Advising Bishop Miller, of the Damascus Ward, that a missionary from his ward was companion to a missionary who died in the South Africa MTC

27 November 2018

Bishop Miller,

I don’t know if you heard, but a young missionary from Nevada in the South Africa Missionary Training Center collapsed yesterday while he and five other missionaries were jogging. https://universe.byu.edu/2018/11/27/nevada-missionary-dies-after-collapsing-at-johannesburg-mtc/

As it turns out, his companion was Elder Carter Newell from our stake. In fact, Carter cradled his companion, Elder Lamping, in his lap when he passed away.

Understandably the Newells, especially Beth, are quite shaken. They’re heartbroken for the Lamping family and at the same time concerned for the emotional state of their own son, Carter, who apparently has never experienced death close up like this. 

It’s in the middle of the night right now in South Africa so I sent an email to the MTC president there asking him to consider having Elder Newell call home to give his parents an assurance of his emotional state.

In the meantime, I’ve connected with the Lampings' stake president in Nevada and we’ve shared contact information of both the Lampings and Newells so they can connect. Elder Lamping hadn’t even had time to write home so his parents had no idea as to what kind of experience their son  was having in the MTC. So the Newells will be able to share Carter’s first letter and photos showing Elder Lamping with the Lamping family. It will be great blessing to them!

In the meantime, you may want to call on the Newells this evening. Please advise if there is anything we can do. If you’re not in town or unavailable  so I can follow up.

Thanks to all receiving this email for remembering the Newells in our prayers.

President Lewis

Request to bishops and branch presidents to ensure a Missionary Coordination Meeting is held without fail each week

21 November 2018

TO: Bishops and Branch Presidents

Dear Brethren,

Attached is the monthly report from our Zone Leaders on how each ward and branch is doing in moving forward missionary work. Thank you for all that you do!

I’m also happy to report that Missionary Coordination Meetings were conducted last Sunday in the following units:

Damascus Ward

Mt Hood YSA Branch

Powell Valley Ward

Pioneer Spanish Branch

Thank you for those who are conducting these coordination meetings so faithfully, even in the midst of all the transitions happening right now.

I bring this to your attention because of a major concern I have. 

There are two dynamics impacting the member-missionary work and relationship in our stake:

1. The Ward Mission Leader no longer is a standing member of the Ward Council (a directive from the First Presidency).

2. Missionaries seldom get into members’ homes with the new no-dinner-with-members policy (a directive from the Area Presidency).

THE PROBLEM: Full-time missionaries are feeling more distant from the members than ever!

It would be easy to say, “Well, just change the no-dinner policy.” But the missionaries report that their productivity in finding new people and their ability to connect with investigators during the 5-7 pm time slot has increased measurably since the no-dinner policy was instituted.

So changing the no-dinner policy is not the solution.

The answer is in the Missionary Coordination Meeting. This weekly meeting now becomes absolutely essential and the key to missionaries and members working together to move forward this part of the Work of Salvation.

With the increased involvement and oversight by the Elders Quorum and Relief Society presidencies...and with them being the key link for missionary work to the Ward/Branch Council...the Missionary Coordination Meeting becomes even more important. 

As we also transition to the new Two-Hour Meeting Schedule, where leaders and members will be encouraged to be in the home as much as possible, holding a weekly coordination meeting may become even more difficult. 

As the one who still holds the keys for missionary work in your ward or branch, will you please counsel with your ward leadership on how to ensure the Missionary Coordination Meeting is held weekly without fail? 

Please remind leaders that this meeting, when needed, can be conducted over telephone or video conferencing. 

But it is absolutely essential that members (ward leaders, ward missionaries) and the full-time missionaries coordinate frequently (at least weekly)…PLUS the Ward/Branch Mission Leader and the full-time missionaries coordinate (via phone, text, email, etc.) at least every other day or daily, if possible...for the missionary effort in the ward or branch to become truly effective.

One other expectation…

I ask that the Ward/Branch Mission Leader assigns a ward missionary to set appointments for the full-time missionaries to visit member homes each evening the missionaries are available. If they don’t have teaching appointments, helping the full-time missionaries so they can give a brief gospel-related message in member homes between 7:00 and 8:30 pm would help significantly to re-establish a relationship between members and missionaries.

I appreciate you giving this your immediate attention. I welcome any feedback, counsel or concerns on this matter.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

P.S. Feel free to share this email with appropriate ward or branch leaders.

Request to Facilities Management Supervisor Dana Peterson for a panic bar on the door from the chapel into the stake offices

21 November 2018

Dana,

Thank you again for allowing us to even entertain the suggestion of putting a push bar or panic bar on the door from the chapel to the stake offices in our stake center.

Because we get visiting authorities so rarely (once a year now) and our need for absolute privacy (disciplinary councils) is equally as rare, I feel the safety of the members, with the environment we now live in, outweighs the occasional need for privacy and ask that you install a panic bar on that door. 

We live in a different world, much different than when our stake center was designed and built just a decade ago. I feel strongly we need to adapt.

Is this email adequate to make that request or should we complete an online request?

Thank you again for allowing us to address this concern.

Gratefully,

Crismon Lewis
President, Mount Hood Stake

Request to bishops to give priority to distributing letter to parents

19 November 2018

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

In Stake Council meeting yesterday I asked all in the meeting to raise their hand if they had children in the home. 10 to 12 leaders raised their hand. I then asked, how many had received the attached Letter to Parents. Only one kept his hand up.

This does not mean it’s not happening, but it’s not happening as quickly as I feel that is needed. 

I know you have a lot on your plate, with tithing settlement and adjusting to the many changes from the Brethren, but this should not be complicated nor, I hope, burdensome. Feel free to use your counselors to personally introduce this letter as quickly as possible to parents with children of 7, 11, 13, 15 and 17 years of age.

Please…

1. If you haven’t already, assign a clerk or secretary to identify all youth in your ward or branch who are 7, 11, 13, 15 and 17 years of age.

2. Ensure you or one of your counselors presents a printed copy of the attached 4-page letter (you've received 20 printed copies from the stake presidency first in mid-October and later at Bishopric Training last week) to the parents of those children or youth of the above ages FIRST.

We commend those who are distributing the letter during tithing settlement.

Remember, this will only work if you and your counselors hold out an expectation to parents to prepare their children for the ordinances. Parents need to know of the expectation and they need time to incorporate this into their teaching in the home before their children turn of age. 

I appreciate you giving this a level of priority.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

Direction to bishops to conduct 3rd Hour meetings before the end of 2018

9 November 2018

Brethren,

As we draw close to the 3rd hour class time being eliminated from our meetings, it’s important that you take the opportunity to use the 3rd hour for the following three presentations before the end of the year:

1. Ward "Come, Follow Me” Implementation

All units are to conduct an introduction of “Come, Follow Me” during a 3rd hour presentation prior to the end of 2018.

As we’ve instructed before, the implementation program is outlined at this website https://www.lds.org/languages/eng/content/manual/come-follow-me-implementation-guid As you can see, ii includes a (1) video in support of each manual, followed by (2) discussion questions for each manual and (3) distribution of the appropriate manuals to families and/or teachers, which you should have already received.

You should have also received from Church headquarters a handout to distribute in your presentation giving an overview of each manual.

If this has not already happened, please select a Sunday soon that will work best for your ward or branch.

2. Introduction of 2019 Area Plan on December 30

As you may be aware, we now have an Area Presidency for the Northwest and West Area. There are four members in the presidency, all General Authorities residing in Salt Lake City.

They have directed that all wards and branches in the Area conduct a presentation to the ward or branch membership (at least the adults) during the 3rd hour of the 5th Sunday of December, Sunday, December 30.

Attached is a copy of the Area Plan. We will share copies with you and discuss in more detail during Bishopric Training on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The Area Presidency also has recorded for viewing online a one-hour training meeting about the Area Plan. 

3. Discussion on Suicide Prevention

Brethren, last Sunday I visited the Damascus Ward Relief Society meeting and was captivated by the discussion their ward RS presidency was conducting on the topic of Suicide Prevention. It was their monthly First Sunday Council meeting.

As you know, this is a very important and timely topic and, if you have not already had a discussion in your ward on suicide prevention, will you please encourage your EQ and RS presidencies to consider this topic in their next 1st Sunday council meeting on December 2?

I was amazed how many in the room seemed to be touched personally in some way by suicide. I also appreciated how they arrived at two significant conclusions: (1) we are not to judge families affected by suicide; and (2) we should not shy away from asking someone if they are thinking about suicide or even have a plan.

There are lots of resources on this subject to draw from, including:

1. This document prepared by the Powell Valley Ward Council;

2. This official document from the Church on the topic;

3. This Church website featuring outstanding resources, including some excellent videos by an Apostle;

4. The training conference call conducted in our stake in late September with Matthew Scott, of LDS Family Services.

Thank you for giving this your immediate attention and for planning these on your ward calendar while we still have 3rd Hour meeting times available for these types of presentations.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

In response to the Area 70 asking for a recommendation for Multi-Stake Self-Reliance Missionaries

8 November 2018

Elder Blunck,

Ironically, while we have given great emphasis to the Self-Reliance Initiative in our stake (see attached letter), our support team has been relatively weak for such an emphasis. In fact, we are in the midst of calling a new Stake SRS Specialist because our current specialist is working two jobs to support his family (which we applaud), but he’s simply not available to provide the support we need to keep our momentum going into 2019.

The person we’re about to call is Larry Nicholson, of the Tickle Creek Ward. 

Brother Nicholson, age 60, is a former bishop, high councilor and Stake YM president. He is in the latter stages of his career as an engineer with Boeing, and he and his wife are empty-nesters. They both have current temple recommends.

I will confess I’m a little concerned that he will not step up for what we need, too, because he has such a laid-back personality and has not had any experience with our Self-Reliance efforts. But Larry has an excellent background in Church service and is very capable. His wife is equally capable (she currently serves as ward YW secretary; he’s a youth SS teacher).

We are happy to offer them to you as candidates to consider for the multi-stake assignment.

Also, I remind you that we’ve tried to be extra-supportive of multi-stake needs, including:

• Temple Presidency (Watts)

• Temple Visitors Center Directors (Allens)

• Area Auditor (Gingell)

• Bishops Storehouse Managers (Bairds)

• Bishops Storehouse Assistant Managers (Pierces, just called)

• Pathway Missionaries (Ipsons)

• About 5 couples serving as Church Service Missionaries in Family History

I’m not complaining and I very much want to give the members in our stake opportunities for serve at the multi-stake level (hence so many in positions right now), but frankly we’re running a little thin.

We are happy to support you in whatever you’d like us to do.

Crismon

Letter to Stake and Ward Leaders asking them to help embrace the Prophet's direction of a Home-Based Church

6 November 2018

TO: All Stake and Ward Leaders

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This is a marvelous time to serve in the Lord’s “only true and living church.” (D&C 1:30) We have witnessed dramatic announcements over the past few months that will influence every home for years to come.

As we learned in General Conference, we are in the midst of a hastening toward the Lord’s Second Coming. We are asked to increase our faith and deepen our conversion.

We rejoice in the new emphasis to become a Home-Centered Church as President Nelson challenged all of us to “conscientiously and carefully…transform [your] home into a sanctuary of faith” and to “remodel your home into a center of gospel learning.”

So that we don’t become overwhelmed by the many changes recently announced, we invite you to review this document for:

·      POLICY CHANGES: pages 2 and 3 recaps the changes with training helps on how to embrace and implement them;

·      STUDY HELPS: page 4 offers reminders of how individuals and families can improve personal and family scripture study.

Finally, we invite all stake and ward leaders to seek the Lord’s guidance on how to more effectively integrate gospel learning between the church and the home.

We love you and thank you for your service as a leader in the Mount Hood Stake. We testify that our efforts do not go unnoticed by Heaven. May the Lord pour out His choicest blessings upon you, your families and all within your stewardship.

Faithfully yours,

      Stake Presidency

Letter to all parents with children in the home asking them to take responsibility to teach and prepare their children for two important aspects of life

13 October 2018

Dear Parents of the Mount Hood Oregon Stake,

In the beginning God commanded parents to teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Moses 5:12). It is a commandment that is integral to the Lord’s Plan and has never been rescinded (see Deuteronomy 6:7, 11:19; 3 Nephi 18:21, D&C 68:25-31).

We commend all who have accepted this sacred responsibility to teach their children the gospel in the home. Prophets have declared there is no other work more important.

The Church’s role, as explained in Handbook 2:1.1.5, is to assist parents or guardians in two ways: (1) provide guidance on gospel instruction for the home; and (2) provide priesthood ordinances so children can make and keep sacred covenants from God.

The parents’ role is “to bring [their children]” (D&C 20:70) to priesthood leaders prepared to receive the saving ordinances and enjoy all the blessings of the gospel (see Handbook 2:1.3.1).

In consequence of this direction, the Stake Presidency asks all parents with children in the home to strengthen the rising generation in two ways:

· PREPARE THEM FOR ORDINANCES: Take responsibility in the home of preparing children for the saving ordinances and milestone events in each of their spiritual journeys, including baptism, entering the Young Women program, priesthood ordinations, making temple covenants, and serving a full-time mission, if called.

· TEACH THEM TO SERVE: More valuable than the worthy pursuits of sports, music, drama, dance, etc., is the divine attribute of service. This can be learned through service in the home, community service, sharing the gospel with friends, fulfilling ministering assignments, and becoming engaged in temple and family history work as well as in classroom instruction at church.

The following are suggestions on how parents can help the rising generation in these two ways. Please counsel together as a family on how to embrace this direction and receive all the blessings of “children of the covenant” (3 Nephi 20:26).

With love and admiration,

      Stake Presidency

What Parents Can Teach to Prepare Their Children to Receive the Saving Ordinances

Here are some teachings and resources parents can use to prepare their children during the 12 months before they reach the age to receive the saving ordinances and enjoy milestone events.

We remind parents these teachings should not require additional meetings, but are best shared in Family Home Evening with the entire family.

PREPARING FOR BAPTISM

·    Why does the Lord require us to be baptized by immersion? (D&C 20:10)

·    What is the baptismal covenant? (D&C 20:75, Mosiah 18:8-10)

·    What are ordinances and covenants? (Preach My Gospel, pp. 12, 13)

·    What does it mean to be accountable for our sins? (D&C 29:10)

·    What does it mean to repent and how can the Gift of the Holy Ghost help us? (2 Nephi 31:2)

Additional Resources: Preach My Gospel, chapter 12 • “Helping Children Prepare for Baptism,” Ensign, April 2013 • “I Can Prepare for Baptism,” Lesson 12, Primary manual available online • search on www.lds.org for “Prepare children for baptism”

PREPARING FOR ORDINATION TO THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD

·      Review regularly together the “Faith in God” booklet for boys

·      How was the Aaronic Priesthood restored? (D&C 13; 107:20; JSH 1:68-73)

·      What are the duties of a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood? (D&C 20:57-60)

·      What does it mean to do your duty? (“Faith in God,” Fulfilling My Duty to God: For Aaronic Priesthood Holders, page 7)

·      What are the expectations of a new Deacon? (visit with Deacons Quorum Presidency)

·      Why is education so important and how can it prepare you for your future? (D&C 88:77-80; 88:118; 130:19)

·      What is the difference between power and authority of the Priesthood? (search www.lds.org )

Additional Resources: True to the Faith: Aaronic Priesthood • search www.lds.org for “Aaronic Priesthood” • search for “Aaronic Priesthood Leader Traiing” • For the Strength of Youth

PREPARING TO ENTER THE YOUNG WOMEN’S PROGRAM

·      Study the Articles of Faith and identify how each can be applied in your life

·      Invite the Beehive Class presidency to your home to explain the purpose and importance of the YW program

·      Write in your journal how you can “stand for truth and righteousness”

·      Discuss with your family how education will prepare you for your future (D&C 88:77-80; 130:19)

·      Review the Family Proclamation and discuss ways youth can strengthen the family

·      Memorize the Young Women Theme and discuss the values

Additional Resources: True to the Faith: Young Women • search www.lds.org for “Young Women” • For the Strength of Youth • video in LDS Media Library titled “A Bright Light for Generations”

PREPARING TO BE ORDAINED TO THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD

·    What is the difference between the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood? (D&C 107:1-20)

·    What are keys of the priesthood and what is their purpose? (Handbook 2:2.1.1)

·    What is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood? (D&C 84:33-44)

·    What are the duties of an elder and the purposes of a quorum? (D&C 20:42-45; 124:137)

·    What is the purpose of ordinances and blessings and how are they to be performed? (Handbook 2:2.1.2; Handbook 2: Chapter 20)

Additional Resources: Gospel Principles, Chapters 13-14 • True to the Faith, “Melchizedek Priesthood” • Handbook 2: Chapter 7, “Melchizedek Priesthood” • Gospel Topics on www.lds.org, “Priesthood” and “Melchizedek Priesthood”

PREPARING TO MAKE COVENANTS IN THE TEMPLE

·    What is the Plan of Salvation and how do we fit in? (Preach My Gospel, Section 3, Lesson 2)

·    Why is there a standard of worthiness to enter the temple? (1 Nephi 15:34; Moroni 10:32-33)

·    What are the worthiness requirements? (Endowed From On High, chapter 2)

·    What is the Work of Salvation and how does the temple fit in? (Handbook 2:5.4)

·    What are the blessings of making temple covenants? (Endowed From On High, chapter 3)

·    Why does the Lord use ordinances and covenants? (Endowed From On High, chapter 4)

·    What role does symbolism play in temple ordinances? (Endowed From On High, chapter 5)

·    How do we best prepare to enter the temple? (Endowed From On High, chapter 6)

·    How do we gain the most out of our temple experience? (Endowed From On High, chapter 7)

Additional Resources: Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple booklet • For the Strength of Youth • www.lds.org/temples • “Preparing to Enter the House of the Lord,” by Elder Kent F. Richards, Ensign, July 2015; “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2001 General Conference

PREPARING TO SERVE A MISSION, IF CALLED

·      Why does the Lord need missionaries? (2 Nephi 2:8)

·      What are the purposes of teaching missionaries? (PMG, Chapter 1; D&C 123:12)

·      What does it mean to teach by the Spirit? (PMG, p3)

·      What are characteristics of effective missionaries? (Alma 17:3, 9; D&C 35:13-14)

·      Why are missionaries endowed in the temple before they depart? (D&C 109:22)

Additional Resources: Preach My Gospel; Missionary Portal at www.missionary.lds.org • www.lds.org/callings/missionary, especially Frequently Asked Questions and Manuals

Suggestions for Strengthening the Family

Ideas on how everyone can help strengthen the rising generation

PARENTS / GUARDIANS

·    Be an example by living the gospel in the home.

·    Teach children the essential doctrines of the gospel found in Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel.

·    Help children apply gospel principles in their lives, especially faith, repentance and forgiveness.

·    Consistently hold daily family prayer and family scripture study.

·    Teach children to hold their own daily personal prayer and personal scripture study.

·    Provide opportunities for all family members to bear testimony in the home.

·    Teach children the importance of the Sabbath Day and hold weekly Family Home Evening.

·    Each week teach your family from “Come Follow Me — For Individuals and Families.”

·    Counsel with the bishop on how to prepare your children for: (1) baptism, (2) to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, (3) to be ordained to the priesthood or advance to the Young Women program, (4) to make temple covenants and (5) to serve a mission.

·    Seek the Lord’s guidance on what more He wants you to do to prepare each of your children to enjoy all the blessings of the gospel and to receive eternal life.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

·    Allow your parents/guardians to teach you—listen to them and follow their righteous example.

·    Be supportive of family prayer, family scripture study and Family Home Evening.

·    Establish your own righteous routines of daily personal prayer and personal scripture study.

·    Receive a patriarchal blessing.

·    When in high school, consistently participate in Seminary.

·    Participate in the approved program for your age, such as Faith in God, Personal Progress, etc.

·    Seek the Lord’s guidance daily in how to serve and bless others.

·    Participate in family history research and temple ordinances.

GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

·    Set a righteous example by, among other things, share your testimony with your family.

·    Serve in the temple and/or serve a support or service mission.

·    Fast and pray for family members.

·    Continue to hold daily family and/or personal prayer and scripture study.

·    Study and share what you learn from “Come Follow Me — For Individuals and Families.”

·    Guide and assist your family in temple and family history work.

CHURCH LEADERS

·    Encourage members to be supportive of all efforts to strengthen the rising generation.

·    Where children are not being taught the gospel in the home, assign ministering brothers, sisters or couples to assist in that effort—with permission from the parents or guardians.

·    Use the classroom to support parents’ efforts to teach the gospel in the home.

·    Counsel regularly with parents on what more Church leaders and teachers can do to support their efforts to bless and help their children prepare for ordinances and milestone events.