The Malad Idaho Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its semiannual stake conference May 30-31. Throughout the two-day conference, members heard messages centered on worship, covenant discipleship, temple worship, and the enabling power of Jesus Christ.

Local leaders, youth speakers, and visiting authority Elder Jed Hancock of the Seventy encouraged members to strengthen their relationship with the Savior and seek greater access to His power through worship, covenants, and discipleship.

Saturday evening’s adult session opened with remarks from President Jason Sperry, first counselor in the Malad Idaho Stake Presidency, who spoke of spiritual touchpoints—moments of belonging, connection, and spiritual growth that help anchor disciples throughout their lives.

Drawing from New Testament accounts, President Sperry pointed to individuals who sought out Jesus Christ during moments of need and found healing, forgiveness, and hope. He referenced the woman with the issue of blood, the man at the pool of Bethesda, and the woman taken in adultery, each of whom experienced a life-changing interaction with the Savior. Just as those individuals found strength through their connection to Christ, President Sperry taught that modern disciples can experience similar spiritual touchpoints through daily worship and the influence of the Holy Ghost.

He emphasized that such moments are rarely accidental but are cultivated through consistent devotion and intentional worship. Quoting Elder Patrick Kearon, President Sperry taught that worship is more than simply attending meetings or opening the scriptures. Rather, true worship is intentionally praising and adoring God in a way that transforms hearts and strengthens faith.

Several speakers then shared personal experiences illustrating how discipleship and covenant living had influenced their own lives.

Brother Eric Ellis spoke of his spiritual journey, including a period of more than three decades away from regular church activity. While his attendance and worship practices changed during those years, his belief in Jesus Christ remained. Looking back, he reflected on the many ways he could recognize the Savior’s hand guiding and blessing his life, even during times when he felt distant from church participation.

Over time, he said, he felt a growing need for greater peace, purpose, and understanding. Those feelings eventually led him back to active worship and covenant living. Through that journey he gained a deeper appreciation for the Savior’s patience, mercy, and desire to help each individual find their way home.

Sister Brylee Oglesbee shared her experience preparing to receive her temple endowment. After observing a close friend prepare for her own temple experience, she felt a growing desire to make additional covenants with the Lord herself.

Rather than viewing the temple solely as a step connected to missionary service or marriage, Sister Oglesbee chose to approach her endowment as a meaningful act of discipleship in its own right. She described the temple as a place where she can step away from the noise and distractions of the world and focus on eternal priorities. Though only recently endowed, she testified that returning to the temple and studying its ordinances had already brought greater peace, perspective, and purpose into her life.

Sister Christie Schow was invited to bear her testimony and reflected on a lifetime spent observing the influence of Jesus Christ in the lives of others. She shared how she has witnessed the Savior’s Atonement not only change hearts but also visibly change countenances. She testified that life would be far more difficult without Jesus Christ and that true success comes only through reliance upon Him.

Also bearing testimony was Sister Natalie Hancock, wife of Elder Hancock. She shared an experience involving a young man whose life was influenced by a group of faithful teammates on a lacrosse team. Through simple invitations, friendship, and encouragement, the young man began seeking the Lord through prayer and scripture study and eventually chose to be baptized.

As those around him observed the changes taking place in his life, many noticed a difference in both his attitude and outlook. When asked what had made the difference, the boys simply replied, “It was the word of God.” Sister Hancock testified of the power found in scripture study and quoted from the Book of Mormon, teaching that the word of God is among the most powerful influences available to God’s children. She encouraged members to seek Christ through prayer and scripture study, promising that the same transforming power is available today.

Concluding the evening session, Elder Hancock addressed several areas where he believes society increasingly departs from eternal truth.

He first spoke of the family, noting that many voices today portray family responsibilities as obstacles to personal achievement and fulfillment. Drawing from personal experience, Elder Hancock testified that family is not a limitation but a source of strength and motivation that often enables individuals to accomplish more than they otherwise could alone.

He also addressed the role of faith and organized religion in society. While some view faith as unnecessary or outdated, Elder Hancock observed that throughout history, many of society’s greatest periods of peace, stability, and progress have coincided with faith and worship.

Additional comments focused on morality and chastity, as well as the growing emphasis on self-centeredness in modern culture. Elder Hancock taught that true joy is found not in placing oneself first, but in following the Savior’s example of service and sacrifice. “Real JOY comes from putting Jesus first, then putting Others before Yourself,” he taught.

He concluded by encouraging members to hold firmly to eternal truths found in the gospel of Jesus Christ regardless of changing social attitudes.

Sunday morning’s general session continued many of the themes introduced the evening before.

President David Jensen, president of the Malad Idaho Stake, opened the meeting with a message on holiness. He spoke of several ways members can increase holiness in their lives but placed particular emphasis on temple worship and Sabbath observance.

Rather than waiting for time to appear, President Jensen encouraged members to intentionally take time to attend the temple. He taught that both temple attendance and Sabbath worship become more meaningful when approached with purpose, reverence, and a desire to worship rather than simply fulfill an obligation.

President Jensen also cautioned that efforts to become more holy often invite increased opposition from the adversary. However, he promised that those who persist in seeking holiness will find greater spiritual power and strength to meet life’s challenges.

Two youth speakers followed.

Sydney Hess shared her conversion story and journey toward baptism. Her interest in the gospel began as she observed a friend whose happiness and faith stood out to her. She described noticing a “glow” in her friend and wanting to understand what created such peace and confidence.

As conversations about the gospel continued, Sister Hess began reading the Book of Mormon and participating in church activities. Through those experiences she felt the Spirit confirming the truthfulness of what she was learning. She testified of the peace and happiness she experienced through baptism and later through participating in temple baptisms.

Jack Coleman shared a personal story about his 4H lamb that had recently wandered away from its home. He described the efforts required to locate and safely return the animal home, including assistance from neighbors who recognized the lost lamb and helped reunite it with its owners.

Drawing a parallel to discipleship, Coleman taught that just as neighbors took time to help recover a lost sheep, followers of Jesus Christ can help seek out, encourage, and strengthen those who may feel spiritually lost or distant from the gospel.

Following a recent visit to historic Nauvoo, Sister Patty Carter reflected on a dream she once had of building a home patterned after the historic Nauvoo House after serving her mission there.  As she considered modern needs and circumstances, however, she realized that duplicating a physical structure was not possible, and more importantly, less important than creating the same spiritual foundation demonstrated by the pioneers. Rather than recreating a pioneer home, she realized the greater challenge was creating the same kind of faith the pioneers carried with them.

“Strong homes are built to withstand the influence of the adversary,” she taught. She encouraged members to strengthen their homes through family prayer, scripture study, worship, Christlike love, and personal responsibility for the spirit they bring into their homes.

President and Sister Mike and Denece Hess, Malad natives currently serving as president and matron of the Brigham City Temple, also shared testimony. Reflecting on experiences they have witnessed while serving in the temple, they spoke of the blessings available through covenant worship. President Hess described the temple as “the delivery system of the Lord’s covenant.”

Utah Ogden Mission President Eeclo Scheltinga and Sister Jo-Ann Scheltinga also briefly bore testimony of the Savior and His work.

Concluding both the session and the conference, Elder Hancock centered his remarks on mankind’s need for a Savior.  He taught that while individuals are commanded to become whole and complete through Jesus Christ, none can accomplish that journey alone. Through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, divine help is made available to every individual seeking to return to Heavenly Father.

Turning to scripture, Elder Hancock explained that becoming “perfect” is better understood as becoming complete or whole through Jesus Christ. Such growth requires humility and a willingness to accept the Savior’s help rather than relying solely on personal effort.

He taught that repentance provides access to divine help and changes an individual’s relationship with the Lord. While obedience and effort remain important, Elder Hancock emphasized that salvation is not earned through personal perfection but is made possible through the grace of Jesus Christ.

He encouraged members to follow the commandments, accept the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, and extend grace to others who are likewise seeking divine help and spiritual growth.

“We will all need grace,” Elder Hancock taught. “Grace given by our Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ. It makes all the difference—it is the difference.”  He concluded by inviting members to recognize, seek, and ask for the Savior’s help, testifying that divine grace is available to all who turn to Jesus Christ and strive to follow Him.