Benefits in Attending Stake Conference (Two Sessions)

My Perspective: Highlights of Stake Conference

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Twice a year, I have the opportunity of attending Stake Conference.  Normally, there is a Saturday night Session for the general membership, preceded by a Priesthood Meeting attended by the male members of the church.  Then, on Sunday, there is another meeting for everyone.  

I was able to attend both sessions; each time, I felt inspired by the speakers.  There was a good mix of both male and female and in addition, there was a Spanish speaking sister at the Sunday session.  There is usually at least one youth speaker; on Sunday we heard from both a young man and a young woman.

A really enjoyable feature of these conferences is that other congregations from different parts (geographical) of the Stake attend.  Although there isn't a specific or particularly formal meet and greet set apart, you can make a point of coming early to the conference or staying afterwards to greet old friends and occasionally, far-flung relatives. 

I enjoyed seeing a former Stake President, Brother Hill, who had moved from Crestview, Florida to Marianna.  I also spotted a former Bishop of our Ward, Doyle Reeves and his wife, Janet.  I had only to look to the end of my row to recognize a not too distant cousin, Connie Dukes, who lives in or around Crestview and in her spare time, volunteers at the Baker Block Museum.  There isn't a lot of time for socializing, but it is just refreshing to realize that others you have known and cared about in the past, are still able and desirous of driving the distance to attend this meeting.

Now, to the meat of the matter, the speakers and the substance of their talks:

Saturday, 17 August, 2019:  The first speaker was Emily Curtis, a member of my Fort Walton Beach ward.  She is the Stake Primary Presidency and her topic was helping our children (for those who still have young families or children at home), develop their testimonies.  Sister Curtis admitted to falling short of the image for a perfect and wholly prepared mom.  

Was what she had to offer, sufficient for achieving this goal?  How might we achieve the project of strengthening our children's testimony?  She told the story of the bread and fishes that wasn't nearly enough to feed the 5000 in attendance to hear the Savior speak.  And yet, for Christ, it wasn't a problem; he had the power of miracle making.  So, success on the home front comes when we offer whatever we have and trust the Lord to make it sufficient.

Emily reminded us that building a firm foundation in our homes is achieved one brick at a time.  The gospel can be shared in casual conversation as a natural part of our lives.  A pure expression of His love for us leads to unity in the family circle.  Emily Parks spoke next and continued the theme of making Christ a central part of our everyday lives.  He is the foundation upon which we build. 

We can renew our focus by attending Sacrament meeting and partaking of the bread and water.  To partake of the Sacrament reminds us that Christ was the perfect and only one that could render the Sacrifice necessary to atone for our sins.  The concept of ministering to others is realized when we love those we minister to, mourn with them, etc.

Increase the reach of your light by following in the footsteps of Christ.  How bright does our light shine?

There was a musical performance at this time as a sister in the Stake sang Nearer, My God to thee.  Beautiful!

President Allred spoke next; our Stake is part of the Alabama, Birmingham Mission.  He testified that the Gospel changes lives.  His wife spoke also.  How has our membership in the church affecting my life and the lives of others.  Be an example first of the Good Shepherd.  Reach out a loving arm to others.  There are nine stakes in this mission, 56 wards and 24 Branches.  80 units in all.  This mission has 231 missionaries.  Two of the stakes (Pensacola and Fort Walton) from Florida are attached to this mission.

In your performance as a Christian, are you holding something back or are you giving your all?

A most enjoyable speaker, President Kimball (of the Stake Presidency), is a "Georgia Boy".  He referred to Mosiah 2:30, talked about a basketball story at the MTC and stated that Stake Conference is where Christ would have us be at this very moment.  Our biggest need as a people is to "Wake UP"!  See 2 Nephi 28:21; don't just think "all is well"/complacency.  Elder Maxwell talked about levels of concentration/or consecration.  

President Kimball also talked about the Alma 5 Test.  verse 14--spirituality, works of righteousness, path to ? righteousness, song of redeeming love.  THE LORD REQUIRES OUR HEART.  Are we committed to the theme that His will is our will?  Do we have personal revelation?  do we sGeek it?  When we pray we talk to God, When we read the scriptures, He talks to us.  How and Why do we need to "wake up"? Do a sel?f inventory.  Silence the Noise of the world, seek revelation and act on it once you've received it.  

How do we receive revelation?  First get rid of worldly distractions.  The Noise.  (Cell phones)?  Don't be prideful--it's not all about me).    Contention.  The cares of the world.  Unworthiness--if this is unresolved get to the Bishop.  When we wake up there will be the Light of Jesus in our eyes.

Now, I have not addressed the "BIG" thing about Stake Conference and attendance at this twice a year meeting.  It is the Spirit.  You go to feel the spirit of each and every speaker, of the hymns and the performance of the special musical numbers, of the participators of those instances.  You go to feel the spirit of the Saints/members/and those who have been called to serve (voluntarily) in various stake positions.  You go to add your spirit to that body.  To testify by virtue of your being there, that you have faith in this faith.  And is the "Spirit", the Holy Ghost, in attendance also?  Yes!  Otherwise, we couldn't feel the spirit of each other and of the Lord.  The Holy Ghost is our conduit.  This is the way we feel, listen, and learn what it is that our Heavenly Father would have us know, would have us feel.  This is the way that the Savior teaches us, touches us with His Spirit.  We can read, study, pray, ponder and feel that Spirit, but being congregated as we are at a conference, adds an additional element with other human beings...we are feeling the Spirit together, a single and sole experience that is essential--it is why the invitation goes out to the group, to the congregation.  Because, we are not alone.  We stand in support of one another, in love of one another, as well as in "sync" with the Lord.

Watch Life, Liberty & Levin

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6064916193001/#sp=show-clips

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