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

Message from the Bishopric

      This weekend we celebrate my favorite holiday - Independence Day. We get to celebrate the great blessing it is to live in a land of liberty. We honor those who have sacrificed that we might enjoy the freedoms we do—freedom of speech, of worship, of movement, and of opportunity.

       As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we understand that true freedom goes beyond political liberty. It is a spiritual principle that we all chose in the pre-existence.

The Book of Mormon teaches:

“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh… they are free to choose liberty and eternal life… or to choose captivity and death” (2 Nephi 2:27).

We live in a land that is different from all others—it was saved for a divine purpose. The Lord revealed this truth to the prophet Lehi when he said:

“Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring… and if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments… it shall be a land of liberty unto them… unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.” (2 Nephi 1:7).

      This promise is both a blessing and a warning. The freedoms we enjoy are not accidental. They were established by God for His purposes—to provide a place where the gospel could be restored and thrive, and where His children could worship and choose for themselves.

President Dallin H. Oaks emphasized this divine origin when he taught:

“The United States Constitution is unique because God revealed that He ‘established’ it ‘for the rights and protection of all flesh’ (Doctrine and Covenants 101:77). This assurance makes the Constitution unique in the world. It also makes it divinely inspired.”—Dallin H. Oaks, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, April 2021

      God’s gift of agency, like the blessings of liberty, comes with the expectation that we use them to uphold truth, strengthen families, build communities, and draw closer to Christ. The greatest freedom we can experience is the freedom that comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ—freedom from sin, guilt, fear, and death.

      As we celebrate this week with fireworks and flags, may we also reflect on our duty as disciples—to honor both the blessings of citizenship and the even greater call of discipleship. 

Cade Coltrin

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

• 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/