Saints of the Malad, Idaho Stake gathered January 25-26 for the annual two day conference.  The conference featured four sessions intended to teach, encourage and inspire the members to live a life more devoted to their covenants and to the Lord.

The conference opened with the Priesthood Leadership session Saturday afternoon.  President Sperry, First Counselor in the Stake Presidency first spoke openly of a problem many members are facing- pornography.  In his address, President Sperry shared a number of points that Priesthood leaders can use to help those overcoming this addiction, including the knowledge that everyone was divinely designed to overcome the challenges in mortality.  He concluded that all problems can be solved when looking to the Savior.

High Council member Brother Scott Gunter shared insights from the “War Chapters” of the Book of Mormon and how they can apply to ministering.  He reminded listeners the importance of checking and treating spiritual fainting from the wounds and fatigue of the spiritual war they are engaged in today.

Teaching on effective priesthood leadership, Brother Mike Hess, Jr. talked about the importance of consistency, especially in the small things of the gospel.  He counseled that the priesthood should always value people’s time, and be sure to thank those that serve.

President Jensen, President of the Malad Stake, concluded the meeting sharing a number of inspired thoughts.  He talked of the significance of helping those prospective Elders, helping young men as ministering brethren to better help them serve as full time missionaries, and how leaders should be sure to take time to study the gospel in the midst of carrying out the duties of their callings.

In the adult session Saturday evening, President Ward, Second Councilor in the Stake Presidency, compared dams, much like the old Elk Horn Dam, to spiritual testimonies and connections to Jesus Christ.  “Part of the mortal experience will mean that there will be leakage and seepage.  Without constant replenishing, the reservoir will run dry.”  He posed the questions- Where are you filling your reservoir from, urging members to fill their testimonies from “temple waters.”

Following President Ward, members of the stake shared their own experiences serving in the temple.  Sister Jaylynn Redd shared how serving in the temple opens the door to feel more of God’s unmatched love.  Sister Valerie Mills mentioned temple milestones she has experienced in what President Nelson calls “progress towards a Celestial life.”  

Sister Kaitlyn Pickett talked of the habits she created as a youth attending the temple that have blessed her as an adult carrying on with those same habits.  Her father, Brother James Pickett, spoke of the importance of showing his children how he prioritizes worshiping in the temple by example.

Concluding the session, President Jensen shared his testimony of temple attendance and covenant keeping as he said, “The temple will bless you with the miracles you need...  Yes, have a current temple recommend, but also, have an active one.”

Sunday morning, the youth and their leaders gathered for an early morning instruction from the Brigham City Temple President and Matron- Brother Mike and Sister Denise Hess.  Sister Hess spoke how binding families in the temple begins with the work the youth do as they perform baptisms for the dead.  She urged them to stay worthy to enter the temple by studying the For the Strength of Youth guidebook.

President Hess taught the youth about the covenants they make in the temple for themselves and their past ancestors.  As they make those covenants, they become a “child of the covenant.”  It gives them greater blessings but also a responsibility to carry out the work of salvation.  “The adversary does not want this work to go on so there will be challenges and distractions... The ultimate goal for you is to fulfill THE everlasting covenant- to return home to your Heavenly Father.”

The final speaker of the youth session was President Jensen, who spoke of how Heavenly Father knows each of His children, individually.  Quoting Temple Grandin, President Jensen said, “You may be different, but you are not less.”  He encouraged the youth to avoid comparing themselves to others, that everyone has figurative scars and burns from their challenges but should instead work together to all qualify for the greatest blessings of the Lord.

The general session continued on the same theme of temple worship and covenant keeping.  First Assistant to the Matron, Sister Rebecca Firth shared her message on the blessings of wearing the garment of the Holy Priesthood, saying, “The garment invites Godly power in our lives because it reminds us of the gospel more fully.”  Brother Firth spoke on intentionally teaching families the importance of making and keeping covenants and the blessings that come from doing so.

Speaking on the Stake goals for the year, President Ward taught about reverse ministering- asking and seeking for help from those designated to minister as the Savior would.  Reverse ministering can be accomplished in three steps- identify who one’s ministering brothers and sisters are, consider how they can serve, and then share those ideas.

A second goal for the stake membership includes being temple bound.  President Sperry shared in his address how members should “prioritize temple worship and covenant keeping as an essential purpose of this mortal life.”

Closing the conference, President Jensen shared the words of a hymn, “I’ll go where you want me to go,” a phrase very similar to the premortal words spoken by Jesus Christ when he said, “Here Am I, send me.”  He concluded, “We all have a purpose and a mission to accomplish.  May we all live in a way to further the Lord’s work by keeping our covenants more fully.”