In response to my counselors about recommendations of HC assignments and other leadership changes

10 October 2019

Paul and Steven,

I appreciate your feedback to my recommendations and additional counsel. You both have strong opinions and share them candidly, which is great. 

I’m sorry that we have not been able to find time to visit in person. I appreciate your willingness to continue the discussion via email, even though that’s not the ideal form of communication, as we’ve all expressed multiple times in our visits.

Let me respond to two concerns shared and then ask some questions.

RECOMMENDING COUNSELORS

I appreciate your strong feelings to leave inspiration to the bishop for recommending his counselor. Having met personally many times with Bishop Miller for 4+ years I feel I know him quite well. I can give you multiple reasons I believe he would jump at the chance to have Brock Miller as his counselor, if Brock were made available. I’m OK if the bishop chooses not to recommend Brock, but decides to use  him instead elsewhere in his AP program or even in another capacity. But I expect fully Bishop Miller will recommend Brock, as long as we don’t have misgivings. 

Steven, you mentioned that you both do not recommend Brock to serve as a counselor in the Damascus bishopric. Is there a reason you do not recommend him to serve there, or is it just you don’t want him to be released as Stake YM president?

Speaking of recommending counselors, Paul, I appreciate so much you creating the list of potential counselor candidates for Bro Lindhorst. I believe he will welcome the list gratefully and with open arms.

One more thing…

Of course there’s a chance Bro Lindhorst will request a HC to serve in the YSA branch presidency creating an opening for Brock to be called to the HC, but it’s not likely (only 4 HC are empty nesters). I’m reluctant to “push” out any of the current HC to make room for Brock. Craig Dobson is the only HC who has served for more than 2 years and he just barely completed 2 years in September. That’s one reason I don’t think it’s prudent that we wait even until December to make these changes.

Speaking of timing…

TIMING

Steven raised the concern about acting so quickly; that we take our time on these changes. That’s never bad advice. 

I’ve found very interesting how quickly the Brethren are making changes. Is this a case of the Lord suddenly opening the windows of heaven and directing all of these changes? That may be some of it, but I also believe it’s because we have a Prophet who is so decisive. Both of his counselors have mentioned openly how they’re almost taken aback by how decisive President Nelson is—something they attribute to his years as a surgeon and having to make quick, major (life and death) decisions.

Because the Brethren are giving very specific instructions quickly and often, I find myself wanting to be “quick to obey.”

OUR DISCUSSION

Because I have us on a “fast track” we don’t have a lot of time to discuss things in person. I welcome us getting together some time next week, after Paul has returned. I’m available next Thursday evening, Oct 17, at 7:00 pm if both of you are available. I could do a conference call on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Of course, I’m usually available for a late afternoon conference call most any late afternoon or evening, including a conference call on Monday, Oct 13, at 9:00 pm..

If you feel strongly you still want to discuss the recommendations I made, let’s find some time next week. I would appreciate us not including this topic in our discussion at our “Presidency Retreat” at 7:00 am on Saturday, Oct. 19 (at my home) as we need time to discuss plans for 2020. Besides, if we’re going to call two current HC as stake YM and stake SS presidents, we need time to visit with them before we sustain them in HC meeting on Sunday, Oct 20.

In the meantime, I have some more questions that I need your counsel on. I will send them separately so you can address them separately. If you prefer not to respond to them via email, that’s fine. Steven, we can discuss them in presidency meeting on Sunday. And Paul you can give me a call at your convenience and share with me your feelings.

Thank you so much, both of you, for being mighty counselors.

Crismon

Question #1

What do you see as the role of the Stake Young Men presidency? Where they no longer have ward counterparts, what do we expect of them besides planning and organizing stake AP events (with the stake APYW and youth committees)?

Do we expect them to visit the AP quorums and activities in all the wards?

Do we expect them to train the ward AP advisers and specialists…or is that the bishopric’s responsibility?

Do we expect them to interface with or even train the bishoprics? If so, how, when and where?

Question #2

Where the bishoprics now take an increased ownership of the Aaronic Priesthood program in the ward and where the bishop only has a regular accountability interview with the stake president…whether intentional or not by the Brethren…that means the stake president, to some degree, assumes an increased ownership of the Aaronic Priesthood program. At least that’s how I see it.

How can the stake president’s counselor and the Stake YM presidency more effectively assist the stake president to work with each bishop in moving forward the work of the AP in each ward?



Question #3

What concerns, if any, do you have with Matt Newell serving as the Stake Young Men’s president?

While we will not dictate to him his counselors, we have an opportunity to identify and encourage consideration of strong counselors (such as members of ward YM presidencies who are about to be released). I do not feel we have the strongest candidates in Pat Carsner and Brock Johnson. Now is the time to make the change. Hopefully we can do so without hurting feelings. 

Who are others among the members in our stake who would complement and help Matt rise to the occasion?

Question #4

This one needs to be answered right away…

I know you both feel strongly about retaining Brock Miller as Stake YM president. Brethren, it’s not going to happen for several reasons: (1) I don’t want to push someone out of the HC prematurely just to make room for Brock (this is not secondary to me); (2) eliminating the ward YM presidencies, in my opinion, minimizes significantly the influence and impact of a Stake YM presidency; and (3) Brock has always been one of three top candidates to replace Bishop Miller in June; in my opinion, if the Lord has chosen Brock then allowing him to serve in the ward for the next 8 months will be wonderful preparation.

I know this is disappointing to you both. I’m so very sorry. But I, too, have strong feelings in the matter.

So recognizing that there will be a new Stake YM president in the coming weeks, my question is: Do we still want to sustain Pat Carsner this Sunday knowing he may not be retained by the new stake YM president or do we explain to Pat the dilemma we face (because of the General Conference announcement) and that the sustaining is now on hold until the Stake YM presidency is reorganized?

Answering a question bishoprics may have after a General Conference announcement discontinuing the ward Young Men presidency

8 October 2019

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

One question you may have is whether the ward YM presidency was already officially released at General Conference where it was announced that the callings of YM presidencies “have been discontinued at the ward level.” Or should they be officially released in the ward?

Answer: We recommend you extend an official release to the ward YM presidency members only when the bishopric is ready to assume full “ownership” of the Aaronic Priesthood program with the assistance of the advisers and specialists. As you’ll remember, this transition  should happen no later than the end of the year; we hope it would happen much sooner than that.

When that transition occurs, please extend an “official” release to each member of your ward/branch YM presidency and recognize them for their service by releasing them over the pulpit, as you would other callings. 

Bishoprics are figuring out that these YM presidency members may continue to play a role in the youth program by being called as “specialists” so there is always double coverage in AP quorum meetings and activities so bishopric members have the flexibility to visit the Primary and Young Women on occasion.

When you officially release the YM presidency over the pulpit, you may want to clarify with ward members that technically there is no longer a Young Men’s program in the ward, but simply an Aaronic Priesthood program presided over by the Bishopric as the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood. Moreover, each AP quorum also has a presidency with a president who hold priesthood keys.

I hope this is helpful,

President Lewis

In response to Cathy Meik's insistence that the Lord has revealed to her not to attend sacrament meeting

Bishop (Name),

Thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.

While reading this my mind was drawn to the 26th chapter of 2 Nephi. 

2 Nephi 26:27 may be especially helpful: “Hath he (the Lord) commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay…”

Ordinances are the keys to the mysteries (revelation) and to salvation (see D&C 84:20-21; TG Godliness). The Lord would never command one of His children to not attend sacrament meeting and thus not partake of an ordinance, i.e. the sacrament.

Furthermore, it is inappropriate for Sister (Name) to ask a priesthood leader to pray as to whether she is receiving revelation on the subject when the answer has been definitively revealed: the Lord would never tell one of His children NOT to participate in an ordinance. The only exception is when the person has chosen to be unworthy of participating in that ordinance.

In short, Sister (Name) is NOT receiving revelation from the Lord.

All the examples she and her family conjure up to suggest there are exceptions to keeping the commandments never involve ordinances. The Lord is always consistent when it comes to inviting His children to participate in the ordinances. There are no examples in the scriptures, that I’m aware of, that suggests the Father or the Son ever told anyone not to participate in a sacred ordinance except for unworthiness.

As the rest of 2 Nephi:26:27 admonishes, please do all you can to persuade her to repent.

I hope this is helpful.

You’ll be in my prayers.

President Lewis

Bishop,

I have spent a lot of time in prayer this week. I know for a certainty that I was not deceived about my not attending church. However, neither were you. I was following the Lord's instructions for a reason which you have yet to understand. Your inspiration that the Lord wants me at church is absolutely correct because it is a commandment and He desires all of His children to attend church. 

I believe that we haven't been able to come to an understanding because you need to ask a different question. "Has Sis (Name), for some reason that I don't understand, been receiving revelation that she should not attend church?" I know that you are a humble man and want to know truth. I have faith that you will get a true answer if you ask in faith with no preconceived ideas.

As we discussed on Sunday, there are times when the Lord directs people to do something that directly goes against His commandments. I believe that this has been my case. I have constantly pleaded with the Lord to allow me to go to church because I miss being there for many reasons. But I have been submissive to His will in my life even if I don't understand the reasons, not only in this case, but in everything I do in my life. Some of the actions I have taken in the past several years have not been understood or liked by many of my friends and even family. Most of my family didn't like or understand when we moved up here. My relationship with my oldest daughter deteriorated. She took it as a literal abandonment and has yet to see it as following the Lord's command and forgiven us. She has distanced herself emotionally from me and I have to be the one mostly to reach out to her.

The bottom line is that I answer to the Lord, no one else. It has been and still is a difficult journey, but I am getting more confident in standing up to peer pressure. I have been really hurt these past few months because some leaders of our ward haven't been willing to ask the real question, "Is Sis (Name) truly receiving this revelation? Is there something about her journey that we don't understand/" But it has been a good learning experience for me to strengthen me for future events and ministering to others. I don't hold any grudges.    

Thanks for your continued concern for me and my family. I hope that we can use this experience to learn from each other and the Lord will give information to us that has been hidden about our missions on this earth.

(Name)

Accommodating the Pioneer Branch's growth

Bishops Miller, May. Koch and President Ibarra…

I am pleased to report that the Pioneer (Spanish) Branch continues to grow, particularly with the addition of families either moving in or returning to activity.

As you already know, the Pioneer Branch has a number of youth and has a fledgling YWYM program. The branch also now has 10-12 Primary-age children. President Ibarra and his counselors would like to consider starting their own Primary instead of combining with the Walters Hill Ward. 

The benefit of continuing to meet at 9:00 am it gives the branch a chance to “test” such a move and still have the option of leaning on the English ward’s support during the second hour, if needed.

As they begin testing such programs, obviously it will put added pressure on where they can meet.

At a time convenient to all of you, will the four of you please meet under the direction of Bishop Koch, the agent bishop for the stake center, and discuss ideas as to how we can accommodate in the stake center the Pioneer Branch presidency’s desire to expand the branch’s capacity to provide a more complete program for its members?

Ultimately, the hope is that the Pioneer Branch would become totally independent and meet each Sunday on their own possibly with classes at 1:00 pm and sacrament meeting at 2:00 pm.

Thank you for helping the Pioneer Branch presidency in this wonderful new development.

The Stake Presidency

Reminding bishops about the introduction of the 2020 Children and Youth Initiative

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

You have all received an email directing you to the 48-minute video presentation you will show during your 5th Sunday presentation during the 2nd hour on Sunday, Sept 29.

Please remember to:

1. Download the video so you are not relying on WiFi to show it during your 2nd hour;

2. Arrange for those without children at home (and not serving in Primary, YM or YW) to cover your junior Primary during the 2nd hour that day;

3. Arrange for families (parents and children, ages 8 and older) to sit together...chairs in a half circle may be ideal;

4. Make sure you have on hand the two booklets that you’ll distribute: (a) the smaller booklet for the youth to receive at the beginning of the broadcast because they will use it during the presentation; and (b) the larger booklet for the parents to receive at the end of the broadcast.

It’s a wonderful presentation available for those who have access to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth?lang=eng then go to Resources, click on Leaders and click on “Download the materials” for the Fifth-Sunday Materials.

We recommend you review the presentation before hand, if you have time. Obviously, there won’t be much time for a Q&A afterwards, but President Ballard assures us that answers to questions will be forthcoming—probably in a Q&A format as we recently received about FSY.

This is a thrilling development, giving the Church’s youth program a more home-centered focus. Remember the keys...(1) Be with them; (2) Let them lead; and (3) Connect them with Heaven…are still principles that apply. 

If you have any questions or technology concerns, please let us know so we can help.

This is going to be a marvelous introduction to the new Children and Youth Initiative. 

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency

In response to a High Councilor's concerns about a recommendation

FROM THE HIGH COUNCILOR:

Brethren-
Couple of concerns that I have is that (Name) was recently called as the Young Men’s Secretary which gives him an opportunity to stay close to and work with (Name) who could use that closeness with (Name)  working through life’s challenges of a young man. (Name) needs that constant mentoring and guidance that (Name) is also able to give working in the Young Men’s.
Being recently called and quickly released also disrupts continuity with the young men which had already had recent disruption with Bishop (Name) being called and Bro (Name) being called as Young Men’s President.
Sister (Name) was also recently called as the Young Women’s President of the Ward so being a part of EQ Presidency would be a lot upon on already busy family. There is no question that (name) and (name) would make it work but at what expense? 

FROM THE STAKE PRESIDENT:

Thank you for sharing these concerns, Brother (Name). Hopefully we've given consideration to what you've shared.

When seeking clearance with Bishop (Name) on this recommendation, I reminded him that the bishop's role is to: (1) clear for worthiness; (2) make sure it is appropriate (the new assignment won't have a negative impact on the candidate and his or her family), based on confidential or personal information that the bishop may have; and (3) ensure the change won't be so disruptive to the ward organization that it impacts the effectiveness to move forward the Work of Salvation in the ward.

Bishop (Name) approved the recommendation of Brother (Name)—not without pain, but with the faith that the Lord will provide. As you well know, just about every change in assignment causes a level of angst and even worry, but as long as we weigh the concerns and if we still feel settled, that is a good sign that we are following inspiration in the matter.

So please know if this moves forward, we have weighed your concerns and still feel that we are moving forward as the Lord would have us do.

I hope this helps,

President Lewis

In response to a bishop wanting to seek through prayer whether an EQ president's recommendation was inspired

Bishop,

I don’t mean to overstate this, but that is one of the great challenges we have in leadership: delegating authority to receive inspiration. So any effort "to make sure this is what the Lord wants” implies there’s a possibility the person delegated the authority to receive inspiration was not inspired. That’s what creates what I call “competing revelation.”

It is your responsibility to clear names for worthiness and to make sure calling recommendations are not going to be disruptive to your ward organization and/or inappropriate for the person being called because of confidential information you’re aware of, but confirming revelation is not necessarily our role as presidents and bishops.

We tried to address this challenge of “competing revelation” in the attached document you received in our training with your bishopric.  It’s probably not real clear, but we can avoid such a challenge when we work with the leader (who has been delegated the authority to receive revelation) before they begin seeking revelation.

Hope this helps,

PrL

Helping Leaders with Calling Recommendations Mount Hood Stake • September 2016
The following is prepared to assist priesthood and auxiliary leaders in making recommendations for callings, including instances where inspiration is received but recommendations are declined.
Doctrinal foundations of callings:

• ●  This is the Lord’s true church, He will reveal His will to us (D&C 1:30, 112:10, AofF 1:5)
  
• ●  Revelation, and thus final decisions, flow through priesthood keys (D&C 28:7, 35:25)
  
• ●  Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies (Thomas S. Monson, April Conference 1996)
  
• ●  The Lord sometimes withholds communication so leaders learn to develop judgment and
  become like God; the Lord then stands behind those decisions (see Moses 1:25)
• 
  How do we reconcile ‘competing revelation’ when a recommendation is rejected?
  
  • ●  Right person, wrong time
    
  • ●  As in marriage, there’s no “one­and­only”
    
  • ●  Natural to feel right about those we like or who are dependable
    
  • ●  Additional information was needed before asking in prayer
    
  • ●  Feeling an urgency to decide quickly
    Key factors in approving callings: peace of heart, a settled feeling among all in the bishopric or presidency, worthiness, availability, personal and family circumstances
    Other factors that may affect approvals: dependability, length of service in current calling, willingness to serve, talent, teachable, respect for authority, enthusiasm for work
    Directed by priesthood leader
    Your priesthood leader selects the candidates for you
  • 
    
  • Three Approaches to Making Recommendations
  • ●  Pro: No rejection rate, no frustration from rejection
    
  • ●  Con: No participation in the revelatory experience, may not prefer candidates chosen
    Select from a narrow group
    Your priesthood leader gives you a group of 4­5 names to choose from
    
  • ●  Pro: Some revelatory experience, low rejection rate, low frustration
    
  • ●  Con: Limited flexibility, may not prefer any of the candidates offered for consideration
    Choose from general membership
    You choose from the entire stake or ward membership
    
  • ●  Pro: A sweet, revelatory experience
    
  • ●  Con: Sometimes high frustration from number of rejections due to above factors
    

A recommendation for youth teachers and parents

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

Here are a couple of thoughts for your consideration….

THIS SUNDAY: I received this week the following message from a daughter, whose husband and children live in Utah:

"At Back 2 School night last night, Spencer's 6th grade teacher emphasized 3 main rules: 1. No bullying. 2. No cell phones. 3. No vapes. 6th grade has changed a lot since I was there! “

It’s a good reminder that school life for our children and grandchildren is significantly different than when we were young students. They need all the help they can get in this challenging world. 

You may want to share this with your EQ presidents and suggest they encourage fathers (or ministering brothers) in their quorum meetings this Sunday to give priesthood blessings to the children and youth before school begins.

NEXT SUNDAY: As you know, we’ve been studying 1 Corinthians in our Come, Follow Me gospel learning at home. This is the book of scripture that often leads to a discussion about sexual purity.

You may want to encourage the youth Sunday school teachers (or YMYW teachers) to show the video “Chastity: What are the limits?” in their classes: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/video/chastity-what-are-the-limits?lang=eng

This would also be especially appropriate for parents to show as a reminder the Lord through His prophets has set a standard for sexual purity despite what the world says.

For Young Single Adults, you may find this video helpful: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/video/i-choose-to-be-pure?lang=eng

Thank you for all that you do to give guidance and encouragement to your leaders, teachers and members on the matters that make a difference in our lives.

May this be helpful,

President Lewis

A thank you email to the Ma's and Pa's on our 2019 Stake Trek

31 July 2019

Dear Ma’s and Pa’s for the 2019 Stake Trek,

First, will you please forward or share this email with your spouse as I only had one email address per couple.

I didn’t want the trek to become too distant before expressing my personal thanks to all of you. I wish I could express my gratitude in person, but I’m out of town on vacation for the next couple of weeks.

I have visited with as many youth and adults as possible since you returned from the trek and I’ve been deeply impressed by the comments I’ve heard on how this year’s trek impacted so many lives. I was especially gratified to hear how quickly the trek families bond, which is a tribute to each of you (I understand a rain and lightning storm the first night helped, too :)

The youth came back so touched by the entire experience and the heartfelt feelings they had for each of you, their Ma and Pa. Your kindness, encouragement and spiritual guidance was the key catalyst in helping them have a spiritual experience. For many, we hope, it will prove to be life changing.

As you know, one of the sweetest gifts in life is when the Lord allows us to be an instrument in His hands in touching and influencing the life of another. Each of you played such a role during the trek and on behalf of the stake presidency and, especially the many parents who welcomed home a “new” child, thank you for your love, encouragement, and endurance to make this a most remarkable trek experience for the youth of our stake.

With the deepest of gratitude,
President Lewis

Thank you to President Steven and Alisha Christiansen, who oversaw our stake's 2019 Pioneer Trek

Dear Steven and Aiisha,

I had a wonderful time yesterday visiting with many, including youth, about the trek. It was life changing for so many!

In almost every instance, they shared how their highlights was the “youth pull” where you, Steven, were led by the Spirit on how to modify that plans to bring about a sweet spiritual experience for everyone involved. In visits with some of the leaders before, during and after the trek, many commented how your vision and leadership, Steven, made all the difference in the trek’s success.

Others commented how the food was delicious, which is a tribute, Alisha, to your remarkable gift to organize and prepare so well, considering the limited facilities you had and how many you had to feed...so often.

I wanted you both to know how very, deeply grateful I am personally for the consecrated lives you gave to the trek. It was especially touching in knowing your final plans had to come together in the midst of your own family’s terrifying challenge of a life-and-death struggle with your first grandchild. And yet you never complained or asked to be relieved. I truly believe that baby’s miraculous recovery was in direct response to your faith and determination to bless Heavenly Father’s children via the trek.

You don’t need a note of thanks from me to know what a marvelous blessing the trek is for our stake. You saw it first hand and I’m sure heard from many others as to how it changed their lives.

I can’t thank you enough. I take consolation in knowing the Lord knows how to express His thanks and trust you are feeling that assurance this week and for years to come.

With much love and gratitude to you both.

Crismon

In response to an EQ president's concerns about the request they conduct a brief discussion on ministering

Good morning, my friend…

You don’t need to repent or apologize. Obviously, I need to apologize for being the cause of such feelings in your heart. I hope you can forgive me.

Please know that the phrase in our letter “Will you please consider…” means just that. This was not to be a directive or commandment, but a request that you could either do or not do. We will not be monitoring or chastening those who choose not to comply with our request. We do trust you and know you will make the right choice for your quorum.

Maybe some background will help explain how this even happened.

So why did we even ask such a thing?

There are two concerns that have weighed on me recently:

1. Ministering Overshadowed: It has appeared to me that the emphasis on the wonderful home-centered learning through Come, Follow Me and the reduction in the number of times the RS and EQ leaders are able to meet with their members have affected, even overshadowed, the emphasis we received a year ago on the importance of ministering.

2. Waning Interest in Home-Centered Learning: From observations in Sunday school classes it seems to me members are getting casual about the emphasis on home-centered learning. I don’t know if it’s a case where the novelty of Come, Follow Me has worn off or if it’s because Sunday school is held so infrequently that it seems members are not as engaged in studying the gospel at home like we were earlier in the year.

So when the idea of how to get “two birds with one stone” in addressing my two concerns, frankly I couldn’t resist. In hindsight I probably should have done what you recommended and that’s just share my concerns and ask the presidencies to come up with solutions.

Deep down I was hoping that making such a recommendation would help RS and EQ presidents to see how they can encourage home-centered gospel learning by incorporating Come, Follow Me in their instruction, too, helping to support the idea that Come, Follow Me is a weekly home-study activity and not just something we study the week before the first and third Sundays.

So why was it sent out so late?

Frankly, I didn’t get the idea until Thursday while in my own personal study. I planted the “seed” of an idea and it began to grow throughout the day. I had interviews until 10 pm that night so was unable to draft the message until early Friday. I then sent it to the stake presidency for approval and/or counsel. I received two excellent recommendations and made the changes then sent it out.

Could it have waited? Yes, but I wanted to take advantage of the timeliness of studying Acts 6-9 this week in Come, Follow Me. My hope was that by outlining the discussion would make it very easy for you—no added preparation time.

So why didn’t we send it to presidents only?

I should and would have, except for two reasons:

1. The Church's broadcast email system doesn’t allow me to send to presidents only, only to presidencies;

2. I didn’t know which presidents might be on vacation and not accessing their email.

So, as you can see, there was a whole series of well-meaning blunders along the way. I appreciate your feedback and concerns. I feel badly it has caused within you such deep discontent. Again, I hope you can please forgive me.

Thank you for your patience with me. I take heart in President Eyring’s talk in the Priesthood Session last April when he referenced priesthood leaders as “imperfect human beings.” So I guess I take some consolation in knowing that I’m not alone in my stumblings.

Thank you again for writing and sharing your feelings. You are a mighty EQ president and I am honored to serve with you.

Crismon

P.S. I understand you shared with your son (Name) and his wife the link to the Area Presidency presentation on June 25. That led to both of them raising some questions, even challenges, as to the direction we’re taking in the Spanish branch. As the “father” (grandfather?:) of that fledgling little group, I’m sure you’re still very interested in how your “baby” is doing. We, too, have concerns and are struggling to find answers. But we’re still encouraged. Anyway, I’m going to take the liberty of sharing Corey’s email to me and my response, in case he didn’t share it with you, so you can see what wonderful, out-of-the-box thinking is coming from Corey and Marie—he’s a cut out of the same cloth as his dad. He,too, is going to be an outstanding leader in the Church.

On Jul 12, 2019, at 6:40 PM, Don Hokanson <hokansondm@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear President Lewis,

I am probably out of line for writing this and even more so for thinking it. I recently finished a historical fiction book called the Muddy about early pioneers and polygamy which explored the relationship between individual agency and following the brethren. As I read it I realized that I similarly struggle with the same concept.

I appreciate the selfless sacrifice you give to our stake.

I should probably be faster to heed your counsel. But this is what happens when I get a directive like this.

I read and try to follow the handbook and try to apply the principles behind the handbook.

This week I prayerfully considered a topic and have spent a bit of time preparing for Sunday.

So when I read this email these are the thoughts in my mind:

1. President L doesn't trust us to use our keys.

2. Why is President L varying from the handbook? Is he executing his "On exception the stake president or Bishop may assign..." clause? And if so, why such a short notice? How often will this happen?

3. Why does this kind of micro managing cause such a strong reaction in me? What is wrong with me? Some people are great at just doing.

Just like the people in the Muddy who followed the brethren, sometimes begrudgingly, obedience brings blessings although not always what was hoped for. 

I will do my best to work this into the discussion.

I would prefer that guidance from the stake come in the following manner:

- Tell us the problem or concern and let our presidencies and ward  councils seek our own inspiration and make our own plan.

- In the event of a crisis or urgency let us know that this is a commandment so that we just do it. Use sparingly.

- Send to the appropriate presiding authority rather than all presidency or council members effectively bypassing key holders and presidents.

- Trust us to do the best we can.

I shall now go and repent and do my best to get my heart in the right spot for Sunday.

(Name)

Guidelines on how to help members get involved within 48 hours with those the missionaries are teaching

 

The following are guidelines that full-time missionaries are to follow when communicating to the ward or branch mission leader within hours of identifying a sincerely interested person to teach.

MISSIONARIES TO REPORT

Name and Contact Information of Those Being Taught: 

Background:

1. How found:  Member referral?   Media referral? Personal contact?   Contacted Us?
2. Family:   Single? Spouse’s name? Children’s ages? 
3. Occupation or other Interests: 
4. Needs:   Employment?    Self-Reliance?   Professional counselling?   Temporal assistance?
5. Member friends: Who in the ward do they already know and how?
6. Gospel truths of most interest: Restoration? Book of Mormon? Revelation? Prophets? Other?

MEMBERS TO RESPOND

Ward or branch mission leader is to take the above information and as soon as possible assign individuals or families in his ward or branch (“members”) to assist in the fellowshipping of the new person being taught (“new friend”) in one or several of the following ways:

Members Respond within the first 48 hours:

1. Member(s) to attend next lesson with missionaries; Who assigned:
2. Member(s) to invite new friends to their home for a social; Who assigned:
3. Member(s) to introduce new friends to Family History or tour Visitors Center; Who assigned:
4. Member(s) to invite new friends to attend Church with them; Who assigned:
5. Member(s) or Leader(s) to help new friends with needs #4 listed above; Who assigned:
6. Member(s) to pray for new friends; Who assigned:

Request of RS and EQ presidencies to teach about ministering in their 2nd-hour meeting

12 July 2019

TO: Relief Society and Elders Quorum Presidencies

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The book of Acts that we’re currently studying in the Come, Follow Me curriculum offers wonderful insights and guidance into living the gospel today.

One story in this week’s reading can help (1) keep ministering in the forefront of our discipleship and (2) continue to focus us on home-centered gospel learning.

It’s the story of Philip teaching the Ethiopian eunuch found in Acts 8:26-40.

Will you please consider using this incident to conduct a brief (8-10 minutes) discussion about ministering in your Relief Society or Elders Quorum meeting during the second hour this Sunday, July 14? The outline below may help. This is not to replace your study of a General Conference talk, but simply to provide a brief supplement to your instruction to emphasize the importance of ministering.

Thank you for giving this your consideration.

The Stake Presidency

True Ministering: Phillip and the Eunuch

• See the Bible Dictionary to learn more about Philip and what is a eunuch.
• Read together: Acts 8:26-40

Discuss:

• How are we, as ministers, sometimes sent to a “desert” place?
• Is Philip directed by a prompting or by an assignment? How does he respond?
• What are evidences that the Lord had already been preparing for Philip’s visit?
• Why is it significant that Philip was sent to a eunuch, one who is consigned to a very lonely life—no spouse, no posterity, denied access to the temple (see Deut. 23:1) so he has no “faith family”?
• What does the phrase “they went on their way” in verse 36 tell us about Philip’s ministering?
• What other insights about ministering do you see in this story?

In response to a bishop and his counselor who decided to put family events over a Stake Priesthood Leadership meeting

Subject: I was awakened in the night...

Dear Bishop (Name) and Brother (Name),

You both have asked to be excused from our Stake Priesthood Leadership meeting this evening—a meeting that has been on the calendar for more than six months. Both of you have suggested that last-minute or at least recent family conflicts have taken priority over our stake meeting. We realize this is a busy time for busy families and I apologize for that. As you’ve found in your ward scheduling efforts, there are no dates that are convenient for everyone.

However, I awoke early this morning with some thoughts that I feel I need to share with both of you.

Let me begin by telling you of an experience I had nearly 30 years ago.

At the time I was serving as a counselor in the Gresham 3rd Ward bishopric (now Walters Hill) and Vivienne was serving in the Primary. There was an upcoming Stake Auxiliary training meeting that we were both expected to attend. We had seven children at home, several of them very young. I felt strongly one of us should stay home. I had had been able to attend many stake meetings and so I called Keith Hansen who was my counterpart in the stake presidency, to ask that he excuse me to be with our children so my wife could attend the stake meeting. I won’t give you the entire gentle lecture I got over the phone, but he taught me quite bluntly about priorities—that the family doesn’t always come first. There are times, especially in Church leadership, when we are asked to sacrifice, even “forsake…brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children…for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 19:29).

As then-President Hansen helped me understand that this was not about a meeting. For instance, I suspect if we had announced that President Nelson or a member of the Twelve would be conducting our training tonight you both would have found a way to attend. This is not about a meeting, but about priorities.

As you know, the Lord is very clear about priorities, that we are to put Him first (Matthew 22:37-39). Your struggle as to where you shroud be tonight is the same struggle many members face when trying to decide whether to go to the temple or not; consistently something pops up that gives a reason—sometimes a very good reason—not to attend. It’s the same battle members fight on Sunday mornings when they’re trying to decide whether to attend Church or join in a family gathering. You sit on the stand and cry inside for them because of lost blessings from misplaced priorities.

Sometimes prioritizing gets even tougher when called into leadership and we willingly accept a higher level of responsibility and obligation--there are so many "good vs. good" decisions. Again the Lord is very clear that if we’ll sacrifice for Him (i.e. put Him above family), we have the promise He’ll make it up to us. He even quantifies it as a “hundred fold” (Matthew 19:29).

Brethren, I know this is not what you wanted to hear from me. I love you both and appreciate greatly the many hours you put in to serve and bless our ward and our family. And I hope what I’ve shared is not offensive. But it was made known to me early this morning that I needed to share these feelings with you. 

I ask both of you to re-consider your decision and be where you should be tonight.

President Lewis

A recommendation to our Area Seventy on how to accommodate and not coerce Young Single Adults

26 May 2019

Elder Blunck,

As a follow up to our discussion in our CCM last week, I’d like to offer the following thoughts:

1. My experience as a former YSA Ward bishop is that denying a temple recommend and/or a church calling because the membership record is not in the ward or branch are not compelling enough reasons to expect YSA will attend the unit we want them to attend.

2. There are two broad groups of YSA’s: (1) 18-25 year olds, mostly students, serving missions, still figuring out their career, some getting married; (2) 25-31 year olds, mostly professionals, have a career focus, looking more intently to marry, either well-grounded in the gospel or using the Church for social reasons because they still want to marry someone of their faith.

3. The two groups above really don’t mix well no matter how hard we try to engage all of them at the same time.

My point is that no matter how hard we try to force the transplant YSA’s out of the Westlake YSA Ward to get them to go back to their assigned YSA unit, they just won’t go without placing undue guilt in their lives.

My recommendation is that we not try to push or pull them to do the right thing, but let’s recognize the differentiations between the younger and older YSA groups and provide options for them.

For instance, why not let all YSA’s know that they are expected to stay in their stake’s assigned YSA unit until they’re 25 years of age. And then when they turn 25, if they want, they can transfer to a designated  “older” YSA ward—in this case, the Westlake YSA Ward.

Maybe they’ll appreciate that we recognize the difference in YSA ages and that we’re trying to accommodate them—that we’re not trying to “tie them down” to one YSA unit for their entire YSA years, but that we want to work with them if they’ll work with us. Hopefully they'll recognize how much we want to help them and will stay in their assigned unit and serve at least until they reach the age of 25.

I have a grandson who recently visited MIT in Boston with his father (our son, a UofO professor). While attending Sunday meetings, they reported to me that this is exactly what they’re doing at MIT and neighboring Harvard University—they have one YSA ward for the 18-25 year olds for both campuses combined and they have another YSA ward for the 25-31 year olds, if they choose to attend. 

I realize there is a little more flexibility with campus YSA units, but nonetheless it underscores the importance of addressing the significant difference in maturity and interests for the younger and older YSA in the Church.

I hope this is not too radical or I’m not too naive, but I strongly encourage us to find a way to work with the YSAs (recognizing the reasons there is a migration to the Westlake Ward) and not try to force them to come back just to obey the handbook.

Thanks for listening,

Crismon Lewis

President, Mount Hood Stake

503-914-8689