Stake Conference - Sunday Session

Today was kind of a crazy day for my family at Stake Conference. I watched my father-in-law be released as Stake President after serving for 9ish years only to watch my father get called in his place. I was kind of suspicious last night, but when I saw my sister at stake conference that doesn't even live in our stake boundaries, I got nervous! It wasn't even me receiving the calling, but I was nervous all the same.

My father-in-law was Stake President when I started dating his son 7 years ago. He is a great man with a great love of the gospel. I have seen him answer phone calls and go to meetings and I, honestly, don't think I ever heard him complain. He complains about other things, but never about his calling. I admire him so much. His wife bore her testimony today, and I was reminded how amazing my mother-in-law really is. I don't know how she does all that she does. She told about how when she started dating her husband, he was not a member. I imagine it took a lot of guts for her to say, "I can never marry you," because she knew that her goal was to be married in the Temple. What an example she is! And because of her courage and testimony, he was baptized and has served in numerous callings in the church faithfully, and they've raised a beautiful family together. I am rather partial because I married one of their sons. :) But I think most people would agree that they are wonderful people. I am grateful for their example and for his service as Stake President.

Now, my Dad is Stake President. I listened to his testimony today, and it was so weird... I knew he was my Dad, but he looked like my Stake President. The mantle has been passed. I could tell. I had the opportunity to be present as he and his counselors were set apart, and the Spirit was there. I am grateful to my Dad for shouldering this huge responsibility. I am excited to see where our Stake goes under his leadership.

One thing the visiting authorities really pointed out today was how the system of calling new leaders works. It is a wonderful process. Elder Carlson told of how when he was a member of another faith long ago, their preacher retired, and it took months and months to find a new one that everyone was happy with. Yet when it's time for a new leader in our Church, it is all done in one day of interviews, and the congregation accepts him because that's who the Lord calls. It is an amazing process.

One of Dad's new counselors said that he's noticed two types of members in the church when a new leader is called. The first kind is the member who gets behind him and is ready to work and follow. The second kind is the kind that says, "We'll wait and see if he's any good, and then we'll follow him." He said that being the second kind is a waste of time because the Lord knows what he's doing and knows who he wants to call. Why should we not trust the Lord's judgment?

The visiting authorities also emphasized the importance of rescuing those who may be lost. Every soul is precious, and we need to reach out to the inactive members. Of course, we want to continue with missionary work, but there seemed to be a lot of emphasis on helping those who may have lost that fire they had right after baptism.

And, finally, one comment that I really liked was that if I was the only person that Christ's Atonement saved, he still would have suffered all those pains... just for me. He loved me that much. And he would have done the same exact thing for each of us. Christ's love is baffling to me. How could he love us so much when we're so imperfect? I am so very grateful for his atoning sacrifice.

I hope that you were all able to go, but if you weren't I hope this made you feel like you were there... sort of... through my eyes.