Follow-up training from stake conference on pornography

17 October 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

Thank you for your support of our semi-annual stake conference sessions last weekend. We appreciate so much you setting the example for your ward/branch members.

Sadly, attendance was down significantly from previous stake conferences. The fact that most, if not all, students in our stake had Friday off from school (some even Thursday off) obviously had an affect as many families took advantage of the school time off and made family travel plans.

However, we feel strongly that President Christiansen’s masterful training on overcoming pornography presented in the Saturday evening Adult Session needs continuing and wider exposure.

We therefore ask you to consider repeating some of that training in your 5th Sunday presentation on October 29. If you feel strongly about another topic, we respect and support your decision. We ask, however, that some time soon you make a presentation, especially to the adults (parents) in your ward or branch, on the subject of overcoming pornography, if you haven’t done so already.

To help you in that effort, we have attached two documents:

1. A list of resources, including meetings and websites, to help address the plague of pornography (please note that the Church has dedicated an entire website to this issue at https://www.overcomingpornography.org/?lang=eng);

2. A written copy of President Christiansen’s message that he gave in the Adult Session of stake conference.

You will remember that we specifically asked all parents to show their children the video we watched in the Adult Session “What Should I Do When I See Pornography.” https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-08-001-what-should-i-do-when-i-see-pornography?lang=eng It’s significant that the Church did not title this video “…If I see pornography” but “…When I see pornography.” We further asked parents to use the video as a way to open a dialogue with their children on this important subject.

Please note that the video is NOT to be shown to children in group settings, such as a Primary class or a Primary Sharing Time, but in the home for parents and children to watch together.

We hope this is helpful as we continue to address this critical issue that is so destructive to marriages and families.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency

Counsel to a couple struggling in their marriage due to addictive behaviors

11 October 2017

Dear Brother and Sister (name)…

Thank you both for visiting with me. I have come to love and admire you both so much through our visits. What a blessing it is to have you in our stake!

You have both acknowledged to me personally of your struggles with what the scriptures describe as the “natural man.” We all face such a battle. The battle becomes intense when it reaches addiction level.

You both have suggested to me that you wrestle or have wrestled with addictive behaviors. 

I sent home with Sister (name) last night two copies of the Church’s “A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing.” Having gone through it myself, I can endorse it as a wonderful tool for helping all of us conquer the “natural man” inside of us by teaching us about the power of the Atonement and an understanding of how repentance works.

Will you please go through the manual together? My recommendation is that you go through a chapter a week. Take turns and read each paragraph out loud. Then when it instructs, individually write your true feelings in your own book in response to the questions posed.

Then please, at the end of each chapter, take time to review together or individually and make notes of the most important principles taught in each Step (chapter) and why they resonated with you.

As you work together in this common quest to draw close to the Lord and feel his guidance in your lives, I promise you that He will also begin to bring about his promise of “hearts knit together” (Mosiah 18:21) in a most miraculous way.

If this becomes too difficult to do together, please invite me to come to your home and allow me to facilitate a chapter or two with you.

Thank you for being so faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. While you may feel guilty for putting on pretenses (a good face that all is well in your marriage), it is not for naught. Your desire to do so was not just to avoid shame, but was deeply rooted in a true love for the Savior and His gospel. He will now help you make what you felt was a distant celestial marriage a reality. I promise you that, if you will put forth a sincere effort through nurturing the seed of hope in your hearts, daily prayer (including before and after each lesson) and completing the 12 steps faithfully.

With love and admiration,

President Lewis

P.S. There are many helpful resources on www.lds.org including audio of Addiction Recovery Program classes. Just search on the Church’s website for “Addiction Recovery."

My rookie mistake allowing a film crew to film our stake center

28 September 2017

To a variety of you in the stake who may have been exposed to the film crew at the stake center…

I think I owe some apologies to a number of you in our stake who were exposed yesterday to the film crew at the stake center. My apologies for not getting out the word better that the crew was coming. It was compounded by the fact that I was out of pocket unavailable for phone calls (Vivienne and I serve on the Wednesday mid-shift at the temple).

In case you’re interested in knowing how this happened…

I was contacted by an “indie” (independent) film crew in Portland about 24 hours before they wanted to shoot. In my rush in a number of “hot” items going in my life on that day, I didn’t ask enough questions. 

I was assured they wanted only to shoot the exterior of the church. That it was a movie about two teenage girls in the 1960s leaving Twin Falls, ID headed for Woodstock (movie title planned right now is “Woodstock or Bust”). Apparently one of the girls in the movie has a change of heart when she attends a funeral at a church. They only wanted to shoot the exterior of the church, showing someone approaching the church. The funeral interior filming would be at another location.

Later I was told they were aiming for a PG-13 rating and that the lead roles were minors back in the 1960s suggesting that it had to be fairly tame. I suggested that our stake center was not even close to a 1960s look and that I could point them to other churches that would fit that era. For whatever reason, the director selected our church out of a lot of photos he/she was presented.

I quickly called the supervisor over all Church buildings in this part of Oregon (he’s located in Salem) and was told there is no church policy or prohibition regarding the use of the church’s exterior for filming. The film company also sent an insurance certificate assuming liability for any damages.

So I gave them permission and, in the spirit of wanting to be a good neighbor, even tried to arrange for them to access the building to use the bathrooms only. In my haste, it didn’t even occur to me to remind them that we have standards and that we expected the film crew to abide by our standards, including no smoking.

I’m so embarrassed later to hear the script (actually read by a few LDS members in downtown Estacada, where the crew filmed earlier) is not so innocent and that some on the film crew may have been smoking during filming at our stake center. I’m sad that our beautiful stake center (even though they assured me that they would avoid any identification as to the name of the church) might be tied to anything not wholesome. I’m confident this film will not get widespread viewing, if any.

My apologies to all who may have been taken off guard and even offended to see the film crew at the stake center yesterday. Please forward this email to any others in our stake who you think may have been offended or at least wondered why the crew was even there.

I would chalk it up as a rookie stake president mistake…except after 5 years I’m not supposed to be a rookie! (:

I’ve learned my lesson. No more film crews except Church film crews. Period. Hope others can learn from my foolish mistake.

Please accept my apology.  And thanks for your patience,

President Lewis

Concerns about assigning General Conference talks as sacrament meeting topics

20 September 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

(If the following applies to your bishopric or presidency, please forward this email to your counselors)

General Conference talks are excellent material for classroom study and discussion, as we do regularly in the third-hour instruction for adults. 

However, assigning someone to speak about a General Conference talk does not make for a good sacrament meeting topic.  

If you are doing this in your ward or branch, will you please discontinue the practice? 

If you want to know the reasons why we ask this and the alternative for you to consider, see below.

Thank you very much,

President Lewis

WHY WE ASK YOU NOT TO ASSIGN GENERAL CONFERENCE TALKS TO SACRAMENT MEETING SPEAKERS 

Brethren,

Thank you for your many efforts to make sacrament meetings a spiritual feast. However, we’ve noticed lately a tendency in some wards/branches to assign General Conference talks to speakers. This is understandable because General Conference talks are obviously messages worthy of being heard again, and it lightens the burden on the priesthood leader who assigns speakers to come up with topics.

However, the downside is significant because members speaking about a General Conference talk will often…

 ….turn their talk into a “book report” about the General Conference message instead of preparing through their own study of the gospel;

….read large portions of the talk making it difficult for the congregation to follow;

…reflect the General Authority’s feelings and not the feelings of their own heart. 

When assigning talks, you may want to give the members several references, including General Conference talks, to help guide them in their study. We realize this puts an added burden on the priesthood leader who assigns the talks.

That burden can be reduced greatly by sharing the responsibility with others, such as…

...invite ward or branch council members to come up with sacrament meeting topics—topics that are timely to meet the needs of the ward or branch;

…invite council members to identify references in the scriptures, General Conference talks, etc. applicable to each topic to be assigned;

…invite council members to recommend those who could be blessed to speak on which topic.

Assigning sacrament meeting speakers ultimately is the responsibility of the bishopric or branch presidency. But please involve the ward or branch council in: (1) helping to identify the topics;  (2) developing references in support of each topic; and (3) recommending the names of those who could be blessed by the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting.

There’s another way the ward or branch council can help: when a member is terrified by the thought of speaking in sacrament meeting, invite a ward/branch council member (or a counselor or anyone he or she chooses to assign) to serve as a personal coach or mentor.

Thank you for giving this your immediate attention and for all that you do to make sacrament meetings the spiritual feast—the healing balm—for all who come each Sunday to feel again the Lord’s love and seek His miraculous hand in their lives.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency

New Guidelines on a disciplined member's level of participation in public Church meetings

30 August 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

Lately we have had a number of stake and ward disciplinary councils. Typically when someone is excommunicated or disfellowshipped, they are given “terms” of their discipline including precise limitations regarding their participation in public Church meetings. For instance, usually they are instructed not to partake of the sacrament, not to use their priesthood (including temple attendance), not to sustain Church officers, etc.

Handbook 1 Section 6.9.3 states for those excommunicated: “He may attend public Church meetings, if his conduct is orderly, but his participation in such meetings is limited the same as for disfellowshipped members.”

In 6.9.2 it states for those disfellowshipped: “He is encouraged to attend public Church meetings, if his conduct is orderly, but he may not give a talk, offer a public prayer, partake of the sacrament, or participate in the sustaining of Church officers.”

In the past we have defined “limited participation” to include not participating in class discussions, not bearing testimony, and not singing in the choir. As I have met with these brethren in follow-up visits, several have expressed that one of the most painful aspects of the discipline has been the prohibition to participate in class discussions. It touched my heart and I began to prayerfully ponder the matter, study again the instructions in the Handbook, and seek counsel from the stake presidency and others.

I’ve concluded that I may have gone beyond the spirit of the Handbook’s definition of “participation in public Church meetings.” We invite you to consider the following guidelines in addressing this with those under formal discipline with whom you may be counseling in your ward or branch .

Possibly the key phrase in the Handbook is not “limited participation,” but “If his conduct is orderly.” In other words, as long as the member doesn’t verbally attack priesthood leaders, vocalize bitterness about the disciplinary process or bring shame to himself by divulging his disciplined status, we want him or her to feel the Spirit of the Lord by: (1) answering questions and expressing feelings in class discussions; (2) bearing testimony in class; and (3) singing the hymns including participate in choirs and special musical numbers. In short, a disciplined member should have at least some of the same privileges in public Church meetings as a non-member. 

We do not encourage allowing the person to bear his or her testimony in the monthly Testimony Meeting. A testimony over the pulpit is akin to giving a talk, which is specifically prohibited by the Handbook.

Finally, we leave to your judgment as to the level of participation you feel is appropriate for each individual within the specified terms outlined in the Handbook and/or in the follow-up letter from the stake presidency.

While this change may heighten the risk that the disciplined member will be asked to give a prayer, substitute teach a lesson or receive other requests that will make it awkward to respond, we feel the blessing of feeling included, wanted and needed outweigh the risk. We want these wonderful members, who willingly walk the thorny path of Church discipline and repentance, to feel some restriction of Church membership privileges, but not feel ostracized. 

Will you please communicate this change immediately to any with whom this may apply in your ward or branch? Yes, you may forward this email to them, if you feel appropriate.

Thank you,
President Lewis

P.S. The attached letter originated soon after a brother in our stake, who was under formal discipline, was called on to give a prayer in his High Priest group meeting and he had to decline. It was very embarrassing for him. Will you please remind leaders and instructors that all public prayers are to be assigned privately in advance.

Sharing the no-fundraisiing miracle with Elder Blunck, of the Seventy

29 August 2017

Elder Blunck,

As we continue to discuss the importance of reduce and simplify in CCM trainings, you may find interesting an experience in our stake. 

In 2012, soon after I was called as stake president I suspended—over the protests of many youth leaders--all fundraising for youth summer camps. I explained to our YMYW leaders that it is the parents’ responsibility to teach children how to earn or raise money. Our responsibility, as leaders in the Church, is to teach youth the gospel and help them apply it in their lives, not help them make money.

Then I promised them that if we were to eliminate the role of leaders to help youth raise funds for summer camps and if we were to return that responsibility to the parents, the Lord would bless our stake with adequate—even overflowing--funds for all of our budget needs plus reduce the financial burden of youth summer camps on families.

Now, five years later we’ve seen the miracle.

You may find the attached two documents to be helpful validation of the principle you are teaching us.

Best wishes,

Crismon Lewis

President, Mount Hood Stake

Reaching out to two families in the midst of law suits

29 August 2017

Dear (names of a couple),

Somewhere along the way, (name) learned that you met with me about a year ago relative to the marijuana grow incident that has led to you ultimately filing a suit or suits against him and possibly some patients.

Recently, he asked to meet with me to tell his side of the story. He shared with me some of the extremely blunt text and social media messages that have gone on between you. While he didn’t directly request it, I’m certain he was hoping I could prevail on you to either back down or modify some of the litigation. 

Frankly, I don’t want to get in the middle of any litigation. But my heart breaks when a disagreement between two families in the Church and in our stake reach this level. 

Is there anything I can do to help bring about a reconciliation? Would you like to meet again? I’m not interested in getting involved in debating each side’s story or or having to take sides…I love both families equally and can hardly stand the fact that an offense has reached this level of pain and suffering for both parties.

When the Lord gives a commandment such as “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men,” (D&C 64:10) then I can’t help but want to do something to help both of you reap the blessings of fulfilling this commandment.

Is there anything I can do to help bring peace in both families? I’d welcome your counsel.

Gratefully,

Crismon Lewis

Remembering an old college friend Stephen J. Stirling

28 August 2017

Email to our family:

I happened to see a post today about pop violinist Lindsey Stirling dedicating a recent concert to her late father, Stephen J. Stirling, who passed away in January of this year.

I had a good friend at BYU my junior-senior years, who lived just down the hall in Hinckley Hall, by that name. I have thought of him often, wondering where he was and what he was doing. I once searched for him online but had forgotten the unique spelling of his last name (Stirling, not Sterling). He even came to Arizona once, soon after our missions (I believe), and just happened to attend our ward in Phoenix. It was so fun to see him again and reminisce. He was such a fun-loving guy, one you always wanted to be around because life was so full of laughs and kindness. So I hung out with him often, double dating, etc., even though he was a bit younger, that I recall.

It wasn’t until I saw this photo on Lindsey Stirling’s website that I realized her dad was my good college friend. I’m so sorry I never connected with him before he passed.

Thought you’d find interesting the connection.

Love,

Dad

Picture of my good friend Stephen with Lindsey as a little girl.

A tribute to my older brother Corwin on his 70th birthday

                                                                        14 August 2017

A TRIBUTE TO CORWIN GLENN LEWIS, MY BIG BROTHER!

It is my pleasure to pay tribute to my big brother on his 70^th birthday and his retirement from decades of devotion to his noble profession as an outstanding accountant.

I’m probably the closest person to Corwin, at least until he married Lynette, as he and I were often seen as inseparable brothers in our growing up years—almost twins. Though 14 months separated us in age, we were only one year apart in school so we shared many of the same friends, played on the same sports teams and spent years engaged in the same interests and activities.

Corwin was the ideal big brother. I’m confident the Lord knew what kind of role model I would need in my growing up years so He sent Corwin as the first boy to arrive in our family. Whatever Corwin liked, I liked. Whatever Corwin did, I did. Whatever Corwin said, I said. Whatever Corwin laughed at, I laughed at. We were not so much inseparable, I was his clone!

And what a blessing that was to me.

Corwin introduced me to the Brooklyn (later L.A.) Dodgers. We were loyal fans together, spending many a night lying on the floor in front of our large radio console in the Ajo home dining room listening to Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett make every Dodger game come alive in our young minds.

When Corwin chose to play the clarinet in the sixth grade band, I took up the clarinet when I entered the sixth grate. Later he switched to saxophone and I switched to alto clarinet.

When Corwin ran for student body treasurer his junior year and student body president his senior year at Ajo High, I clung to his coattails precisely—getting elected, I’m sure, because I was Corwin’s little brother.

When Corwin went to BYU, I followed a year later.

When Corwin went on a mission, I followed 18 months later.  When I left the Language Training Mission for Peru, Corwin—who was serving in the office of the Northern States Mission headquartered in Chicago—arranged to meet me (accompanied by his mission president, no less!) during my layover in Chicago. It would be the only time we would see each other in the four years spanning our missions.  (Yes, I later served in the office of the Andes Mission in Lima, Peru.)

Our parallel—almost identical—paths didn’t end there.

When Corwin got married in the temple to an amazing bride from an amazing family of faith, I followed by praying for and receiving an equally amazing bride from an equally remarkable family rooted deeply in the faith.

Corwin and Lynette wanted a large family, Vivienne and I wanted a large family. Both couples were richly blessed.

While our life paths, including professions, have had their share of differences, once Vivienne and I moved to Oregon in 1989 our mannerisms, interests and, to some extent, even our looks (until his hair started to turn gray and mine bald) began to mirror each other causing a double take for a variety of friends and even family members.

It should come as no surprise that our Church callings have followed an almost identical pattern, too, even though we’ve never lived in the same stake since our youth.

Not long ago we met up for a temple session. Our wives weren’t totally surprised to discover we were wearing identical ties.

Talk about a role model!

My life has been filled with joy because I followed Corwin’s example to happiness.

I will always be grateful for his steadiness in life, never getting flustered or even upset, that I recall.

His kind and gentle nature with children impressed me deeply and helped to temper my own impetuous parenting skill.

Corwin’s love for the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ also had an enduring impact on me. Corwin seldom, if ever, judged me, but always stayed the course of gospel faithfulness. It became the lifeline-beam that guided me to my own future of church service.

Corwin is more than my big brother. His footsteps were my footsteps. As we walked our life’s journey together—he a few steps ahead of mine—Corwin never let me down or took me astray. That’s not a role model. That’s a hero!

Happy Birthday, Corwin! Thanks for more than just great memories!

                                                                        With love, respect and admiration,

                                                                        Your little brother Crismon

Seeking the Area Seventy's counsel regarding an aspect of Church discipline

24 August 2017

Elder Blunck,

I write to seek your counsel.

My heart has been weighed down recently by a series of disciplinary councils. In the past 10 months we have had five such councils for holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood, including three high priests (including a former bishop) and a returned missionary who waited until his departure day to confess serious transgressions. Of the five, two have resulted in excommunication and three disfellowshipment. In my years of church leadership I’ve never experienced so many in such a short time. Frankly, it has been heartbreaking and wearying like no other time in my church service.

In setting forth terms for all of these brethren, in every case I have explained that they are encouraged to attend “public Church meetings” as described in Section 6 of Handbook 1, but that their participation is “limited.” As described in 6.9.2 that limited participation means they are not to offer public prayers, partake of the sacrament or sustain Church officers. I’ve also suggested that they are not to participate in class discussion.

As I follow up with these brethren, I have been touched that almost without fail they cite that one of the most painful aspects of their journey to complete and sincere repentance is the inability to participate in class discussions.

As I review the handbook, it occurs to me that I may have interpreted the spirit of “limited participation in Church public meetings” beyond the scope of the handbook instruction.

Before making an official change of direction, including notifying these brethren they are allowed to participate in class discussions, I would welcome your counsel. Do you see any problem with reversing the direction I have taken in the past?

In my opinion, here are the Pro’s and Con’s of reversing direction:

PRO: Not being allowed to participate in class discussions can make the disciplined member feel ostracized, that he has nothing of value to contribute. Moreover, teachers do not know who is under formal discipline thus creating the potential for some very awkward, even embarrassing, moments in the class when a disciplined member is called on to contribute in class discussion. Finally, non-members are allowed to speak in a Church meeting so a member under a no-participation restriction feels even less valued.

CON: Unable to participate in a class helps the disciplined member appreciate more than ever the blessing of membership and full fellowship with the Saints. Class participation heightens the risk that he will inadvertently expose his disciplined status and/or criticize priesthood leaders (though the risk is very low).

I guess as I write this it is even more obvious to me that I have been too strict in my interpretation of “limited participation in Church public meetings.” In fact, the word “limited” may be the key. If the Brethren didn’t want any participation by disciplined members, they would have said, “no participation in Church public meetings.”

Still, I will share this email with you and invite you to share any counsel on the subject or insights you may have gleaned from the Brethren. If you prefer not to comment, I will not be offended.

Thank you for listening,

Crismon Lewis

President, Mount Hood Stake

Appeal for single sisters along with senior couples to serve full-time missions

Email to Stake Presidency, Aug 8, 2017

Brethren,

You can read the emails below. It reminds me that in all of our efforts to encourage senior couples to serve full-time missions, we may have many single sisters who could and would serve if we only asked them. As you can see, Keli (I home teach her…so I’m very ashamed to say I never approached her about serving a mission) she was waiting for someone to “call” her.

I was so grateful she spoke up at dinner last night. And thankfully she went home last night and didn’t think, “What did I just say?” but her excitement just continued to grow. 

Will you please help me communicate to our stake that the Lord desires more senior members (only couples and sisters are eligible) to serve full-time missions? Just as we expect the wards to willingly to “give up" members to serve in stake leadership positions, I want us to demonstrate the same spirit of freely “giving” by encouraging more and more seniors to serve full-time or church-service missions regardless of their church position. (The Chuck Allens and Scott Hansens were especially good examples of this.)

I welcome all of us prayerfully considering members of our stake to recommend to bishops and branch presidents to help every adult member set a date as to when they plan to serve.

I also encourage all of us in our interviews that we plant a “seed” in everyone’s heart and encourage them to set a date…and, if older, consider serving now.

Thank you,

Crismon

Bishop May,

We had the privilege of having Keli Lowe in our home for dinner along with four missionaries. She shared how much she has wanted to serve a mission “now or in the future, it doesn’t matter.” She just was waiting for someone to “call” her :)

Will you please open an online file for her immediately and instruct her how to begin completing the missionary recommendation? 

Her preference is a humanitarian mission, but she noticed online last night that apparently only couples are called to the humanitarian effort.

What a wonderful blessing this will be for her and our stake!

Gratefully,

PrL

Dear Sister Keli,

Thank you so much for desiring to serve…wherever and in whatever capacity. We have a single sister in our stake now serving at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii and she’s loving it so much (who wouldn’t :) she asked to extend her mission. I think you’ll find you’ll be very pleased with the call you receive, though I will still put in my comments that you desire to serve in a humanitarian service, if possible.

I’ll ask Bishop May immediately to open a file online for you. Then when you log into www.lds.org you can begin to fill out the recommendation form. It’s a very friendly application and once completed, you’ll interview with the bishop and then myself. 

We look forward to helping you on this journey. Congratulations and thank you for your example to others in our stake!

President Lewis

Hello President Lewis,

So, after sharing with you the greatest desire of my heart last night about serving a mission. I came home and looked up mission opportunities for single sisters. The church has no humanitarian, or proselyting missions available to single sisters, which is a real bummer. But I still want to go. Where do I start?

Keli

Statement given prior to "early" reorganization of the Sandy River Ward Bishopric

Sandy River Ward, August 6, 2017

Brothers and Sisters,

On occasion personal circumstances make it challenging for us to serve in Church callings that are especially demanding.

After prayerful deliberation and in consultation with Bishop Dickinson, the Stake Presidency recently submitted a recommendation to the First Presidency. That recommendation was accepted and we have been directed to reorganize the bishopric of the Sandy River Ward.

We realize this is unusual to reorganize a bishopric after 13 months of service. Out of respect and love for Bishop Dickinson and his family we ask that you not speculate or pry as to the personal challenges or reasons leading to this action.

Bishop Dickinson and his counselors have served you well. There are very few leaders who have shown greater love and concern for ward members than your bishop. One of the ways we can show our gratitude is to remember Bishop Dickinson and his counselors in our prayers.

Therefore, we have released with deep appreciation…

·   Norman Dickinson – Bishop of the Sandy River Ward with

·   James Dunihoo – 1^st Counselor

·   Glen Smith – 2^nd Counselor

We invite you to join with us in expressing your gratitude for their outstanding service with the uplifted hand.

Will the following please stand?

It is proposed that we sustain…

·   Jeremy S. Kato – Bishop of the Sandy River Ward with

·   Anthony Glenn Smith - 1^st Counselor

·   Robert T. Pierce - 2^nd counselor

Those in favor may manifest by the uplifted hand.

Those opposed by the same sign.

Confidential information about an early-release of a bishop in our stake

24 July 20176

Brethren,

I realized early this morning that today is Pioneer Day in SLC. It’s a state holiday and the Church offices will be closed. So nothing we do, either on the phone or online, will be seen at Church headquarters until Tuesday. So I thought we should take one more day to think “out loud,” as well as in prayer, about the situation at hand. I’ll be as discreet as possible in case this email should ever get outside our circle.

I want to make sure I’m not overreacting to any feelings of betrayal from a dear friend, for whom I have a deep love and long friendship. Particularly was the inference, Steven, that you made during our visit last night: Is the matter so serious that the bishop needs to be released, especially so prematurely and so hastily?

You may remember, though I don’t believe you both were in the presidency at the time, I had released and had sustained a new counselor in the WH bishopric within 24-48 hours of learning that the released brother had nurtured a brief romantic relationship with a young married woman (who has since moved from the stake). They began connecting at the late-night volleyball at our stake center, then followed up with late-night visits about woes in their respective marriages and ultimately kissed. Fortunately, he went to his bishop and confessed. They were both released from their callings, he immediately and she later from her stake athletic calling. I did not take any more action, except to have the bishops counsel with them. I felt the releases, especially his so abruptly from a significant calling of trust, was adequate and appropriate as part of their repentance. Thankfully, both of their marriages appear to be happy, if not thriving, today.

After our visit last night, I was able to talk at length with the woman involved in our current concern and she corroborated what that bishop had told me. They both allowed their feelings to cross the line married couples covenant not to cross. In brief, they (1) expressed love for each other even wishing they could marry “if circumstances were different," (2) sent sexually suggestive text messages to each other, (3) spent late night hours together both in his office and once or twice in her home, (4) they had a “secret" rendezvous in a site other than his office or their home, (5) they kissed each other on two or three occasions, (6) they inappropriately caressed each other above the clothes (he 2 or 3 times, she once), and (7) they were nurturing this relationship in secret, intentionally deceiving their respective spouses.

His calling, of course, compounds the seriousness of all of this. Though not intentional or premeditated, the bishop allowed the trust that is inherent with his sacred calling to lead to an intimate relationship with a married woman in his ward. Despite the many warnings from the Spirit, he had rationalized that he was giving a young, neglected wife the care and affection she had long gone without in her marriage. He, too, with pretty much an invalid wife, had gone without affection and care from a wife. The attention of a pretty woman, who freely confided in and shared her heart with him, had become irresistible.

Fortunately, all of this came to light before it went further—something I’m personally VERY grateful for. While both had drawn a line of physical affection, the level of sexually explicit messages (“talking dirty” via messaging) was not only inappropriate but was obviously the trap Satan was setting to destroy both families and cause the excommunication of a bishop.

My feeling is that the bishop has broken trust…with the Lord, the stake presidency, the ward members, the ward leaders, himself and, especially, his wife…I feel no other recourse than to release him as quickly as possible. Our responsibility is to protect the Church—to give members assurance that we are monitoring closely and care deeply abut the trustworthiness of the bishopric and ward leadership we’ve asked them to sustain—and help all involved to repent. Having said that, I don’t believe the actions of this couple should be addressed in formal discipline at this time (assuming more damaging information does not come to light), but that rather the embarrassment of a prompt release and the spouses discovering will adequately addresses the issue and help them change course. However, if their relationship continues, after the dust has settled, then I would recommend formal discipline.

I have always found it helpful to vent my feelings in writing as a way to sort out what’s important—in hopes of not making decisions on emotion. I hope the above has been helpful to you.

I now ask that you respond with your feelings. I realize your obligation to be supportive of the stake president can temper even taint, your feelings and  reactions to all of this. But I really need your counsel. Please do not hold back. This is new territory for me, too, and I must be careful that I not allow my personal feelings create a vacuum where I do not listen to reason, or even more importantly, to the Spirit.

Are we taking the appropriate action? Are we addressing it with enough firmness and love to help save both parties and both families? How do we address it without causing widespread speculation and rumors that could lead members to lose trust in their priesthood leaders? 

Finally, if we do move forward with a quick reorganization of the bishopric, who do you feel the Lord has prepared to bring healing to the ward?

Thank you in advance for your counsel,

Crismon

Results of a meeting with a high school graduate not attending our stake's YSA branch

17 July 2017

Brethren,

In response to the weak participation of our HS graduates in the YSA branch, the stake presidency has been making outreach efforts to the 9-10 graduates who have not made any effort to attend a branch meeting or activity.

I visited with Max Lewis on Sunday. It was a very nice visit, but I sense Max is also a young man who knows how to say the right thing at the right time, but doesn’t always follow through unless his family is all in, too.

I learned Max is already 18 years of age and is about to turn 19. Bishop May did not recommend him for MP ordination simply because he (and his family) attend church so infrequently.

Other outcomes of our visit:

YSA BRANCH: Max said he would like to attend the YSA branch and has transportation. His track record in the family ward says this will be tough for him to do, but Bishop May is excited for him to attend the YSA branch in hopes that it will put him into a new environment and possibly a new level of commitment. TO DO: President Westover, will you please transfer his membership record from the WH Ward to your branch and encourage President House to get him engaged as quickly and as deeply as Max will respond to?

ELDER ORDINATION: Max said he is interested in receiving the MP. He knows he’s been less-active (along with his parents) and claims that he just doesn’t know very much about the gospel. Because he was in jazz band at school (he is a drummer), he took Seminary at home and, as you can imagine, without strong home support didn’t come close to completing the course. He does occasionally read the scriptures, has personal prayers, wants to serve a mission and have a righteous family. While he hasn’t connected the dots between righteous living now and righteous future later, at least he knows what he’d like in his future. He answered favorably to worthiness questions. TO DO: President Westover, will you or Bishop May please reach out to Max’s father, Steve Lewis (a BYU grad and RM to England), and assign him to prepare his son to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. May I suggest you assign someone as a mentor to help guide Steve in why and how to prepare his son to be ordained.

MISSION: I was pleased to hear Max say he’d like to serve a mission. There wasn’t much excitement, but I think he’d like to build on his recent Eagle award and take the “next step”—serve a mission. He said his plans are to attend MHCC for two years in video production (something he’ll use in Mom’s ad agency, Lewis Creative) and then serve a mission. When I asked why wait, he said again he doesn’t feel he knows enough about the gospel to go out and teach others. I assured him that he’s been around the church long enough to know enough…and that delaying a mission heightens the risk that he’ll get enamored by the world (including a paycheck) and never serve. He was open to discussing a mission sooner than later, though I didn’t sense a strong commitment or desire. TO DO: President Westover will you  please assign President House to work with Max and help him attend the missionary prep class and/or help the full-time missionaries connect with Max and try to get him to go on exchanges with them.

While it’s a bit discouraging that he’s a great young man and would be “all in” if only his parents led the way, at least we have a young man who has desires for the gospel in his life and future. I hope we can give special attention and help him on this journey at a crucial “crossroads moment” in his life.

Thank you,

President Lewis

An appeal to active YSA to help with the rescue of less-active YSA by participating in the Mount Hood YSA Branch

16 July 2017

TO: All Active Young Single Adults, their parents and leaders

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

One of the great concerns of Church leaders is the number of young members, when they arrive at the age of adulthood (typically high school graduation), choose the world over discipleship.

Sadly, our stake is no different. We have nearly 300 Young Single Adults (YSA) in our stake. Fewer than 25% actively participate in the church.

In an effort to address this, we established the Mount Hood YSA Branch in January 2016. We are very grateful for the young members of this branch, who have diligently tried to reach out and invite back the many less-active YSA in our stake.

However, for this effort to continue, and ultimately succeed, we need every active YSA in our stake, especially recent high school graduates, to join with us in this worthy cause to invite and encourage their less-active peers.

We invite you to review the blessings and promises of such service as described by President Gordon B. Hinckley in the manual used in our Priesthood and Relief Society classes, Chapter 14, titled “Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others.”

While Young Single Adults have a choice where to attend and serve, please know how much you are needed in the Mount Hood YSA Branch where you can play a significant role in the rescue of other Young Single Adults in our stake, even if for only a short time.

We love you and are grateful for your continuing discipleship at a time when choices become ever so crucial in the unfolding of the Lord’s Plan of Happiness in your life.

Faithfully yours,

The Stake Presidency

An appeal to bishops to encourage high school graduates to attend the Mount Hood YSA Branch

16 July 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

We have been blessed by an especially large group of active LDS youth who graduated from high school this year. In fact, our records show that 31 LDS youth in our stake graduated and some 20 are active in the church. That’s the largest group of HS graduates in memory!

We appreciate your efforts to encourage these new YSA to attend the Mount Hood YSA Branch in our stake. President Westover says as many as 11 of the 20 have participated at some level, attending a sacrament meeting, a Family Home Evening or a branch activity.

They are:

Sidney Lindhorst, D

Nathan Dysart, E

Jacob Livermore, PV

Ammon Brown, SR

Katie Hokanson, SR

McKay Ivie, SR

Kelsey Perry, SR

Emmie Hansen, SR

Ezra Smith, SR

Sabrina Hokanson, TC

Porter Thomas, TC

That means nearly 50% have not responded to the out-reach efforts of the YSA Branch leadership.

We are concerned about that. We recognize that the YSA have a choice and for a variety of reasons…some of them very valid…have chosen not to attend the YSA Branch.

We have drafted the attached letter explaining how the branch is a “mission” of sorts, not just a place to “hang out" with those of their age. Our hope is that this letter will help everyone in our stake understand the reason the YSA branch was created and how very much all YSA are needed in our rescue efforts.

Will you please help communicate this to the YSA and their parents in your ward or branch? Even if they can only attend for a short time, please help the active YSA know how much they are needed to assist in the rescue of the hundreds of the less-active YSA in our stake.

Furthermore, the YSA are uniquely prepared for a life of service in the Church by receiving significant Church callings, something typically unavailable to them in a family ward or branch.

The attached letter is for you to share however you choose. We are not sending this directly to the active Young Single Adults or their parents in our stake, but are sending to you to share at your discretion. We hope that you will teach from this letter in helping all youth understand the need...their “calling,” if you will...when they become a Young Single Adult in our stake.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency

Official announcement that full-time missionaries will text message ward council members regularly

8 July 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

Will you please copy / paste the message below and send to all members of your ward/branch council or simply forward this email to them?

Please confirm when done.

Thank you,

President Lewis

TO: All Ward and Branch Council members in the Mount Hood Stake

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you so much for your continuing efforts to fulfill our Stake's Covenant Path plan—where ward leaders participate in ministering visits with the full-time missionaries on a regular basis. Attached is a 2-page document describing our Stake’s Covenant Path plan.

In our stake’s ongoing efforts to work closely with the full-time missionaries—for members and missionaries to become one, as directed by President Monson--we have asked the full-time missionaries in our stake to take our Covenant Path efforts to another level.

The full-time missionaries will now text all ward council members and ward missionaries each day—or at least once every other day—a brief message highlighting missionary progress in the ward. You will not be expected to respond to the text, but they will usually extend an invitation to us.

An example might be:

“We are teaching the Jones family tonight. Will you pray for them and us?”

Other times, they may request a response. Such as:

“Our appointments for tonight fell through. Is there someone you feel could be blessed by a visit from the missionaries this evening?”

We hope all of us will receive a text like this each Saturday:

“We’re excited our new investigators, Tom and May Brown, have committed to attend sacrament meeting tomorrow. Will you help us welcome them?”

Brothers and sisters, we hope you will not find these messages an annoyance, but an opportunity for all of us to become even more engaged in the ward or branch missionary efforts. Can you see the miracles that will come forth when we regularly join together in prayer on behalf of missionaries, members and investigators? Thankfully, technology in communication makes this possible. 

We welcome your feedback via your Ward or Branch Mission Leader as this unfolds.

Thank you again for your leadership and your willingness to participate in the Lord’s awe-inspiring Work of Salvation.

With heart-felt gratitude for your service,

The Stake Presidency

Request for feedback on an idea to accelerate ward leader involvement with the full-time missionaries' efforts

6 July 2017

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

As we continue to work toward becoming “one” with the full-time missionaries in the ward/branch missionary efforts as instructed by the Brethren...

https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/ward-council-and-mission-leaders?lang=eng…

...I would like to suggest something more we can do. It’s like missionary work in “real time."

I have heard of the following in another mission and thought it had great value in helping ward/branch leaders (specifically, the ward/branch council) stay engaged with the full-time missionaries’ efforts…beyond a regular report in a ward council meeting. Ahem…Covenant Path on steroids? :)

Here’s how it works:

• We ask the full-time missionaries to send a regular (once a day at the most, usually once every other day) group text to all ward council members.

• The text is to be very brief (2 or 3 sentences at the most).

• The content of the text is simply to alert ward leaders of something special they can do right now to help the full-time missionaries.

• We’ll train the full-time missionaries to include an invitation to act.

• If they choose, ward/branch council members can then forward the text to their presidency and include them in the missionary effort.

• Eventually, if this is successful and not an annoyance, the text message could be broadcast to larger groups, such as quorum members or active members, who opt in because of their desire to participate in the ongoing efforts of the full-time missionaries.

Examples of messages:

We would expect text messages from the full-time missionaries like the following:

• “We are scheduled to teach the Jones family tonight. Will you pray for them and us?”

• “Our investigator Ron Smith said he’s planning to come to church tomorrow. Will you please help us welcome him?”

• “Our appointments for tonight fell through. Any suggestions of a family in our ward who could be blessed by a visit from the missionaries?”

• “We are excited about a new investigator family with 2 children ages 4 and 6. They live near Roberts and Hogan in Gresham. Can someone help us at 7pm Wednesday evening? Thanks for remembering us in your prayers.”

• “We just got a new 45-year-old male investigator. Is there a brother in the ward who can help us fellowship him?”

What is the purpose

The key is that this doesn’t become an annoyance or expense to your ward/branch leaders. But hopefully everyone will appreciate it as a way to accelerate the ward council’s involvement in the missionary efforts. There will be no requirement for ward council members to respond to the text messages. Presumably most of the messages will be a request for prayers.

Can you see, though, how it would help generate ongoing involvement of ward leaders in the full-time missionaries' efforts?

Why I Am Writing You

I am writing because I plan to introduce this to the full-time missionaries this Saturday at our monthly Stake Missionary Training. If you have any concerns,  reservations or suggestions, please speak up now. Once the full-time missionaries have been trained on Saturday morning, I will ask each of you to notify your ward/branch council members as to what they can expect and why.

Thank you very much for your consideration and feedback,

President Lewis