Recently, the Monett Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had a change in its stake presidency.

Although the name “Monett” might give a false idea that the Monett Stake only comprises the town of Monett, the stake reaches as far north as Cedar County, as far south as the Arkansas border, just shy of Billings on the east and some places near the Kansas border on the west. It serves over 3,000 members.

PaulFields,ofCarthage, marketing researcher and consultant for some of the largest contractors in the country, was sustained as Monett Stake President and will govern the religious activities within his stake boundaries.

Kirt Bliss, a rancher from Dadeville, was sustained as Monett Stake First Counselor. Edward Numbers, of Aurora, a biomedical equipment technician, was sustained as Monett Stake Second Counselor.

Ben Leavitt, of Pierce City, outgoing Monett Stake president, reminded members, at a Sept. 24 Monett Stake meeting, that “in Christ we have a sure foundation,” and “The most important direction we can look is up.”

In assuming the presidency, Fields said community cooperation is a main goal.

“I would like to see the church members equally yoked and cooperating together with others in our communities to bring the work of the Lord forward,” he said. “I would also like to see a reaching out to the heavy laden members and to those of other faiths.”