Yorktown Stake Conference Sunday General Session June 3, 2018
Presiding: Elder Bradley D. Foster, General Authority Seventy
Conducting: Stake President Todd D. Herget
Opening Hymn #300 Families Can Be Together Forever
Invocation: Frank Cabello
Sustaining of Officers & Proposed Priesthood Ordinations: President Scott Higbee
Special Musical Number: Choir Love at Home, Accompanied by Michiko Fahsbender, Clarinet and Kessa Medford, Piano
Remarks by President Todd Herget
I have been asked to speak today about the vision I have for the Yorktown Stake. Vision is defined as "the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom." Having a vision guides our direction, goals, and priorities for our lives.
At 7 years old, I saw something that gave me a vision for my life. I discovered Hockey Night in Canada. I fell in love with hockey. Life as a hockey player was my vision. But Mom had a different vision. Instead of signing me up for Pee-Wee Hockey, she signed me up for Figure Skating. I realized I needed a new vision.
In Proverbs 29:18, it says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The opposite is also true: with vision, people flourish. Together, we are capable of growth and achievement. The Yorktown Stake Plan is for members to become more joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We can increase the Spirit in our homes, increase faith in Christ, develop spiritual and temporal self-reliance and seek the blessings of the temple. In 2017, we focused on seeking the blessings of the temple. In 2018, we are focusing on developing self-reliance. I just completed the personal finance self-reliance class. If you have not participated in one of the self-reliance courses, please join a class when they are offered again in the fall.
Each member can strive for and have joy, which is a feeling of well-being that comes as a result of being in harmony with God's laws. In 2 Nephi 2:25, we read, "...men are, that they might have joy." I can think of moments of joy in my life, such as when I proposed to my wife and she said, "Yes!" That was a moment of joy. When each of my children were born, those were moments of joy. When each of them had their first taste of sugar, such as ice cream or a brownie, their faces showed joy. When our cat had kittens, the children's expressions on their faces as they played with them were full of joy. When our oldest child received his first iPhone, he had a moment of joy. There are beauties in nature, in relationships, friendships, accomplishments of worthwhile goals, many things that bring moments of joy, yet only through Christ can our joy be full. Give priority and focus on Him in our lives. Actively strive to be His disciples and have enduring faith in Him.
Here are steps to take to make Christ a priority in your life:
Focus
Consider Nephi, who was troubled by the temptations and afflictions that beset him (See 2 Nephi 4:17-35), but he always trusted in the Lord. Give priority to the Lord through the good times and the bad times and you will have peace in the Lord.
Discipleship
When Christ was preaching, he entered Simon Peter's boat, and afterwards instructed Peter to let down his nets in deep water, where he caught so many fish that the nets broke. Peter and his partners, James and John, were astonished and the Lord told them, "Fear not, from henceforth, thou shalt catch men." "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed Him." (Luke 5:10-11). What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? To forsake all, to carry the cross daily, to follow His commandments, to strive to develop ourselves so that His ways become our ways.
Faith
Have steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. The widow of Zarephath was suffering during a famine. The prophet Elijah was commanded to go to her. When he asked her for some bread, she responded, "As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." (1 Kings 17:12) Elijah told her that if she would make a cake for him, and then herself and her son, the barrel and cruse would not go empty until it rained again. She trusted in God and showed great faith by preparing the food as Elijah said, and the meal and the oil lasted for many days.
Discipline yourself to become more of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, you can have peace and your joy will be full.
Remarks by Jonathan Davis (Youth)
I recently had an experience with my family and learned a great lesson. My fondest memories growing up were of camping together. I enjoyed campires, birds chirping, cooking breakfast on a propane stove, collecting firewood, getting water from a pump, packing and setting up the tent. Every chance I got, I would help out. And as I become older, I helped more. I learned the value of service.
On a recent camping trip, we went kayaking on Lake Champlain, going from island to island towards Quebec. At one island, we had the chance to proselyte to the camp ranger. On the day that we planned to leave the island, the water was too dangerous to go out. So instead, we offered service to the camp ranger. We knew he had a big project for us to do when he showed up with a CAT machine full of gravel. We spent the day repairing roads around the island and picking up trash that came in from the lake. At the end of the day, we were tired, but the ranger's face was full of joy. It reminded me of the scripture in Mosiah 2:17, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Another experience I had regarding service was serving sacrament every Sunday to a brother who cared for his 2 autistic sons and could not make it to church. This brother's countenance changed as we blessed and served him the sacrament. He felt joy and peace as he remembered our Savior.
Elder Ballard, in 2011 April Conference, titled "Finding Joy Through Loving Service," taught the principle "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass," in the story of the young prospector: (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/finding-joy-through-loving-service?lang=eng)
"Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.
Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”
The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”
Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.
Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”
The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.
The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”
This story illustrates the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son Helaman:
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …
“… And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).
Like the accumulation of small gold flecks leading to great wealth, service does not have to be something big. Little, small gold flakes are like the small, precious things you do such as taking the sacrament, sharing your lunch, loading and unloading the dishwasher. These small and simple things have great power to bless lives.Remarks by Samantha Munoz (Youth)
I am going to talk about service. My father was a great example of service. His mother asked him to do a lot as a boy and even more as a youth. He was grateful to learn how to serve.
In Colossians 3:23-24, we read about service:
"23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."
When we serve, we serve the Lord.
In Matthew 20:28, we learn: "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
I am grateful to Heavenly Father and I am happy to have parents and teachers who give me great examples of service.
Remarks by Brad Gibson
I was recently asked how I would like to be remembered as a father. I would hope to be remembered for qualities such as those listed in the Boy Scout Law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. As a father, I strive for my kids to become the fullest versions of themselves and to become like our heavenly parents. I want them to know that:
- I believe in people
- I have active faith
- I am committed to covenants
- I have knowledge of the atonement and its relevance in my life
- We have a legacy of hard work from grandparents and parents
In Matthew 25:34-40, we read:
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
I read these scriptures, and ask myself: Am I a good example of doing these things? Do I feed the hungry? Advocate for others who are impoverished? Am I humble in recognizing privileges? Do I reach out in support of others?
I show love first to my immediate family, then to the church family, and then to strangers. It is this pure love that most determines our character as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
President Thomas S. Monson said: “May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.”
Remarks by Sister Smith, NY, NY North Mission
(Brother and Sister Smith are near the end of their mission. President Herget expressed his love to them and their family.)
I am grateful to be here today. I am so full of emotions and thoughts. It has been a blessing to be part of the Yorktown Stake. There is such a spirit here of remarkable missionary work. There is great support from the Yorktown Stake leaders. Do you want more joy in your life? Spend time with the missionaries.
A friend of mine, a recent convert, is seeking support from her husband for baptism. A knock on her door changed her life. When she met the missionaries, she felt love and peace. She has had opposition but understands that she is a daughter of God.
There is power in the Book of Mormon. Families with struggles and challenges have found peace through following the Lord. Their trials have not been removed, but they have found peace through their challenges. Through faith, repentance, and baptism, they have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is to have His spirit with us at all times. As we take the sacrament each week, we renew our baptismal covenants and remember the promise to have the Holy Spirit with us.
As in 2 Nephi 25:26, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
I have a good friend who is 72 years old. She suffered from a childhood trauma and heartache. Reading the Book of Mormon changed her life. She felt the love of God. Did it take time? It took a lot of time to be healed from the hurt and anger of the past and to gain the ability to forgive. But it did happen, little by little.
The Book of Mormon is filled with power and promises. President Monson and President Nelson have implored us to read the Book of Mormon every day. When we read, we will understand Christ and have the ability to overcome bondage and we will have peace. Read from the Book of Mormon every day. Continue with purpose, have a question in mind, such as: How can I do better? How can I overcome problems? Read, being open to the Spirit to receive personal revelation, to receive spiritual strength and power.
I am grateful to have a prophet to lead us. I am grateful to the Savior and for the atonement.
Remarks by Brother Smith, NY, NY North Mission President
President Uchtdorf spoke last week, saying "Wherever you are, you are always in the middle of your mission." I am grateful to learn from Elder Foster (who is visiting with us this week). We have welcomed him into our home and it has been a blessing to us. We found out that lots of people are related to us, too!
I know many examples of inspired missionary work.
I know a brother who invites everyone he knows to church, and sometimes the invitation is accepted and someone comes to church with him.
A Chinese-speaking missionary was transferred to a non-Chinese-speaking area. There, he was prompted to sing "I am a Child of God" in Chinese to a family. They are now preparing to be baptized.
Another family invited friends to attend the Hartford Temple Open House, and that family is now preparing to go to the temple.
A Finland citizen heard the gospel from the missionaries while visiting NY and returned to his home where he shared the gospel to a friend who was converted.
There was a car accident in which a Book of Mormon that had sat in the car untouched, landed in the driver's lap. It was given to him by a friend 20 year prior to that.
There was an Elder and a young man participating in the Alma Academy and they commanded the rain to stop.
A Stamford woman listened to the missionaries teach her about the Plan of Salvation. She was thrilled. She told them that when she went to Guatemala, she dreamed of her 2 husbands, who were deceased, and in the dream they were dressed in white. They told her that she could help them, and they were locked up. One had been a pastor, and one was an atheist, but they were both locked up. She did not understand what she the dream meant or what she could do to help them until the missionaries taught her the Plan of Salvation, and she knew that she needed to do their temple work.
I am grateful for your work and your support to build the kingdom of God. Remember that we need to do the work to return to our Heavenly Father. This is a message that Heavenly Father has for everyone. Heavenly Father sees us and knows who we can become. Strive to become more of what Heavenly Father would have us become. Let your light shine. Attend the temple, receive power to overcome temptation, doubt and fear, and angels will support, lift, and cheer you.
Remarks by Deb Checketts
(David Checketts, former Yorktown Stake President, has been called to serve as mission president in London, England. Deb worked for LDS Social Services as a marriage and family counselor.)
I have been asked to say goodbye and give my testimony. I love the Smiths. I have observed their good example.
When each of my children were born, I knew that God loved them. When I taught Seminary, I felt love wash over me and I expressed God's love for the youth. I have the same feeling for the missionaries to be presided over, that God loves them.
As we have served in the stake, we have watched you go through pain, trials, divorce, and personal struggles. I remember when David was asked to deliver the terrible news of Matt Turley's death. (Matt was serving a mission when he was hit by a car driven by a drunk driver.) We watched something hard but beautiful as we came together. The Turleys never doubted the Lord. We talked about this experience when we got together last week at the World Trade Center. We discussed the joy that they had experienced afterwards. I thought of Elder Holland's commencement address at BYU, saying:
"In the days and years ahead, you may suffer some discouragement and disappointment,” he said. “On occasion you may feel genuine despair, either for yourself or your children or the plight and conditions of others. You may even make a personal mistake or two—serious mistakes, perhaps, though I hope not—and you may worry that any chance to be happy and secure in life has eluded you forever."
“When such times come, I ask you to remember this: this is a Church of happy endings. Troubles never need to be permanent nor fatal. Darkness always yields to light. The sun always rises. Faith, hope, and charity will always triumph in the end. Furthermore, they will triumph all along the way.”
He advised them: "Go out there and be undaunted. Go out there and light a candle. Be a ray of light. Be your best self and let your character shine. Cherish the gospel of Jesus Christ and live it. The world needs you, and surely your Father in Heaven needs you if His blessed purposes for His children are to prevail. You have ‘entered to learn.’ Now ‘go forth to serve’ and strengthen.”
I spoke recently with a sister who had endured a painful divorce. She called to express the joy that she had experienced since then.
This is a church of happy endings. It is an honor and privilege to share the gospel with the world. We are thankful for our grandchildren. We are thankful for our stake president, Todd Herget.
Remarks by President David Checketts
When I arrive in London, as soon as the airplane touches down, I will become the mission president of the London North mission. An additional 104 missionaries will be coming from the London South mission and joining the London North mission, making 264 missionaries altogether.
As I have been preparing for this mission, I have thought of Alma's efforts to organize the church. After Alma escaped from King Noah, he taught people about Jesus Christ and baptism, saying:
"Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life -
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts." (Mosiah 18:8-11)
After Alma baptized the people who had come to the waters of Mormon (204 souls), he organized the church and ordained priests, one priest for every 50 people, and commanded them to teach repentance and faith on the Lord.
Last week, I had to make my first decision as a mission president. It has been a tradition for London North missionaries who are going home to come to the mission president's flat for dinner and stay in a hotel overnight before leaving for their flight the next day. In the London South mission, the missionaries have a tradition to go to the temple to participate in sealings and have lunch near the Christus statue and bear their testimonies before heading home. Since missionaries from the London South mission would be joining the London North mission, I needed to decide which tradition the missionaries would follow. Deb and I went to the temple, and as we prayed, I could see the faces of the missionaries and see them dressed in white and I knew the decision would be to go to the temple.
In 3 Nephi 5: 12-13, Mormon writes, "And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.
13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." This will be the theme of our mission.
I love each one of you. It has been a blessing to be among you. Our children have been blessed by you. May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.
Elder Bradley D. Foster, General Authority Seventy
It is a privilege to be here and to visit with your stake presidency. I exhort you to listen to their vision. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18) Without vision, people wander aimlessly. I bring you the love of the First Presidency. I appreciate the talks today. For the youth, I am proud of your parents who have taught you well.
As my grandchildren serve missions, I don't really care where they go, but I want them to have great mission presidents who will change their lives for good (such as President and Sister Smith and President and Sister Checketts).
In the Primary song, "The Family is of God," we hear the eternal truth that "God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be." It is so great that God did not send us to accomplish this earth life and mission alone. You all have a family, not only immediate family, but also multi-generational kindred, next of kin, kindred sprits. The gospel message is extended to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Our heavenly family includes all the families of the earth. We belong to families in our ward, stake, nation and beyond the veil, enduring eternally.
There is a story about a young man who dreamed about seeing the most talked about and photographed museum painting of all time. When he was finally able to see it in person, he stared at it for a long time, but he could not understand what was so great about the painting . The museum guide whispered to him, "But I bet you wish you could." Some people may feel that way about the church. They don't see what is so great. But it is our responsibility to show them and help them see.
Strengthening our faith together.
My wife, Sharol, and I were playing a game. The object of the game was to collect points by correctly placing pieces of a puzzle. My wife was very good at this, but I was struggling, so she gave me some hints, such as putting the edge pieces together first, and then blending the colors, but I just couldn't see where to put the pieces. Finally, she told me exactly where to place a piece. Our opponents complained that she was giving me unfair help, but she explained that I could not see it, and she wanted me to have a successful experience. This is similar to church. Sometimes, people cannot see, but we want them to have a successful experience.
In Mark 8:22-25, Jesus healed a blind man. He took him out of the town (which was a tender mercy):
"And when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." At first, the man was not completely healed, but he was completely healed the second time. Miracles take time.
Elder Holland spoke about marriage. The most important decision you will ever make is to save your marriage. If you want children to keep their covenants, keep yours. Be honest with each other. There is healing power in solving problems together. Do it in family councils. I have a friend who was raised in a Catholic family, and as we visited and sat down at the kitchen table, all the children came from other parts of the house to sit down with us. I wondered why they were all gathering, and our host said, "This is our family confessional. Every night, as we come home from work and school, we gather at the table to talk about what happened that day and discuss any problems." I advise families to do their best to have dinner together every day, and for parents to provide opportunities for discussion.
"Never love anything that can't love you back." Life is not about accumulating things. Instead, keep an eternal perspective to deal with issues that arise. Let me tell you a story to help you remember.
There was a wise Chinese man who had a son. One night, one of his horses ran out into the desert and his neighbors told him that was bad. But he answered that he was not sure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. The horse returned with 10 more horses, and the neighbors told him that was good. But he answered that he was not sure whether it was good or bad. His son tried riding one of the new horses and he fell off and broke his leg and his neighbors said that was bad. But he was not sure. When war broke out, all the young men in the community went to fight and died in the war, but his son was not able to go and fight because of his broken leg. In each incident, the man's neighbors told him what they thought was good or bad, but he wisely withheld judgement. The Lord says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." (Isaiah 55:8) Remember this wise counsel and keep an eternal perspective. Be patient with your troubles.
At my age, it feels like life has gone by like a dream. My children used to surround me, and now that they are gone, I appreciate it more when we are together. Heavenly Father has a plan. I am grateful to know it. God sent His son to make the plan work for us. He sent His son to establish the church. God sees us as we are and how we can become. Work every day to become like Him.
I will conclude with words of the 2nd verse of the song, "Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head:"
Do thou, O Lord, anoint mine eyes
That I may see and win the prize.
My heart is full; mine eyes are wet.
Oh, help me, Lord, lest I forget.
So may my soul be filled with light
That I may see and win the fight,
And then at last exalted be,
In peace and rest, O Lord, with thee.
(Joseph H. Dean)
Closing Hymn #158 Before Thee Lord, I Bow My Head
Benediction: Ana Collins
