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

Message from the Bishopric

Dear Banbury Ward,

I'm now near the end of Mosiah in my study plan of the Book of Mormon, and I've been thinking about some of the contrasting characters: Nephi and Laman, Jacob and Sherem, King Benjamin and King Noah.  One that has stood out to me even more is the two peoples, Limhi's people and Alma's people, who both find themselves subjected to Lamanite invaders and in bondage, laden with heavy burdens.

Limhi's people repeatedly rebel and attack the Lamanites, suffering great losses each time.  The people's cries weary the otherwise pacifist Limhi, who relents and allows an attack.  They put on their armor, march against the Lamanites, and are beaten, driven back, and many are killed.  Then the lamentations of the widows and fatherless children stirred up the remainder of the people and they again went to battle, and suffered great losses again.  Even a third time they were defeated, and finally they humbled themselves "unto the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage.. and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies."  The Lord, Mormon writes, did not see fit to hear their cries and deliver them, but he did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. They eventually found a way, mostly on their own, to escape. (See Mosiah 21 and 22)

Alma's people were safely away from this (eight days' journey) for several years, tilling the ground, erecting buildings, and laboring exceedingly. They established a church, built a city, and were multiplying and prospering.  "Nevertheless, the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."  A Lamanite army found them, installed guards, and the Lamanite king even put Amulon and his brethren, the wicked priests of King Noah, in authority over them.  They too had tasks and burdens placed upon them.  However, the voice of the Lord came unto them, and He promised deliverance, but first, that their burdens would be light, so that they could stand as witnesses for Him, He said, "that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (See Mosiah 23 and 24)

Their burdens were lightened because the Lord strengthened them, and they "did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord. And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, in his seminal talk on Pride, said "God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, “Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.” (Alma 32:16.)

Let us choose to be humble.

We can choose to humble ourselves by:

• Conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. 

• Receiving counsel and chastisement.

• Forgiving those who have offended us. 

• Rendering selfless service. 

• Going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. 

• Getting to the temple more frequently.

• Confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. 

• Loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives.

Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can." (Beware of Pride, April 1989)

The rebellious are left to their own strength, but those who humble themselves gain access to the Lord's power.  This contrasting message is repeated again and again in the Book of Mormon.  Limhi's people found that the Lord was slow to hear their cries, but Alma's people were delivered because their faith and patience was so great.  I pray that we can learn from these examples and choose to be humble, so that we can be strengthened and delivered, and stand as witnesses that the Lord visits his people in their afflictions.

Love,

Bishop Price

• 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.

• September 7th - Ignite your Faith - 7:00 pm for all graduating seniors at Pres. Hall's home: 1011 River Heights Dr, Eagle.

• September 9 - Banbury Ward Relief Society Activity - 7:00 pm in the Relief Society Room. You are invited to the "Can You Guess?" taste tasting event! A fun-filled night of finding favorites and flagging fakes with friends.

• September 10 - Stake YM/YW Festival: A Youth Concert - 7:00 pm at the Stake Center for all YM and YW (all age groups).  The Stake Combined Activity will feature LIVE performances from youth in our Stake.

• September 11 - JOY Luncheon - 12 noon at the Stake Center for all sisters 65+

• September 13 - Banbury Ward Luau - 5:00 pm at the Ranstrom's home. Please bring lawn chairs. We are lucky to have Star Siaki returning for our entertainment!

• 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.

• To help commemorate the memory of 9/11, our stake will be feeding first responders and the community at an upcoming event. This service project is a joint initiative for the Meridian North Stake and the City of Meridian. More details and specific dates to follow as well as a JustServe link. Stay tuned. Volunteers & griddles needed: Need 15 - 20 volunteers to help cook and serve pancakes at the event. Contact Joel Hillier at minscomdirector@gmail.com if you can volunteer and/or have a gas or electric griddle that can be used. 10 electric or gas griddles are needed.

• 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/