Dear Members of the Provo 487th Ward,

It has been a whirlwind of a week.  I don’t think anything can prepare you for the feelings of shock and inadequacy that comes when being called as a bishop. This is particularly the case today, because my predecessor, Bishop Young, had only been serving for 2 years.  None of us expected this change so abruptly.  I know that he has been vocal with many of you this week regarding his release, but I don’t plan on engaging in that debate, so I appreciate your consideration in not raising questions that I either can’t or won’t answer regarding such topics.  Thank you.

I look forward to working hard with each of you in helping move forward the work of the Lord in our little corner of Provo.  As you know, our ward is surprisingly diverse; it certainly doesn’t fit the “happy valley” mold.  While it can be very interesting to have discussions with so many of you about our differing beliefs and priorities, it is not necessarily conducive to the ordered management of the ward.  Frankly, I have been inundated with emails, texts and voice mails asking what is going to change in the ward with this new calling.  I wanted to take an opportunity to answer some of these questions directly and as best I can so that we are all on the same page.

There are no immediate plans to release anyone from their callings. I have gotten lots of questions about whether or not this change will result in the inquirer to get released from his or her calling. I just don’t know yet.  Some of you may be asked to serve in different capacities, while others may not.  This is always something that we, as a bishopric, will always be looking at and thinking about.  However, please keep in mind that if you get released from a calling you want to keep, it isn’t ecclesiastical abuse.  Every call has a release built in, and none of us choose when and where we are called to serve. If you don’t like it when your calling gets changed, please come and talk to me about it, but understand that we will not be making changes based on where each individual wants to serve, but where we feel the Lord wants them to serve.

Also, keep in mind that while you can always refuse to accept a calling, you can’t refuse to accept a release.  I hope this clears up some confusion for some of you.

We will not be dismissing Church after one hour on Mother’s Day.  I know that this has been the practice in this ward for many years, but it won’t be happening any more.  You can expect to be reminded of this several times as Mother’s Day approaches next year.

I will be following Church guidelines and protocols in interviews.  Several of you have asked whether I will continue Bishop Young’s practice of requiring a parent to be present for each interview done with a young adult, and whether or not we will be asking all of the questions set forth in Church guidance.  We will respect requests by any parent that their children not be interviewed without a parent present.  However, such interviews will only proceed if the young man or young woman in question also requests that their parent be present.  While I will respect a parent’s request that a parent be present for such an interview, I will also respect a youth’s right to not proceed with a parent present.

Several of you have objected to myself or another member of the bishopric asking questions related to the law of chastity.  We will likewise respect the requests of parents to limit the scope of questions being asked in interviews with their children, whether or not a parent is present.  I will also refrain from asking any adult members of the ward about things which they don’t want to discuss as well at their request.  In connection with this, I feel compelled to also state that if I am prohibited from asking any of the questions which are part of the guidelines, I will not be able to sign a temple recommend for such individuals; I will not be able to call them to certain callings; I will not be able to recommend them for missionary service; and, in the case of young men, I will not be able to authorize their ordination to priesthood offices.

I suspect that I will get significant pushback from some quarters on this, particularly because this is a departure from what Bishop Young did.  He was wrong.

The Elder’s Quorum will no longer be allowed to bake cookies in the kitchen during the three hour block.  I know that it smells nice, and the elders would usually share their leftovers with everyone, but it is against policy and a violation of county health ordinances.  It’s been a nice run, but elder’s quorum cookies are over.

There will be a concerted effort to make Fast and Testimony meeting more appropriate. No more travelogues, no more complaints about doctrines you don’t like.  No more pleas for the ward to have patience and tolerance for apostates or apostate doctrines.

Thank you,

Bishop Jones