Stake Conference

What a treat to hear trumpet music played at stake conference!  I can’t say that I’ve ever had that happen before.  We attended the Changwon stake conference in the Masan building which is about an hour and a half away.  Dad had to teach at the Priesthood leadership meeting held before the adult session Saturday night, which I had to speak at.  Ben and I sat in on an interesting English class the sister missionaries have set up with a young girl (about 11) with her mother present.  The girl receives music lessons as she and one of our sister missionaries bring and practice on their ukuleles.  After the music time they teach the girl gospel lessons.  She is a sweet girl who wants to get baptized (her mother is a less active member) but her father refuses and does not even allow the mother to attend church.  But the music lessons are ok.  Walking into the church Sunday morning for that session of stake conference was fun as we were welcomed by all of our 28 missionaries serving in that stake (almost like a receiving line). It reminded me of a story Sheri Dew told of the power of the Priesthood. I liken it to the power our missionaries have as representatives of Jesus Christ, of their goodness:  "There is power in ordinances. All who are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost are eligible to speak the words of Christ and qualify for eternal life. Those who are endowed with power in the house of the Lord need never face the adversary alone. Couples worthy to be sealed at an altar in that holy house are gifted with power. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates every righteous man and woman against the powers of darkness. I will never forget an experience in Cali, Colombia. After a long evening of meetings, the presiding officer asked the congregation to remain seated while we departed. But upon the final ³amen,² several dozen priesthood leaders jumped to their feet and formed two lines, creating a pathway from the chapel to a waiting van outside. As we walked through this sheltered passageway, where priesthood leaders symbolized priesthood power, I was deeply moved by the metaphor. It is the power of the priesthood that marks, clears, and protects the path leading to eternal life. Priesthood power safeguards us from the world, binds heaven and earth, subdues the adversary, blesses and heals, and enables us to triumph over mortality. Every ordinance of the Melchizedek Priesthood helps prepare us to live in the presence of God. I am deeply grateful for the power of the priesthood and the gift of having full access to this power, which when used righteously is the only true power on earth."  At the Sunday morning session of stake conference Ben shared his testimony, then I spoke (again!), and Dad spoke.