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
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