Letter to President Tyson Papenfuss when he was called to replace me as stake president on March 6-7, 2021

 7 March 2021

Dear President Papenfuss,

Please know how pleased I am by your call to replace me as stake president of the most wonderful stake on the planet. The Lord knows you and has chosen you to bless the members of this stake in a different way. Please feel no need to be a President Lewis. Your leadership will be different, but it will be just what our stake needs.

So I support you and will pray for you, just as you so faithfully did for me.

Unfortunately, this calling has a LOT of administrative duties. I will help you sort them out as much as you want or need. I hope you can do so without stressing over it all. You’ll eventually find your stride and it will become second nature in time. That’s because this is the work of the Lord and He will not forsake you. He will be with you every step of the way.

To help you, I’m leaving for you the following:

• The enclosed flash drive has lots of information you can review that will help you identify your responsibilities (you’ll be so grateful you have counselors and high councilors to delegate to :)
  
  

• Door keys that should open just about every door in the stake (guard it carefully :)

• There are some printed items in your bottom right desk drawer that may be helpful. Feel free to toss over time, but they will also help you recognize some of the current actions.

To continue our transition here are some topics we’ll want to cover over the next few days:

• Confidential documents such as boundary considerations

• Current disciplinary actions

• Financial responsibilities

• Conducting living ordinance temple recommends

• Keeping safety a priority during the pandemic

• Relationship to the Area 70

• What’s available to you on the website

• Current programs (youth summer camps, Single Adult Conference, YSA emphasis, etc.)

I’m sure there will be more when you look over the agendas (on the flash drive) and the Handbook, the most important resource of all.

In the meantime, please remember that above else you are the spiritual leader of the stake. Above your many administrative duties, is your duty to preach and teach, to strengthen testimonies and build faith in Jesus Christ. Your first priority is to live the gospel and teach and testify of the gospel wherever you are—whether in sacrament services, in council meetings, in Sunday School classes. Above all else, you are a teacher!

I hope this is helpful. Please do not stress. You have LOTS of time to assimilate it all and you’ll see that it will start to fit into place as you continue to counsel with your counselors and other stake leaders.

And I’m here and will be happy to try and help if ever you have a question that may be perplexing to you or your presidency. 

You’ve been called of the Lord and you will be a mighty stake president because he will make you mighty. You are a blessing to all of us!

With love and admiration,

Crismon Lewis