Lucky old Bend, Oregon has been recognized as one of the top 10 best places to raise a family for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as LDS or, to laypeople, Mormans). If you’re looking for a ward where you can celebrate weekly Sunday services, you’re in luck; they are all over the place in Bend: the Cascade Crest Ward, the High Desert Ward, the Mount Bachelor Ward and the Mountain View Ward. In the LDS religion, church communities offer valuable opportunities for Church members to put the things they learn into practice by helping others. Each congregation within the Church is called a “ward” and is made up of about 200 to 400 Church members who live in a particular geographical area. Each ward is led by a bishop. Because there is no paid local clergy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these bishops come from all walks of life. They may be anything from teachers to businessmen, farmers to laborers. They are called to serve for several years while continuing to work in their professions and provide for their families.