Stake

Six months ago, I had an amazing stake conference with Elder Merrill J. Bateman (former BYU President, Presiding Bishop and Emeritus General Authority). He, along with the stake presidency, outlined goals for the stake. The breakdown of the specific goal areas was inspired and very realistic. I do not doubt for one moment that they set those goals based on the needs of the students.

This past weekend, we had another stake conference. Yet again, the stake president outlined the stake goals for 2010. As I sat in the meeting this morning, I couldn't help but feel the love of my stake president.

He is one-of-a-kind. An intelligent, emotional, loving and soft-spoken story-teller, comparable to President Eyring.

One of the reasons I stayed in the stake for so long, was because of him. Every time I have seen him, met with him, or heard him speak over the past two years, I have felt his love. It radiates from his persona and makes me want to be like him.

He genuinely cares about the students and makes an effort to bless, promise and love each one of us. I have yet to hear him speak when he doesn't invite us to understand how the everyday activities in our own lives, tie into the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have pages and pages of notes of his personal stories and I can't help but be grateful for his experiences.

As i said, today he outlined new stake goals. I usually don't post spiritual things, however today I decided I would. I know there are many who read this blog who are not LDS or are less-active, inactive, or who are struggling. I do believe that these goals are accessible to everyone, not just me.



"...put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good... I will impart unto you of my Spirit which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy..." (D&C 11:12-13)

1. Daily study, prayer and obedience (2 Nephi 32:3; Alma 26:22)
- Read, study and ponder the doctrines found in the Book of Mormon.
- Come to know the Savior Jesus Christ and strive to emulate Him through daily scripture study.
- Pray daily. Pray for he gift of faith in Jesus Christ
- Strive to keep His commandments

2. Gain a testimony of the preeminence and centrality of the family in Heavenly Father's Plan (2 Nephi 2; D&C 88:119)
- Faithfully prepare for the eternal roles of husband and wife- father and mother
- With faith in Jesus Christ, be involved in the dating process
- Personally study "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"
- Be actively involved in your family home evening group

3. Temple Worship and Family History Service (Luke 2:25-37; D&C 84:20)
- Prepare for and be worthy to receive all essential priesthood ordinances and make sacred covenants in the temple
- Regularly attend the temple and serve with purpose
- Register and become familiar with familysearch.org
- Commit to regular indexing service

4. Practice the principles of service and provident living (Mosiah 2:17; Matthew 6:19)
- Make service a focus of ward, dating and daily personal activities
- Be a faithful home/visiting teacher
- Give a generous fast offering
- Pay a full tithe
- Assist the poor and needy in the Lord's way
- Live within your means
- Establish a regular savings program

I'm grateful for these goals. They work as an outline/checklist/guidepost of the important things I should be doing in my life.

We were promised that we would be "blessed with greater faith. Our trust in the Holy Ghost will increase and we will be blessed with the great decisions in our lives."

As I am in the process of making great decisions, I couldn't help but be grateful for these promises.