In response to Cathy Meik's insistence that the Lord has revealed to her not to attend sacrament meeting

Bishop (Name),

Thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.

While reading this my mind was drawn to the 26th chapter of 2 Nephi. 

2 Nephi 26:27 may be especially helpful: “Hath he (the Lord) commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay…”

Ordinances are the keys to the mysteries (revelation) and to salvation (see D&C 84:20-21; TG Godliness). The Lord would never command one of His children to not attend sacrament meeting and thus not partake of an ordinance, i.e. the sacrament.

Furthermore, it is inappropriate for Sister (Name) to ask a priesthood leader to pray as to whether she is receiving revelation on the subject when the answer has been definitively revealed: the Lord would never tell one of His children NOT to participate in an ordinance. The only exception is when the person has chosen to be unworthy of participating in that ordinance.

In short, Sister (Name) is NOT receiving revelation from the Lord.

All the examples she and her family conjure up to suggest there are exceptions to keeping the commandments never involve ordinances. The Lord is always consistent when it comes to inviting His children to participate in the ordinances. There are no examples in the scriptures, that I’m aware of, that suggests the Father or the Son ever told anyone not to participate in a sacred ordinance except for unworthiness.

As the rest of 2 Nephi:26:27 admonishes, please do all you can to persuade her to repent.

I hope this is helpful.

You’ll be in my prayers.

President Lewis

Bishop,

I have spent a lot of time in prayer this week. I know for a certainty that I was not deceived about my not attending church. However, neither were you. I was following the Lord's instructions for a reason which you have yet to understand. Your inspiration that the Lord wants me at church is absolutely correct because it is a commandment and He desires all of His children to attend church. 

I believe that we haven't been able to come to an understanding because you need to ask a different question. "Has Sis (Name), for some reason that I don't understand, been receiving revelation that she should not attend church?" I know that you are a humble man and want to know truth. I have faith that you will get a true answer if you ask in faith with no preconceived ideas.

As we discussed on Sunday, there are times when the Lord directs people to do something that directly goes against His commandments. I believe that this has been my case. I have constantly pleaded with the Lord to allow me to go to church because I miss being there for many reasons. But I have been submissive to His will in my life even if I don't understand the reasons, not only in this case, but in everything I do in my life. Some of the actions I have taken in the past several years have not been understood or liked by many of my friends and even family. Most of my family didn't like or understand when we moved up here. My relationship with my oldest daughter deteriorated. She took it as a literal abandonment and has yet to see it as following the Lord's command and forgiven us. She has distanced herself emotionally from me and I have to be the one mostly to reach out to her.

The bottom line is that I answer to the Lord, no one else. It has been and still is a difficult journey, but I am getting more confident in standing up to peer pressure. I have been really hurt these past few months because some leaders of our ward haven't been willing to ask the real question, "Is Sis (Name) truly receiving this revelation? Is there something about her journey that we don't understand/" But it has been a good learning experience for me to strengthen me for future events and ministering to others. I don't hold any grudges.    

Thanks for your continued concern for me and my family. I hope that we can use this experience to learn from each other and the Lord will give information to us that has been hidden about our missions on this earth.

(Name)

Accommodating the Pioneer Branch's growth

Bishops Miller, May. Koch and President Ibarra…

I am pleased to report that the Pioneer (Spanish) Branch continues to grow, particularly with the addition of families either moving in or returning to activity.

As you already know, the Pioneer Branch has a number of youth and has a fledgling YWYM program. The branch also now has 10-12 Primary-age children. President Ibarra and his counselors would like to consider starting their own Primary instead of combining with the Walters Hill Ward. 

The benefit of continuing to meet at 9:00 am it gives the branch a chance to “test” such a move and still have the option of leaning on the English ward’s support during the second hour, if needed.

As they begin testing such programs, obviously it will put added pressure on where they can meet.

At a time convenient to all of you, will the four of you please meet under the direction of Bishop Koch, the agent bishop for the stake center, and discuss ideas as to how we can accommodate in the stake center the Pioneer Branch presidency’s desire to expand the branch’s capacity to provide a more complete program for its members?

Ultimately, the hope is that the Pioneer Branch would become totally independent and meet each Sunday on their own possibly with classes at 1:00 pm and sacrament meeting at 2:00 pm.

Thank you for helping the Pioneer Branch presidency in this wonderful new development.

The Stake Presidency

Reminding bishops about the introduction of the 2020 Children and Youth Initiative

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

You have all received an email directing you to the 48-minute video presentation you will show during your 5th Sunday presentation during the 2nd hour on Sunday, Sept 29.

Please remember to:

1. Download the video so you are not relying on WiFi to show it during your 2nd hour;

2. Arrange for those without children at home (and not serving in Primary, YM or YW) to cover your junior Primary during the 2nd hour that day;

3. Arrange for families (parents and children, ages 8 and older) to sit together...chairs in a half circle may be ideal;

4. Make sure you have on hand the two booklets that you’ll distribute: (a) the smaller booklet for the youth to receive at the beginning of the broadcast because they will use it during the presentation; and (b) the larger booklet for the parents to receive at the end of the broadcast.

It’s a wonderful presentation available for those who have access to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth?lang=eng then go to Resources, click on Leaders and click on “Download the materials” for the Fifth-Sunday Materials.

We recommend you review the presentation before hand, if you have time. Obviously, there won’t be much time for a Q&A afterwards, but President Ballard assures us that answers to questions will be forthcoming—probably in a Q&A format as we recently received about FSY.

This is a thrilling development, giving the Church’s youth program a more home-centered focus. Remember the keys...(1) Be with them; (2) Let them lead; and (3) Connect them with Heaven…are still principles that apply. 

If you have any questions or technology concerns, please let us know so we can help.

This is going to be a marvelous introduction to the new Children and Youth Initiative. 

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency