An appeal to expose members to the new Church history being offered online and in the Ensign

Bishops and Branch Presidents (especially President Westover),

Recently I visited with a member of the YSA branch who is trying to decide if he should serve a mission—something he’s wanted to do since Primary. I asked him what has caused him to wonder. He mentioned that only recently he learned that Joseph Smith used a seer stone in a hat while translating some of the Book of Mormon. His concern seemed not so much about the oddity of that method, but he asked with a challenging voice, “Why didn’t someone tell me about this before?!"

I tried to answer the best I could, but it reminded me of how important it is that we are as forthcoming as we can about all that is known (not speculated on or misrepresented) about early Church history.

The Church has been especially forthcoming, as of late, to be very transparent with everything it has in historical documents and scholarly research about Church history through the Gospel Topics Essays and the new 4-volume Church history titled “Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days.”

An excellent video overview of this new book can be found in the LDS Media Library: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-11-0100-a-new-history-for-the-church?lang=eng

You may have noticed that the Church has been publishing in the Ensign magazine the chapters of this book as they are completed. Written in a narrative (or storybook) style, they are easy to read and are brimming with fascinating details that will be new to most members. Chapter 5 of Volume 1 is published in the July edition.

I encourage you to find a way to share this information with members of your ward or branch so they’ll take the time to read these extremely interesting accounts of  early Church history either in the printed magazines or online. Previous editions of the Ensign contain chapters 1-4. Or you can read the entire first five chapters on the Church website.

Let’s help the members of our stake become familiar with the historically sound and approved version of Church history so they’re not surprised or swayed by those who would use spurious accounts and details to weaken testimony.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

Appeal to the First Presidency for a boundary exception

TO: First Presidency

Dear Brethren,

Please find attached a boundary exception request from (Name), 64-year-old widow in the Damascus Ward and a lifelong member of the Church.

Her husband passed away last summer. Soon thereafter she moved to another home to distance herself from the memories. As you can see, she did so with the full intent and assumption she would remain in the Damascus Ward. She claims she was surprised to discover she was in the neighboring Walters Hill Ward, also in our stake. 

I personally don’t believe this was truly an innocent mistake (she could have easily checked with her bishop or looked online to determine the ward before making an offer). Still, we felt deep sympathy for her and allowed her to remain in the Damascus Ward for an additional 10 months, rather than the usual 3 months. We even explored justification to request a boundary change to accommodate her. 

Finally, last week, I felt it was needed and appropriate to approach her about attending the ward where she now resides. We tried to teach her about the blessings that come from obedience and encouraged the new ward leaders to reach out to her.

Still, she insisted on appealing to the First Presidency (letter attached).

While I feel badly it has come to this, I know there is a special place in the Lord’s heart for widows. And if, after being encouraged by her priesthood leaders to receive the blessings of obedience, she still insists on making an appeal to the First Presidency then I don’t feel we should “force” the issue. Therefore I support a boundary exception for her.

We will accept your decision gladly. Thank you for giving this your consideration.

Crismon Lewis
President, Mount Hood Oregon Stake
503-667-5843 h
503-914-8689 m

Request for notification of suicide attempts in our stake

7 June 2018

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

During our break-out session on Tuesday evening I expressed my deep concern about two recent suicide attempts by YW (both very young, ages 12-14) in our stake.

Later Bishop Hulet suggested there may have been other such attempts in the past in our stake.

Brethren, will you please share with me information on all other attempts that you’re aware of and in the future? You don’t have to give me names, but would you please tell me (1) when they occurred, (2) the age of the person, (3) what was the outcome, and (4) how is it being addressed?

I ask you to please notify me whenever you’re aware of a suicide attempt in your congregation. For three reasons:

1. To determine if we have a trend or, if by chance, they are related;

2. To consider additional training or resources that we can share with you and parents, if needed;

3. To consider involving President Christiansen. As you know, he is a school counselor and is trained in these types of incidents. Let’s take advantage of his professional training and do all that we can to prevent and/or address suicide especially among our youth.

I look forward to hearing from you immediately if you’re aware of any suicide attempts in the past or current concerns.

Thank you,

President Lewis