A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post One

In November 1991, the Columbia Maryland Stake was organized under the direction of Elder Richard G. Scott from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Sister Irene Whitlock was then called by the newly sustained Stake President, C. Brent Bargeron, to serve as the first Stake Relief Society President.  Her counselors were Judy Stephenson and Donna Schott with Kay Paulson as secretary.

Irene Whitlock served as president from 1991-1995.  During that time, their presidency had opportunities to serve alongside the brethren in building up the newly formed stake.  One such event was in 1993, when Elder Packer, Elder Scott and Elder Kofford came for training meetings.  Irene's husband, Jerry Whitlock, recalled, "That time was a great one for Irene and me.  She let me attend all the quarterly meetings (to set up the tables and to do the dishes and cleanup while the meeting was being held).  I received a special apron from the Relief Society when she was released and was named an honorary member of the Relief Society."

L-R: Elder Kofford, Elder Scott, Donna Schott, Kay Paulson, Elder Packer, Irene Whitlock, Judy Stephenson - 1993

L-R: Irene Whitlock, Judy Stephenson, Kay Paulson, Donna Schott, Elder Scott - 1993

Women's Conferences and other Stake Relief Society meetings were held to provide opportunities to strengthen and encourage the sisters of the stake.  Irene and her presidency always had the best interest of the sisters in mind as they organized stake meetings and activities.  Their presidency reached out to the wards to understand the needs of the sisters and to build a united sisterhood.

Irene Whitlock passed away at the age of 82 on December 19, 2014.  Throughout her life, she set a personal example of faith and service.  She served with graciousness and humility - always with her mind and heart focused on seeking the Spirit to discern how best to teach and lead.  She served without hesitation and gave her best effort to every assignment.  Her love of the Lord was always evident as she spoke.  Her testimony of the importance of the temple was demonstrated clearly as she served in the Washington DC Temple for 30 years, first as a volunteer answering the telephone and then later as an ordinance worker.

Even if we didn't know these women personally and maybe didn't even live in the Columbia Maryland Stake during their time of service, we have been blessed by their efforts.  They laid a foundation of righteous choices, faith & devotion in our Savior and selfless service.

- Lorie Pierce

**Note - a correction has been made since the original publication of this post.  The visit of Sister Chieko N. Okazaki originally referenced did not occur during Sister Whitlock's time as president.  It was not until 2002 that she visited and it will be addressed in a later history post.

Highlights from Stake Conference

Saturday - June 13, 2015 - Adult Session

President Steve Towne (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- What sign do you want to give the Lord?  (Elder Russell M. Nelson, General Conference April 2015, "The Sabbath Is a Delight")

- We are not perfect.  That's why we have the sacrament, so we can come to the table of the Lord to renew covenants and recommit.

Sister Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- If we follow the plan Heavenly Father has given us, we can make it.  The challenges of life won't defeat us.

- We were not promised to have the challenges of life taken away, but that we can overcome them.

President Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- What was your experience in the temple and how has it changed your life?

Sister Gams (Stake Primary Presidency):

- Councils at home and in the Church work as a group for the greater good. They provide opportunities to serve.  Opportunities that bless our lives.

- We are not alone.  We are in it together.

Chris Rhodes (YSA Branch):

- He shared his conversion story and testimony of the plan of salvation.

- I choose now to use my agency to follow the path.

President Steve Peterson (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- Showed a clip from a training video in which Sister Rosemary Wixom (Primary General President) taught that as families and ward councils we should be thoughtful of children and adults with children in our Sacrament meetings; that we can all be better at helping families with children in those meetings.

- He gave us an assignment to council together in our homes and ward/branch councils about how to improve our Sabbath observance and as a result our Sacrament meetings.

- If we improve our Sabbath observance, we will increase our faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

President James Mitchell (Columbia Maryland Stake President):

- He quoted from Elder Bednar and Elder Packer regarding the basic purpose of the Church being to make available ordinances to unite parents and children.  All that we are doing points us to the temple.

 - He compared the multi-generational families in the Church to the trees in a forest.  That there is a cycle from the trees producing seed that grow into forests which produce more seeds and more trees.  He noted that even the decaying trees of the forest provide nutrients to the soil to strengthen the forest.  He explained that in the Church the cycle is within ordinances - baptism, endowment, sealing and from that sealing children come and grow up to be baptized, endowed and sealed to a spouse to continue as family units.  He then said that there is often a break in the cycle between baptism and endowment...and that the greatest factor in that break down is weak Gospel teaching and modeling in our homes.

- Sabbath observance and teaching is key in our homes.

- He encouraged us to revisit the talk "The Sabbath is a Delight" by Elder Russell M. Nelson.

- He encouraged us to read the hymn "More Holiness Give Me".

- Don't let the ground cover of your life take over your Sabbath or take over your life.

- Remember what's important is Jesus Christ and Family.  The Sabbath is a great time to remember Jesus Christ and to strengthen our families.

- Live by every word - Not just listen

- He encouraged us to listen to the prophet, the apostles and our local leaders.

Sunday - June 14, 2015 - General Session

Sister Valentin (Columbia 3rd Branch):

- She spoke on missionary work and reminded us that we can all invite others to come unto Christ.

- Heavenly Father wants us to bring others back with us.

Brother Zac Knudson (Columbia 2nd Ward):

- He spoke on how to make our testimonies stronger.  He compared strengthening our testimonies to how Moroni prepared his people to protect themselves from the armies of the Lamanites.  (see Alma 48)

Sister Folger (Washington DC Temple):

- We need to fight like the Nephites to stay out of bondage to Satan.

- Families can protect themselves from the influence of evil through temple covenants.  Attending the temple provides a protection.  She quoted President Ezra Taft Benson and President Vaughn J. Featherstone who taught of the power of temple ordinances and that as we visit the temple unseen angels will attend us.

Brother Folger (Washington DC Temple):

- D&C 18:15-16  refers to both missionary work and temple work -- in both we are inviting souls to repent by offering ordinances to them -- we are bringing souls unto Christ

Sister Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- The Book of Mormon is tangible evidence of Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove.

- The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings happiness, joy and peace.  It lifts the burdens this world brings.

President Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- He encouraged us to look around at who was not there and reach out to them.  Love them as families love one another and our stake will grow to become two.

Sister McGinn (Columbia 1st Ward):

- What do I know? What do I believe?

- She shared her personal testimony answering those questions.

Brother McGinn (Columbia 1st Ward):

- My name is Boyd McGinn.  I am a Mormon.  I know who I am and where I am going.

- He also shared his personal testimony.

President Steve Peterson (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- Happy Sabbath Day!

- He referenced Elder Nelson's talk, "The Sabbath Is a Delight".

- He spoke about fasting in relation to keeping the Sabbath holy - that it can be a change - a day of doing something different - a separate day

- He referred to D&C 84 and spoke of how through the ordinances of the Gospel the power of God is manifest.

- He asked us to consider the sacrament as an ordinance...Do we prepare ourselves for the sacrament as an ordinance like baptism and temple ordinances even though it happens every week?  And How can that preparation to partake of the sacrament help us make the Sabbath a Delight?

President Steve Towne (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- He spoke specifically to the Primary children (and the rest of us).

- It's okay to do good things even if you don't know all the reasons behind it.  The Savior taught that if any man will do His will they will understand His doctrine.

- Just as Adam was taught by an angel because he was faithful in offering sacrifice - we will have people who will help us understand.

- The sacrament is to help us remember what the Lord has done for us.

President James Mitchell (Columbia Maryland Stake President):

- He read the 3rd verse of "More Holiness Give Me" .  The Lord makes it possible for us to be cleansed and purified.

- Jesus Christ is mighty to save.  He is the only way.  He has all power to cleanse from all unrighteousness.  President Mitchell used Alma the Younger as an example.

- Conversion is a life long process.  The Lord changes us.  We become men and women of God.

- He taught us from President Uchtdorf's talk "The Gift of Grace".

- Grace opens the windows of heaven.  Weak things can become strong.

- The good news of the Gospel is that we have a chance because of Jesus Christ.  We can each change and have our hearts changed.

- We keep the commandments not to earn our way in, but because we love God.

- Our obedience is how we reach out to accept the gift.

- The real manifestations of God's love are His commandments.  Let us rejoice that He loves us so much that He gives us commandments.

- What we do on the Sabbath demonstrates our love for God.

- We should do all in our power to heed the prophets and apostles. They are telling us to keep the Sabbath more holy.

- He concluded with his testimony and encouraged everyone to strengthen their testimony of Jesus Christ by studying the Book of Mormon.

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A special thanks to all who participated musically.  The songs shared were uplifting and beautiful.

Daughters in My Kingdom

In 2011 the Church published a book entitled, "Daughters in My Kingdom - The History and Work of Relief Society".

In the 2010 General Relief Society Meeting, Sister Julie B. Beck (then serving as the Relief Society General President) introduced the upcoming publication with these words:

"Our presidency has prayed, fasted, pondered, and counseled with prophets, seers, and revelators to learn what God would have us do to help His daughters be strong in the face of “the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth.”  An answer has come that the sisters of the Church should know and learn from the history of Relief Society. Understanding the history of Relief Society strengthens the foundational identity and worth of faithful women.

In consequence of this, a history of Relief Society for the Church is being completed and will be available for our use next year. The preparation of the history has been an inspired and revelatory experience.

As we have studied the history of Relief Society, we have learned that the Lord’s vision and purpose for Relief Society was not of a sleepy meeting on Sunday. He had in mind something much, much bigger than a women’s club or special-interest entertainment group.

He intended Relief Society to help build His people and prepare them for the blessings of the temple. He established this organization to align His daughters with His work and to enlist their help in building His kingdom and strengthening the homes of Zion."

The foreword of this book contains a letter from The First Presidency as follows:

Dear Sisters:

In grateful recognition of the blessing of Relief Society in the lives of Church members, we have directed the preparation of Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society. We pray that this book will be a blessing to you and to those whose lives you touch.

We express our love and admiration for you and recognize that you are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father and dedicated disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are part of a great worldwide sisterhood. Guided by your motto, “Charity never faileth,” you help strengthen families and build up the kingdom of God on the earth.

We encourage you to study this book and allow its timeless truths and inspiring examples to influence your lives.

We testify that the Lord has restored the fulness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that Relief Society is an important part of that restoration. Relief Society sisters have a glorious heritage. We pray that this volume will be an important resource for preserving that heritage.

The First Presidency

We invite and encourage all the sisters of our Stake to read this book.  It is not only interesting, but it is uplifting - and couldn't we all use more uplifting in our lives?  

There are options for reading it - you can read it online via lds.org, download it from lds.org, read it with the Gospel Library app or you can order a hardcopy of the book via store.lds.org.  There is also a page dedicated on lds.org to Daughters of My Kingdom with videos and links to resources.

Did You Know? - Media Library on lds.org

We live in an age of resources and the Church is doing a great job of providing amazing resources to us as individuals, families, teachers and leaders.  One of these resources is the Media Library available on lds.org.  They have videos and images for use in our homes, in our lessons, in sharing the Gospel and specifically for using on the internet.  Their site even provides information on how to use the technology - for example how to show a video from your mobile device or how to share a pictures on social media.

If you haven't looked at the Media Library recently - you're missing out!

Here's just a sample of what you can find there:

Children's Songbook Artwork

A Gathering of the Saints

"For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments." (D&C 82:14.)

Today in Sacrament Meeting a letter from our Stake Presidency was read regarding our upcoming Stake Conference.  It struck me what a unique opportunity conferences - specifically stake conferences - are in our Church and I began to wonder about their purpose and origin.  I've spent some time this afternoon reading on lds.org and thought I would share a little of what I found.

First - what is a stake and who is part of a stake?  I have served a couple different times in stake callings and each time the phrase I have heard from "well wishers" has been about my now being "in the stake".  My response is usually to remind them that we are all "the stake" - each of us in our ward and branches.  A stake doesn't exist independent of its ward and branch members.

"A stake is composed of a number of wards or branches. It generally has a set of geographical boundaries and conforms to the tent image described in Isaiah 54:2: 'Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.' Each stake of Zion supports and helps to hold up the Church the way a tent or tabernacle is held up by its stakes. A stake is the gathering place for the remnants of scattered Israel (D&C 82:13-14; 101:17-21)."  (lds.org/guide to the scriptures/stake)

President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

"The term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion."  ("Strengthen Thy Stakes", Ensign 1991)

I like that image.  We are each important in the effort to strengthen our stake and by so doing strengthen the Church as a whole.

Second - why hold stake conferences?  The obvious answer is that we've been asked to.  But the real answer lies in understanding the opportunity in gathering as saints.

In 1973, President Harold B. Lee gave a General Conference address entitled "Strengthen the Stakes of Zion".  The following is from that address:

"While the Church was in its infancy, the Lord pointed to a time when those earlier gathering places would not have room for all who would be gathered for reasons for which he declared that his church should be united. Here are his words:  'For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' And then this command: 'Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations.' (D&C 115:4-5.)  The Lord speaks of organized units of the Church which are designated as stakes, each of which those not of our faith may think of as a diocese. These units so organized are gathered together for these fundamental purposes: first, for a defense against the enemies of the Lord’s work, both the seen and the unseen.  These organizations were to be as stated in the revelation noted earlier, as a 'refuge from the storm'".

Stake Conference is an opportunity to gather together to be strengthened through the words of the speakers, the testimonies shared, the personal inspiration received - to indeed find a refuge from the storms of life.

President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk in General Conference (April 2000) entitled "The Stake President".  After reading it, I had a greater appreciation for the service rendered by these brethren.  These words in particular struck me:

"Chosen by inspiration, they are most diligent in the pursuit of their duties. They are men of ability. They are men well schooled in the doctrines and practices of the Church. They are men of great faith. They are men who are called of the Lord to preside in the areas of their jurisdiction.  I have total confidence in the men who fill this office. Their duties are numerous, their responsibilities great. They recognize their own inadequacy, and I know that they pray for guidance and help. I know they study the scriptures to find answers. I know they place this work first in their lives. Because we have such confidence in them, we urge local members that they not seek out General Authorities to counsel with and bless them. Their stake presidents have been called under the same inspiration under which the General Authorities were called."

Each normal Sunday, we attend church within our wards & branches and we teach one another the doctrines of Christ in our meetings & lessons.  But just a few times a year, we have the opportunity to be taught by our Stake Presidency.  It is an opportunity that I am looking forward to with a better appreciation and understanding of the potential for good in my life and the life of my family and for my ability to contribute to the strengthening of our stake in Zion.

-Lorie Pierce

Let It Change Your Life

This past weekend, our family had the opportunity to spend time in the Palmyra, New York area.  As I sat on a bench along a trail within the Sacred Grove, I was again touched by the witness of the Spirit with a whisper in my heart and mind of, "It is true.  It really did happen.  Joseph Smith truly saw our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ."

Life can get cluttered and our view sometimes clouded by the concerns and attitudes of the world.  I am grateful for the quiet moments when the Spirit can touch my heart and dispel the clouds of the world.  My time in the Sacred Grove was one such moment, but each time I partake of the Sacrament or walk through the doors of the temple, I am given that same sweet peace and confirmation of truth.

I am grateful for Joseph's simple prayer which led to the blessings of the Gospel being available for me today.

We have hanging on our wall a picture of the Sacred Grove with the words, "What happened here changed the world.  Let it change your life."  What a simple, yet poignant reminder.

We are only about a 5-6 hour drive away from Palmyra.  It is well worth the time and the effort to visit the Church History sites there.  Below are links to learn more and maybe plan your own visit.

Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center

Smith Family Farm

Sacred Grove

Book of Mormon Publication Site

Peter Whitmer Log Home

Martin Harris Farm

- Lorie Pierce

Social Media Splits

The third Saturday each month has been set aside in the Maryland Baltimore Mission - which includes our Stake - as Social Media Splits Saturday.  What a great opportunity for us to interact with the missionaries and provide opportunities for them to interact with our friends.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught, "Sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before....Perhaps the Lord's encouragement to 'open [your] mouths' might today include 'use your hands' to blog and text message the gospel to all the world!" (Ensign, May 2011, "Waiting on the Road to Damascus")

The following is from the Maryland Baltimore Mission blog regarding Social Media Splits:

Objective: Local members savvy in social media will work with missionaries and chronicle their day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine, YouTube and other social media outlets.

This effort will help others understand that

• We believe in Jesus Christ and worship our Father in Heaven through Him
• Missionaries are hard-working young men and women who are good and friendly neighbors
• The missionaries and members work together to serve their communities. Mormons believe in being good citizens

Elder David A. Bednar has taught, "The Lord is hastening His work, and it is no coincidence that these powerful communication innovations and inventions are occurring in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Social media channels are global tools that can personally and positively impact large numbers of individuals and families. And I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father, His plan of happiness for His children, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world; to proclaim the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days; and to accomplish the Lord’s work."

The following are links to the talk that quote is from.  The first is a short video of his presentation and the second text.  It is well worth reading or viewing.

Elder Bednar - Examples of Using Social Media for Good

Elder Bednar - Sweep the Earth as With a Flood

There is also a great video, created by Oakli Wright, posted on the Columbia Maryland Stake Public Affairs Facebook page.  Due to technical issues, we aren't at this point able to embed it here for you to view.  But it is really a great example of what Social Media Splits "look" like.  You should use the link to that Facebook page to view it!

Talk with your ward or branch missionaries about doing Social Media Splits with them.  They will be excited and you will blessed for the association and the effort.