29 September 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Several years ago, I read a story in the September 2011 Ensign titled: “A General Conference Just for Me”, by Ann Singleton. Ann shared that she always looked forward to general conference but a few days before conference her world fell apart after receiving a phone call telling her that some tests she completed the previous week indicated cancer.
Her world seemed shattered, filled with doubts, fear, anxiety, sadness, despair and agony. She prepared herself for conference as best as she could, given the circumstances. When the conference began her “heart almost skipped a beat as Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles began the first session with this statement: “We can’t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come.” Almost every succeeding message during the sessions of conference seems for her to be one of hope in time of trials. She felt that she was having her “own personal general conference”.
All of us have trials currently in our lives. Some are trials of anguish, pain and fear. Some are trials of complacency, apathy, pride and selfishness. But the source for help, strength, knowledge, capacity, faith and power to overcome our trials is the same. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How can we have our “own personal general conference”?
May we offer a few suggestions.
First, identify your current trials. Sometimes we can go through the motions of life without being fully aware of how we are doing and are lulled into thinking “all is well”( 2 Nephi 28:21). How are you doing? What are you doing that you want to change? What are you not doing that you want to do? Don’t just focus on the bad but take time to reflect upon what you are doing right and how it has blessed you and others. Take the time to write your thoughts down. Organize them by priority and pray for guidance to be given during your own personal general conference.
Set aside time to have your own personal general conference. Life can be very busy but remember the laws of sacrifice and obedience that we covenant to keep and honor in the temple. What blessings come from obeying these laws? Sacrifice is a demonstration of pure love. The degree of our love for the Lord and for our fellowman can be measured by what we are willing to sacrifice for them. For us, every time we have sacrificed our time to focus on the Lord, rather than something else that we personally desired, the Lord blessed us far more than what we would have received if we had followed our personal desires. All of us want the fullness of God’s blessings, so please remember that “when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:21). Obedience is voluntary (Abraham 3:25-26), but the blessings that flow from it are guaranteed and glorious (Mosiah 2:41). The Lord will always provide a way for us to obey (1 Nephi 3:7; 17:3). Those who obey the Lord will be privileged to see and hear Him (D&C 93:1), perhaps during your very own personal general conference….
Write down what the Spirit reveals to you during your own personal general conference. Please remember that the “dullest pencil is sharper than the brightest mind”. When we show the Lord that we desire to be better by writing down what He reveals unto us it shows Him that we are prepared to receive more and He will give us more as we act in faith.
Pray for inspiration on how to implement what is taught during your own personal general conference and express gratitude for being able to live in a time where we can gather remotely so easily and review what is shared almost instantly. Pray to resist taking for granted these blessings of technology and commit to making this, your own personal general conference, a personalized sermon and revelation from the Lord to you; that you may feel personally the Father and the Savior’s love through the Spirit of revelation and that you will be given the understanding, power and capacity to fulfill what They will invite you to do.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, like many of you we are excited for this general conference and strive to make it a personal revelatory experience. We know the Lord has prepared through his anointed leaders, messages of hope, faith, peace, love, understanding, and strength to enable us to be sanctified and purified through the atonement of Jesus Christ as we honor our covenants with Him.
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."
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.
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
Come, Follow Me - October 4–10. Doctrine and Covenants 111–114: “I Will Order All Things for Your Good”
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
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:
Sun, Oct 10, 2021
Rescheduled to Sun, Oct 17, 2021: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-8am
Thu, Oct 14, 2021
Added: Monument Building Deep Cleaning [MN] All day; If possible, allow 24 hours for the floors to dry.
Sun, Oct 17, 2021
Cancelled: High Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-8am
Rescheduled from Sun, Oct10, 2021: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-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,BF] 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.
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.
[None]
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 Timothy J. Dyches
Of the Seventy
As we intensify our faith in Christ, we receive light in intensifying measure until it dispels all darkness.
April 2021 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session
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 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.
