22 September 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We are in an exciting time in our stake. We have the blessing and opportunity to witness and sustain the results of revelation sought and received. It is important to remember a few things as we participate in the process of supporting and sustaining our leaders.
What does it mean to sustain?
“Raising our hands to sustain someone is not like voting that person into office. The person has already been called by the Lord to serve in that calling by one who has the priesthood authority to extend such a calling. Our sustaining is a vote of confidence in the person, because we recognize that he or she has been called of God through priesthood leaders we sustain…
We have an opportunity to sustain—support, help, pray for—each of these people in their callings. We indicate our willingness to do so by raising our right hands when their names are read to us in general conference, stake conference, ward or branch conference, or sacrament meeting. Raising our hands is a sign to us, to them, and to the Lord that we will sustain them... “ (We Sustain Our Leaders)
President Joseph F. Smith taught: “You will all abide the pledge you have given to the Lord and to one another by the uplifted hand, that you all mean to uphold and sustain these officers in all these various organizations, that … you will do everything you can to help them, to benefit them, bless them, and encourage them in the good work in which they are engaged.” (President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918), Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 218–19)
We are all mortal and subject to human frailty.
President Henry B. Eyring taught in the October 2017 General Priesthood Session:
“Your leader in the Lord’s Church may seem to you weak and human or may appear strong and inspired. The fact is that every leader is a mixture of those traits and more. What helps servants of the Lord who are called to lead us is when we can see them as the Lord did when He called them.
The Lord sees His servants perfectly. He sees their potential and their future. And He knows how their very nature can be changed. He also knows how they can be changed by their experiences with the people they will lead.” (The Lord Leads His Church)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminds us of a great principle:
“So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fulness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving.” (Lord, I Believe)
In an area such as this there are many who are worthy and capable of serving the Lord in any calling.
Some may have had feelings or thoughts that a calling was coming and it has not happened. I am reminded of what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared in a stake conference over 10 years ago, some may remember it as well. I am paraphrasing: He said that in a stake like this there are many who could serve and may have even felt promptings that a call was coming. He assured those who felt that way to not doubt the thoughts or feelings but to recognize them as a tender mercy from a Loving Heavenly Father that indeed you could serve in that calling or this capacity, that you are willing and prepared, but in the plan of “He who comprehendeth all things,” it is not the right time or circumstance.
Sisters and Brothers, we testify that the Lord is at the Helm of this work, that revelation has been earnestly sought and received and that as we sustain and exercise our faith and prayers in behalf of all who serve, in any capacity, not only we will become a more Zion like people but we will be blessed with love, tenderness and peace. As these changes are made, we pray that you will seek the confirmation and assurance from the Spirit, which is your privilege to receive, and that you will have a desire to sustain and follow the leaders of our organizations, wards, stake and church. Reach out and thank those who have served you and pray for and sustain those who are called to do so.
We love you and are grateful for your sustaining thoughts, prayers and actions.
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. Stakewide Meeting, Sunday, September 26th, 4pm [LX,JB,MN,BF]
For all members of the Colorado Springs North Stake, this meeting will be broadcast over the churches webcast system to each building in our stake. It will be in addition to our regularly scheduled sacrament services and other meetings during our normal Sunday two-hour block. Please plan to attend this broadcast at your regularly assigned building as we share some recently approved changes in our stake.
President Sterling L. Rogers
President Jeffrey A. Johnson
President Christian K. Lovejoy
2. October 2021 General Conference
Saturday, October 2nd, 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm, 6pm-8pm
Sunday, October 3rd, 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We are pleased to announce the upcoming 191st Semiannual General Conference. The First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and General Officers of the Church will share messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
General sessions for all individuals, families, and friends will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3: Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon. The conference will be broadcast on the Church satellite system, ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and other media. In-person attendance at the general conference sessions will not be available to the public. With the ongoing pandemic, decisions about gathering to watch general conference in meetinghouses will be left to local leaders.
General conference provides an opportunity to receive personal revelation as living prophets and other general Church leaders give counsel and direction. We encourage members to listen to, study, and apply the counsel given. e messages will be published on the Gospel Library app, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and in Church magazines for further viewing and study.
Sincerely yours,
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 - September 20–26. Doctrine and Covenants 106–108: “To Have the Heavens Opened”
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, Sep 20, 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
Tue, Sep 21, 2021
Thu, Sep 23, 2021
Sat, Sep 25, 2021
Sun, Sep 26, 2021
Come, Follow Me - September 27–October 3. Doctrine and Covenants 109–110: “It Is Thy House, a Place of Thy Holiness”
Referring to Doctrine and Covenants 109:24–28, Elder David A. Bednar said, “I invite you to study repeatedly and ponder prayerfully the implications of these scriptures in your life and for your family” (“Honorably Hold a Name and Standing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 99). Consider this invitation as you study.
Mon, Sep 27, 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, Sep 30, 2021
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX] 6 - 9pm
Multistake Youth Leadership Committee Meeting [CSESC] 7 - 9pm
Sat, Oct 2, 2021
General Conference Saturday Morning Session [Online] 10am - 12pm
General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session [Online] 2 - 4pm
General Conference Saturday Evening Session [Online] 6 - 8pm
Sun, Oct 3, 2021
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:
Sun, Sep 26, 2021
Stake Special Meeting [LX,JB,MN,BF] 4pm-5pm
Thu, Sep 30, 2021
Rescheduled: Multistake Youth Leadership Committee Meeting [CSESC] 7 - 9pm from Thursday, Sep 14, 2021
Sun, Oct 17, 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 Eccles [LX] 4:30pm-5:30pm
Tue, Jul 27, 2021 through Sat, Jul 31, 2021
Rescheduled: Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp [CF] to Tue, Jun 6, 2023 through Sat, Jun 10, 2023
Thu, Aug 5, 2021 through Sat, Aug 7, 2021
Rescheduled: Stake Young Men Deacons Camp [CF] to Thu, Jun 1, 2023 through Sat, Jun 3 ,2023
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
Jackson Creek 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
[Chapel Hills Ward (Colorado Springs East Stake): 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.
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.
October 2021 General Conference (Letter to be read in sacrament meeting)
First Presidency | September 7, 2021: We are pleased to announce the upcoming 191st Semiannual General Conference.
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.
Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution
By President Dallin H. Oaks
First Counselor in the First Presidency
Our belief in divine inspiration gives Latter-day Saints a unique responsibility to uphold and defend the United States Constitution and principles of constitutionalism.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session
“Behold! I Am a God of Miracles”
By Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Miracles, signs, and wonders abound among followers of Jesus Christ today, in your lives and in mine.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon 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.
