Subject: Saratoga Springs Utah Stake Announcements - November 2026
To: Stake Members:
Dear Saratoga Springs Stake Members,
As a follow-up from Stake Conference, we thought it would be a good reminder to share some of the principles and doctrine provided in President Erickson’s talk as we enter the month of Thanksgiving.
President Erickson focused on the transformative power of gratitude in recognizing God's constant, active presence in our lives. Drawing on the scriptural account of Elisha and the scientific discoveries of the Bennu asteroid samples, he emphasized that God’s blessings and divine aid are already present around us; discovery and gratitude do not create these mercies, but simply reveal them. Gratitude serves as a spiritual tool that expands our capacity to notice His hand in all things; allowing disciples, families, and friends to act as answers to prayers by helping open each other's eyes to the goodness that is already there.
President Erickson explained that true gratitude builds an enduring relationship with God rather than functioning as a mere checklist of blessings. By choosing to be grateful during difficult circumstances, individuals can build a positive "spiritual feedback loop" where recognizing past mercies increases future trust in the Lord and in following the Spirit. President Erickson testified that the Lord has been nearer, more active, more merciful, and more generous than we realize.
May this coming Thanksgiving be a sacred time of opening our eyes to the divine blessings from God that surround us, strengthening our trust in His constant care.
With love,
The Saratoga Springs Stake Presidency
Recurrent Events
Every Tuesday | 10-11:15am | Centennial Building Relief Society Room
Adult Institute Class
Every 1st Thursday | 7pm | Stake Center High Council Room
Every 3rd Thursday | 7pm | Stake Center
Stake YW Sports Night Open Gym
Every 4th Sunday | 4pm | Stake Center
Stake Adult Leadership Committee
RS and EQ Presidents meet in the high council room,
Counselors assigned to missionary work will meet in the Primary Room.
Counselors assigned to temple and family history work will meet in the room by the baptismal font.
Every 4th Sunday | 4pm | Stake Center
Mark Your Calendar
Nov 5
Stake Priesthood Event (details below)
Nov 8
Devotional - Finding Joy in Jesus Christ | 6pm | Jordan Willows Stake Center. For Senior Service Missionaries and members 26 and up. Flyer Here
Stake Youth Council | 7:30am | Stake Center
Nov 14
Ward Relief Society Presidency Collaboration Breakfast | 10-11:30am | Stake Center. This is for all ward Relief Society presidencies.
Nov 15
Stake Youth Music Devotional | 7pm | Stake Center
Nov 22
EQ and RS Councils | 4pm | Stake Center
Nov 29
Bishops and YW Presidents Council | 4 pm | Stake Center
Dec 6
First Presidency Christmas Devotional | 6pm | Broadcast
Dec 13
Stake Christmas Community Music Event | Details pending
Dec 14
Stake Center Closure for all day cleaning
Dec 20
1hr Sacrament Meeting
Dec 25
Christmas
Jan 9
YM Polar Plunge | 9am | North Marina | Details pending
Announcements
Stake Priesthood Event: This Thursday evening, November 5th, the Stake Presidency is planning a Stakewide Priesthood Event for all boys and men, ages 11 and up. It will be at the Stake Center from 7 pm to 9 pm. Please invite your quorums, ministering brothers, and neighborhood friends. Here is the schedule for the evening.
From 7:00 to 7:30, we will serve BYU brownies and Brooker's ice cream.
From 7:30 to 8:00, Brian Wilcox, project manager for the Salt Lake Temple, will speak about the temple construction project, including the challenges, experiences, and spiritual moments along the way.
From 8:00 to 8:45, Casey Griffiths, a BYU Church History and Doctrine professor, will speak on "The Power of Aligning Yourself with Prophets, Seers, and Revelators."
And from 8:45 to 9:00, President Erickson will offer closing remarks. We look forward to seeing you all there this Thursday, November 5th at 7 pm at the Stake Center.
New Stake Relief Society message on the website! Click on the link and then on the “A Recent Experience at the Temple” banner.
Family Preparedness/Emergency Preparedness - We have been counseled to be prepared for personal and large-scale disasters. This preparedness includes sustaining life with food storage and a water supply and extends to planning for reunification after a disaster, communication with family members, mental and emotional preparation, and many other considerations. This planning guide (link) can help you and your family create your own Preparedness Plan.
For the Strength of Youth Magazine subscription.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/tools/magazine-subscriptions?lang=eng
Monthly issues are also available online! (link)
Stake Center Closure on Monday, December 14th, for all day cleaning.
Stake Website - Reminder to reference this amazing resource! (link)
Missionary Efforts
Senior Missionary Service: Julia and Clyde Witham are the Stake Senior Missionary Specialists. Please reach out to them with any questions. Flyer Here
Clyde Witham, 801-380-4276 (text only) cwitham@xmission.com / Julia Witham, 801-380-4273 (text only) juliawitham@gmail.com
Critical Need - Service Missionary Employment Center
The Saratoga Spring Employment Center has a critical need for Service missionaries. Click this LINK and scroll down to the “Senior Missionary Service: A Sacred Invitation” for official invitation. Please reach out to your Bishop to help submit your request.
Scroll down and click on the “Immediate Needs” section of the website to see urgent requests for missionary services.
Welfare & Self-Reliance
Stake Self Reliance Group Meetings Fall 2026
Youth Emotional Resilience Group - 4pm at the Stake Center
Adult Emotional Resilience Group - 7pm in the HC room
Personal Finance - no Stake class offered this fall, will start again after the new year
Employment
Stake Employment resources can be found on the Stake website here: https://www.saratogaspringsutahstake.com/employment
Temple and Family History
See Stake website for updated 2026 goals around Temple and Family History work.
Stake Temple Recommend Scheduling
Stake temple recommend interviews will take place after members have already met with a member of their Bishopric. Members may have either a paper, or a mobile recommend, but not both at the same time. Please contact Stuart Harper in SS3 to schedule a time with the Stake. Interviews take place in the Stake offices, West side entrance of Stake Center, on Tanner Lane.
Interviews will be held:
Nov 11:: 7pm - 9:30pm
Nov 29: 3pm - 5:30pm
Note: Members who desire to switch from a paper recommend to a mobile recommend should contact a member of their bishopric. Please review the Member Guide found here.
Stake Primary Baptism Dates
November 7th
December 5th
Information and Reference
Children and Youth Protection
General reminder that anyone working with children or youth in their callings need to complete the ‘Children and Youth Protection Training’ every 3 years once called and within 30 days of being called. Click LINK here to complete training.
Addiction Recovery Renamed to “Healing Through the Savior”
The Addiction Recovery Program in the Church has been renamed and updated to “Healing Through the Savior.” An updated manual for Ward Leaders can be found here.
For locations where people can attend confidential meetings, click here.
The program is looking for more service missionary volunteers. If members are interested, they can contact their Bishop and inquire about service missionary opportunities to explore this further.
Church Building: Access and Scheduling
Building Access or Concerns: The building access system (Kindoo) is now integrated with LCR. Building access will automatically update as callings are updated in LCR. Questions or concerns reach out to Vaughn Staheli, our Stake Building Representative at vstaheli@gpengineering.com or text 801-592-5127.
Building Scheduling: Please contact the Stake Building Scheduler to reserve the Stake Center or the Centennial Building. Valerie Staheli 801-885-6985
Reminder of Ward Leadership Responsibilities to YSA
A reminder of Ward Leadership Responsibilities to the YSA can be found here.
Covenant Path Tool Update
The Church has updated the Covenant Path tool to allow local leaders to track returning members, not just friends of the church who are taking lessons from the missionaries. More information can be found here.
Church Security Resources
Our meetinghouses are sacred spaces where all should feel welcome and safe to connect with our Savior Jesus Christ and with each other. Following the recent tragic events in Michigan, as well as the changing security climate globally, we reiterate that people feeling welcome and safe in sacred spaces is a top priority. Members of the Saratoga Springs Stake are encouraged to regularly review the Church Security Resource Page available in the Help Center on the Church’s Official Website.
You are also encouraged to review the Security Training for Church Meetings and Events which can be found here.