I was very excited about the Stake Conference this time because there seemed to be a lot of changes in society and politics. I was wondering what the Leaders were going to tell us to do, more specifically than at the General Conference.
To my surprise, the Satke Conference was about at the same tone, which makes me think that the basics are the most important and most overlooked, and if we procrastinate to follow the counsels until they sound urgent, we would be the foolish virgins.
I enjoyed one sister's talk: "I'm never too busy to help a friend." This sounded very appropriate in these days. People are just simply busy nowadays, but I really appreciate my friends, Jon, Carrie, Lindsey, Beverly, S. Nelson, S. Greene, S. Jakeman, and S. Nielsen to help me with genealogy, making apple cider and Jacob's schooling decisions. I was thankful to have these wonderful friends who were never too busy to help a friend. And I bet these friends will accomplish more things because the Lord will bless them abundantly.
Elder Coleman's talk was simple to understand, and powerful. I had never deeply questioned why "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was published in 1995 and "The Living Christ" in 2000. Duh. Our Church First Presidency foresaw what was coming: Not only the ever rising divorce rate but the ever widening definition of marriage, acceptance of abortion, confusion of gender roles, and ignorance and ignoring of Christ our Savior in society, politics and public schools. How are people going to be saved? Good question.
Two weeks earlier, I was inspired to take a BYU online class that contained Doctrine and Covenants 89 and 112. By learning how to apply the Word of Wisdom to my life, I learned how to apply other things in my life too. It is impossible to understand D&C without the knowledge of history and the reason for the revelations. This is why sctipture study surpasses scripture reading. Taking this class made me realize I needed something on the side: Ensign, BYU class, church textbooks, etc. to understand scriptures.
Anyway, when Elder Coleman was talking about Stakes of Zion, thanks to the class, I was reminded of what kind of price was paid to build the Kirtland Temple and Stakes. And I loved hearing, "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth. (D&C 115:5-6)" We need to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father who provided the plan and Jesus Christ.
Ruby's foster mother, Sister Nelson, and I sat straight when Elder Coleman talked about Ruby who just got baptized. She was cut off from her family but she opened the door to her future family; maybe her sons will serve a mission to help others open their doors to their families; maybe she will do some temple works for her family before her; and she will have a huge family on the other side. And they will say, "Thank you for joining the Church." How powerful this sounded to me!
No one will teach our children about eternal family. This is our defense: family scripture study, family prayer, family home evening, date night :), church services and temple attendance.
