We had stake conference this past weekend. What's more, we had a change in our stake presidency. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and Elder Pickered of the Seventy were with us to make that change and help to uplift and strengthen the members of the stake.
As one might imagine, we had record attendance at each of our meetings. At the adult session, I think we had about 740 attendees, almost doubling the previous high water mark. That was a particularly good session of conference, as the adult meeting usually is. It was great to be in attendance with my wife and my oldest son, Dallas, who, at 18, can now attend the adult meeting. I appreciated his attentiveness to the things that were said, particularly those said by an Apostle of the Lord.
In the priesthood leadership meeting earlier in the evening, Elder Nelson taught us about the importance of paying a full tithe with respect to the economic conditions in which we currently find ourselves. He said that if we invest in our tithing, there will be no erosion of our nest egg. That statement could be interpreted in different ways. I think what he was saying is that a full tithe payer will have the promised blessings poured out upon him/her such that there will be increased strength, spiritually and mentally, to weather any storm, economic or otherwise. A full tithe payer builds a firm foundation for present and future crisis.
He also taught that each man needs to understand that his most important duty as a priesthood holder is to care for his wife. I wonder how many problems would be solved, or not even become problems in the first place, were all of us priesthood holders to learn that important lesson. I was taught by Elder Nelson in different settings on both Saturday and Sunday. On each occasion, the importance of wives, children and family was made very clear: they are our first priority; nothing comes before them.
Elder Nelson taught so much during our meetings: the process of revelation received through a Prophet, Christ's mission and atonement, our need to focus on ordinances, how to pray and the importance of enduring to the end. The whole weekend was one big spiritual experience for me personally. It is not often that we have an opportunity to sit at the feet of an Apostle, in person, and be taught.
If there was one thing that struck me throughout the weekend, it was the deep love that Elder Nelson has for others. It is evident in his eyes, in his handshake, in his voice. With all due respect to all of the other church leaders and members I have come to know and love over the years, I have never felt more comfortable than I did in the presence of Elder Nelson.
Me and Carey at the top of the South Kaibab Trail
A beautiful view near the top of the South Kaibab Trail
Jen, Carey, Elisha, Nilda, Kalyn, blowin' in the wind
Looking down the trail to the Colorado and the Black Bridge
At the bottom. Carey posing near the Silver Bridge before crossing.
A break at Indian Gardens
Bright Angel Trail; three miles left.
