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

Message from the Bishopric

Two weeks ago, Bishop Price invited everyone in the ward to send him a message sharing how studying the Book of Mormon last year impacted you individually. I accepted his invitation to read the Book of Mormon when he extended it last summer, and I would now like to accept his invitation to share how that experience has impacted me.

At first, I wondered how I would fit that much additional scripture into my study routine. With Come, Follow Me focused on the Doctrine and Covenants, my church calling, along with family responsibilities and the pace of daily life, I questioned whether adding the Book of Mormon would feel overwhelming.

However, once I committed to it, the time seemed to appear. Sometimes it was early in the morning, sometimes late at night, and sometimes in small, quiet moments during the day. Even more surprising, I found that the quality of my scripture study was the best I have experienced since serving a mission. I experienced greater focus, deeper questions, and more consistent spiritual impressions. I came to better understand the truth taught in the Book of Mormon: “If ye will give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart… it will begin to swell within your breasts” (Alma 32:28). When we truly make room for the word of God, the Lord magnifies not only our time, but also our understanding. From this, I’ve learned that no matter what I am studying in the gospel, there is always time to include The Book of Mormon.

Now, as we begin studying the Old Testament this year, I’ve already restarted The Book of Mormon. Reading these two records side by side is amazing. The Lord teaches this principle clearly when He asks, “Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto the other” (2 Nephi 29:8). Though separated by time and culture, these scriptures teach the same gospel truths, testify of the same God, and point us to the same Savior.

I am grateful for The Book of Mormon and for how continued, intentional study has brought greater clarity, faith, and confidence in Jesus Christ into my life.

Love Brother Coltrin

PS - There is still time to send a message to Bishop sharing your experience!

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

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

• February 6 - Book of Mormon Challenge Celebration - 6:00pm - Dinner, Program and Music.  Sign-ups for Soup, Stew, Chili or Chowder will go around Sunday or you can use this link.  Come up with a creative name that connects your dish to the Book of Mormon (e.g. Nephi's Broken Bow Soup, Measure of Barley Stew, etc.)  Please come, whether you've finished the Book of Mormon, are still reading, or haven't started yet.  It will be a special night.  All are welcome!

• February 12 - JOY Luncheon - 12 noon at the Stake Center for all RS sisters 65+

• 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. 

• 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.)

A temple recommend is required to enter and clean the temple.  For those able to attend the Monday cleaning shifts, the temple doors will open at 8:30 am.  Prayer meeting starts at 9 am.  For all other shifts (Tuesday - Friday), please plan to arrive at 9:30.  Prayer meeting will begin at 9:45 am and cleaning will start after the prayer meeting.  

General Information:

• When you arrive, someone will be at the recommend desk to greet you and show you where to go.

• You should come wearing "Church Dress" and bring a clean comfortable pair of shoes.  The temple will provide white scrubs and socks.  The temple no longer provides shoes to wear, but they did have sock and slippers this past week if you prefer those.  Shoe covers are provided for those that bring their own shoes.

• After changing, the group will meet for a prayer meeting.  During this meeting there will be a hymn, prayer, spiritual thought, and then you will be provided your cleaning assignments.

Please make sure to bring your Temple Recommend.  The staff is unable to authorize anyone to come into the temple without one.  Only the temple presidency or a recorder can look someone up.  

It takes many hands to clean and prepare the Lord's House for the patrons that will attend the next day.  Please know how much this cleaning work is appreciated.

• 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/