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

Message from the Bishopric

I've had multiple good discussions this past week about what it means to trust in God. One of Juliann's favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I've always liked these verses as well, but I don't think I've really given them their due. 

It is easy to trust God when life is easy and everything is going well. But what happens when life is hard? What happens when we want something that we feel we need...and we don't get it? Health challenges strike, work/financial instability occurs, difficult relationships or family dynamics arise. What if we work and pray for something we strongly desire and are unable to achieve it? 

It seems that these moments leave us with two options in terms of faith. We can go to the Lord, or we can blame Him. Many people curse God, and lose or weaken their faith, when something unfair or difficult happens. Perhaps an unexpected death or other major setback. Yet, others turn to God for support, help, and understanding. 

I think these responses say something about where we place our faith and trust. What if we have been asking for something that isn't in our best interest? What if there are other reasons why something difficult happened? Is it possible the Lord allows us to go through challenges sometimes because he knows that we can do it, and it may make us stronger in the end? Does he have other plans for us, that we might not have chosen otherwise?

It can be hard to look at life this way when in the midst of our own deepest struggles. But I think this is what the Proverb is telling us. Trust the Lord with ALL THINE HEART...lean NOT to thine own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in ALL things (even the really hard/unfair ones) and this will allow him to "direct our paths." 

How powerful is it when a person suffers a major setback, and their first response is to go to the Lord and say "help me get through this" or "I trust in Thee, guide me in what I should do now." These responses show deep faith in God. That He is in control. That He will direct us. 

I am confident that the "Lord's ways are higher than my ways" and his "thoughts are higher than mine." I hope to remember this during life's lows as much as I do during the highs. I do believe we can be pillars of strength by placing our full faith and trust in the Lord!

Spencer Miller

Banbury Ward Bishopric

• July Building Cleaning Schedule - Please come to the church Saturday at 8:00am on the assigned day or trade with another family if your assigned day doesn't work.

  • • • July 5th: Wahl, Ward, White, Wissenbach, Yearsly, Yorgason, Young, Adamy, Anderson, Armstrong, Asetre, Azzarito, Bates

      • July 12th: Bernhardt, Bevan, Bird, Bruce, Bull, Cambron, Chaffin, Christensen, Clark, Clark, Coltrin, Cranney, Crawford

      • July 19th: Daniels, Davis, Dawson, De Burgh, Dean, Deehr, Denison, Dildine, Dittman, Frew, Froerer, Gates, Hales

      • July 26th: Hall, Hancock, Hanson di Bartolo, Hartman, Herbster, Hibler, Holland, Hope, Jackson, Jetsel, Johnson, Laird, Leach

• Ward Choir Practice - 9:15am on June 29

• July 24 - Stake Humanitarian Workday - 10am-1pm at the Stake Center. In addition to the children's center for ages 0-5 from 10:30-12:30, there will also be activities for elementary students. Junior high students can work on humanitarian projects under the direct supervision of a parent.

  • • School supplies are needed. Donations can be left on Sister Wahl's porch (14028 W Battenberg Ct, Boise) anytime. All supplies are needed.

• August 13-16 - YSA Conference - For all YSA ages 18-35 (including recently graduated seniors). Please ask a member of the bishopric for details.

• 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?

• FAMILY SEARCH CENTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - The FamilySearch Center is looking for anyone who would like to serve as a staff worker. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to do family history research and use the equipment to preserve your family memories. And, it's a joyful experience to serve those who come to the center seeking help for their family history efforts. No prior experience is required to serve in the center. You will be trained and given time to learn. If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please contact Brian Bird, Gene and Camille Roylance, or Janeen Lish.

• 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 Phil Pfleger at (208) 409-9633.

• 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/