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