Helping Our Stake Use Social Media Wisely

Why social media

We do not pretend that social media is the best way to communicate within our stake. It is simply one more tool that, when used properly, can help us communicate more effectively with our members and even neighbors. If the Brethren have asked full-time missionaries to replace knocking on doors with daily use of social media…and if members of the First Presidency are now on Facebook…then it is time all of us become more familiar with it, too.

How social media may benefit our stake

·   Enhances our ability to publicize events

·   Encourages stake members to use social media in sharing the gospel

·   Offers a repository for links to other stake Facebook pages, such as the Stake Trek

·   Provides a way for our non-LDS neighbors to learn what is happening in our Church,
including ministers and pastors with whom we’re trying to build a relationship

Steps to implementing a stake presence in social media

·   Launch a Facebook page (completed this week)

·   Encourage stake members to “Like” the stake page, accomplishing two things:
1) Members will see posts about stake activities and events
   2) Members’ friends will begin to see posts about these stake events

·   Begin producing content for the stake Facebook page on a weekly basis, including:
   1) Publicity of stake activities
   2) Follow-up reports with photos of major events, such as the trek
3) Inspirational messages from stake leaders

How do we avoid inappropriate content

The stake Facebook page is currently set up so that anybody can comment or post. We now have three page administrators with the potential for more. These administrators will be tasked to monitor content and remove anything found to be inappropriate or not in line with the stake’s goals. If there are any questionable posts by readers, we can restrict posts to administrators only at any time.

Are we an official Church site?

No, because we have a disclaimer stating we are not an official site for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as directed in Handbook 2 - 21.1.22. Many stakes are now setting up pages for publicity purposes. Our Facebook page will be administered by the Stake Public Affairs Council.

Home Teachers assignment for Stake Food Drive in September 2013

Dear Brethren,

In this day of hastening, where we as members are being asked to step up our efforts to reach out and bless those around us, you have a special opportunity to help your assigned families to participate in a very unique, out-reach service project.

Will you please accept the assignment to invite your families to participate in our neighbor-to-neighbor, community food drive as part of our Stake Day of Service on September 14?

This is a very exciting project for two reasons: (1) churches of other faiths are joining with us in this food drive; and (2) the neighbor-to-neighbor element of this food drive gives all of us an easy, non-intimidating way to meet and invite five or more of our neighbors (or friends) to join in this worthy cause to help those in need. Many neighbors or friends do not attend a church and seldom have an opportunity to give or serve. They will give generously!

To help your families, we ask that you do the following:

·   During the first two weeks of August contact your assigned families, teach them about the food drive and invite them to participate, asking them for a count on how many grocery sacks they want for their neighbors and their own personal use. Report your count to a member of your quorum presidency or group leadership by August 18.

·   Around August 25 you will receive from your quorum/group leaders the grocery sacks you requested for your families. Please distribute them to your families no later than Sunday, September 1. Instructions as to what members are to do with the grocery sacks will be included with each sack.

Thank you for accepting this assignment. It’s more important than ever that we become involved in our communities “to be the light of this people.” (3 Nephi 12:14)

Gratefully,
Stake Presidency

Melchizedek Priesthood leaders responsibility in our Stake Food Drive in September 2013

Dear Brethren,

There are two reasons we are very excited about the upcoming Stake Food Drive to be conducted as part of our Stake Day of Service on September 14.

First, other churches, not of our faith, are joining with us to participate in this faith-based, community food drive. The potential for a “fishes-and-loaves miracle” is very real. (See the letter to pastors that is being emailed to you for additional details.)

Second, the neighbor-to-neighbor element of this food drive provides all participants, especially our members, an easy, non-intimidating way to meet and invite their neighbors to join in this worthy cause. Many of our neighbors do not attend a church and seldom have the opportunity to give or serve. They will appreciate this opportunity and give generously.

Last year less than a third of our members participated in this food drive. We desire that many more enjoy this unique, out-reach opportunity of meeting and extending an invitation to their neighbors.

Will you please accept the assignment to insure all families assigned to your quorum or group are invited by their home teachers to participate in this food drive?

Hopefully the attached letter, addressed to home teachers, will be helpful in explaining their assignment. We ask you to distribute copies of that letter to your assigned home teaching companionships. Note this is an excellent opportunity for home teachers to invite less-active families to participate. Please don’t miss this opportunity!

Please take these steps in completing this assignment:

·   During the first two weeks of August, distribute the attached single-sheet letter to all home teachers asking them to contact their assigned families and get a count on how many grocery sacks they want for their neighbors and for their own personal use. We encourage all families to reach out to at least five or more neighbors.

·   By August 18, have the home teachers report to your presidency or group leadership the count of how many sacks each family is requesting. Report these counts to your assigned high councilor, who will give the counts to Ryan Pond, of the High Council.

·   On August 25, when the paper grocery sacks are delivered to you, begin distributing the sacks to the home teachers, based on their requested counts, and ask them to deliver the sacks to their families no later than Sunday, September 1. Instructions as to what members are to do with the grocery sacks will be included with each sack.

For your information, the filled grocery sacks are to be delivered between 8:00 and
9:00 am on Saturday, September 14, to any of the participating churches on the list. Then members are to go to the site of their ward’s service project(s) to continue our Day of Service activities.

In a show of neighborliness, we hope many of our members will deliver their filled grocery sacks to their nearest participating non-LDS church. A list of participating churches, with addresses, will be included in the instructions.

Brethren, please know that this is not just a food drive or service project.

This is an organized effort to provide our members an opportunity to meet and engage their neighbors. We hope lasting friendships will develop from this out-reach that will lead to improved relations with those of all faiths in our communities.

In this day of hastening, it’s more important than ever that we become involved in our communities “to be the light of this people.” (3 Nephi 12:14)

Suggestions for Ward Councils on how to be more effective from observations made by the stake presidency after visits in June 2013

Core Principles: A ward council is most effective when...
(1) agendas are followed to give structure and focus so you don’t try to cover too much in your meeting and yet enough for action to be taken;
(2) every discussion ends with one or more assignments being made;
(3) assignments are tracked by the ward clerk and follow up reports are given before the next meeting; and
(4) the needs of individuals or families are identified through inspiration prior to the meeting so the ward council can focus on seeking prayerful solutions.

Areas of Emphasis: Agendas should include discussions on several, if not all, of the elements of the “Work of Salvation” listed in Chapter 5 of Handbook 2, including (1) Missionary Work,
(2) Convert Retention, (3) Reactivation, (4) Temple and Family History Work, and
(5) Teaching the Gospel.

Use Reports: There is never enough time to discuss everyone. The bishop, or others to whom he delegates, will want to identify, by inspiration, a select number of individuals on each of the three key reports: (1) Investigator Progress Report listing all investigators (WML responsible), (2) Focus Reports listing less-actives (aka Focus Five; RS, HP, EQ responsible); both reports feed into the (3) New and Returning Member Report identifying those who are new members or new into activity (Bishop responsible).

Create a Ward Mission Plan: Every successful ward missionary program begins with a Ward Mission Plan created by the ward council. See guidelines in Handbook 2 - 5.1.8.

Devotionals: We recommend the devotional consist of a brief discussion, led by a member of the ward council, from the following sources: (1) scriptures listed in the 4-page stake document on conversion, (2) Preach My Gospel, or (3) other references from the Standard Works, as directed by the Bishopric.

Training: We recommend you draw from (1) Handbook 2, especially chapters 1-6, with emphasis on chapter 4 about ward councils, or (2) the principles taught in the Youth Curriculum.

Council Environment: Create an environment of discussion and equality of voice by arranging the chairs in a circle, semi-circle or around a table.

Function as a Council: Do not go around the room asking for organizations to report, but require members to contribute to the agenda beforehand and ensure all topics of discussion become the business of everyone.

A letter to stake members urging all to seek a hastening of the Lord's work in our stake, too

The following is a letter from the stake presidency to all members of our stake issued on July 5, 2013.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Two weeks ago the entire Church was invited to participate in the broadcast of a mission president’s seminar. It was a marvelous meeting filled with vision and inspiration.

We all came away with a renewed desire to participate in this remarkable day of hastening by becoming more effective member missionaries. In short, our Church leaders have called on us to gain “A New Vision for the Work of Salvation.”

To that end, we urge all members of our stake to do the following:

• Review the new Church website about “Hastening the Work of Salvation” located
   at http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/a-new-vision?lang=eng

• Make our personal missionary efforts a focus of our fast this Sunday, July 7.

• Begin praying daily for the Lord’s guidance as to what each of us and our families
   are to do to hasten the work of salvation in our stake.

We live in extraordinary times in which the rising generation has responded to a prophet’s call in numbers never seen before in history. Each ward in our stake now has its own set of missionaries and possibly more to come.

All of us are witnesses of prophecy being fulfilled. “And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten…and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth…” (Moses 7:62)

The Lord truly is hastening His work on the earth (D&C 88:73). Will you join with us in asking the Lord to hasten His work in our stake, too?

In response to a family wanting to pull away from the Church

The following was an email sent on June 18, 2013 to a couple in our stake. It followed a lengthy visit in their home the evening before in which I tried to encourage them not to leave the Church. The father, in particular, had become disgruntled with the Church after studying anti-Mormon literature and the wife had found fault with Church doctrines and practices that she feels disparage women.

Thank you for your kindness in allowing me into your beautiful, and most comfortable, home. It was a treat to be with you both. And, Jennifer, thanks for the balloon on the mailbox. I'm embarrassed to say I missed it when I arrived, but saw it on your mailbox as I was leaving. That was so thoughtful of you! (as It turns out the "rustic barn" was the key landmark that got me to your home just fine…and what a barn! thanks for the tour :)

As I mentioned last night, we will miss you both and your children so much. Please know that you are wanted, welcomed and needed whenever you feel drawn to attend or be with us. We are a better church with you among us, but I respect your feelings and decisions. The saddest part of all of this is that the insensitivity of members (including, or especially, your stake president) contributed to your choices. Please forgive me and all of us!

As I shared with you last night, one of the issues here is that of passing judgment or judging others and things.

You have chosen to judge the church, modern-day prophets, other church members and church history. If we based the propriety of judging strictly on the Bible, you'd be on pretty thin ice for judging at all (Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged.")

It gets even stickier with verse 2, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." In other words, it appears to me, that if you're going to require modern-day prophets in your judgment to be infallible, then you should expect to be judged to the same standard. Verses 3-5 are also very telling.

Fortunately, the Joseph Smith Translation comes to the rescue clarifying that we ARE to judge, "but judge righteous judgment." (JST Matt 7:1-2)

So it's OK... in fact, it's expected… that we make judgments. But our judging must be in righteousness. So how do we do that?

Below are some scriptures, if you care to review them, that I find helpful in knowing how to judge righteously. I'm not suggesting I always judge righteously (you know that I don't), but thankfully the Lord is patient and He has given us scripture guidelines on how to judge righteously. As we continue to study and apply the scriptures,  hopefully over time our judgments will improve so that ultimately we will judge others and things in the same way He will judge us—in righteousness.

James 2:13

3 Nephi 11:29

Moroni 7:15-17

D&C 52:14-19

Thank you for still wanting to be friends; even more than friends in so many ways. May your choices and desires bring you happiness in your home.

Reaching Out to Other Churches to Join with Us in a Faith-Based, Community Food Drive in September 2013

The following is a letter mailed to more than 60 pastors in the Gresham area inviting them to join with us in a neighbor-to-neighbor, faith-based food drive on the weekend of September 14, 2013. We were gratified to have six pastors agree to join with us and the Gresham Stake as charter participants in this first-ever food drive of this type.

28 June 2013

Dear Pastor,

SnowCap and other food pantries in our area continue to have a growing need for commodities to help the needy. That has prompted a group of east-county churches to organize a Faith-Based Community Food Drive this fall.

It’s a food drive with a twist!

All of us have neighbors who would like to serve the community but are not active in a church or affiliated with a faith.  Working together as churches can you imagine…

…How much good could we do in our community if we asked our congregants not only to give, but to reach out to their neighbors
and offer an easy, non-intimidating way for them to give, too?

Here’s how easy it can be:

·   In early September, all participating churches distribute pre-printed grocery sacks with instructions to their parishioners or congregants.

·   Congregants personally take a grocery sack to 4 or 5 (or more, if they choose) of their neighbors inviting them to join in our Neighbor-to-Neighbor, Faith-Based Community Food Drive for the needy.

·   A few days later congregants pick up the grocery sacks with the food donations from their neighbors and, with their own food donation, deliver them to the nearest participating church or community center.

It’s really that simple. And our potential influence for good in the community will have been multiplied many times over.

It can be our own “fishes and loaves” experience.

Besides the potential for collecting literally tons of food for the nearly 20 food pantries in our area, this will provide believers an opportunity to set an example of discipleship and fellowship through being good neighbors. Daily news reports suggest there’s never been a greater need than now for neighbors to get acquainted with neighbors.

We have chosen to conduct this food drive the weekend of September 14 to coordinate with the other two major, local food drives during the year: the US Postal Service food drive in the spring and a food drive by local businesses, led by Gresham Ford and Riverview Bank, during the Christmas holidays.

Food pantries are often depleted of supplies in the summer months and eagerly welcome this food collection initiative in early fall.

Your church is invited to participate—at no cost to you. All supplies are being donated. You simply encourage your congregants to participate; then coordinate the collection of the donated food.

If you’re interested in participating, please complete the enclosed form and return it by email, fax or mail no later than July 10.

We look forward to joining with you in this worthy cause to bless and nurture the needy in our community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian Allen, DDS

Chairman, 2013 Faith-Based Community Food Drive Committee

Charter Participants of the Faith-Based Community Food Drive:

Pastor Keith Evans                                                   Pastor Larry Jorgenson                       

Greater Gresham Baptist Church                                                          Trinity Lutheran Church                      

Father Charles Zach                                                Pastor Steven Hardy

St Henry’s Catholic Church                                                      Damascus Community Church

Dr. Richard Craft, President                                    Pastor Dennis Alger

Gresham Stake, LDS Church                                                      Zion United Church of Christ

Pastor James Erb                                                 President Crismon Lewis

Hollyview Church                                                                        Mount Hood Stake, LDS Church

Preparing Our Stake for Special Missionary Training Broadcast

June 2, 2013

TO: All Stake and Ward Leaders and Interested Members

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are pleased to announce that the First Presidency has authorized all stake and ward leaders and interested members to view a special live broadcast titled “The Work of Salvation," as part of a seminar for new mission presidents to be aired via satellite and over the internet from 3:00 to 4:30 pm Pacific time on Sunday, June 23. 

This will be a most unusual opportunity for the entire Church to witness members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles addressing new mission presidents. Because of the unique nature of this broadcast and the timeliness of the topic, we desire every member of our stake to participate in what will certainly be an historic event.

Therefore, please be advised of the following changes to the block meeting times in our stake on June 23 so families can view the broadcast live at home or at the stake center:

·   All wards (except Mt Hood YSA and Powell Valley) will hold sacrament meeting and Sunday School at their regular time, but dispense with their third-hour meetings;

·   The Mt Hood YSA and Powell Valley Wards will hold their sacrament meeting at
1:00 pm that day and dispense with all other meetings;

·   The Estacada Ward Conference, set for that day, has been rescheduled for Sept. 15.

We encourage all members of our stake to take advantage of this rare opportunity to view a new mission president’s seminar and hear Church leaders specifically address the impact and implications of the dramatic increase in full-time missionaries this year.

Stake Presidency

Leading our stake to the temple with an increase in temple workers called

18 May 2013

Dear Bishops,

Some of you are old enough to remember the days when members in the Northwest had to travel to Oakland, Idaho Falls or even Salt Lake City to attend the temple. It was a commitment of several days.

Later the Seattle Temple was built and members gladly devoted nearly a full day each month to attend the temple.

It was upon the foundation of this level of temple commitment and sacrifice that the Church in this area has grown from one to 20+ stakes in just a few decades.

We are now blessed to have a temple less than an hour away, but our sacrifice, at times, is minimal.

Bishops, will you please help our members discover again the joy of sacrificing to enjoy the blessings of the temple?

This is why I am asking you to recommend many more in your ward to serve in the temple. I have known many members, who responded reluctantly to a telephone call asking them to meet with a member of the temple presidency. I confess I was one of them four years ago. But in all my years in the Church I have yet to hear any, who accepted a call to be a temple worker, ever exclaim, “I can’t wait to be released from my temple assignment!”

Temple service changes perspective and hearts. It changed mine.

As the one who holds the keys to temple work in this stake, I ask you again to recommend more members for temple service.

And I urge you to change your thinking as to appropriate candidates.

First, begin with those in leadership positions who can serve, specifically those who have responsibility for temple work in our stake (high councilors and those in the high priest group leadership). Having priesthood leaders serve in the temple will do more to lead our members to the temple than all the chapel meetings combined.

Second, consider others whose families would be blessed to have their husband and father serve at least monthly in the temple. Because both sacrifice and temple service will bring the Lord’s Spirit into a home in a very effective way, please do not view temple service as a time burden, but a viable tool to “rescue” endowed, temple- recommend holders…

…Who may have challenges in their marriage or with children;

…Who may lack commitment in their home teaching and other priesthood duties;

…Who may be struggling with putting the gospel first in their life.

Yes, some may decline the opportunity to serve in the temple, but at least let’s give them the opportunity to exercise their agency and no longer live beneath their privileges.

Third, age or occupation should not be obstacles for anyone to serve recognizing there are ways to serve weekly (ordinance worker), monthly (veil worker) or even as available (volunteer).  Please refer to the earlier letter addressed to the High Council and High Priest Group Leadership for details.

Finally, here are some of the key points for your consideration as outlined in Handbook 1, p. 24 about those eligible to serve:

• Males 30 years or older must be married;

• Men with children at home are eligible to serve;

• Mothers with children at home are not eligible, but when the children are gone these wonderful, giving mothers find great fulfillment in temple service;

• Review the Handbook if the person has ever undergone formal discipline;

• Candidates need to be in good health, emotionally stable and dependable;

• Members of stake presidency and bishoprics are not eligible to serve, but hopefully all of us are anticipating that opportunity when we are released.

NOTE: It is very important that you do NOT tell a candidate he or she is being considered or ask them if they want to serve in the temple. We need to afford members the privilege of meeting personally with a member of the temple presidency there to exercise their agency in deciding if or how they will serve.

Please note when submitting a recommendation for a male member, you can check both the “ordinance worker” and “veil worker” boxes so the candidate has the option of choosing, in consultation with a member of the temple presidency, which level of service will best fit their personal and family schedule.

As you can tell, this is important to me. You and I have been charged by a Prophet of God to lead our members to the temple. I have felt strongly that having more members serve in the temple will bring the blessings of the temple and family history into our stake in a much more powerful and complete way than any other approach.

Thank you for giving this your serious and immediate attention.

Leading Our Stake to the Temple through the Sacrifice of Temple Service

Below is a letter addressed to all High Councilors and members of High Priest Group Leaderships on March 31, 2013


Dear Brethren,

 
As the priesthood leaders in our stake, we are charged with the duty to help members make and keep sacred covenants through the saving ordinances of the temple (Handbook 2, 2.1.3). The Handbook also reminds us that, “leaders can best teach others how to be ‘true followers’ by their personal example” (3.1).
Because each of us has the specific responsibility to encourage and coordinate temple and family history work in the stake and ward, we encourage you to attend the temple as often as possible.

 
Furthermore, if you are ever invited to meet with a member of the temple presidency, we encourage you to accept that invitation and give serious consideration to whatever temple service opportunity, if any, may be proposed.

 
There are multiple ways to serve in the temple, including ordinance worker, veil worker and volunteer. The first two come with an obligation to serve a regular six-hour shift. Ordinance workers serve weekly, veil workers serve at least once per month, and volunteers and called-patrons serve regularly depending on the person’s availability.

 
For those of you who are currently serving in the temple as ordinance workers, veil workers or volunteers, we thank you for your continued service.

 
Brethren, we promise you that as we sacrifice to give faithful and consistent service in the temple, the “promises of the fathers” (D&C 2:2) will come into our heart in such a meaningful way that the members of our stake will follow us to the temple to claim the blessings of Heaven awaiting each of us.

Finding ways to involve members in Family History work as we prepare for our Stake Family History Conference

TO: Bishops, High Priest Group Leaders and members of the Stake Priesthood Executive Committee

Dear Brethren,

This morning we had a conference call with all High Priest Group Leaders in the stake to extend two assignments to them in preparation for the Stake Family History Conference, March 8-9. It's important that you're aware of this so we can all support the HP Group Leaders in fulfilling these assignments in time for the conference just one month away.

The assignments are:

ASSIGNMENT 1: Take ownership of the training of Family History Consultants and Specialists

(Reminder: FH Specialists are those assigned to man computers at the FH Conference; they are not trained consultants or researchers; they are not sustained or set apart; their service will end with the conference)

Key elements of this assignment:

a) The stake has provided a simple training outline (attached) involving 4 exercises on how to navigate www.familysearch.org

b) HPGL are to assign seasoned consultants in the ward to help the specialists become familiar enough with those 4 exercises that they will be able to teach conference visitors how to navigate the website and search for their own ancestors. A list of consultants and specialists is also attached.

c) FH Consultants are also to be scheduled (via Brian McCann, Stake Family History Center Director) to serve as support staff to the specialists and to assist visitors who may be more advanced in family history research.

d) HP Group Leaders have authority (once names are cleared by the bishop) to assign and train even more specialists (ESPECIALLY YOUTH) from their ward recognizing that this experience will be a great blessing to members, who have wanted to learn about Family History but didn't know where to start.

ASSIGNMENT 2: Ensure every household in the ward receives a commitment invitation to invite neighbors and friends

Key elements of this assignment:

a) The principle objective of this conference is an outreach to the community, giving our neighbors and friends an opportunity to learn more about how to search their own roots and, if they choose, to learn more about us, our church and our beliefs.

b) Members will be blessed as they attend, invite their neighbors and, in the case of the FH Conference Specialists, teach others how to navigate www.familysearch.org

c) The most effective way to draw the community to our conference is for every member of our stake to personally deliver an invitation to their neighbors and friends.

d) HP Group Leaders are assigned to utilize others in the ward (HPG assistants, EQ presidency, Ward Mission Leader, ward missionaries, full-time missionaries, home teachers) to ensure every household in their ward receives before the end of February a commitment invitation to invite their neighbors and friends to the FH Conference.

The commitment invitation to each household in the ward can be as simple as: 

"Will you deliver a Family History Conference invitation to your neighbors and friends?" 

If the member answers yes, then ask:

"How many invitations do you want?"

The blessing and power of extending commitments to members is well explained in Chapter 11 of Preach My Gospel. I commend that chapter to all of us to review again.

Finally…

For more details on these assignments and why we're having this Family History Conference, you can listen to a recording of today's conference call by dialing:

1-712-775-7399  when asked for an access code dial 902633#  then when asked for a reference number hit the # sign

I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your many efforts to do our part to hasten the Lord's work (D&C 88:73) that is unfolding before us.

With deepest appreciation,

President Lewis

Thoughts on improving teaching in the ward

Sent on Jan 27:

Bishops,

During my visits to wards this month, I have tried to attend as many youth classes (both 2nd and 3rd hour) as possible. Overall, many teachers are catching the vision. Others are not making any attempt to change.

I realize this is only the first month and it may take months, if not years, for the New Youth Curriculum to take root. I believe we can accelerate the results if you'll consider doing the following:

1. Assign members of your bishopric (and Sunday School presidency) to sit in all youth classes in your ward during the month of February. Only on one occasion did I observe a leader sitting in on a class that I visited this month. You'll want to see for yourself what's happening in your ward.

2. Help each teacher understand that if they're speaking more than the students, they've missed the point of the New Curriculum. In one class today, the teacher spoke 95% of the time. It broke my heart. The key to the new curriculum is learning to ask questions (not knowledge questions) and expecting ALL the students to come up with answers from their hearts. Learners' souls are touched when they share from their heart.

3. Have all teachers of youth (Sunday School, Young Men, Young Women) meet after the block meetings each Sunday for a 10-minute "huddle" to compare notes as to what they're finding is successful and what is not.

Please help youth take ownership of their learning by teaching teachers how to facilitate discussion with the right questions and silence.

We have such an amazing opportunity to enhance the teaching of our youth. Please don't miss this opportunity in your ward.

Gratefully,

Pres Lewis

Sent on Feb 5:

Bishops,

Few things in our worship impacts members' testimony more than teaching the gospel either in the classroom or over the pulpit. I have felt for some time that we can deepen testimonies of members by giving them more opportunities to teach and preach. To that end, will you consider…

1. Where feasible, create smaller gospel doctrine classes and rotate several teachers to give more members the opportunity to teach (note that in smaller classes, learners must take ownership of their learning…a key principle that is being stressed in the new youth curriculum);

2. I have asked the stake presidency to consider having high councilors only speak in sacrament meeting every other month (6 times per year) instead of monthly opening opportunities for more of your ward members to speak in sacrament meeting.

If so inclined, would you give me your feedback as to these thoughts? We will be discussing this in stake presidency this Sunday and I would welcome your counsel, as well.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

Recommendations on how to help prepare young people who have received a full-time mission call

After several heart-breaking experiences, where young men faltered in their preparation and integrity in the days leading up to their departure as full-time missionaries, I asked the bishoprics and priesthood executive committees to consider implementing the following steps for all young people with mission calls:

January 1, 2013

Dear Brethren,

As we anticipate a growing number of full-time missionaries being called from our stake, both young men and women, please follow these guidelines for helping them become more prepared before their departure:

·   Meet with newly called full-time missionaries and their parents to review the guidelines and expectations in this document (share this document with them). Remind them that “Preach My Gospel” and the new Youth Curriculum offer a wealth of online support material for teaching in the home.

·   Extend a ward calling (such as ward missionary) to young people, even if it is for only a month or two. Extend ward callings to all young people as soon as they graduate from high school, even if it is only for three months in the summer.

·   Ensure all young men, as they enter the elders quorum, are called or continue to serve as a home teacher and are assigned to a companion, who will strive to make their home teaching resemble a full-time missionary experience. Teach Relief Society leaders to assign and train young women as visiting teachers as soon as they leave the Young Women’s program.

·   Encourage all youth (17 and older) considering a mission to attend the Missionary Preparation class conducted at the Gresham Institute each Tuesday at 7:00 pm.

·   Arrange with the Ward Mission Leader for prospective or newly called missionaries to assist and accompany as often as possible the full-time missionaries in making visits, teaching lessons, locating less-actives, etc. Consider “calling” them to serve “mini-missions.” (Contact mission office for details.)

·   As soon as young people have a mission call, urge them to receive their endowments as soon as possible. Assign the parents, if they’re endowed and active, to teach the Temple Preparation course to their missionary son or daughter before their temple interviews. Provide parents with a copy of the teacher’s manual for the Temple Preparation course and encourage the young person to read the booklet, “Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple.”

·   Once endowed, consider submitting a recommendation for the newly called missionary to serve in the temple, such as veil worker or volunteer.

How service can be the key to helping prepare our youth to be missionaries and covenant parents

Following the April 2012 General Conference, my first as stake president, I had a feeling come over me about the potential impact service can have on the lives of young people. It was impressed on me that service may be our most effective tool for preparing youth for full-time missionary service, temple marriage and parenting. This letter was drafted and distributed to help bishops understand this principle and how they can change the emphasis in their youth program to encourage more service.

Dear Bishops,

Like you, I have been concerned at what’s happening in society and how it is impacting our youth.

• How do we “unplug” our young people long enough to feel the Spirit?

• How do we help them not become self-centered when so many of their activities, and even some Church programs, are focused on THEM?

• How do we reverse the trend of only 25% of the young men in our stake serving full-time missions?

Since General Conference I have had a feeling settle over me that placing a greater emphasis on service—even establishing a tradition of service—among our youth holds great potential and promise for changing our current course.

Teaching youth to become "other-focused" through service will help prepare young men to exercise the priesthood righteously as missionaries, husbands and fathers and will help young women prepare to become wives, mothers and nurturers.

Please know this is not to say that wards are not having enough service projects. Many of you are very consistent in providing service opportunities for your youth, for which we are most grateful.

What I am recommending is that we increase our emphasis on service by each ward designating one Mutual night per month as a Service Activity.

We believe this is consistent with the handbook where it lists service as the first purpose of Mutual activities, even before developing "spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually." (Book 2, 8.13.1 and 10.8.1)

We ask you to consider, beginning in September…

• That we establish each first Wednesday of the month as “Service Activity” night for all youth in our stake.

• Service activities can be done on a class, Young Men or Young Women, combined YMYW, or even multi-ward basis, as determined by the Bishops Youth Committee.

• If a service activity would be more effective or convenient on a Saturday (or another day), then cancel Mutual that Wednesday and have the service project on the other day.

Does it really need to be the same Mutual night throughout the stake?

Have you ever wondered why we have an established Fast Sunday? Of all the forms of our worship, fasting may be the most personal and private. And yet the Lord has formalized it as part of a public meeting. Why? In my opinion, one of the reasons is so that we do not forget to include fasting in our personal devotion at least monthly.

More importantly, it becomes a fixed meeting. Whenever there is a scheduling conflict, such as General Conference, we are instructed to reschedule our Fast and Testimony meeting, not drop it. Such is the power of establishing the First Wednesday as our Mutual Service Activity. It reminds us that when there is a scheduled conflict, we reschedule our service activity because it is the most important Mutual activity we have in the month.

Plus, a set day throughout the stake will make it easier to coordinate combined projects, including multi-ward service activities.

Will it be hard to find service projects for evening Mutual nights?

That may be the most difficult obstacle. This is one reason we recommend this begin in September, to give your ward leaders plenty of time to anticipate this new emphasis. We assume there will be no shortage of service opportunities within the ward (hopefully the ward council will provide ideas for the AP and YW). Moreover, to give additional support, the stake has compiled a resource database listing dozens of service opportunities available in the community.

You also may want to consider calling a ward service project specialist, who can assist the APYW leaders to come up with projects and tailor them to their size of group.

Won’t this detract from youth working on Personal Progress and Scouting advancements?

Service is a key component to both Scouting and Personal Progress so this direction should complement both programs. Furthermore, it may serve as a reminder that parents are ultimately responsible for their children earning Scouting and Personal Progress awards, not youth leaders. Service may be the most important activity the Church can provide young people for their growth and preparation for adulthood.

Will this be confining to our youth leaders in preparing their monthly programs?

Hopefully it will be liberating. Service can be performed in so many ways. For instance, it means you can cancel Mutual on the First Wednesday (offering a “breather” for families and youth leaders from the week-to-week routine) and perform a service project on Saturday in its place, rather than in addition to the regular program.

It will open opportunities for leaders to teach youth the many ways they can perform service, as outlined in “For the Strength of Youth” (see pages 32-33). For instance, temple trips can now serve as that week’s Mutual activity. Youth can be taught how to serve at home and report back about their experience.

Group service activities will also lend favorably to youth inviting their non-LDS friends. When a Mutual activity is built around Personal Progress or completing a merit badge, it can be awkward for a non-LDS friend to join in on that activity. But with a service project, anyone can participate and feel fully engaged.

Is this a new stake program?

No, this is simply a change in emphasis. There is no program, no new leadership, no accountability, no reporting. We are simply asking every ward to make service the number one priority in your monthly youth activity program. The Bishops Youth Committee, under the direction of the bishopric, ensures that it happens and coordinates the different groups. The stake simply provides support by serving as a resource for service project ideas or to help coordinate multi-ward service activities.

So aren’t we doing enough service already?

If service is “an important characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ,” (see For the Strength of Youth, page 32), then we can never do too much service anymore than we can pray, exercise faith or be kind too much. The blessings that come from service are so enriching and life changing that it is no wonder the Church Handbook places it as the preeminent Mutual activity (see Book 2, 8.13.1 and 10.8.1).

As stated in For the Strength of Youth…

“As you devote yourself to serving others, you will draw closer to Heavenly Father. Your heart will be filled with love. You will learn that service and sacrifice are ways to overcome selfishness. You will enjoy happiness that comes only from giving service to God and others. Your capacities will increase, and you will be an instrument in God’s hands to bless the lives of His children.”

Is there any other Mutual activity that offers such a promise for our youth?

We invite you to join with us in changing the emphasis of Mutual in our stake, enthroning service as the number one priority in our youth activity program. Our prayer is that by making service first in our youth activity program, in time it will become the central activity of families as parents recognize that service brings forth the blessings of Heaven in the lives of their children in a much more powerful way than an emphasis on any other program, activity or interest.

Thank you for your deepening desires to rescue our youth. May the Lord bless our rescue efforts as we contemplate changing the priority and emphasis of our Mutual activities.

President Lewis