'Love thy neighbor' directive of new leader of Havre Latter-day Saints

Press release

Havre resident Brian Williams was recently called as the presiding bishop to lead the Havre Ward congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Williams invites all residents of Hill County to follow the Saviors example by “Loving thy neighbor as thyself.”

“As we show forth more kindness, empathy and gratitude towards one another we will build stronger families and a greater community,” he said.

Williams and his wife, Linda, have five children, four boys and one daughter. The oldest, Brandon is currently serving a mission in the Mississippi Jackson Mission. Trevor is a senior; Joshua is a freshman, both attending Havre High School. Alyssa is in the sixth grade at Havre Middle School and Michael is a third-grader in the Havre school district.

Earning a Master of Arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, Williams is employed as the vice president of professional services at Northern Montana Hospital.

Members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteer their time and energy without compensation; the church has no local full-time paid clergy. All church leaders have occupations beyond their church duties making the church lay-led. A bishop is the highest ecclesiastical leader for a local congregation.

The ground-breaking ceremony on the Havre church building began in 1983 and subsequently the building was remodeled in 2012 to expand for larger classrooms and an added baptismal font. The Havre community was a great support for the members, accommodating their needs for other meeting places during the construction.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a sign on every chapel stating: “All Visitors welcome.” The invitation is to everyone; come and see.