Banbury Ward of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Message from the Bishopric

While preparing for the 5th Sunday discussion with the youth a few weeks ago about social and peer pressure, I read a great talk by Lynn G. Robbins called "Which Way Do You Face" from 2014. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng). He opens by stating that he was on assignment with President Boyd K Packer when Pres. Packer asked him "which way do you face?" He was unsure of the meaning of this, until President Packer taught him "A Seventy, does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people." 

What a profound thought. We live in a world where people tend to demand rather than comply. Human nature (or the natural man, if you will) tends to seek self interested judgements, rules, policies, and allowances. Politicians tend to continually weigh carefully the reception of an action, or popular opinion in a matter. Yet, the Lord doesn't call prophets to please the people. He calls prophets to call us to repentance, to guide us, to urge us in a better direction. 

Elder Robbins added Isaiah 51:7 "Fear ye not the reproach of men." As adults and youth, I believe this message stands the test of time, and is as needed now as it has ever been. Truth and right are not affected by popular opinion or the latest social/societal norms. How many sinful behaviors have flitted back and forth between popular and looked down upon in society over the past 100 years? There is great protection in following the commandments and trusting in God. 

I have noticed that many people make choices based on their personal feelings about a particular topic. If their parents or leaders were too strict in a particular area, they will push back in that area, and sometimes go too far the other way. Then their children will balance back again. This may sometimes be well represented by the idea of "regression to the mean." 

Sadly, I've seen many examples in my lifetime, of people who choose to leave the gospel over hotly contested social or political topics. I can't think of any examples where I thought anyone was better off for making such a decision. 

Whether individually, or among friends, we are all better off trying to remove ourselves from past emotions, peer/societal pressures, and other influences and instead ask ourselves "what does God want me to do in this matter?" This is really the most important question. If we are trying our best to follow God's counsel, I believe the long term outcome will always be better. 

I am confident that following the prophet and seeking God's will in our lives will lead to more blessings than any plans we can devise on our own.

Spencer Miller

Banbury Ward Bishopric

• Tithing Declaration starts September 7 and runs through December 14.  Bro. Swenson will be reaching out to each household to schedule time to meet with Bishop Price.

• Youth Temple Challenge - The youth made the goal to try to attend the temple 100 times in the month of September (collectively as a group).  Please support our youth in getting to the temple often this month! 

• September 25 - Stake Humanitarian Workday - 10am-1pm at the Stake Center.

  • • • Children's center for toddler-5 years old from 10:30-12:30.

      • Donation focus for September:

        • Hygiene kit supplies

        • Purses or backpacks in good condition for "Purses with a Purpose"

        • Nail clippers

        • Sewing kits

        • Key holders

        • Small paper pads & pens

        • Hair elastics

        • Scriptures

        • New toiletries

        • Feminine products

        • We are always in need of yarn

• September 25 - Cannery Assignment - 4-8pm. Please contact a member of the EQ or RS presidencies if you can serve.

• Hymns of Thanksgiving - For more information and to apply to participate in the Choir go to their website. Applications to sing in the choir will be accepted between September 1-30.

• October 9 - JOY Luncheon - 12 noon at the Stake Center for all sisters 65+

• Are you interested in being called as a Temple and Family History Worker with the assignment to work in the Family Search Center? Like a temple worker, this would be a weekly commitment, however each shift is only 2.5 hours. This is an extremely fulfilling calling and an opportunity for anyone to serve the Lord in a meaningful way.  Those who work at the center are witnesses to the miracles that happen there and the joy that the work brings into their lives.  Please reach out to a member of the bishopric if this is something you would like to discuss.

• Reading The Book of Mormon - Join our Ward in reading The Book of Mormon by January 15. Bishop Price said:

  • • • I would like our youth to gain a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ by reading the Book of Mormon, every day from June 1 to January 15, 2026, completing it, for the first time, or another time.

      • I call on their families to join them in this challenge.  Commit to re-reading the entire Book of Mormon again, and reading every day.

      • I call on the primary children to also accept this invitation.  On road trips, listen to the Book of Mormon.  Read it together as families.  Those who can, get your own copy of the Book of Mormon and commit to reading several minutes every day.

      • I call on all the youth leaders, the Sunday School and Primary teachers, the grandparents; all adults, from the newly-wed to those who have reached emeritus status, to join us.  When you speak in Sacrament Meeting; when bearing testimony on Fast Sunday, in a class, or at home — testify of the Book of Mormon and how it is drawing you to the Savior, and drawing His power into your life.  Share what you are reading and what you are learning in classes, at activities, or even in the foyer, in simple and consistent ways.  Plan one or more activities centered around this Book of Mormon challenge as we motivate each other these next seven and a half months.

      • The Book of Mormon was written for our day.  All the major writers saw our day and wrote “those things that would be of greatest worth to us”.  As you consistently read from the Book of Mormon, “the heavens will open for you.  The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.” (Pres. Russell M. Nelson, Oct 2018).  You will be inoculated against the “potent mixture of prosperity, possessions and ease that can lead even the righteous to drink the spiritual poison of pride” (Elder David A. Bednar Oct 2025)

      • ”Do you want to get rid of a bad habit? Do you want to improve relationships in your family? Do you want to increase your spiritual capacity? Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power.” (Russell M. Nelson Oct 1999)

      • ”I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.” (Pres. Thomas S Monson Apr 2017)

      • “My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.” (Pres. Russell M Nelson Oct 2018)

      • Let us, as a ward, accept this challenge, to read daily, as individuals and families, and to speak often to each other of the power of the Book of Mormon to draw the Savior’s mercy, grace and power into our homes, families and lives.  Let us talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and preach of Christ, especially to the rising generation, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins (2 Nephi 25:26), that “the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.” (Pres. Marion G Romney Apr 1980).

      • Will you join me?

• MISSIONARY MEALS

  • • • Just a friendly reminder that our day to feed the missionaries is on Fridays. There are a couple of options available.

        • • We can have them come teach a lesson in our home to us or friends, and then feed them.

          • We can provide them a meal to pick up and take home.

          • Please reach out to our Ward Missionary Leader, Daniel Michalsky if interested, and for further details and options.

• "To allow for greater access to the words of the living prophets, printed copies of Church magazines are now available at no cost. These magazines include the Liahona, For the Strength of Youth, and Friend. This policy will eventually apply to every area of the Church.

  • • • Members can use their Church account to choose their preferred subscription(s) on a yearly basis at MagazineSubscriptions.ChurchofJesusChrist.org"

      • Please contact a member of the Bishopric, Relief Society Presidency, Elders Quorum Presidency, or your ministering sisters/brothers if you have any questions about this change or if you need assistance with subscribing for no-cost print magazines.

• For temple recommend interviews with the Bishopric and other meetings with the Bishop, please call or text David Swenson at (208) 477-8903.

• All temple recommend interviews with the Stake Presidency must be scheduled ahead of time. There are no walk-in appointments at this time.  For recommend renewal interviews, please visit https://calendly .com/minorth/temple to see available times and schedule an interview with the stake presidency.

Worldwide Church Events

The following link will take you to the church website with a list of all the upcoming and recent church events

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/