Ward Conference Plans for 2015

7 December 2014

TO: Bishoprics, Ward Councils and Stake Leaders

RE: 2015 Ward Conference Schedule and Format

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are honored to associate with you in this sacred work and thank you for your faithful service. We look forward to worshipping with you on the special occasion of your ward conference, as indicated above.

Please use the following guidelines in your planning, as referenced in Handbook 2, 18.2.5:

Theme

In consequence of the teaching received from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 2014, we have chosen as the ward conference theme in 2015 “Strengthening Families by Bringing the Work of Salvation into the Home.” Our hope is that we will provide greater understanding and emphasis to the five elements of the Work of Salvation — (1) member missionary work, (2) convert retention,
(3) activation of less-active members, (4) temple and family history work, and (5) teaching the gospel in the Savior’s way. (See Handbook 2, Chapter 5, first paragraph)

Our desire is to help members remember we were foreordained to labor in the Lord’s vineyard in this day of hastening “for the salvation of the souls of men.” (D&C 138:56) As we do so in the home, we will find our burdens lifted, our testimonies strengthened and our families united.

The scriptures remind us that as we labor diligently in the Lord’s Work of Salvation that we, too, will “come to the knowledge of [our] Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that [we] may know how to come unto him and be saved.” (1 Nephi 15:14)

Sacrament Meeting

The stake president presides and a member of the bishopric conducts. The meeting is to be 70 minutes in length. During the business, a member of the stake presidency will present the general, stake and ward leaders for sustaining vote. Please review the sustaining list carefully for accuracy prior to sacrament meeting. The bishop will speak for about 15 minutes followed by a special musical number by the ward choir. President Lewis will then be the concluding speaker.

2^nd Hour: Sunday School and Primary

Sunday School: All classes will proceed as usual. Stake leaders are encouraged to attend the classes that correspond to the age group they serve.

Primary: The stake president and bishop, along with the full-time missionaries assigned to your ward, will visit the Primary at the beginning of the second hour. If possible, have both junior and senior Primaries meet together for President Lewis’ message to the children. If not possible, we ask that the senior Primary be invited to hold their opening exercises at the beginning of the second hour.

3^rd Hour: Special COMBINED Meeting (Junior Primary teachers to remain with their classes)

We are planning a unique presentation during a combined meeting for all ward members 8 years of age and older to be held in the cultural hall or chapel, whichever is available at that hour. Please ask families to sit together and arrange to have projection equipment to show a video. A member of the bishopric will conduct the meeting beginning with an opening hymn and prayer.

The meeting will then be turned over to Presidents Hansen and Christiansen to conduct a discussion on the key elements of the Work of Salvation and how to incorporate them in the home. We will then ask families, including couples, to break out into family units and hold a brief family council on how to implement the elements of the Work of Salvation in their home. Singles will be organized into small groups and stake leaders will serve as facilitators to discuss ways individuals can implement the Work of Salvation in their lives.

President Lewis will offer a closing testimony followed by the closing prayer. Please assign members beforehand to give the prayers.

home Visits

On a weekday evening, before or after your ward conference, please schedule with the stake executive secretary a time when five members of the Stake PEC (stake presidency and two high councilors) can pair off with the three members of the bishopric plus the high priest group leader and elders quorum president to visit ward families of your choosing. Please make appointments with the families, where possible.

TEMPLE SESSION

On a date before or after your ward conference, please invite all endowed members to attend a designated endowment session together (no chapel meeting). Please notify us of the date and time.

Additional Training Sessions

Stake auxiliary presidencies are asked to schedule and conduct personalized training with their ward counterparts within a few weeks before or after ward conference.

CONFERENCE REVIEW

Immediately following the conference, the stake presidency will conduct a one-hour conference review with the bishopric in the bishop’s office. The bishopric will be asked to report on: (1) your success in hastening the Work of Salvation in the ward; (2) your personal/family missionary goals; and (3) your ward’s 2015 goals. At that same time, or on another date of their choosing, the stake clerk and executive secretary will conduct individual training with their ward counterparts.

We very much look forward to meeting with your ward and we fervently pray the Lord will bless us with His Spirit that all may be “…edified and rejoice together.” (D&C 50:22)