 2021
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:
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
Thu, Jul 1, 2021
Cancelled: Stake Temple Night [DCT], 5pm-11pm
Fri, Jul 2, 2021
Cancelled: Multistake Single Adult Temple Night [DCT] 7:30 - 9:30pm
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 - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities at the Jamboree building
Cordera Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:00am - 11:00am, quorums and classes 11:10am - 12:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
Gleneagle Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:30pm, quorums and classes 12:40pm - 1:30pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
Northgate Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:00pm - 2:00pm, quorums and classes 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Thursday weeknight activities
Monument building, 950 West Colorado Highway 105, Monument CO 80132
Jackson Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Tuesday weeknight activities
Monument Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:00am - 11:00am, quorums and classes 11:10am - 12:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
High Forest Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:30pm, quorums and classes 12:40pm - 1:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:00pm - 2:00pm, quorums and classes 2:10pm - 3:00pm, 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]
Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:35pm - 1:30pm (chapel), quorums and classes 11:30am - 12:25pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities
Mount Herman YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:25pm (cultural hall), quorums and classes 12:35pm - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities
Pikes Peak YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:25pm (chapel), quorums and classes12:35pm - 1:30pm, 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.
Time-Only Marriages in the Temple Discontinued
First Presidency | May 24, 2021: Because of the eternal nature of the temple and the work that takes place there, it has been decided that time-only marriages in the temple will no longer be performed.
Addiction Recovery and Spouse and Family Support
Notices | May 20, 2021: The Church’s addiction recovery program has resources to help individuals, spouses, and family members.
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.
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 Elder Jorge T. Becerra
Of the Seventy
In each ward and branch we need everyone—those who may be strong and those who are perhaps struggling. All are necessary.
April 2021 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session
Official Newsroom and Church News announcements and articles of interest to our stake.
Hill Cumorah Pageant Commemorative Devotional and Hill Cumorah Pageant Broadcast
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will present a devotional with Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a broadcast of the 2019 Hill Cumorah Pageant on July 9, 2021.
New videos, images, music, and articles from the church from the Church Media and Come Unto Christ.