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

Message from the Bishopric

So often the answers we want—and even expect—are not the answers we truly need.

There is a pattern of this throughout the gospel. When Joseph Smith went into the Sacred Grove seeking to know which church to join, he likely expected to be told which one was correct. Instead, he was told to join none of them. The Lord had something far greater in mind—the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel.

In the Old Testament, Naaman came seeking to be healed of leprosy. He expected the prophet Elisha to perform some great act. Instead, he was told simply to wash seven times in the Jordan River. The answer felt too small and even beneath him. Yet when he humbled himself and obeyed, he was made whole (see 2 Kings 5:14).

When the rich ruler asked the Savior what he lacked, he likely anticipated a small adjustment. Instead, Christ told him, “sell all that thou hast… and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

When Alma and his people were in bondage, they prayed for deliverance. The Lord did not liberate them or remove their burdens immediately, but “the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease” (Mosiah 24:15).

Perhaps the greatest example is the Savior Himself. The Jews were praying for and expected a political deliverer—one who would free them from Roman rule. Instead, they received the humble Messiah described in Isaiah 53: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). God was not thinking political—He was Thinking Celestial.

When our hearts desires go unfulfilled, do we have the wisdom and faith to trust that the Lord is guiding us to a better place?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

I am grateful for a Savior who knows what I need better than I do. May we trust Him and know that His answers are greater than our own expectations.

Love - Brother Coltrin

• Choir Practice - Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

• Youth Camps this year will be the week of June 22-27.

• Cleaning the Temple  - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP  - Our stake has been assigned to clean the Meridian Temple the week of February 16, 2026.  We were asked to have 15 volunteers each day.  Cleaning in the temple is a wonderful way to experience the temple in a manner other than what some may be used to.  Please consider signing up and giving some of your time to ensure the temple is clean and ready for those attending the temple.  (Our next cleaning assignment will be in June.)

• February 22 - Youth Fireside - 7:00pm at the church building.

• February 26 - Stake Humanitarian Workday - 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Stake Center

  • • Children’s center from 10:30 to 12:30 (Toddlers-5 years)

    • Donation Focus:

      • • Soap/body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream, hygiene items, hair ties, brushes, combs, sunscreen, laundry soap, new underwear (female teenage sizes)

        • Donations will benefit Breaking Chains Academy & students at Nampa High School

• The Remember Him Area initiative, which invites us all to focus on Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ, is featured on the Area website. All members are invited to:

  • • Share the Remember Him Video featured on the Area Website.

    • Invite families and individuals to visit the site and discuss the video message at home.

• Missionary Meals - We can invite the missionaries to dinner any day or night of the week; there is no longer the requirement to have a non-member present. Please reach out to our Ward Missionary Leader, Larry Nelson, if interested, and for further details and options. The missionaries will not be passing a calendar around, you will need to schedule directly with the missionaries. 

• 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.

• "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/