Malad, Idaho Stake held their semi-annual two day conference May 31 and June1 under the direction and presided by Elder David L. Buckner, General Authority Seventy.  He was also  accompanied by Elder Carlton J. Christensen, newly called Area Authority Seventy, both addressing the Malad Saints on points they felt inspired to speak on.

The meetings began Saturday afternoon with a leadership session attended by various stake and ward organizational presidencies.  President Brandon Ward, Second Counselor of the Stake Presidency, opened the meeting to speak on the guidance and direction found in the General Handbook.  He also taught how to use an AI virtual assistant to find relevant answers to questions in the handbook.

 Primary Stake President Ashley Price touched on the feelings of inadequacy and overwhelm that many feel as they are asked to serve in leadership positions.  She reminded listeners that first, they are never asked to do the work alone as they serve with counselors, committees, and bishops.  Quoting President Russel M. Nelson, she spoke of the covenant confidence each can serve with as they carry out their stewardships.  She finally spoke of the divine talents each has been given from the Lord that He will develop if they are willing to try.

Brother Jerry Angell of the Young Men’s State Presidency shared a message on the importance of careful and intentional planning for youth activities.  He taught that leaders should keep in mind that as they plan and carry out activities they should be involved with the youth, connect the youth with heaven, and allow the youth to lead.  Finally he shared that all activities should be Christ centered as all things come as blessings from Him.

Elder Christiensen addressed the congregation, sharing experiences of his life that strengthened his testimony and led him to the opportunities before him.  He talked of the importance of following the apostles’ example that at teams we must leave our tools to follow Jesus Christ to serve.  Speaking of the role as the Lord’s disciples, Elder Christensen said that regardless of when, where or how a person’s conversion began, it is “our work to help them return to the covenant path.”  Continuing on the importance of helping others make and keep temple covenants, he shared, “Heavenly Father hasn’t inspired all these new temples just for them to look pretty.”  

Elder Buckner concluded the leadership training, teaching on the significant impact good people can have on others.  As leaders of the various wards of the Malad stake, urged listeners to recognize that they don’t merely have a calling, but they have a stewardship to watch over everyone within their boundaries.  He taught, “Church isn’t a place, it is a people.”

Saints gathered again later in the evening to attend the adult session of the conference.  President Jason Sperry first addressed the congregation, speaking on the importance of coming to know Jesus Christ through personal experience not just the experience of others.  Using a recent destination vacation as an example, President Sperry shared how he learned that experiencing inspiring culture, art, celebrations, traditions and amusements in person far surpasses simply seeing those things on the internet.  He taught that likewise, a personal relationship with Christ will exceed any half measure experience.

Sister Kamryn Bennett, a Young Single Adult temple worker bore her testimony gained while serving in the Brigham City Temple.  Originally planning to serve a full time mission, Sister Bennet soon learned that due to anxiety and panic attacks, she would need to find a different way to serve.  Stake President David Jensen suggested working in the temple, a prompting that changed her life.  From her own situation and opportunity, Sister Bennet testified how the Lord knows and loves each of His children.

Assigned to speak on reverse ministering or being ministered to, Brother Travis Hanks recalled a time when he called on his ministering brothers to help him.  As a person that is always happy to serve others, Brother Hanks spoke of the challenge it was to ask others for help, “a truly humbling thing to do.”  But as he did, he recognized how his need for help blessed others.

Sister Stephanie Crowther spoke of how loving others is its own invitation to know Jesus Christ.  As a cosmetology student, Sister Crowther sees a variety of people sit in her salon chair.  And as she welcomes them with Christlike love, she first sees them as strangers and finally says good-bye as friends.  She has learned that intentionally seeing the good in people, whoever they are, has allowed her to see them the way the Lord sees them.

While overcoming the mistakes of this existence, Elder Christensen shared, “The barrier between you and the Lord isn’t so great as you think it is,” urging all to repent and reconnect with the Lord.  

The concluding speaker of the session was Elder Buckner.  Speaking from experience and words of the prophets, he taught the importance of asking the Lord with real intent to gain personal knowledge and testimony.  He first pointed out the need to curiously ask questions with a desire to know eternal truths.  Doing so requires a new perspective, a heavenly perspective.  While searching for answers, always hold on to the knowledge already gained.  Finally, he taught that as spiritual revelation is given, it is up to the one asking to act on the knowledge given.   

The concluding session of the Malad Stake Conference was held Sunday, June 1.  President Jensen opened the session, teaching multiple ways to strive as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  He taught listeners that daily they should use the atonement of Jesus Christ, pray, and prepare for taking the sacrament, weekly give the Lord their best worship, monthly fast and give offerings, attend the temple as often as possible, minister as inspired by the spirit, engage as they listen to General Conference twice a year and yearly declare their tithing commitment.  

Following his remarks, Adi Schow, a young woman of the Stake Youth Council spoke of how reverse ministering isn’t asking for help, but giving people a chance to serve.  She was invited to help clean a neighbor’s home and through the simple act of vacuuming her floors and the inevitable conversations that would follow, she gained a dear friend.  She concluded, “Allow people to help you.  When you do, they will love you because they love the Savior.”

Continuing on the topic of ministering, Brother Jordan Rentmeister talked of his conversion that was helped along by his patient leaders, wife, and ministers.  Through their consistent invitations to learn, worship, and serve the Lord he began to have his own desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Sister Denise and President Mike Hess, currently serving as the Brigham City Temple president and Matron, taught of the blessings of attending the temple.  Sister Hess quoted President Nelson as he said, “Nothing will help you hold onto the iron rod more than attending the temple.”  President Hess taught from the lesson of Haagai, that listeners should “consider your ways.”  He continued, “If it seems you are working hard but don’t  move the needle much, consider your way?”  Using the instruction of President Nelson he taught that it is time to take extraordinary measures to build up one’s spiritual foundation.

Elder Christensen followed to give a final testimony to the congregation.  Using the example of what he called “foundational” family members- grandparents, parents, and siblings- he talked of the hardships many had faced and the blessings that came from shouldering those burdens.  Sharing his own challenges as well, Elder Christensen said, “But those moments of hardship have also been some of the most spiritual moments as well.  Let us move forward with courage.” 

Before giving his concluding remarks, Elder Buckner invited his wife to share her testimony.  In her testimony she posed a question she learned while studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year, “What would you be willing to give up for the gospel?”  As she considered all of the many things she has gained by living the gospel, she answered that she would give up everything for the Lord and His work.

As the final speaker of the conference, Elder Buckner encouraged the congregation to “continue to be astonished” of the many miracles still happening today.  Continuing on he shared that in the chaos of today’s world, it is important to search and learn from the prophets- both of ancient times and today.  “Savor the apostolic messages” that provide His words, he shared.  

His final message was to, “Focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Following the example of Peter as he had the faith to get out of the ship and walk on water, Elder Buckner encouraged all to recognize that anything is possible if focusing on Jesus Christ.  He said, “Where are we looking today?  It is when [Peter’s] gaze parts from the Savior that he begins to sink. When he saw the wind boisterous, fear set in again, and he began to sink.”  

As he concluded the story, he shared, “There is one quiet assurance in this story and that is that He [Jesus] will get us back to the ship as we look to Him.  We are living in a time when we need fear to dissipate, hope to elevate, and certainty that He will get us back to the ship.”