Last week we were uplifted and taught by all the speakers and music at both the Adult Session and the General Session of Stake Conference, as well as the special temple meeting on Friday night. I apologize that I am not sharing my notes from all the talks. I felt impressed to focus this post on the instruction and testimony given by our Stake Presidency. I hope it will be a helpful reminder to us of what we heard and felt in those meetings. I know my family and I were grateful for their words and especially for their testimonies and for all those who participated in the Conference meetings.
-Lorie Pierce
President Mitchell
In the Saturday evening session, President Mitchell referenced a General Conference talk given by Elder Carlos E. Asay in 1981. You can read that talk here: Opposition to the Work of God
On Sunday morning, President Mitchell bore testimony of Jesus as the Christ and our Redeemer. He taught us that the Lord's atonement provides us grace to grow into the exalted beings our Father in Heaven desires us to become and to draw nearer to our Savior in life's experiences.
He encouraged all of us ages 12 and older to be worthy of and hold a temple recommend - to take part in this work by attending the temple and seeking out our ancestors.
He spoke of Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, which represents Jesus Christ and the fruit, His atonement. He taught us that we must personally partake of the fruit - or the atonement - that we can't eat for someone else. He talked of the iron rod - that it represents the word of God and leads us to Christ. In the darkness and distractions of life, the only way to make it safely is to hold onto the iron rod.
He said that there are 3 ways to hold onto the iron rod:
1. Read and study the scriptures
Never before in the history of the world have we had such access to the scriptures. We can individually study and learn. The world has never before needed such access to the word of God. We can use our smart phones for a smart reason - Gospel Library app. The scriptures lead us to Christ. Nephi promises, "whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it,
they would never perish; neither could the
temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness,
to lead them away to destruction." (1 Nephi 15:24)
2. Follow the living prophet and apostles
We have access to a living prophet and twelve apostles. They receive the word of God and make it known to us. We should seek out their teachings and be quick to obey. We need to live by every word which proceeded forth from their teachings. We have General Conference, the Engisn magazine, the lds mobile apps and lds.org to help us know what they are saying to us.
3. Seek for and listen to the Holy Ghost.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost entitles us to His constant companionship as we live worthy. By studying the words of God and seeking the Spirit - you will receive guidance.
He concluded with his testimony of Christ and exhorted us to study the Book of Mormon and promised that as we continue to study it, we will feel the Spirit and power that is there. He reminded us that our safety in these last days comes from following the prophets.
President Towne
In the Saturday evening session, President Towne referenced the newly compiled version of the First Vision. He commented that we are fortunate to have records that afford us the opportunity to see Joseph Smith's perspective as he related his experience to various people. These various records have been compiled into a joint document that we can read via lds.org. https://history.lds.org/article/joseph-smiths-accounts-of-the-first-vision?lang=eng
On Sunday morning, President Towne spoke directly to the Primary children. His message to them was about the Savior - His sacrifice and resurrection. He explained that we can remember our Savior by making the Sabbath Day a special day. He told them of a new Primary song called "His Day" and encouraged them to go to our Stake Public Affairs Facebook page to hear that song.
He also told the children that the scriptures testify of Christ. He told the story of Thomas from the New Testament, who wouldn't believe the Lord had been resurrected until he saw for himself. He encouraged us to read the scriptures and pray to know that those witnesses of the Savior are true.
He said that the knowledge of Christ is so important - we need to share it with other people. God is our Father and that means that everyone we meet is our brother or our sister.
He concluded with his testimony of the Savior and encouraged us to share our testimonies of the Savior with others.
President Peterson
In the Saturday evening session, President Peterson introduced "Teaching in the Savior's Way" which is designed to help all of us as teachers or future teachers learn from the Lord's pattern and from one another through Teacher Council Meetings. The new booklet "Teaching in the Savior's Way" is available online and printed copies will be coming to ward/branches soon. He also bore testimony of the importance of discussing the Gospel and the Scriptures through Sunday School and encouraged us all to make attending our Sunday School classes a priority where callings in Primary don't conflict.
On Sunday morning, President Peterson bore a tender testimony of the Savior. He testified that the Savior will come again and that is our Faith. He told us that is was faith that brought us to Conference to have the opportunity to associate as Saints and to hear testimony and be taught.
He spoke of the power of testimony - to be able to say "I know". He talked about how we reach that point through a process of coming to believe and coming to feel as we learn of and testify of Christ. He reminded us that as Alma taught using a seed to compare to faith and testimony - our testimony grows through our experiences and we receive knowledge.
He taught us that faith in Christ helps us understand that trials and challenges are opportunities to exercise faith, patience and understanding as we work through those trials and challenges.
He concluded with his testimony - with his "I Know" - of the Savior as our Redeemer.
