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Friends of the Columbia Falls Ward, 1780 Talbot Road, Columbia Falls, MT (2026)

03/07/2026

Ward Family,

A crash course on overcoming perfectionism.
You’re not perfect yet, and that’s OK!

Do you struggle with getting down on yourself, especially when you mess up?
Some guilt is spiritually healthy. For example, if we sin and feel bad about it, we may want to repent and do better next time. That’s a positive process.
On the other hand, we can be paralyzed by a fear of making a mistake. This attitude of perfectionism can be poisonous to our progression. Put simply, perfectionism means you want to be better without ever messing up or expressing strong emotions like anger, sadness, anxiety, and fear. Instead of learning from our mistakes and moving on, we spend a lot of energy dwelling on past mistakes or avoiding growing experiences altogether.
Sound familiar? If so, here are some things to think about:
* Emotions are strengths, not weaknesses.
* We can focus on improvement, not perfection.
* God understands that we may sometimes make mistakes. And learning from the mistakes we make is part of His plan for our progression.
* The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers our weaknesses and shortcomings as well as our sins.
Russell M. Nelson, taught that our perfection is pending. True perfection will not be achieved in this mortal life, but in the next life, after we are resurrected, through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Show yourself a little compassion. Be as patient with yourself as you would to anyone else going through a learning and healing process. You deserve kindness from others—and from yourself, too!

Announcements:

1. Ward conference March 8th at 11:30am. Note the start time
2. Pinewood Derby March 11th weigh in starting at 6 pm, racing starts about 6:30/6:45. Everyone welcome. Hotdog stand, popcorn.
3. Stake Conference March 14th & 15th. The schedule of meetings will be as follows:
Youth Fireside and dinner with Elder Brown: For all Young Women and Young Men. Friday March 13 at the Stake Center at 6pm. Dress is casual. Leadership Meeting: 4pm on Saturday March 14. The following are invited to this meeting: Stake Presidency (including clerks and executive secretary) High Council, Stake and Ward/Branch Relief Society Presidencies (including secretary) Stake and Ward/Branch Primary Presidencies (including secretary) Stake and Ward/Branch Young Women Presidencies (including secretary) Stake Young Men Presidency (including secretary) Stake and Ward/Branch Sunday School Presidencies (including secretary) Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies (including clerks and executive secretaries) Elders Quorum Presidencies (including secretaries) Ward/Branch Mission Leaders Single Adult Representatives Stake/Ward/Branch Temple and Family History leaders and consultants Stake Patriarch and wife Adult session (for all members age 18 and older): 7pm on Saturday March 14. YSA Fireside with Elder Brown (for all young single adults in the stake): 8am on Sunday March 15 in the Relief Society Room
General Session of Stake Conference (for all members of the stake) 10am on Sunday March 15.
4. RS Devotional Dinner at 6:30 pm on March 19th
5. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries Thursday’s @ 7pm
6. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

02/28/2026

Ward Family,

Have you ever done temple baptisms?
The instructions came piece by piece.

If you’ve ever gone to the temple before, you probably had the chance to be baptized on behalf of someone who has died.
This is one of the most wonderful truths of the restored gospel—that everyone has a chance to join the kingdom of God, whether in this life or the next!
The Lord gave the early Saints instructions for doing temple baptisms the way He reveals many things: little by little, one piece at a time. Here’s a timeline.
* January 1836. Joseph Smith is told in a vision that those who die without knowing the gospel in this life, like his brother, Alvin, still have a chance to go to the Celestial Kingdom. But it’s not clear how that relates to baptism.
* August 1840. At a funeral, Joseph teaches that living Saints can be baptized for their dead ancestors! Many immediately begin proxy baptisms in rivers and streams.
* January 1841. The Lord tells Joseph that proxy baptisms should be done in the temple, and instructs him to add a baptismal font to the new temple the Saints were building.
* August 1842. During a Relief Society meeting, Joseph announces that “all persons baptized for the dead must have a recorder present.” Joseph sends a letter the next month explaining the role of witnesses and recorders.
* 1845. After Joseph died, Brigham Young explained that only women should be proxies for women and men for men.
Just as Brigham Young received more information about sacred ordinances, so does our current prophet today! For example, the First Presidency announced in 2019 that all worthy members could be a witness of a baptism, male and female.
These ongoing changes to Church policies stand as evidence that the Lord continues to restore the gospel and guide its administration step by step. Isn’t that wonderful?
As Joseph once put it, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven!

Announcements:

1. Sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am
2. Pinewood Derby March 11th weigh in starting at 6 pm, racing starts about 6:30/6:45. Everyone welcome. Hotdog stand, popcorn.
3. Stake Conference March 15th
4. RS Devotional Dinner at 6:30 pm on March 19th
5. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries Thursday’s @ 7pm
6. Family game days Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
7. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

02/21/2026

Ward Family,

Don’t fall for the tricky traps.
Here’s how to choose freedom instead.

Satan is great at surrounding us with lies. He wants us to be miserable like he is! But you are more powerful than he will ever be. Here are three truths you can trust.
Truth #1: You can choose freedom.
The devil wants you to think that the commandments are a drag, but living gospel standards actually keeps us safe from bo***ge! We are more free by staying away from sin.
As Elder Quentin L. Cook put it, “The solution is to find freedom and light and love in the safety of the gospel.”
When you make a wrong choice—because we all do, every day—remember that God and Christ can always help you repent and improve.
Truth #2: You can help others be free too.
Imagine you were hiking with people you love. If you saw something dangerous on the trail, you’d warn them and lead them around it, right?
Well, you can be an example to your family, friends—even strangers—by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. When you show kindness and love to others, people will see your light and notice your decisions.
Why not start at home? Try extra hard to show respect and compassion to your family members. Be patient and don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to notice a change.
Truth #3: Keep moving forward with the Savior.
Freedom is found in Jesus Christ, so keep your focus on Him. He loves you! Life will be better as you walk with Him each day.

Announcements:

1. Sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Ward conference will be postponed stay tuned for a new date.
3. Pinewood Derby March 11th weigh in starting at 6 pm, racing starts about 6:30/6:45. Everyone welcome. Hotdog stand, popcorn.
4. Stake Conference March 15th
5. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries Thursday’s @ 7pm
6. Family game days Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
7. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

02/14/2026

Ward Family,

Callings are more than assignments.
These divine invitations come with big blessings.

Some religious organizations pay professionals to do things like teach lessons or play music. But we ask people to donate their time and talents to the Church through “callings.”
As the fifth article of faith states, “We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”
But what exactly does it mean to be called of God? Here are a few truths:
* The Spirit helps leaders know who should be invited to serve in what calling.
* Having a calling doesn’t make a person any more important than someone without a calling.
* You’ll usually be invited to accept a calling during a private interview. Feel free to ask questions or share any concerns you have.
* Keep the news about your new calling to yourself until it’s announced at church. After that, you’ll receive a blessing in which you will be “set apart” to receive God’s help with your assignment.
* Callings require sacrifice. You may have to spend time trying new things, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But callings also result in wonderful blessings! They help us learn new skills, make friends, and draw closer to God.
* Your callings change over time. You usually don’t know how long you‘ll serve in a calling. At the end of your time, you’ll be “released.”
Changes in callings are usually announced during sacrament meeting. Everyone will have the chance to raise their right hand to sustain someone (in a new calling) or show gratitude (for someone being released).

Announcements:

1. Sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Linger longer February 15th after church. Please bring a dish to share
3. Ward conference will be postponed stay tuned for a new date.
4. RS Activity Feb. 17th at 6:30 All things about Budgeting
5. Pinewood Derby March 11th weigh in starting at 6 pm, racing starts about 6:30/6:45. Everyone welcome. Hotdog stand, popcorn.
6. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries Thursday’s @ 7pm
7. Family game days Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
8. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

02/07/2026

Ward Family,

Some answers take time.
Don’t give up!

You may hear people talking about the spiritual answers they received. But what if you feel like you did not get an answer?
Here’s the thing. God will always answer our prayers, but some answers take time. We have to keep searching, relying on Him, and asking with faith.
You can find help in:
* Other people. A friend, family member, or teacher might share just what you need to hear.
* Service. While helping others, you often discover blessings for yourself.
* The Comforter. Good feelings from the Spirit can reassure you that you’re heading in the right direction.
* Uplifting media. Surround yourself with scriptures, gospel music, beautiful artwork, and other inspiring things.
Sometimes we go through seasons when we have to hold the iron rod with one hand and wrestle our doubts with the other hand. So don’t give up! God loves you. He hears you. Keep moving forward with patience, faith, and trust.

Announcements:

1. Sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Linger longer February 15th after church
3. Ward conference February 22nd @11:30 am (note the start time)
4. RS Activity Feb. 17th at 6:30 All things about Budgeting
5. Pinewood Derby March 11th weigh in starting at 6 pm, racing starts about 6:30/6:45. Everyone welcome. Hotdog stand, popcorn.
6. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries Thursday’s @ 7pm
7. Family game days Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
8. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

01/31/2026

Ward Family,

Calm a troubled mind and spirit.
Here are five soothing ideas.

It’s normal to feel a little stress or anxiety. But especially if daily challenges start feeling like too much, you may need to proactively invite peace into your life.
The good news is that many of these are habits we’re encouraged to make part of our lives anyway! Here are things you can do to reduce your worries any day:
* Talk with God. Set aside time to really have a conversation. Imagine Him sitting close to you, listening and offering support.
* Practice gratitude. Think about times you’ve felt blessed. Maybe you could start by writing down one way you see the Lord’s hand in your life each day, like President Henry B. Eyring has done.
* Evaluate expectations. Sometimes our greatest stress comes when life doesn’t turn out the way we planned. We can practice trusting that “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7).
* Take a break. Take several slow, deep breaths. Let thoughts come and go. Stretch. Try to physically relax.
* Get moving. Enjoy the world around you as much as you’re physically able. Even a few minutes of walking can help boost your mood and reduce stress.

Announcements:

1. Sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Phil Kiser’s funeral will be held Wednesday February 4th at 10:00 am
3. Ward conference February 22nd @11:30 am (note the start time)
4. Pinewood Derby March 11th weigh in starting at 6 pm, racing starts about 6:30/6:45. Everyone welcome. Hotdog stand, popcorn.
5. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries Thursday’s @ 7pm
6. Family game days: Jan 31, 2026 11- 3 pm and Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
7. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

01/24/2026

Ward Family,

You Are Powerful and Divine
Try seeing yourself as God sees you.

While sin can make us less worthy to do some things, our worth to God never changes.
We are everything to Him! He loves us infinitely. We don’t have to “earn” His love.
God wants us to receive all the blessings He has to offer. True, sometimes our actions restrict us from receiving certain blessings (see Doctrine and Covenants 82:10). But we can always repent and turn to Him again.
God wants us to value ourselves the way He sees us—not as the world judges. So the next time you look in the mirror, try saying this to yourself: “I am a powerful, glorious, eternal child of God!”
It’s true. You are.

Announcements:

1. January sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. RS in is charge of cleaning the building join on Saturdays at 9am to help clean!
3. Friday January 30th 7-9pm youth ice skating at Woodland park. Hot chocolate and ice skating
4. Temple and Mission Prep Juniors and Seniors Sunday January 25th 4:30 at the Ross's home 9 Chinook Ct. East Columbia Falls
5. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries starting January 15th @ 7pm
6. Family game days: Jan 31, 2026 11- 3 pm and Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
7. Every Sunday at 6:00 pm Addiction Recovery meeting held at the Stake Center in the High council room.

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

01/17/2026

Ward Family,

Gratitude is powerful!
It can change your mindset and your health.

A study by a major university found that individuals who focused on gratitude and positive emotions had improved long-term health.
Isn’t that awesome?
President Russell M. Nelson taught that gratitude is a “fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription.”
“I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems,” he said. “Does gratitude spare us from sorrow, sadness, grief and pain? No, but it does soothe our feelings. It provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”
Here’s a five-minute gratitude challenge that you could try.
1. Every day for a week, set a timer for five minutes.
2. During those five minutes, focus on what you are grateful for.
3. Write your thoughts in a journal.
4. Text or call someone and tell them why you are thankful for them!
What are you grateful for today?

Announcements:

1. January sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Sunday January 18th 4:30-6pm Walk With Me stake youth fireside. Introducing the new theme and walking with Jesus moments.
3. Let’s Linger Longer potluck January 18th after church.
4. Jan 20th @ 6:30 RS activity all about emergency preparedness. -RS in is charge of cleaning the building join on Saturdays at 9am to help clean!
5. Friday January 30th 7-9pm youth ice skating at Woodland park. Hot chocolate and ice skating
6. Temple and Mission Prep Juniors and Seniors Sunday January 25th 4:30 at the Ross's home 9 Chinook Ct. East Columbia Falls
7. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries starting January 15th @ 7pm
8. Family game days:
Jan 31, 2026 11- 3 pm.
Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
9. Every Sunday
4:30 Addiction Recovery support
meeting
6:00 Addiction Recovery meeting
Both held at the Stake Center in
the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

01/10/2026

Ward Family,

Its history is complicated.
But here’s the Old Testament in a nutshell.

The Old Testament has 39 books and probably at least that many different authors! Here are some things we know about where it came from.
* The books are old. Really really old. Like 3,000 years or more.
* Books named after prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, and so forth—were primarily written by those prophets.
* We don’t know for sure who wrote the other books. Some might’ve had multiple authors.
* Most of the authors didn’t know their writings would one day be used as scripture, like the Book of Mormon prophets did. Their records are a diverse collection of laws, prophecies, histories, gospel teachings, and even poetry about God.
* Books were written on papyrus scrolls, wax and clay tablets, and leather.
* Over the centuries, the books were edited, revised, compiled, and translated multiple times.
Honestly, when you consider all of that history, it’s amazing that we have the Old Testament at all! God must consider it to be pretty important to have preserved it through so many generations and world events. As the 8th article of faith says, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly.”
What does God want you to learn from this holy, ancient book? It’s going to be fun exploring it together this year!

Announcements:

1. January sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Sunday January 18th 4:30-6pm Walk With Me stake youth fireside. Introducing the new theme and walking with Jesus moments.
3. Let’s Linger Longer potluck January 18th after church.
4. Friday January 30th 7-9pm youth ice skating at Woodland park. Hot chocolate and ice skating
5. Temple and Mission Prep Juniors and Seniors Sunday January 25th 4:30 at the Ross's home 9 Chinook Ct. East Columbia Falls
6. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries starting January 15th @ 7pm
7. Family game days:
Jan 31, 2026 11- 3 pm
Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
8. Every Sunday 4:30 Addiction Recovery support meeting 6:00 Addiction Recovery meeting Both held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

01/03/2026

Ward Family,

Yes, Jesus Christ is in the Old Testament.
Here’s how to find Him.

It was pretty easy to find the Savior while reading the Doctrine and Covenants last year—almost the entire book was a collection of His words.
But what about the Old Testament, which we’re studying this year? Jesus Christ is in that book of scripture too. Sometimes it just takes a little more work to see Him.
Here are three tips to keep in mind as we kick off 2026.

1. Some verses talk about Jesus Christ using a different name, like “Jehovah” or “God.” Footnotes can help you know when a name is referring to the Savior.
2. Many stories include symbols that teach us about the Savior, like the animal sacrifices that represent His death as part of His Atonement.
3. Old Testament prophets wrote about the coming of Jesus Christ. You might recognize Isaiah 9:6, for example, from a Christmas song!
Let’s use this year of scripture study to draw closer to our Savior. He loves you. Staying close to Him is the best decision any of us can ever make.

Announcements:

1. January sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Sunday January 18th 4:30-6pm Walk With Me stake youth fireside. Introducing the new theme and walking with Jesus moments.
3. Let’s Linger Longer potluck January 18th after church.
4. Friday January 30th 7-9pm youth ice skating at Woodland park. Hot chocolate and ice skating
5. Temple and Mission Prep Juniors and Seniors Sunday January 25th 4:30 at the Ross's home 9 Chinook Ct. East Columbia Falls
6. Book of Mormon study group led by the missionaries starting January 15th @ 7pm
7. Family game days:
Jan 31, 2026 11- 3pm
Feb 28, 2026 11- 3 pm
8. Every Sunday 4:30 Addiction Recovery support meeting 6:00 Addiction Recovery meeting both held at the Stake Center in the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

12/27/2025

Ward Family,

The Wise Men brought meaningful presents.
What do we offer the Savior?

The Wise Men traveled far to worship young Jesus. They presented Him with precious, symbolic, valuable gifts. (Which probably came in handy when the holy family needed money to escape into Egypt!)
What can we give the Lord? The most valuable possession we can give our Savior isn’t tangible. It’s “a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20).
In other words, be willing to do what He asks us to do. Be willing to trade what we want for what He wants. Choose to stick with Him, even when it’s unpopular.
Those are the most precious gifts we can give!

Announcements:

1. January sacrament meeting start time will be 10:30am.
2. Family Game Day this Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm in the primary room. We will love to see you there.
3. Sunday January 18th 4:30-6pm Walk With Me stake youth fireside. Introducing the new theme and walking with Jesus moments.
4. Friday January 30th 7-9pm youth ice skating at Woodland park. Hot chocolate and ice skating.
5. Every Sunday
4:30 Addiction Recovery support
meeting
6:00 Addiction Recovery meeting
Both held at the Stake Center in
the High council room

To schedule Temple recommend appointments please contact our executive secretary Brian Rhees at 209-834-6418. For Stake Temple recommend appointments contact Darrin Westover @ 406-253-2206

Thank you for all you do!!

Jared Charlesworth-Bishop
Travis Squires-1st Counselor
Billy Sandstrom-2nd Counselor

Missionaries:
406-250-9904

Friends of the Columbia Falls Ward

03/07/2026

02/28/2026

02/21/2026

02/14/2026

02/07/2026

01/31/2026

01/24/2026

01/17/2026

01/10/2026

01/03/2026

12/27/2025

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