6 October 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This past weekend we have seen and heard many wonderful messages from our Prophet, the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We have also been a part of many recent changes and even surprises to many in our stake. Associated with many of these changes, we have heard expressions of concern and even questions of why. Through all of this, we have been reminded of a recent address given by Sister Wendy W. Nelson at Utah Valley Universities commencement exercise.
During her keynote address, titled “Surprise!”, Sister Nelson offered two pieces of advice that I think are very applicable to our day and our stake: “Be willing and be prepared to be surprised. And perhaps even more important: Be willing and be prepared to learn from each surprise. Life is full of surprises. Some surprises are fun. Some jaw-dropping. Some heart-wrenching. Some almost heart-stopping.”
And then the answer…Sister Nelson then shared what she described as, “The best-kept secret”. It is this, “If you will remove contention from your life, not only will your world change, but you will help to change the world itself.” The world we live in is filled with contention —forms of discord, strife, and antagonism, rooted in disagreements between people. Yes, it’s true that misunderstandings happen. Feelings get hurt and contentions arise. However, if we “…want to have a wonderful life, a life filled with momentum and optimism and accomplishments, remove contention from your mind and heart, from your conversations and relationships, from your home and from your workplace…”
During the Sunday morning session of general conference, Elder Dale G. Renlund invited all of us to put our love of God and our discipleship of the Savior above all other considerations. He shared that contention weakens our collective witness of Jesus Christ and the redemption that comes through Him. It is spiritually unhealthy to each of us. Being quick to take offense or respond to differences by becoming upset or judgmental is failing the spiritual stress test. It does not mean one is hopeless; rather it identifies a need to change. “If we are unable to place our discipleship to Jesus Christ above personal interests and viewpoints, we should reexamine our priorities and change.”
Brothers and sisters, our invitation to you is the same invitation that Elder Renlund offered in his Sunday address. “May we be valiant in putting our love of God and discipleship of the Savior above all other considerations. Let us uphold the covenant inherent in our discipleship — the covenant to be one.” When we learn to overcome contention in our lives, we bring ourselves closer to Christ. As each one of us rises and partakes of the Atonement, and extends greater love and patience to each other, we will eliminate contention and be partakers of the divine nature and love of God. In the name of Jesus Christ.
President Sterling L. Rogers
President Jeffrey A. Johnson
President Christian K. Lovejoy
21 September 2021
We are writing to make you aware of some key changes to increase access for our Denver Temple patrons to participate in temple ordinances. We have also attached 2022 Temple Closure dates which are posted on the Denver Colorado Temple Website for your calendar planning.
Additional Temple Sessions: Several special session have started or have been scheduled to start in October. These include Early Wednesday morning sessions, Spanish Language Sessions, ASL sessions, 2nd Saturday evening sessions, and a baptistry session for Young Single Adults (YSAs). We are also adding a 6:30pm endowment session every weekday evening. We have attached a chart of these special sessions and their respective start dates. We anticipate further additions in the future.
Temple Reservations: The Online Temple Reservation System is her for the long term and will continue to be used for temple operations post COVID. We invite you, in temple recommend interviews and other forums, to encourage your members to learn and use this system on the Church Website to follow the counselor of President Nelson "to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord--to be in His holy house--then keep that appointment with exactness and joy." (Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints, General Conference, October 2018) We invite you to help those who do not use technology frequently to learn how to do this, or have youth or others help them make online appointments. All living ordinances will be scheduled by calling the Temple office at 303-730-0220.
We have also increased flexibility in online scheduling for participating in ordinances by:
Increasing the number of patrons in each endowment session from 18 to 24 patrons.
Keeping the scheduling window open till 24 hours before the ordinance start time.
Allowing patrons to schedule up to 2 endowment sessions, 2 initiatory sessions, and 3 sealing sessions at a time; baptisms will continue to be scheduled one at a time.
Allowing multiple groups to schedule the baptistry for each session up to the limit of 16 patrons.
We anticipate more changes and flexibility in online scheduling in the future and will keep you informed.
May the Lord continue to bless you,
President Thomas T. Priday
President Paul S. Woodbury
President Kurt L. Kofford
2022 Calendar Planning
Our Temple Closures for 2022 are on the Denver Colorado Temple website and will be:
Saturday, 1 January 2022
Saturday, 2 April 2022
Monday, 18 April 2022 - Monday, 25 April 2022 (Maintenance Closure)
Monday, 4 July 2022
Monday, 12 September 2022 - Monday, 24 October 2022 (Maintenance Closure)
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Saturday, 24 December 2022
Saturday, 31 December 2022 (Limited Operations)
Additional Information on Spanish Language Sessions
Three Spanish Language Endowment Sessions have been re-established, one on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm, and two on the 3rd Saturday at 9:30am and 11:30am. Because of technical issues, the online scheduling tool can only show one session at 11:30 so we have called Steven and Virginia Smith (cell 303-907-0530 and 720-682-5825) to assist Spanish language members with sign-ups in general and for th e9:30am 3rd Saturday session specifically. They have been and will continue to visit Spanish units to help schedule individuals for sessions.
Se han restablecido tres sesiones de investidura en espanol, una el primer miercoles de cada mes a las 7:30pm, y dos el tercer sabado a last 9:30am y 11:30am. Debido a problemas tecnicos, la herramienta de programacion en linea solo puede mostrar una sesion a las 11:30, por lo que hemos llamado a Steve y Virginia Smith (celular 303-907-0530 y 720-682-5825) para ayudar a los miembros del idioma espanol con las inscripciones en general a para la sesion del 3er sabado a last 9:30am especificamente. Han visitando y seguiran visitando unidades espanolas para ayudar a programar sesiones para las personas.
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."
Multistake Young Single Adult (YSA) Halloween Dance and Festivities
October 16, 2021 at the Jamboree building – Wear your Halloween Costume – no Halloween masks please.
5:30 pumpkin carving (BYO pumpkin) – Bring canned food to vote for best carved pumpkin
6:00 Chili and corn bread Dinner
7:00 Devotional
7:15 Dance and Carnival games
2. Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN], Sunday, October 24, 10am-12pm at the Lexington building, Jamboree building, Monument building and via Zoom
3. Stake Young Single Adult Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [JB], Sunday, November 7th, 12:30pm-1:30pm at the Jamboree building
4. Stake Youth Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [LX], Sunday, November 7th, 4:30pm-5:30pm at the Lexington building
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!
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 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.
Elder Ulisses Soares taught, “We need to abide in [the Savior], immersing ourselves in the scriptures, rejoicing in them, learning His doctrine, and striving to live the way He lived” (“How Can I Understand?” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 7). As you immerse yourself in Doctrine and Covenants 106–8, record ways you can strive to live the truths you discover.
Mon, Oct 4, 2021
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
Thu, Oct 7, 2021
Fri, Oct 8, 2021
Sat, Oct 9, 2021
School District 20 (D-20) No School (Return Monday, October 11th)
Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN] 9am - 12pm
Sun, Oct 10, 2021
Come, Follow Me - October 11–17. Doctrine and Covenants 115–120: “His Sacrifice Shall Be More Sacred unto Me Than His Increase”
The Lord wants to speak to you. As you study the scriptures, pray and ask Him to help you discover His messages for you.
Mon, Oct 11, 2021
Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm
Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm
Thu, Oct 14, 2021
Fri, Oct 15, 2021
Sat, Oct 16, 2021
Sun, Oct 17, 2021
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:
Sun, Oct 10, 2021
Cancelled: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am
Thu, Oct 14, 2021
Added: Monument Building Deep Cleaning [MN] All day; If possible, allow 24 hours for the floors to dry.
Sat, Oct 16, 2021
Added: Multistake Young Single Adult (YSA) Halloween Dance and Festivities [JB] 5:30pm-10pm
Sun, Oct 17, 2021
Added: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am
Cancelled: High Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am
Sat, Oct 23, 2021
Cancelled: Stake Conference Saturday Evening Adult Session [LX] 6pm-8pm
Sun, Oct 24, 2021
Cancelled: Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am-8:30am
Still being held: Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN] 10am-12pm
Mon, Oct 25, 2021
Added: Lexington Building Deep Cleaning [LX] All day; If possible, allow 24 hours for the floors to dry.
Tue, Oct 26, 2021
Added: Jamboree Building Deep Cleaning [JB] All day; If possible, allow 24 hours for the floors to dry.
Sun, Nov 7, 2021
Added: Stake Young Single Adult Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [JB] 12:30pm-1:30pm
Added: Stake Youth Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [LX] 4:30pm-5:30pm
Sat, May 21, 2022
Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX] 6pm-8pm
Sun, May 22, 2022
Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am-8:30am
Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN,BF] 10am-12pm
Sat, Oct 22, 2022
Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX] 6pm-8pm
Sun, Oct 23, 2022
Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am-8:30am
Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN,BF] 10am-12pm
Thu, Jun 1, 2021 through Sat, Jun 3, 2023
Stake Young Men Deacons Camp [CF]
Tue, Jul 6, 2023 through Sat, Jun10, 2023
Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp [CF]
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, Tuesday weeknight activities
Northgate Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:00pm - 2:00pm, quorums and classes 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
Monument building, 950 West Colorado Highway 105, Monument CO 80132
Woodmoor Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities
Monument Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:00am - 12:00pm, quorums and classes 12:10pm - 1:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:30pm, quorums and classes 2:40pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
Black Forest building, 6950 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs CO 80908
Meadow Run Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Tuesday weeknight activities
[Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake): Sacrament meeting 11:00am - 12:00pm, quorums and classes 12:10pm - 1:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities]
High Forest Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:30pm, quorums and classes 2:40pm - 3:30pm, Thursday weeknight activities
Jamboree building, 8295 Jamboree Cir, Colorado Springs CO 80920
Jackson Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 9:00am - 10:00am, quorums and classes 10:10am - 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.
Notices | October 6, 2021: We encourage units to start using Zoom Webinars for meetings that are currently using the Church’s webcast system.
Notices | October 4, 2021: The Church will begin holding For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences in the United States and Canada in 2022.
Dates for Tithing Settlement and Donor Statements
Notices | September 23, 2021: This notice contains guidelines, instructions, and dates for holding tithing settlement and reporting.
Temporary Modifications to Temple Operations
First Presidency | September 22, 2021: Effective immediately, all temple patrons and workers are asked to wear face masks at all times while in the temple.
Revised General Handbook Chapters
Notices | August 4, 2021: 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 - July 2021 (links to updated sections)
Church Newsroom: See the July 2021 Update to the General Handbook
Materials for Area, Coordinating, Mission, Stake, Ward, and Branch Councils
Notices | June 15, 2021: Materials used in the April 2021 general conference leadership meeting are now available for area and local leaders.
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.
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.
2 September 2021
Ward Council members and Stake Council members,
Greetings from Brother and Sister Dave Powell and Connie Powell who are serving as the Colorado Springs North Stake History Specialists. It is the time of year to begin compiling the 2021 ward and stake histories. We ask that you capture your January 2021 through October 2021 history narrative while it is fresh on your minds. We are happy to be able to support you in this vital responsibility. Your questions are welcome. Please see the following instructions and submission dates:
Please submit this google doc DRAFT history no later than October 31st. (The final draft should be updated and submitted by 15 January 2022)
Highlight what you feel was important in 2021 and are inspired to include. There may have been a number of changes in ward/stake leadership this year. If this is the case, please reach out to former leaders to obtain accurate information and photos.
Purpose
Preparing and submitting an annual history helps fulfill the Lord’s charge: “Continue in writing and making a history of all the important things…concerning my church…And also, my servants who are abroad in the earth should send forth the accounts of their stewardships” (Doctrine and Covenants 69:3, 5)
Process
Use the checklist below to guide your efforts.
Pictures are encouraged to help tell the annual history. A permissions form is included at the bottom of the History Template Document.
Review this email in your council meetings to make sure all understand what is expected.
Checklist: What to Include in an Annual History
Complete each area of the Google Doc Template provided via email as it relates to your calling/assignment.
A brief narrative for your specific organization describing the year’s important events and developments. Include faith-building stories and how lives were blessed.
Please provide a bulleted calendar of events for your organization.
Reports from priesthood and organization leaders summarizing their efforts to help individuals and families qualify for exaltation.
Significant records created by or about the ward/stake such as:
Photographs that are clearly identified and dated
Newsletters
Special programs and publications
Photocopies of newspaper clippings (include information that will identify the newspaper and the date it was published).
Address the impact of COVID-19 on ward/stake members. What blessings and challenges have ward/stake members faced in this regard. What adaptations have been made?
NOTE: CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVATE INFORMATION IS NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL HISTORY
Don’t worry too much about the Annual History document format you send to us in the template. Please do enter the info/stories and the pictures/forms in the best grammar and descriptive writing possible. We will then combine your Ward History into a nice clean report for you to review before it is submitted to church headquarters.
Thank You,
Dave and Connie Powell
Stake History Specialists
The Church is increasingly making its websites, tools, apps, content, and communications more relevant and personalized for members and friends of the Church.
Leaders and clerks play a critical role in helping make this possible by doing the following:
Recording callings accurately and promptly
Making members aware of personalized Church resources
Helping members with their Church Account
Keeping the unit calendar up-to-date with relevant events
Calling-Based Communications and Resources
When members receive a calling, they can receive email communications from the Church related to that calling to help and inform them along the way.
If they sign in to ChurchofJesusChrist.org or the Gospel Library app, they can also see content, resources, and tools personalized for their calling.
How Can I Help?
Leaders and clerks are encouraged to record callings on the same day a member is sustained, or as soon as possible thereafter, to ensure that newly called members have timely access to the tools, resources, and communications they need to begin in their calling.
Because communications and tools are only for standard callings, it's important to use standard callings instead of custom callings as much as possible.
Personalized Experiences for Members
A new logged-in dashboard has been launched on ChurchofJesusChrist.org to help provide relevant content and resources for members and leaders in order to assist them in their calling, personal study, and interests.
How Can I Help?
Leaders and clerks can encourage members to create a Church Account and raise awareness of this new experience. They can also ensure that unit calendars are up-to-date so that what displays for the members is accurate.
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)
Latest official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College speeches.
By Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The difference of the covenant path is uniquely and eternally significant.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session
The Gospel Light of Truth and Love
By Elder Alan R. Walker
Of the Seventy
I testify that the gospel light of truth and love shines brightly throughout the earth today.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session
“The Principles of My Gospel” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:12)
By Elder David A. Bednar
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
A gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline for the righteous exercise of moral agency.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session
By President Russell M. Nelson
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Keep your temple covenants and blessings foremost in your minds and hearts. Stay true to the covenants you have made.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session
The Messy Middle of Revelation
Tracianne B. Neilsen
The Holy Spirit is the conduit through which you can feel how much your Father in Heaven loves you and how Jesus Christ, through His Atonement, desires to change both your mud and sand to rock and to be your sure foundation.
BYU Provo Devotional, 22 June 2021
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.
