June 9, 2014

The Stake Conference details! 

The first talk by SISTER BANHAN:

 one of the pioneers, gave a talk on genealogy and missionary work. She said something cool: " If you are afraid to share the gospel with the living, don't be afraid of the dead!!" 

 PRESIDENT BROWN: spoke after. giving 6 things to do to drive this stake into Lucifer's heart! 

1) open your home- you got pics of Jesus there, sing good songs there, pray together! Let people feel the spirit that resides there!

2) open your mouth- D&C 33 just ask people to come to church!

3) open your heart- love everyone- be genuine whether they except the gospel or not

4) open the doors of the temple- get a recommend 12+ 

5) open the doors of the chapels- sick and tired of hearing people say our doors are only open on Sunday- fill them with activity! we play, laugh and worship here!!

6) open your wallet!- will a man rob God? In tithes and offerings. Show your faith!

ELDER CORNISH: talked about how Mongolia has about the same amount membership as we do.. but other end of the temperature scale hitting -57f  he talked about how precious this gospel is to us? How much is it? 

Talked bout fearing god more than man and then gave the analogy of a dog chasing a car and finally catching it and not knowing what to do with it! Same with us.. been chasing a stake and finally caught it! Now what will we do with it?? 

ELDER HOLLAND: 

 We got there before the session started and Elder Holland walked right by me. I was so shocked I couldn't say anything or even stick my hand out to have it shaked, haha. It happened too fast.. plus he looked whipped!! But I texted my Mission President right after and asked him to say hello for Grandpa since he grew up with him. He shore did, so no worries on that note! 

He shared a story about Frank (his dad) and how he smoked when he was asked to be the Sunday School teacher! He is so  good at telling stories!!! I would butcher it if I rehearsed it to you. You probably know it anyways, it has been given in past conferences. I’ll let you search for it!!   He told the Bishop he couldn’t accept the call cuz "i smoke!" The Bishop told him "Frank, that’s your problem, not ours!" He looks at his son (Elder Holland) but he just shared boldly that we can’t judge who is prepared for the church, or our message! REVELATION WAS: God is working on those coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, non tithe paying people all the time!! Don’t you think he isn’t! The question is, are you?? And says "alright when do you want me to start?" he talked bout he never saw his dad without a pack a smokes in his pocket. He thought you buy a pack you get a shirt, or buy a shirt you get a pack!! Then there is a huge crash in the kitchen! Miss big ears, my mother, is listening through the walls. She claimed she dropped something! Oh give me a break! She pulled the whole cupboard down!! He taught the class, threw his cigarettes out, and saved his family.  Hastening the work of salvation is a big topic, but call it what you want - home teaching, extending a calling, missionary work, call it what you want.. but make shore it happens!! 

Then he just told us his greatest fear is that God would tell him he had left a song unsung, that we can’t be silent and mute with the gospel dying inside of us!

Sunday was good. We missed some due to having to refresh the server when something went wrong.. but it was good nonetheless I feel like Saturday is always better though for those that stick out an extra effort for some more teachings!! 

But for the 1st jamaican stake 

President is: Andrew Lue (my 1st Branch President on the island in Spanish Town)

1st con: Royce Brittian ( was the other Spanish Town Branch President)

2nd con: Patrick Medley (from the Blvd Branch here in Kingston)

Stake Patriarch: Bro Macpherson (Sister Macs husband that feeds us every week.)

Those people shared their testimonies then Elder Cornish spoke.

He talked lots on following the counsel of our Priesthood leaders, and how obedience binds Satan. You get to make that choice and decide if you want that joy to be eternal!

Elder Holland: Talked bout flipping any other organization in the world, releasing everyone and calling new people would cause chaos! But nope, not here. every hand goes up to sustain them! Then he talked bout Elder Cornish how his career was saving babies and how he would have to sustain their life and compared it to the support we give. It’s not just well, good luck, hope everything turns out ok. But more like when Moses had to keep his arms raised and his homies had to support him! We have to support as well, it’s gonna be rough! Then he talked about how we will go more places than Christ. Can travel more land, talk to more people and left us with his Apostolic blessing! Pretty awesome. It was a great first conference! 

And we will just leave it at that for this week. Many less actives back, and at least the work is going on solid there!! Love you all, thanks for your support and prayers. God speed.

Elder Wilkerson