Helps for setting apart and releasing full-time missionaries

12 March 2021

President,

There is no set procedure for setting apart or releasing a full-time missionary. Please review the Handbook on the subject.

Attached will give you an idea on how I handled it. Most setting aparts and release interviews lasted about 45 min.

Again, you do not have to do what I did, but maybe this will be helpful since you may not have seen these since your own missionary setting apart! :)

Crismon

Setting Apart or Releasing a Full-Time Missionary

This is another one of those very special moments for a stake president. Helping a full-time missionary depart for a mission or return home is always a memorable occasion. Here some thoughts on both events that may be helpful:

Missionary Setting apart

• ●  While the family is being seated in the High Council room, I invite the missionary into the stake president’s office for one more brief interview: Are you packed? Are you still worthy? Do you have any questions about a setting apart?

• ●  There is no opening or closing prayer because it’s not an official Church meeting, simply a setting apart.

• ●  After getting acquainted, I conduct a brief discussion with the family around D&C 35:13-14 and ask them what does it mean to be weak, unlearned and despised and why are they the Lord’s qualifications for full-time missionaries?

• ●  I usually invite the family members, or at a minimum the immediate family members, to share why this is a special moment for them to have this missionary serve?

• ●  I invite the missionary to stand and bear his / her testimony one more time to his / her family.

• ●  I invite the father, if worthy (temple recommend holder), to join with me in the setting apart.

• ●  We set apart the missionary on behalf of the President of the Church and set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....”assigned to serve” in the designated mission; do not set them apart to their mission because the destination may change.

• ●  Remind the missionary that even though he/she may not have a name tag yet, they are a full-time missionary in every way and are expected to keep mission rules and standards from that moment on.

  Missionary Release Interview

• Typically this is done with the missionary while the family waits in the foyer.

• ●  Open and close with kneeling prayer.

• ●  Questions usually ask:

  • ○  Are you glad you served?

  • ○  What was a highlight for you?

  • ○  What areas in your mission did you serve and for how long?

• ○  Was there a favorite place you served and why?

• ○  Was there a special experience or two you can share with me?

• ○  Was there a favorite part of the gospel that you came to appreciate?

• ○  Did you enjoy teaching and testifying?

• ○  What did you come to appreciate most about our Heavenly Father?

• ○  What did you come to appreciate most about our Savior, Jesus Christ?

• ○  What did you learn about Elder / Sister (his or her name)?

• ○  Did you grow close to your mission president and his wife?

• ○  Did you enjoy working with your companions?

• ○  Did you have a favorite companion and why?

• ○  Did you keep the mission rules?

• ○  Were there any worthiness issues while on your mission?

• ○  Did you come home with a current temple recommend?

• ○  Were you able to attend a temple while on your mission?

• ○  Did you complete a My Plan so we can help you with your future plans?

• ○  What are your future hopes and plans?

• ●  Remind the missionary the date and time he / she will report to the Stake High Council

• ●  Has the missionary been scheduled to speak in the family ward sacrament meeting?

• ●  Please share with me your testimony one more time as Elder / Sister (name)

• ●  I then follow with my testimony and expression of gratitude for their service

• ●  You may now remove your name tag...thank you for your valiant service

• ●  Kneeling closing prayer

Attempting to comfort a friend and priesthood leader who was falsely accused

 11 March 2021

Good morning, my dear friend…

You’ve been on my mind and heart ever since the disappointing news that emerged from the events of last weekend. Fortunately, very, very few people in our stake are aware there was a last-minute change to the stake presidency and are aware it involved you. For everyone else, nothing has changed in your life. You are still a loved, respected, and admired former bishop and current member of the Stake High Council and a worthy temple recommend holder. So I hope you can go forward with your head high and with confidence that the Lord is still with you in every way.

In other words, there’s no need to be embarrassed because virtually no one knows what transpired.

I have had a couple of thoughts come to me in my study this morning that may be comforting:

• I read President Ballard’s latest General Conference address where he said: “Each night when I pray, I ask the Lord to bless all who are burdened with grief, pain, loneliness and sadness. I know that other Church leaders echo that same prayer.”

So know that the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is praying for David Hawkins.

• I don’t think it’s a coincidence (it never is, is it?) that in this week’s Come Follow Me study on page 45 there is the header “The Savior can lift me 'up out (my) afflictions.’ " Then it lists five scripture blocks that are all very appropriate for someone who has been wrongly maligned and hurt by others. 

I would just add for the scripture block D&C 121:7-8 to please read through verse 10.

You are a mighty man, my friend, but what you’re shouldering right now may be the test of a lifetime. I’m so very, very sorry you’re in the midst of a fiery furnace of emotions and a broken heart. You’ll appreciate the rich and comforting promises in the scripture blocks listed on page 45.

You’re in my prayers that the pain will not destroy the man and that you’ll not allow bitterness and hurt to overpower you or your faith in the Lord and His Church leaders. The wonderful promise in the Isaiah reference is that God will NEVER forsake us. He is walking with you through this trial and affliction. I hope you’ll be able to see Him.

You are among the Lord’s chosen and great ones. I’m sorry you are being called on to prove it so again in this way.

With love and admiration,

Crismon

Counsel to Duraye after she left the Alcohol Rehabilitation Ranch prematurely

10 March 2021

Dear Duraye,

Please know how sorry I am for how sternly I talked to you last night. You’re right, it was not Christ-like and I hope you can forgive me.

Because we’re on such different wave lengths as to how we see things, it’s probably best we not visit on the phone again but maybe stay in touch via email or text. I truly hope you can continue to find healing on the route you’re taking. I’m glad you feel pleased with your progress since leaving the Ranch.

When I learned that you’ve returned to the same apartment in Scottsdale, I feel strongly that you not reach out to the family or hope they reach out to you. I think everyone in the family believes that returning to the same place where you fought your demons is like walking into a lions den. If you connect with family, eventually it’ll slip where you’re living, the word will spread and you’ll find the family extremely disappointed that you’ve put yourself at tremendous risk of reverting to old habits.

My recommendation is that you continue to build relationships with your ward family and look to them for the love and kindness we all seek. I suggest you lay low from the family and move forward with your ward family’s help to prove, in time (at least a year), that you really are healed and able to live sober.

As I mentioned several times…and it’s true…we all love you and are praying for you. Please don’t ask or expect anything more than that right now from your family. 

Hugs,
Crismon

Hi, again, Duraye…

I don’t know if you even want to hear from me again, but I wanted you to be aware of something that may not have occurred to you.

When it comes to re-establishing a relationship with your family including your daughters…assuming that’s important to you…that which everyone is looking for from you is (1) a sincere recognition that you are ill (have a serious addiction) and (2) that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get well (not expect it be on your terms). 

I realize you think going to the Ranch for 2-3 months proved both #1 and #2, but as you saw in the reaction from the family, no one believes you were sincere with either.

So no matter what you think in your heart is the truth, as you said, perception is reality and reality with the family, including your daughters, is that you’re still not serious about recognizing your illness and professionally addressing it.

It occurs to me that if anyone else in our family (I have not told anyone, only Vivienne) learned that you’re back in your old apartment in Scottsdale, they would consider that rock solid evidence that Duraye still refuses to accept she’s seriously ill and refuses to get the treatment needed to address her level of addiction. 

In other words, if you ever want to re-connect with your family, including your daughters, I strongly, strongly recommend you find another place to live as soon as you can. I realize you have a support network in that ward, which is wonderful. So my counsel is that you let the bishop know that you are looking for a place to live…possibly a basement apartment with a member family, or even a room in the home of another single sister.

I can’t stress enough how much not living alone would help restore trust with your family.

If they learned you were back in the same apartment alone where you battled your demons (demons always come back, if they ever left), I personally think you will push back restoring trust by years. It sends an unmistakable signal that you want to go back to the “old” Duraye and her “old” life.

I realize your options are limited, but please let the bishop know how much you need to get out of your apartment…not just because you don’t have any furniture…but because you are at high risk alone in that apartment and need to be around others, preferably who live the gospel. As you so well know, loneliness triggers addictions.

Duraye, you are sitting on a powder keg in that apartment and it will explode before you ever get to see your grandchild. Satan will make sure of that. That’s his singular goal…to destroy lives and disrupt family relationships.

Please actively pursue a way to move elsewhere in your ward. I hope this is helpful and not offensive. 

Love,

Crismon

A warning to Duraye about living alone in her old apartment

9 March 2021

Hi, again, Duraye…

I don’t know if you even want to hear from me again, but I wanted you to be aware of something that may not have occurred to you.

When it comes to re-establishing a relationship with your family including your daughters…assuming that’s important to you…that which everyone is looking for from you is (1) a sincere recognition that you are ill (have a serious addiction) and (2) that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get well (not expect it be on your terms). 

I realize you think going to the Ranch for 2-3 months proved both #1 and #2, but as you saw in the reaction from the family, no one believes you were sincere with either.

So no matter what you think in your heart is the truth, as you said, perception is reality and reality with the family, including your daughters, is that you’re still not serious about recognizing your illness and professionally addressing it.

It occurs to me that if anyone else in our family (I have not told anyone, only Vivienne) learned that you’re back in your old apartment in Scottsdale, they would consider that rock solid evidence that Duraye still refuses to accept she’s seriously ill and refuses to get the treatment needed to address her level of addiction. 

In other words, if you ever want to re-connect with your family, including your daughters, I strongly, strongly recommend you find another place to live as soon as you can. I realize you have a support network in that ward, which is wonderful. So my counsel is that you let the bishop know that you are looking for a place to live…possibly a basement apartment with a member family, or even a room in the home of another single sister.

I can’t stress enough how much not living alone would help restore trust with your family.

If they learned you were back in the same apartment alone where you battled your demons (demons always come back, if they ever left), I personally think you will push back restoring trust by years. It sends an unmistakable signal that you want to go back to the “old” Duraye and her “old” life.

I realize your options are limited, but please let the bishop know how much you need to get out of your apartment…not just because you don’t have any furniture…but because you are at high risk alone in that apartment and need to be around others, preferably who live the gospel. As you so well know, loneliness triggers addictions.

Duraye, you are sitting on a powder keg in that apartment and it will explode before you ever get to see your grandchild. Satan will make sure of that. That’s his singular goal…to destroy lives and disrupt family relationships.

Please actively pursue a way to move elsewhere in your ward. I hope this is helpful and not offensive. 

Love,

Crismon

One last hurrah? A letter to bishops about their keys to the preparatory gospel — the gospel of repentance

5 March 2021

Dear Bishops and Branch Presidents…

One last hurrah?

You may remember the attached slide presentation at our Bishopric Training last month in which we discussed how you and the young Aaronic Priesthood holders exercise the keys of the Preparatory Gospel, which prepares members to receive the blessings of the higher priesthood, even the blessings of exaltation.

There was one more thing I wanted to share.

As you noticed, the preparatory gospel “...is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins.” (D&C 84:27)

All three reference the stunning blessing of cleansing God’s children of sin.

Have you ever wondered why bishops are set apart as Judges in Israel, "a common judge” (a judge among all people) as explained in D&C 107:72-74? And why is it that you can’t share this responsibility or duty with elders quorum presidents, with their newly delegated responsibilities?

Because you and you alone hold the full keys of the preparatory gospel—“the gospel of repentance and of baptism and the remission of sins." When you receive confessions and then counsel with members in helping them back onto the covenant path, you are using your keys as the president of the Aaronic Priesthood and thus the keys to the preparatory gospel—the gospel of repentance.

You are also ordained a High Priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood so you can preside and judge among all within your ward (common judge). 

I’m not sure why I’m sharing this. It’s just something that has lingered with me since that training. I hope in some way it will be helpful to each of you in recognizing how very special and sacred is your calling…and how you are functioning in a very import Aaronic Priesthood role.

Maybe it will also help you lift and bless the young men in your wards to recognize their role in helping all of God’s children to repent, be baptized (and renew that and other covenants with the sacrament each Sunday) and enjoy the peace and joy that comes from a remission of sin.

You are all mighty men in Israel and it’s been such a joy and honor to meet often with you and serve with you.

With love and admiration for the work you are doing. You’ll continue to be in my prayers.

Crismon Lewis

Recommendations for Sunday meetings during inclement weather

12 February 2021

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

As we all know, we’re having quite a winter event this weekend and it’s expected to go into Sunday, though there is hope that rain will come later on Sunday and temperatures will warm up significantly by Monday.

We remind you that safety comes first and therefore we recommend you take one of the following actions this Sunday:

1. Conduct all meetings virtually with the bishopric conducting sacrament meeting via webcast from the chapel (only if the bishopric can get to the building safely);

2. Conduct all meetings virtually with the bishopric conducting a sacrament meeting or devotional from home;

3. Suspend all meetings conducted by your ward or branch and invite members to conduct their own devotional at home, including administer the sacrament where possible.

Thanks to the pandemic, we’ve had “practice” doing all three of the above options. But, unless the weather conditions change dramatically in the next 24 hours, please do not expect or invite members—for their safety—to attend any meetings in person this weekend.

We appreciate you counseling with your counselors and decide which direction you want to take and then notify members far in advance. 

Gratefully,
Stake Presidency

Email to Gresham Stake President Rick Craft about the recommendation to realign stake boundaries to match school boundaries

12 February 2021

Hello, my friend…

As you know, we have a meeting with Elder Blunck on March 2 about whether stake boundaries can be realigned to match high school boundaries in an effort to keep youth together. (BTW…they’re holding the meeting on March 2 so I can still be involved before I’m released in our stake conference March 6-7.)

It’s a valid desire to realign boundaries to bring unity and nurture righteous and supportive friendships among our youth, but it would take some pretty drastic surgery.

I took the liberty of asking Chuck Allen, a former bishop and member of our stake presidency (I think you know him well), to overlay the Gresham and Barlow HS boundaries over our stake and ward boundaries. It’s very telling, as you can see by the attached.

It’s apparent the cleanest or easiest move is to transfer the Kelly Creek Ward into our stake—so all Barlow HS students are in the Mt Hood Stake)—but that would be very painful to you, I’m sure. And it means we’d have yet another unit meeting in one of your stake buildings (Stark building), which isn’t horrible but not ideal. 

To send all of the Gresham HS students into your stake would take sizable chunks out of three of our leader-laden wards—Powell Valley, Walters Hill and Damascus—and reduce our membership total significantly (we’re now at around 2,800). Some of the numbers lost by us would be offset by the Kelly Creek Ward into the Mt Hood Stake, but I think it’s a relatively small ward, yes?

To go the other way would equally be painful to you, I’m sure, as I assume your Blue Lake and Kelly Creek Wards provide significant leadership for your stake.

Anyway, I thought maybe we can start visiting now and contemplate how beneficial or devastating a boundary realignment would be to both of our stakes…so we can make a recommendation or explain our challenges in the March 2 meeting.

It would also be helpful for me to be able to pass along our combined thoughts on the matter to the new Mt Hood stake presidency in March so you won’t have to re-explain everything to them.

Want to visit on the phone some time soon?

Thanks,

Crismon

Report on the Stake Family Support Group meetings now being held in our stake

4 February 2021

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

As you know, our stake began weekly Family Support Group meetings on Jan. 12 with the Stake Relief Society presidency providing oversight and former Stake Relief Society President Beth Newell serving as the facilitator. 

The emphasis of the meeting is to provide a haven for women with family members struggling with an addiction or other compulsive behaviors. They learn how the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring comfort and hope into their lives.

The group meets each Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm in the High Council room in the Sandy building, both in person and virtually. After four weeks, the class is averaging 6-7 attendees. 

We look forward to visiting more about this program in our virtual Bishopric Training meeting for you and your counselors this Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7:00 pm. We will email you a Zoom link this Sunday or Monday.

Before meeting, we wanted to give you some feedback on how it’s gong so far. The following is a report shared this week from Sister Shannon Richards, our Stake Relief Society president:

I thought you'd appreciate hearing a bit of what we experienced at last night's mtg.  

The sister I had mentioned to you who was struggling so very much the previous week and who opened up to share her story came again this week.  As I walked in the room, she nearly jumped out of her seat to thank us for the counsel and words of encouragement we had given her last week.  The spirit had testified truths of the gospel to her and those truths were repeated in her mind throughout the week, enabling her to overcome many of her worries, stresses, and feelings of negativity and hopelessness.  We saw in her a complete change in countenance and the peace in her mind and heart was quite evident on her face and in her demeanor.  It was truly a blessing for me to see this transformation and to be reminded that the Lord encourages us to seek after and care for "the one."

I am honored and humbled by the experience to see the atonement working in people's lives in such a tangible, evident way.  I'm so grateful for Beth and her ability to draw upon the scriptures and doctrines of truth to help strengthen these women who are hurting and desperately seeking peace and understanding.  I am humbled to be a part of it and am excited to see how the Lord continues to work miracles in the lives of our dear sisters in the stake.

We hope this is helpful and encouraging as to how these Group meetings can bless sisters in your ward or branch.

We look forward to discussing this further with you on Tuesday evening.

Stake Presidency

P.S. Please consider sharing this email with your counselors and Relief Society presidencies.

Suggestion for second-hour classes in our 'new world' of in-person and virtual meetings

1 February 2021

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

As you may be discovering, getting a consensus in your ward or branch council on how to hold second-hour classes may not be easy. Should the classes be (1) all-virtual, (2) in-person only or (3) a hybrid?

• Making them all-virtual is the simplest and safest, but that means you’re sending everyone home early at a time when we’re trying to help more members feel comfortable attending in person. 

• Making them in-person only can offend those who want to attend, but don’t feel comfortable in coming in person yet.

• While hybrid may be ideal, how do you social distance those who attend in person and still make it easy for those online to hear or participate in a classroom discussion?

I have a suggestion: Why not have two classes for each group—one in person and one online?

This is in line with what many of you were already doing before the pandemic. You may remember, as a stake presidency, we had asked you—for the sake of encouraging more members to join in class discussions—to call two Adult SS teachers and divide your large Adult Sunday School class (formerly Gospel Doctrine class) into two smaller classes. 

You could do the same with a large youth SS class.

So call (or keep) your two Sunday School teachers and have them both teach on the 1st and 3rd Sundays—one teach an in-person class for those who attend sacrament meeting in person and one teach a virtual class from home.

You could do the same with Relief Society and Elders Quorum. Each presidency could conduct a brief hybrid “opening” for announcements and business (only when absolutely necessary) on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. And then each break into two smaller groups for class instruction—one in person, one online.

I hope this is helpful as we wrestle with our “new world” of trying to accommodate both in-person and virtual church meetings.

President Lewis

Asking ward / branch leaders to assume responsibility for in-person gatherings

20 January 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies...

With the announcement that all meeting restrictions have been lifted by the Church...with the added counsel to follow local safety guidelines...we ask that you assume responsibility for approving all in-person gatherings in your ward or branch.

We recommend you follow the counsel of Church leaders and involve your ward or branch council in making these decisions always with safety as the highest priority.

The Oregon Health Authority provides an excellent resource with safety guidelines for faith institutions at this website: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3465.pdf

You'll notice there are many helpful links in this document that offer guidelines—from meeting attendance to serving food at socials. On the latter point, we remind you that as long as we're in "extreme risk" counties, socials and serving food are strongly discouraged.

A common question among leaders is whether a social event is a "social gathering" or a "church meeting?" That decision is now yours.

You and your council can also decide how and when to hold Primary meetings and Relief Society activity nights, if at all.

We remind you again that safety comes first and we recommend that when in doubt favor being extra cautious until leaders and members feel comfortable in holding events beyond the now regularly scheduled meetings (sacrament services, second-hour classes, youth activity nights, etc.).

We appreciate so much you and your leaders determining how to keep members safe for all events hosted by your ward or branch.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to counsel with us at any time.

Mount Hood Stake Presidency

Cover message to announcement of our return to pre-Covid meeting schedules

19 January 2020

Stake and Ward Council Members,

Attached is a letter announcing that the Area Presidency has directed all wards and branches to return to our pre-Covid meeting schedule. 

These will not necessarily be in-person meetings and classes, but they can be virtual and on other days than Sunday. Ward and branch councils will counsel together on how and when these meetings and classes are to happen. 

This announcement comes with two very important cautions:

• We are to adhere to local safety guidelines, including social distancing and wearing face coverings indoors; and
  
  
• We are not to over-schedule members so there is adequate family time on the Sabbath Day.

The attached document will provide more details, including options to consider when planning the implementation of this new direction.

We express our continuing gratitude for the measures you are taking so we can worship together...safely!

Mount Hood Stake Presidency

Announcing a return to our pre-Covid meeting schedule

19 January 2021

TO: Bishoprics, Branch Presidencies, Stake and Ward Councils

FROM: Mount Hood Stake Presidency

Dear Leaders,

The Area West Presidency has instructed wards and branches to return to the pre-Covid meeting schedule—while staying within local safety guidelines.

If possible, please implement this by Sunday, Feb. 7—the first Sunday in February.

As you’ll recall this means a return to second-hour gatherings as follows:

• Adult and youth Sunday School classes on the first and third Sundays of each month;

• Relief Society, Elders quorum, Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings and classes on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

Also we have been instructed to continue holding:

• Weekly sacrament meetings, both in person and virtually (hybrid) with the sacrament administered in homes and in the chapel after the meeting;

• Weekly youth activity nights;

• Weekly missionary and temple and family history coordinating meetings;

• Regular stake and ward council meetings;

• Regular presidency meetings;

• Regular ministering interviews.

There is no guidance for conducting the Primary program for children. Ward and branch leaders are to decide how that is to happen in your unit, if at all.

Safety Still Comes First

For the Church to lift all meeting restrictions is exciting news. However, it’s also daunting when constrained by the safety precautions of a pandemic.

As a consequence, wards are to decide how—in person, virtually
or both (hybrid)—and when each class or meeting is to be held.

Please continue to follow all safety guidelines, including social distancing and wearing face coverings in all meetings and classes in our buildings. We also ask that you continue to read the statement on safety precautions at the beginning of each sacrament meeting.

Also please respect and accommodate the wishes of those who may not yet feel comfortable meeting in person.

Overarching all of this, the Area Presidency has asked that as we plan to return to our pre-Covid meeting schedule that we continue to protect the Sabbath Day for families. 

In other words, please do not schedule so many meetings on Sundays that families and individuals feel too burdened or “burned out” to find time for their Come, Follow Me family study.

Suggestions That May Help

The following suggestions and reminders may help:

• Any of the second-hour classes or meetings can be conducted on a different day other than Sunday;

• Start times may vary; for instance, you can hold second-hour classes earlier in the day for those with a later sacrament meeting start time;

• Because there may not be enough rooms in the church building large enough to socially distance attendees, classes and meetings may be conducted virtually from homes;

• Where possible, have the youth meet in person; the Area Presidency has asked us to give added focus to strengthening the rising generation and, as you have found, by Sunday youth are weary of virtual school classes;

• Avoid scheduling every member of the family at a different time on the same day so families have time to be together;

• Encourage parents with young children to conduct Primary at home and consider a weekday, online gathering of children under the direction of ward Primary leaders and teachers once or twice a month rather than weekly.

Possible Scheduling Options

The following are some scheduling options that may help ward leaders implement this new direction for second-hour classes and meetings:

VIRTUAL-ONLY / SIMULTANEOUS

• Hold all classes and meetings virtually from homes at the same time, just as when we met in person.

• Give priority to youth to use devices with video capability while adults, if needed, use a phone to call in for audio only, if there are not enough devices or wifi capacity at home.

• Find ways to keep young children occupied safely in the home.

HYBRID / SIMULTANEOUS

• Youth gather in person or hybrid at the church building for their classes during the second-hour period.

• Adults attend virtually at the same time.

• Accommodate the time it takes for parents to shuttle youth to and from the building.

HYBRID / STAGGERED SAME DAY

• Youth meet in person, virtually or hybrid on Sunday.

• Adults meet virtually from home at a different time on Sunday.

HYBRID / DIFFERENT DAY

• Youth meet in person, virtually or hybrid on Sunday.

• Adults meet on a weekday evening.

Feel free to discuss and implement additional approaches. Thank you for prayerfully counseling together and making preparations needed to return to a pre-Covid meeting schedule by Sunday, February 7. 

Finally, please know how much we appreciate the many adaptations you’ve been asked to make as we have navigated together the challenge of staying connected and meeting as a church during the past 10+ months. Because of your attention to safety, we have had no Covid outbreaks due to gatherings in our stake, for which we are most grateful.

Thank you for moving forward the work of the Lord during a most challenging time!

Mount Hood Stake Presidency

In response to a sister in the stake who repeatedly votes in opposition during the sustaining of stake leaders

16 January 2020

Dear (name)

Our conversation earlier this week has been weighing on me. I hope I can share some feelings without offending.

I appreciate your desire to stand up for something you feel strongly about when you voted in opposition during the sustaining of stake leaders.

If I understand correctly, you believe a current stake leader once “abused" his wife (with a pornography addiction). As you’ve come to believe through your studies that such addictions cannot be overcome without professional help, that leader must still be, to some extent, an abusive husband…thus not worthy of a sustaining vote.

Would you say this is an accurate characterization?

While it may not be this simplistic, may I share the following feelings:

• Jesus commands us to judge only righteously (JST Matthew 7:1) and he cautions us that we will be judged by the same measuring standard we apply in our judgments (Matt 7:2).

• The Lord explains that we can judge a person by his or her fruit (3 Nephi 14:16) and the patterns we observe in their lives (D&C 52:14-16).

• While the world’s experts may claim that a man once addicted may never fully change, we believe that because of the Atonement and through repentance we can experience a complete change of heart (Helaman 15:7) so that through a sanctification by the Spirit we will literally abhor the sins we once embraced (Alma 13:12).

• Repeatedly the Lord declares that we must forgive to be forgiven (Mosiah 26:30-31; D&C 64:8-10; Matthew 6:14-15).

• Sometimes we feel we have forgiven someone, but cling to a feeling of distrust. The Lord told Joseph Smith that his disciples (the original 12 Apostles) may have appeared they had forgiven each other, but really hadn’t in their hearts (D&C 64:8).

In short, for you to object or vote in opposition, you are judging whether a person has repented or not. If you are aware of a grievous sin or inappropriate behavior, it is very appropriate for you and expected of you to vote in opposition and share what you know with the presiding priesthood authority. This is what you did at stake conference last March and I appreciate it. However, once you’ve shared your feelings, you now shift the burden of judging from your shoulders to the presiding authority’s shoulders. 

He must answer to the Lord, not you, if the person in question has not truly repented.

From that moment on, you can sustain the person in question trusting that he or she has fully repented—a judgement only God can and will make; and makes known through those who hold priesthood keys to serve as a common judge. 

Can priesthood leaders make mistakes? Yes, of course. But that becomes the leader's problem and the Lord has ways of correcting such missteps. Still, even with all of our imperfections, the Lord continues to place the burden of judging a person’s faithfulness and repentance on the shoulders of those He has called to preside. When we sustain members in callings, we are also sustaining the presiding authority's judgment…affirming that the burden is now his, a burden he shoulders at his own peril. 

Therefore, I hope you’ll re-consider and sustain your stake leaders with the assurance you have fully and properly shared your concerns. In that way, all of us if ever in a state of opposition, can go forward with hope that others will be as merciful and trusting in the Lord and His leaders when our names are presented for a sustaining vote.

Again, I hope this is not offensive, (name). Please place the burden of judging on the Lord and those he has called to preside.

With love and admiration,

Crismon Lewis

Are we meeting with the youth enough?

 5 January 2020

Draft of an email to send to bishoprics and branch presidencies after surveying them on how often they are meeting with their youth?

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

We appreciate how well you’re engaging the youth in your ward or branch. This link gives all of you a quick visual of how each of you are doing, according to the survey you completed:

We share this data with the hope we do not cause comparisons, but only to give you an overview of what others are doing. 

With this data, we’re wondering if you might like to talk to discuss this and/or share ideas? If interested, we’ll be happy to arrange for and facilitate a brief “bishopric discussion night” on a regular basis (weekly? monthly?)…maybe on a Thursday evening at 8:30 pm for a half hour?

Some of you have asked…

…how often should we be meeting with the youth?

…what should we do when the youth are burned out with Zoom?

… when youth aren’t meeting, can we resume some of the adult meetings, like RS and EQ, on Sundays?

While we may not have specific answers from the Area Presidency on all of your questions, here are some thoughts from the stake presidency, with Area Presidency guidance in mind:

HOW OFTEN?

Youth are the bishopric's #1 priority and of premier importance to the Brethren. We strongly recommend you find a way to teach the gospel to youth at least weekly, if not twice weekly—as we are accustomed to doing with Sunday classes and weeknight activities. There’s never been a greater need for leaders to help youth gain a testimony that will carry them into their adult years.

While that is the parents’ responsibility to raise up a converted generation, we all know that teenagers often follow the advice of friends and leaders more than parents. Many parents are worried.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

The Church is not going to tell us everything. Some families are desperately looking for help from leaders, who will prayerfully seek ways to connect with their children and teens and guide them onto the covenant path—unfortunately, without the benefit of temple excursions and freedom to gather and socialize easily in person.

It’s a time for everyone to “think outside the box” in coming up with new ways to connect with youth. The new Stake Youth Leadership Committee and the Ward Youth Committee are ideal for conducting such discussions regularly. Are those meetings happening consistently and are they effective?

WHAT WORKS?

We commend you when you meet often with youth and adult youth leaders to discuss ways to connect with youth. 

Several key principles would apply here:

1) Youth respond to peers; class and quorum presidencies, when functioning well, play a HUGE role in this effort;

2) Personal interviews, even more often than every six months, can help bishopric members and other leaders stay close to the youth;

3) Working personally with the children, youth and their parents in implementing the Children and Youth Initiative in the home can have a dramatic impact;

4) Coordinating with parents and Seminary instructors to encourage Seminary attendance and spiritual growth will bond leaders and teachers with the high school - age youth.

WHY NOT ADULT CLASSES, TOO?

We recognize that Relief Society and Elders Quorum presidencies are eager to gather their members. We caution against any virtual or in-person gatherings besides those of youth classes and discussions on the Sabbath. One of the lessons, from watching the Brethren respond to the pandemic, is that they want us to protect the Sabbath for families. The Area Presidency feels so strongly about that…coupled with their concern for the youth…that the only exception they offer to the Sabbath-Is-For-Families "rule" is for sacrament meetings and teaching the youth. Beyond that they have not given any encouragement.

So it brings us back to “thinking out of the box.”

How can we help RS and EQ presidencies accomplish their objectives and goals without simply returning to a two-hour meeting schedule? Frankly, we’ve observed that those who’ve tried to hold RS and EQ meetings, even virtually, attendance is disappointing.

Can we task the ward council to try new approaches, such as…

…Can we informally organize virtual study groups?

…Can we teach ministering brothers and sisters, in ministering interviews, to more effectively provide personal fellowshipping (what does it look like)?

…Can we organize “teams” and tournaments for playing online games?

…Can we offer educational, informational, entertaining classes?

…Can we help create book clubs, movie reviewers groups, do-it-yourself handyman groups?

…Can we organize adults to serve as mentors or coaches to youth or other adults?

…Can we create a service committee and task them with coming up with a monthly service project that can be done at home?

Update from our Area 70 on in-person church services

1 January 2021

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

Earlier this week Elder Blunck asked for a brief, unscheduled video conference with stake presidents. There was no agenda. Mostly he wanted to: (1) get an update on what stakes are doing as far as sacrament meetings and second hour youth meetings; and (2) share his insights on the legality of the state dictating constraints on churches.

What other stakes are doing: I found interesting that there’s quite a broad spectrum as to how stakes in the Portland area are responding to the pandemic. Most stakes are doing what we’re doing. There are a few who are still completely virtual and even some that are spreading out their meeting start times to accommodate second-hour youth quorum and class meetings that are in-person only.

Elder Blunck’s insight: As you may be aware, professionally Elder Blunck is an attorney. He wanted us to know that there have been “several” cases ruled on by the US Supreme Court recently in favor of religion. In short, the court ruled that Covid-related constraints placed on churches by state governments are unconstitutional. In other words, the government can’t tell churches they can only have 25, 50 or even 100 people attend in person or whether those in attendance can sing or not.

I don’t think Elder Blunck was sharing this to encourage us to do whatever we want. But I think he wanted us not to feel so constrained that we’re counting noses and panicking if we go over the allotted 100 in attendance.

It still comes down to optics. We want to be good neighbors. And, as the Brethren, have stressed, we want to be good citizens by following government guidelines. I think his point was to remember that the state is issuing guidelines, not laws.

Bottom line, I think it means bishoprics have the flexibility to determine how many you will allow to attend your meetings and, above all, the responsibility to make sure we keep members safe…recognizing we still have MANY members who still do not feel safe coming to meetings in person. Thank you for continuing to make sure they don't feel pressure or an obligation to attend in person.

I hope this is helpful as you counsel together on how to continue to go forward in your ward or branch. We appreciate so much your many efforts to make your sacrament meetings safe and inspiring.

President Lewis