We had such an uplifting stake conference today. (We usually meet in wards every week, but twice a year we have stake conference. A stake consists of around 6-10 wards, 4,000-5,000 local members.) It was an eventful one because we knew we'd be getting a new stake president today. (Something that only happens once every 10 years!) And we had two general authorities visiting because of the changes. Elder Bruce C.
Hafen and Elder Packer (not from the quorum of the 12, but of the 70) were visiting from Salt Lake.
When Elder Packer talked about the process of choosing a new stake president, it was amazing to me. These men arrived at our stake center early Saturday morning and had just 12 hours to choose the new leadership for our stake for the next 10 years. That's not much time for men who don't know anyone out here to make such a huge decision. If you look at it from a "realistic" or secular point of view it seems kind of crazy.
But when you throw in the fact that the Lord provides revelation and inspiration to those who are humble and able to feel the spirit . . . then anything is possible. I was so touched to hear Elder Packer's experience (he was the one who announced the callings). It was his first time going through the process with Elder
Hafen of choosing a stake presidency. The quorum of the 70 travel all around the world and do this all the time as there are 2,865 stakes to keep up with. (last count) It has to be efficient, but it also has to be led by the Lord because it is His church.
The coolest part is that when anyone is called into a calling - whether it be the prophet or someone in a ward leadership calling, everyone has the right to receive their own confirmation by the spirit that that person is who the Lord wanted there. For whatever reason. No one is perfect - so it doesn't mean that that person is particularly righteous or awesome. (o: There are certain talents and skills that will bless the people they will work with at that time. That is why it has to be something led by the Holy Ghost. No man or woman could know every person's capacities, or know every person someone might come in contact with, or know what events will occur in the future. Only God knows those things and so, of course, only he could be trusted with such a huge decision.
So these two very humble and good men came early yesterday morning and spent a day interviewing many wonderful men in the stake. Then made it a matter of sincere prayer to be inspired. It is an amazing thing to have a prayer answered and I'm pretty sure their prayer was answered the same way as anyone
else's - in a quiet, peaceful way. A strong impression or feeling in their heart through the whispering of the spirit. Often, answers to prayers are very subtle. So subtle that it takes faith to follow through with the impression and trust that it was really the Holy Ghost and not just your own mind. But as you move forward with the decision and events unfold - you soon realize that it HAD to be the right answer. So often, for me anyway, our answers to prayers are confirmed as we carry out the impressions. It sounded like it was the same for Elder
Hafen and Elder Packer. As they made the callings and felt the spirit in our meeting today, they expressed confidence in their decisions and peace. The cool thing was that those of us there felt it too. I felt the spirit so strongly in that meeting and know our new stake presidency is who the Lord wants there.
As our bishop got up to speak as our new stake president he talked about having a strange week leading up to his call. He had strong impressions and feelings that he had change ahead. He knew something was coming and he said it was actually a relief to get his call because then he knew he wasn't crazy. There is no way the general authorities knew that he was having these feelings all week. That happens all the time. I had that experience just before being called to Young Women's. When the spirit confirms it on both sides - the person being called and the one extending the calling - without either parties knowing of the other's experiences, it confirms even more to me that it is the hand of God helping guide us. I am grateful to have faith in the process of personal revelation. It's awesome.
I was very surprised and excited at first to learn our own bishop will be the new stake president! I don't know why I was surprised. He is such a good and humble man. I have loved working with him as I've served as
YW president. He is so kind and Christ-like and had great vision for our ward. He will be amazing! But I will really miss him being our bishop. I was also excited to find out that our bishop of our previous ward would be his first counselor! He is a wonderful man as well. I got to work with him when I served as Primary president in our ward 5 years ago.
It was exciting to see these men, who I have worked with and admired so much, called into our new stake presidency. I am grateful for their willingness to serve in such a huge capacity. These men put in thousands of hours over years and years without any pay. They have families to take care of and jobs to continue making a living. It is a huge sacrifice to serve, not to mention very humbling to be in charge of the spiritual well-being of an entire stake. I am grateful for the good men who lead us. I know I have heard of cases where there were bishops or even stake presidents who have made mistakes or bad choices, but on the whole, our church leaders are kind, humble and very loving men. Our former stake president, who was released yesterday, was referred to by our bishop's wife (who spoke for a few minutes as the new stake president's wife) as
Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird. I haven't read that book in ages or watched the movie, but now I want to. I guess he was a very loved and respected man in the community, like President Johnson.
I was also very proud of our youth. President
Hafen called a last minute 8:00 a.m.
morningside for the youth. Not only did they have a tremendous turnout considering the late notice, but almost all my girls I called were excited and didn't mind getting up early for the meeting. Elder
Hafen was impressed with our youth and said so in our meeting.
Now we get to have the anticipation of who our new bishop will be . . . so much excitement for two weeks straight. (O;
