Stake Conference

Last night and this morning we had the opportunity to attend stake conference.  The conference was amazing.  Some highlights were the Friday night session for adults.  There was a convert who was 80 and a sister who came back to the church as a young mom.  The gospel has had such a powerful light and influence in their life.  

Tyler accompanied the stake choir.  They had never practiced together and it took a lot of hard work and faith on his end to go and do something he was asked to do.  He said he never wants to do something like that again and it was very stressful for him leading up to it, but he did it!  And the conference was so focused on just going and doing what we are asked to do.  I am proud of him for working so hard and doing something out of his comfort zone.  I did tell him that in the future it would be nice to work on being a little more patient and kind in the process when he is stressed out. 

Elder Sabin shared a really touching story about his daughter.  His son had died about a year prior when it looked like his16 year old daughter was going to die if she didn't get a double lung transplant due to the same condition as her brother.   Two ward members gave her a lobe of their lung and she told her dad that "it didn't matter if she got new lungs or woke up in a better place." It was a great reminder to him that he needed to have an eternal perspective. Doctors didn't give her a good prognosis and she miraculous gained strength, woke up and went to work.  He said she understood the gift she was given and wasn't going to squander that gift.  He related that to the gift we have each day to work towards ushering in the Savior, preparing ourselves and preparing others. 

He talked about the prophets and when Elder Kimball was in and out of being lucent, he called President Hinckley who got dressed at 3AM and rushed to his house.  Elder Kimball said to call President Nelson and President Oaks in that order to fill seats in the 12.  That even though our prophet and others are old, in their 90's, the mantle is still very much with them and the Lord will strengthen them when and if needed.

Today, President March, Judd and Hagan got released and President Chapman got called to be our new stake president.  He will be great.  I told Danny this morning he would probably be called if it wasn't too difficult to release him from the mission presidency.  He and Marci will be great! I am grateful for the priesthood, our priesthood leadership and know, without a doubt that these men are called of God.  

It was a great conference.  The general authorities talked about the urgency of preparing for the Savior, both in our hearts and as a people.  He said he often gets asked if the world needs more wickedness before the Savior comes which he laughs about.  He said we don't need more wickedness, the world is plenty wicked but we need a people that are ready for him.  

He said that renewed urgency was and is seen in Elder Holland and each of us should be like the Prophet and say each day, "It is going to be a great day." 

He also said, "It is a lot harder to be 95% in than 100% in."  There couldn't be a more true statement about the church and in life.  That 5% of being out takes so much effort, thought and pull from what we know it right. Edified!