I wrote this as ward historian of the Logan YSA 36th Ward of the Logan YSA 5th Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I see no reason why it needs to be confidential, and it may be of some very slight interest to actual historians someday as it shows the operations of the church on a local, day-to-day level. Although I later left the church, my memories of my seven years in this ward are overwhelmingly positive.
Logan YSA 36th Ward 2018 History
The Logan Utah YSA 36th Ward of the Logan Utah YSA 5th Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was led through 2018 by Bishop Brett Jorgensen, First Counselor Jim Christensen, Second Counselor Scott Mitchell. They were assisted by their wives Sandy, Margo, and Lisa, and by Executive Secretary Josh Carpenter. Ward members had many opportunities to interact with them at church and at activities, including several held at individual bishopric members' houses and an evening in the Relief Society room where they all introduced themselves and shared their lives. Sister Jorgensen in particular was very proactive in befriending people within the ward and serving as a mother figure of sorts. Brother Christensen suffered a health scare and needed heart surgery partway through the year, but he recovered and we are grateful that he is still with us.
Ben Haacke took over the Elders Quorum with First Counselor Jonathan Downing, Second Counselor Carson Clark, and Secretary Max Allen. The previous president, Christian Lippert, got bored and decided to get married and go off to Europe for a while. There were a few Elders Quorum activities, such as cleaning the chapel and target shooting, but as in previous years it was difficult to get all the guys together at the same time. Ashley Tolman led the Relief Society with her usual boundless enthusiasm and love for all humans. She was pleased to see some Relief Society members come back into church activity during the year. The Relief Society hosted exclusive activities for themselves such as dinners and Zumba nights, but one home evening the entire ward got to do a Zumba night and see what they had been missing out on.
Both the Elders Quorum and Relief Society had to adjust to the shift from home/visiting teaching to “ministering”. Though this was not without its challenges, many in both groups were already in the habit of being friendly and performing service for others. 2018 was also the last year of the three hour block. Most seemed prepared for the change, as they were already accustomed to preparing for Sunday school lessons outside of church and participating with their own questions and insights. Classes in this ward have already been very discussion-based rather than focused on the teacher lecturing.
Several ward missionaries operated enthusiastically under the leadership of Jonathan Crowley, who was always happy and friendly. They hosted an activity at the home of one of the missionaries, Rachel Ross, with the goal of encouraging ward members to meet their neighbors during the week and be rewarded with food. This activity had lots of dessert food and was well-received by the attendees. To my knowledge there were no baptisms within the ward boundaries this year, but that is understandable considering how small they are. The important thing is that the ward missionaries were always willing to reach out in love to people in and out of the ward.
Under the leadership of President Jeffrey Job, First Counselor Keith Larsen, and Second Counselor Paul Fjeldsted, the 5th Stake did several of its recurring annual activities, such as an evening of bowling and skating at the Cache Valley Fun Park, an afternoon at the enormous water slide in Wellsville, and a night carving pumpkins for the North Logan Pumpkin Walk. All of these were well-attended by the 36th Ward. High Councilors Stuart Conde and Scott Budge were assigned to the ward and gave entertaining talks. They were as much a part of the ward family as the bishopric and their wives.
In addition to the activities mentioned, the 36th Ward had several activities at Adams and Merlin Olsen Park when the weather was nice, two pizza-making/volleyball activities at the chapel, and a few temple nights. Ward prayer at the Boulevard church often included a game of some sort, but seldom refreshments. The only serious injury at an activity was Jalyn Weech, whose knee was severely damaged while playing volleyball. She had to leave the ward for a while as she sought medical attention, but she seems to have recovered now. During 2018 Bishop Jorgensen and others were mindful of ward members' needs and offered the Church's assistance when necessary. The ward, while imperfect, was usually a happy and supportive place to be and feel the Spirit.
Ben Haacke took over the Elders Quorum with First Counselor Jonathan Downing, Second Counselor Carson Clark, and Secretary Max Allen. The previous president, Christian Lippert, got bored and decided to get married and go off to Europe for a while. There were a few Elders Quorum activities, such as cleaning the chapel and target shooting, but as in previous years it was difficult to get all the guys together at the same time. Ashley Tolman led the Relief Society with her usual boundless enthusiasm and love for all humans. She was pleased to see some Relief Society members come back into church activity during the year. The Relief Society hosted exclusive activities for themselves such as dinners and Zumba nights, but one home evening the entire ward got to do a Zumba night and see what they had been missing out on.
Both the Elders Quorum and Relief Society had to adjust to the shift from home/visiting teaching to “ministering”. Though this was not without its challenges, many in both groups were already in the habit of being friendly and performing service for others. 2018 was also the last year of the three hour block. Most seemed prepared for the change, as they were already accustomed to preparing for Sunday school lessons outside of church and participating with their own questions and insights. Classes in this ward have already been very discussion-based rather than focused on the teacher lecturing.
Several ward missionaries operated enthusiastically under the leadership of Jonathan Crowley, who was always happy and friendly. They hosted an activity at the home of one of the missionaries, Rachel Ross, with the goal of encouraging ward members to meet their neighbors during the week and be rewarded with food. This activity had lots of dessert food and was well-received by the attendees. To my knowledge there were no baptisms within the ward boundaries this year, but that is understandable considering how small they are. The important thing is that the ward missionaries were always willing to reach out in love to people in and out of the ward.
Under the leadership of President Jeffrey Job, First Counselor Keith Larsen, and Second Counselor Paul Fjeldsted, the 5th Stake did several of its recurring annual activities, such as an evening of bowling and skating at the Cache Valley Fun Park, an afternoon at the enormous water slide in Wellsville, and a night carving pumpkins for the North Logan Pumpkin Walk. All of these were well-attended by the 36th Ward. High Councilors Stuart Conde and Scott Budge were assigned to the ward and gave entertaining talks. They were as much a part of the ward family as the bishopric and their wives.
In addition to the activities mentioned, the 36th Ward had several activities at Adams and Merlin Olsen Park when the weather was nice, two pizza-making/volleyball activities at the chapel, and a few temple nights. Ward prayer at the Boulevard church often included a game of some sort, but seldom refreshments. The only serious injury at an activity was Jalyn Weech, whose knee was severely damaged while playing volleyball. She had to leave the ward for a while as she sought medical attention, but she seems to have recovered now. During 2018 Bishop Jorgensen and others were mindful of ward members' needs and offered the Church's assistance when necessary. The ward, while imperfect, was usually a happy and supportive place to be and feel the Spirit.
