Stake conference Nov 1st 2009

Stake Conference Highlights:
Stake conference thismorning! It was wonderful, I will try and include a few notes for those who missed out.

Stake Business – President Fronk
As most of you know, a new Stake was recently formed in our area. With the new stake came many releases – President Fronk said a tearful goodbye to 24 people.

Stake Choir accompanied by Becky Price sang a beautiful rendition of “Have I done any Good”

T. Harris – RM just returning from California spoke to us about the refiners fire –
Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined… that a metal worker knows that the silver is purified when they are able to see their reflection in it. That when we are a reflection of Christ, we are refined. He talked about how Silver is a better conductor than copper, how NASA and doctors use silver in their instruments that they use. He talked about how we can become an instrument in the hands of Heavenly Father.
Alma 29:9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
Trevin told us how his mission had changed him, how grateful he was for the influence of the refining fire, and his desire to be an instrument in the hands of God.

Sr. Steward from the Houston Temple spoke to us next. She spoke about baptism, how it is the first step in our journey. When Paul was asked about the salvation of the dead:
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Paul replied:
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
(New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:12 - 29)
Sr. Steward talked about her conversion, how grateful she was for two missionaries who came knocking on her door so many years ago. She talked about doing genealogy work for her family, of a spiritual experience at the temple while doing work for one of her great grandparents. She bore her testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ, and how the plan of salvation was meant for everyone – for all mankind, and not just a select few individuals, and admonished us to go to the temple, and partake of the blessings there.

President Steward of the Houston Temple Presidency spoke next. In continuation of his wife’s talk, he began by looking out into the audience, recognizing some faces of temple workers, and saying thank you to our stake for their work in the temple. 83% of the members – 11 million members - now live within 200 miles of the temple. What a blessing this is. Page 1146 in our scriptures, the small little book of Obadiah, vs. 21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's. On April 3, 1836, the prophet Elijah came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. They were told that when we receive priesthood ordinances in behalf of those who have died, we become a savior on Mount Zion for them (see Obadiah 1:21). Our effort approaches the spirit of the Savior's atoning sacrifice—we perform a saving work for others that they cannot do for themselves. Brother Steward said those who hold temple recommends hold a claim ticket. He repeated several times the words “Go to the temple, claim your blessings.”

Bro. Jensen, our Stake Patriarch spoke next. Awhile ago President Paulsen asked us to read our patriarchal blessing once a month. Patriarch Jensen felt that this request had not been followed up on, and felt prompted to now follow up on that, and remind us of that request. Patriarch Jensen was given a blessing that he would teach children, after 11 children of his own, and 28 (almost 30) grandchildren, he has lived to see the fulfillment of this blessing, and then some. President Jensen has given blessing to 12 year olds up to 91 year olds. He said he does not really give the blessing, he is just the mouthpiece, the conduit, that the blessing really do come from God. He said a bishop told him about a comment on facebook – that an 18 year old, after receiving his blessing, felt that for the first time in his life he actually had direction, and understood what he was supposed to be doing.
He talked about President Hinckley’s Patriarchal blessing, how incredible it was that in the time of horses and buggies, in a time when people did not usually travel far from where they were born, Hinckley was given an inspired patriarchal blessing. Imagine an elderly man giving a small freckled faced boy of ten the blessing that “Thou shalt grow to the full stature of manhood and shall become a mighty and valiant leader in the midst of Israel. …The Holy Priesthood shall be thine to enjoy and thou shalt minister in the midst of Israel as only those can who are called of God. Thou shalt ever be a messenger of peace; the nations of the earth shall hear thy voice and be brought to a knowledge of the truth by the wonderful testimony which thou shalt bear.” After serving a mission in England, he assumed that the promise of his patriarchal blessing was fulfilled, for he had borne testimony of the truth in the four great capitals of that day: London, Berlin, Paris, and Washington, D.C. It is not an exaggeration now to say that it would be easier to list the places President Hinckley has not preached than to list those countries where his ministry has taken him. He has borne testimony in every country in the Western Hemisphere, except the small Guianas in South America; in virtually every country in Europe, including Russia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia; in the Orient, including the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia; in the near East; in Africa; and in the islands of the Pacific. Patriarchs do have prophetic insight, and Brother Hinckley, obedient to his callings, lives to see the fulfillment of his blessing.
See “President Gordon B. Hinckley:First Counselor” By Elder Boyd K. Packer Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Patriarch Jensen said that we need to read our Patriarchal blessing so that we can see what the Lord has yet for us to accomplish. To use our blessing as a Liahona, which according to our faith and diligence, will lead us to bountiful lands. He reiterated the promises made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob,
132:37 Abraham … Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.

That we can follow in their footsteps. He reminded us of the lost tribes of Israel, that Ephraim and Manasseh are two of the lost tribes, the first of the lost tribes to be gathered, that our Patriarchal blessings show us who we are and what blessings are ours. That we should see our blessing as personal scripture, read it often, know who we are, and what work is ours to do.


We then stood up and sang #254 True to the Faith

President Goodman, our new 2nd councilor in the stake, then stood up and shared his testimony. He started by asking why? Why me? why was I called? Why should I accept? Time away from family – why? Because he has a love for the Savior. He said his testimony is hard to explain – that it is hard to explain to another the feeling of the Holy Spirit, the feelings he received while singing about prophets with his 12 year old son at General conference, the feelings he has had in so many different experiences. He said that our future is as bright as our faith, as bright as our hope. He talked about how important it is to attain a bright testimony, that he was looking forward to serving with us.

President Banks spoke next. He is now the President of the new Stake. He talked about some colleges he worked with, how one friend and his wife had taken a long awaited trip to England, receiving email updates from them while they were on their trip, then watching the slideshow when they got back. Shortly after the trip, this friend’s wife was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. After the funeral (not at an LDS church) a few of his colleagues started asking questions. What happens to our bodies when we die? President Banks was able to answer that at death our spirit separates from our body and returns to that being who gave us life to dwell in paradise for a time. What is paradise? What is hell? What about those who are not Christian? President Banks was able to teach them about the temple and the work that is done there. Will there be a millennium? Yes, and during the millennium we will be doing lots and lots of temple work.
President Banks talked about gaining a testimony. How during one General Conference he was impressed by one of the testimonies of Jesus that was born. A testimony given by someone who had a witness. He said as he listened to that testimony, he gained a desire to obtain for himself, a witness. He went home and prayed making known the desires of his heart. He contemplated his life, and made changes where he felt he needed to. After six month of changing and praying he received his answer. He said late one Friday night, when the house was dark, and quiet, he retired by himself to a bedroom. He there knelt down, once again making known his desires to gain a testimony of Christ. He listed all of the things he had done in the previous months, the things he had changed, and asked for guidance to know what more he needed to do… He said he came out of that bedroom that night a changed man. He admonished us to do what we need to do in order to gain a sure foundation, a sure testimony. That it would be our anchor and our support when we needed one. He left us with his testimony of Jesus Christ, grateful to have served with us, and grateful to be able to continue to serve in God’s Kingdom.

President Paulsen gave the closing remarks. He challenged us to havew 100% home teaching in October, we reached 98%. 5 wards reported 100%. He said we are not going to slip back to 30%, that the Lord knows what we can do, and that we need to do it. Some new goals from the stake:
#1. Read through the Nov general conference ensign from cover to cover before April.
#2. Hold daily, morning and evening prayers, with our spouse.
#3. Make goals for 2010, how many times will you go to the temple? Decide now, and achieve that goal.

President Paulsen said that Elder Bednar said something during the April General Conference which has stuck with him. From Ensign » 2009 » May
Honorably Hold a Name and Standing Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Shortly after I was called to serve as a stake president in 1987, I talked with a good friend who recently had been released as a stake president. During our conversation I asked him what he would teach me about becoming an effective stake president. His answer to my question had a profound impact upon my subsequent service and ministry.
My friend indicated he had been called to serve as a temple worker soon after his release. He then said: “I wish I had been a temple worker before I was a stake president. If I had served in the temple before my call to serve as a stake president, I would have been a very different stake president.”
I was intrigued by his answer and asked him to explain further. He responded: “I believe I was a good stake president. The programs in our stake ran well, and our statistics were above average. But serving in the temple has expanded my vision. If I were called today to serve as a stake president, my primary focus would be on worthiness to receive and honor temple covenants. I would strive to make temple preparation the center of all that we did. I would do a better job of shepherding the Saints to the house of the Lord.”
That brief conversation with my friend helped me as a stake president to teach relentlessly about and testify of the eternal importance of temple ordinances, temple covenants, and temple worship. The deepest desire of our presidency was for every member of the stake to receive the blessings of the temple, to be worthy of and to use frequently a temple recommend.
My message today focuses upon the blessings of the temple, and I pray the Holy Ghost will illuminate our minds, penetrate our hearts, and bear witness of truth to each of us.”

President Paulsen would like to do “a better job of shepherding the Saints to the house of the Lord”.

He then proceeded to go through all of the questions which are asked during our temple recommend interview, and to expand on the significance of what each asks…

Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost? Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer? Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
The first three questions do not have to do with worthiness, but have to do with our testimony, how we all need a strong testimony like President Banks.
4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

He told us to read through the October General conference (Nov Ensign), to know, and follow our leaders.
Do you live the law of chastity? Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
He talked about how he likes watching the game, but the adds shown on the sports channel were a form of pornography. To fight to keep everything out of our homes.

Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

He said anti-mormon literature is on the same level as pornography in it’s ability to destroy lives. That we should avoid it as we avoid pornography. It is not worth reading it to debate it.

Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
He reminded us not to watch TV on Sunday.
Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen? Are you a full-tithe payer?

He said that the families of full-tithe payers were protected.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Rebuking the devourer is in connection with our families, that our families will be protected if we pay our tithing.

Do your keep the Word of Wisdom? Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations? If you have previously received your temple endowment: Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple? Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?
Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been? Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?
President Paulsen reminded us of all of the temple questions, reminded us of the blessings and protection that are ours when we adhere to those principles which allow us to enter into the House of the Lord. He asked us to read the scriptures 30 minutes every day, part of the reading in the Book of Mormon (not 3 days a week, not 5 minutes a day). To read with purpose, to ask what we are to learn and do with what we read, to have the Spirit with us to aid us in our reading. He asked us to use familysearch.org, to go to the temple.

Bro. Toutfest closed our meeting with a beautiful prayer.

There is much to ponder, and much to do. The road before us is clear, the means whereby we may grow and enter into the joy of the Lord are plain. May we go forth with faith and hope and attain all of those blessings which the Lord holds out to us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.