Thursday, January 6, 2022
Highlights of Crismon's 9 years as Mount Hood Oregon Stake President, 2012 - 2021
Monday, September 6, 2021
In response to our family's reaction when we announced that we were completing mission papers
To me, filling out the online recommendation form was mostly a first step in helping us—as we review the questions in the application and as we counsel with our priesthood leaders (bishop and stake president)—to determine what is the right kind of mission for us, if at all, and when is the right time in light of our circumstances. However, it does require us to create a timeline and that was causing some heart burn, as you saw. So everything is on hold.
Please know we will not pursue a mission that would be hurtful to mother, but work within her health limitations and under the guidance of priesthood leaders. I have felt a need that we take some steps to see what opens up for us, if anything, like what happened when we moved from Gresham to Vancouver.
Some of you may be asking, so what’s the rush, dad?
There is no rush, but there are two factors that motivate me most to encourage us to pursue a mission sooner than later even though we’ve just moved into a beautiful new home:
1. TIME: I spent hours and hours interviewing and encouraging senior couples (those 55 years and older) in our stake, trying to help them commit and prepare for a senior couple mission. I had very little success. So many couples wanted to wait until the “right time.” The right time never came and then became impossible as their health deteriorated with age.
Your own Grandfather Smith mentioned later in life that it saddened him that he and your grandmother didn’t serve a mission when they could have. As with all of us, aging and health ultimately closes that window of opportunity.
2. EXAMPLE: Our oldest grandchildren are now getting to the age where they are eligible to serve missions. I feel our example of serving a mission will help you as parents encourage and prepare your children to serve the Lord full-time when it’s “time” (18-25 years of age) than anything else we can do. Reminding your children to pray for grandpa and grandma on their mission will help them appreciate that the best thing they can do in their youth to show their love for the Lord is to serve Him full-time for a period.
This is what motivates me to want to serve a mission. I apologize to mother and to you if I was overzealous and insensitive to feelings in the family.
We will go slow, if at all, in moving toward a mission. We appreciate your concern and counsel as we continue to contemplate and pray about this direction in our lives.
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
In response to a young married couple about delaying childbirth
18 May 2021
Hello, (Name)…
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
In response to the question: What did you learn about Jesus Christ?
31 March 2021
Upon my release as stake president, the local Institute Director, Edgardo Gubelin, asked me: "What did you learn about Jesus Christ during your nine years of service?" I offered a brief answer:
I learned that Jesus Christ is my Savior in the past (1 Nephi 19:9, 2 Nephi 2:6-8), present (Alma 7:11-13, D&C 19:15-19) and future (Moroni 7:36, D&C 45:3-5). Jesus of Nazareth—who is the same yesterday, today and forever—truly is my eternal Savior and King!
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Letter to President Tyson Papenfuss when he was called to replace me as stake president on March 6-7, 2021
7 March 2021
Dear President Papenfuss,
Please know how pleased I am by your call to replace me as stake president of the most wonderful stake on the planet. The Lord knows you and has chosen you to bless the members of this stake in a different way. Please feel no need to be a President Lewis. Your leadership will be different, but it will be just what our stake needs.
So I support you and will pray for you, just as you so faithfully did for me.
Unfortunately, this calling has a LOT of administrative duties. I will help you sort them out as much as you want or need. I hope you can do so without stressing over it all. You’ll eventually find your stride and it will become second nature in time. That’s because this is the work of the Lord and He will not forsake you. He will be with you every step of the way.
To help you, I’m leaving for you the following:
The enclosed flash drive has lots of information you can review that will help you identify your responsibilities (you’ll be so grateful you have counselors and high councilors to delegate to :)
Door keys that should open just about every door in the stake (guard it carefully :)
There are some printed items in your bottom right desk drawer that may be helpful. Feel free to toss over time, but they will also help you recognize some of the current actions.
To continue our transition here are some topics we’ll want to cover over the next few days:
Confidential documents such as boundary considerations
Current disciplinary actions
Financial responsibilities
Conducting living ordinance temple recommends
Keeping safety a priority during the pandemic
Relationship to the Area 70
What’s available to you on the website
Current programs (youth summer camps, Single Adult Conference, YSA emphasis, etc.)
I’m sure there will be more when you look over the agendas (on the flash drive) and the Handbook, the most important resource of all.
In the meantime, please remember that above else you are the spiritual leader of the stake. Above your many administrative duties, is your duty to preach and teach, to strengthen testimonies and build faith in Jesus Christ. Your first priority is to live the gospel and teach and testify of the gospel wherever you are—whether in sacrament services, in council meetings, in Sunday School classes. Above all else, you are a teacher!
I hope this is helpful. Please do not stress. You have LOTS of time to assimilate it all and you’ll see that it will start to fit into place as you continue to counsel with your counselors and other stake leaders.
And I’m here and will be happy to try and help if ever you have a question that may be perplexing to you or your presidency.
You’ve been called of the Lord and you will be a mighty stake president because he will make you mighty. You are a blessing to all of us!
With love and admiration,
Crismon Lewis
Friday, March 12, 2021
Backstory on the two branches in the Mount Hood Stake
12 March 2021
The stake presidency set a goal in late 2013 or early 2014 to add two more units to the stake within a couple of years. Convert baptisms were on the rise (a high of 40 in a year) and we were working hard (in response to President Monson’s plea) to rescue less-active members.
It wasn’t until later that we realized our goal was only attainable if we added “specialty” units—like Spanish and YSA. That wasn’t our original intention. But other factors realigned our vision and focus.
We were blessed to see the Lord’s hand in what followed.
Gresham YSA Branch
In 2012 President Monson announced the new missionary-age-policy sparking a huge spike in full-time missionaries. With the sudden growth of missionaries, from 75,000 to 90,000, many new missions were created, including a new Washington Vancouver Mission—a break off of the Oregon Portland Mission.
Because Coordinating Councils follow mission boundaries, it also resulted in the creation of a Vancouver Coordinating Council. That led to moving the Portland and Gresham Stakes into the new coordinating council (and mission) across the Columbia River into Vancouver.
As a consequence, the Mount Hood YSA Ward was dissolved and Gresham YSA members were assigned to the new Springwater YSA Ward in the Portland Stake and the Mount Hood YSA were assigned to the Alder Creek Ward in the Milwaukie Stake.
Within a year, it became apparent to the stake presidency that the YSA in our stake were not willing to drive all the way to Milwaukie for church services and activities. There are very few good east-west roads between Sandy/Damascus and Milwaukie. We were greatly concerned about the YSA in our stake.
In January 2016 we created a new Mount Hood YSA Branch meeting in Sandy with Trent Westover as branch president.
We immediately saw an increase in activity among the YSA, but things got a bit complicated when many YSA in the Gresham Stake started drifting to our YSA branch meetings in Sandy.
Finally, there were some modifications to the Coordinating Council north of Vancouver and two stakes from the north were assigned to the Vancouver Coordinating Council. We then successfully appealed for the Portland and Gresham Stakes to return to the Portland CC.
When that happened in 2020 we were able to dissolve the Mount Hood YSA Branch and create the new Gresham YSA Branch that now meets in the Troutdale building across from Reynolds HS. The branch continues to be a part of the Mount Hood Stake and is presided over by the same members of the previous Mount Hood YSA Branch presidency (Steve Lindhorst, Brian Allen and Clay Ramberg with Marc Ellinger as clerk).
Due in a great part to the influence of the many polynesian (mostly Tongan) YSA members from the Gresham Stake, the new Gresham YSA Branch is very vibrant today and could soon become a ward once sacrament meeting attendance consistently reaches 100 members.
Pioneer (Spanish) Branch
Around that same time, in mid-2016, there were a few Hispanic members attending the Sandy River Ward, thanks to the encouragement of SR Ward Bishop Don Hokanson. Soon the group began to grow requiring leaders to provide Spanish translation of their sacrament meetings.
About that time, Carlos Ibarra and his two daughters moved into the Sandy River Ward. Carlos had been married to Anna Rattray, daughter of Charles and Marlene Rattray, of the Tickle Creek Ward, who introduced the Church to him. Carlos became a strong member.
After their marriage, the Ibarras moved to Oregon City. Sadly Anna contracted cancer and passed away.
Carlos, his two daughters and the Rattrays, who had moved to Oregon City to help their daughter during her illness, returned to live in Sandy. Carlos, a native of Guatemala, accepted a call from Bishop Hokanson to serve as the Spanish Group Leader for the fledgling group attached to the Sandy River Ward.
Soon missionaries were assigned to the Group and the numbers began to grow. By early December 2016 the Group was approved by Church headquarters to become the Pioneer (Spanish Branch), an independent branch, with Brother Ibarra called as the Branch President.
Within a few months, the branch was moved to the stake center, meeting in the Relief Society room, so it was more centrally located between the “pockets” of Hispanics living in Gresham and Sandy.
Thanks to Covid, many missionaries serving in Latin American countries were assigned to domestic missions in 2020, including the Oregon Portland Mission. So we are currently blessed with two sets of Spanish-speaking missionaries, including a companionship living in Estacada to work with Hispanics there.
For the past 4+ years, the membership has fluctuated showing great promise at times. Over those years we have “called” (assigned) many bi-lingual members and families in our stake to attend the branch to help provide leadership support. However, it has been difficult on some families where only one or two members of the family are bi-lingual.
Finally and only recently, at President Ibarra’s recommendation, we have “released” all bi-lingual anglo members to return to their home wards so there is no longer a need for English translation during sacrament meeting.
We decided it’s time to “sink or swim.” But it has left the branch seriously lacking in leadership. Both President Ibarra and the EQ President Cody Garrison are serving in their positions without counselors.
The hope is that Brother Hernan Toledo (a former bishop in Chile) living with his wife and granddaughter living in the home of Vaughn Lewis (WH), will step up to help with the leadership. President Ibarra will fill you in.
Inasmuch as the branch continues to suffer from lack of leadership, it would make sense to merge the Pioneer Branch into the much stronger Evergreen (Spanish) Ward that meets in the Stark Street building in the Gresham Stake. This ward is the same longtime Spanish unit that was originally located in the Portland Stake.
We have purposely not merged the two units for two reasons: (1) President Ibarra is a very strong leader and is still moving forward with great faith that the Pioneer Branch will thrive some day; and (2) the Area Presidency has made it clear that they feel Spanish units can help offset the “migration” of Saints to Idaho, Utah and Arizona; they’ve made it known that they prefer each stake creates and grows small Spanish units rather than merge them.
By the way, we typically designate the longest-serving bishop as the stake “senior bishop.” His responsibility is to conduct the Bishops Welfare Council, which meets quarterly. We have scheduled those meetings for 8:30 to 9:00 pm immediately following Bishopric Training meetings, to avoid burdening the bishops’ schedules.
President Ibarra, who has served now for almost 4.5 years, serves as the “senior bishop” of the Bishops Welfare Council.
Suggestions for the living ordinance recommend interviews for first-time temple goers
12 March 2021
President,
Helping members going to the tempe for the first time is one of the stake president’s greatest joys and challenges.Usually they’ve come with a lot of wonder, fears and some times misconceptions—well-mean friends telling them that it’s REALLY different!
Our role is to remove their fears and help them know it’ll be a joyous experience. You’ll know if you’ve done a good job if at the end of your interview they say something like, “I’m excited to go!”
I hope the attached description of the questions and discussions I used might help. I’m not suggesting you go down the list, but you may find some of these ideas resonate with you.
I’ll also share the Google doc with you so you can create your own, if you want.
Hope it helps,
Crismon
Suggestions for the first-time endowment
The following are some thoughts on how, during the Temple Recommend interview, the stake president can introduce first-time temple goers on the purpose of the temple ordinances and what to expect.
Before entering the Temple...
What you should know
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● Some say the temple is a different experience. One reason is that this is an ancient ceremony brought forth into modern times so naturally it’s different—but not weird.
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● Even though clothing is used in the ceremony, you will never be immodest.
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● You will never be put in a position where you will be embarrassed or uncomfortable;
you’ll always have someone next to you who will guide you and explain what to do.
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● Once inside the temple you can ask all the questions you want—there are no secrets—
though sometimes the answer is to simply go back to the temple often and ask the Lord.
What you should do
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● If you haven’t done so already, (a) schedule an appointment with the temple, (b) select and invite an escort, and (c) invite the number of people allowed to accompany you.
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● Purchase at least one pair of garments (we suggest you don’t get a lot at first so you can try on different styles and textures).
Support Materials to Review:
The Church provides excellent preparatory materials on www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org such as:
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● Overview of resources: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples?lang=eng
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● How to make your experience more meaningful:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/prepare-for-your-temple-visit?lang=eng
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● About the temple endowment:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/what-is-temple-endowment?lang=eng
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● Personal preparation for temple blessings by Elder Russell M. Nelson:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/04/personal-prepara
tion-for-temple-blessings?lang=eng
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● Prophets provide an overview of all the temple ordinances:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/prophetic-teachings-on-temples?lang=eng
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● Sacred temple clothing video (4:12 min):
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/sacred-temple-clothing?lang=eng
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● Room-by-room tour of the Rome Italy Temple video (11:31 min):
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2019-01-1000-two-apostles-lead-a-virtu al-tour-of-the-rome-italy-temple?lang=eng
Understanding why Temples and ordinances...
Why the endowment
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● We all fall short so it’s difficult to comprehend or even imagine how, in our weaknesses, we can ever actually return to God’s presence—it’s simply too big of a leap in our minds.
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● God says if you’re willing to make and faithfully keep ordinances with covenants—such as baptism, confirmation, sacrament, etc.—you are now entitled to be taught, step-by-step, how to return to His presence.
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● The endowment is a story—it’s your story and my story—on how God brings His children back into His presence, as He promised to do when He introduced His plan to us in the premortal life.
What are you expecting?
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● What have you heard about the temple?
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● Have you heard that it’s very different or ceremonial?
Why do we even have temples?
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● Why do you think what we do in the temple is so different than what we do in a chapel?
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● What’s the difference between being secret and sacred?
Why does God have us perform physical or mechanical rituals or ordinances?
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● Why don’t we just go in the woods and give our hearts to Jesus? (faith is action)
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● Why a physical act or ritual? (we remember better when we do)
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● Why do we perform mechanical actions like go down into water, have hands placed on
our head, or partake of bread and water? (symbolism teaches us)
How are we dual beings? (we all have a body and spirit)
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● How does our body help our spirit? (fasting)
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● How does our spirit help our bodies? (avoid addictions)
How does God teach us through ordinances?
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● How do physical or bodily actions help us? (we remember, we feel, we learn)
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● How do covenants strengthen our spirit? (our commitment is deep inside us)
What are covenants? Why are covenants so important?
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● Can we negotiate with God? (“I’ll pay my tithing if you’ll help me get a good job”) No!
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● Why are we willing to accept God’s terms? (D&C 130:7 “All things...past, present and
future...are continually before the Lord” so He knows what’s best for us)
Mosiah 18:8-9 - Prime example of how God’s terms are better than we can even imagine
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● What do members agree to do? (come into fold, mourn with others, comfort others,
stand as a witness)
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● What does God agree to do? (redeemed of God, first resurrection, eternal life) Wow! He makes us promises beyond what we would have even imagined!
Inside the Temple
In the living ordinance interview, the stake president is encouraged to be more explicit about what exactly happens in the temple to help reduce fears or concerns.
Main Entrance
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● Enter the temple with your escort and a pair of temple garments (do not wear yet)
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● You or someone will scan your living ordinance temple recommend
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● The attached right portion of recommend will be removed for recording
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● Enter a men’s or women’s locker room
Men or Women’s Locker Room
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● You will dress completely in white
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● You will be introduced to Initiatory or Washing and Anointing ordinance—the first part
of the Endowment ceremony—in the Initiatory room adjacent to the locker room
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● Males workers administer to men, female workers administer to women
Steps of Initiatory Ordinance: first part of the Endowment Ceremony 1. Washing
a) The Officiator uses only a few droplets of water, not immersed in a font
b) Why would God want us washed? (no unclean thing can enter His presence)
c) Does this make us pure? (God sees and treats us as we will become - D&C 130:7)It’s a reminder that even though we’re not perfect when we enter the temple, God wants us to see how He sees us—not as we are, but as we will become (D&C 130:7).
2. Anointing
a) With what are we typically anointed in the Church? (consecrated olive oil)
b) Why olive oil? (symbol of Garden of Gethsemane, which was an olive orchard) c) Olive press applies extraordinary force to get a droplet of oil out of the olive;When it first comes out it’s red, then turns the clear color we see. Why? (reminds
Us of the price Jesus paid for us)
c) Oil used to anoint the king of Israel (1 Samuel 15:1-7; 16:12-13)
3. Temple Garment
a) Did your bishop read to you the statement on temple garments?
b) If so, what is the purpose of temple garments? (protection)
c) How can the temple garments protect us? (spiritually, reminder of covenants)
Rest of Endowment Ceremony
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● Enter an instruction room with seating by gender plus an altar and a curtain in front.
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● Why seating by gender? (all ordinances, except sealing, are made between God and
individuals; no distinction or preference to married couples)
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● Much of the ceremony is on video; it’s a narrative of God’s plan including: (1) premortal life; (2) creation of the earth; (3) purpose of a garden; (4) how and why the Fall of Adam and Eve; (5) why a Savior is needed and how he reverses the effects of the Fall.
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● You will be invited to make covenants with regard to: (1) Law of Obedience; (2) Law of Sacrifice; (3) Law of the Gospel; (4) Law of Chastity; and (5) Law of Consecration.
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● Covenants represent steps back to the presence of God.
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● As part of the symbolism, very simple ceremonial clothing is used, but you will never
remove clothing or be immodest. Did you view video about Sacred Temple Clothing?
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● At the end of the ceremony you will be introduced to a veil. (a) What would be the symbolism of a veil? (Something you pass through that causes a change) (b) Have you ever been through a veil before? (Yes, when I was born) (c) What was the effect? (Forgot premortal life with God) (d) What do you think a veil at the end of this ceremony would represent? (death) (e) You then go into the most beautiful room in the temple.
(f) What is that room? (Celestial Room) (g) What would it represent? (entering into God’s presence) -
● There you will be welcomed into the loving embrace of those you invited to participate in the ceremony with you. You will love the Spirit you will feel there.
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● It’s here you can ask all the questions you want of your family and friends.
It really is a most wonderful experience as we stand in awe of the power and beauty of God’s plan to bring His children back into His presence.
After answering questions from the candidate, conduct a Temple Recommend interview. We learn in the Temple how God instructs us
Some find the temple experience so different and wonder why so. The account in 3 Nephi 11 illustrates well how God uses all the senses to teach His children.
11:3-7 - Hearing: “...they did open their ears”
11:8 - Sight: “...they cast their eyes upward”
11:14-15 - Touch: “...that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands” 11:16 - Speak: “...they did cry out with one accord”
Biggest challenge for Church leaders nearing end of pandemic
12 March 2021
As you know, it’ll be awhile before we see the cameras come down and members coming back to in-person meetings and services.
One concern is the risk that virtual meetings have caused us to be “lazy” and coming back may not be easy.When Elder Whiting, in our Saturday morning meeting with the stake presidency, asked if there was anything we wanted him to address in his message to the stake during the general session, that was the only item we brought up: a concern that members won’t come back.
That’s why he talked about that it’s time to “awaken and re-engage” in the work of the Lord during his talk.
Anyway, so you’re aware that’s a concern as we opened up our meetings to allow up to 150 people to attend in person, only Estacada is drawing more than 100 people to their sacrament meetings. All the others are still at 50-60.
You’ll probably want to address as a presidency some time how to encourage members or assure them that it’s safe to come back.
All the best,
Crismon