First, let’s clarify some terminology. A stake is a group of several local congregations (wards or branches; branches are usually smaller than wards) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Stakes are generally assigned by geographic location; for instance, the stake centered in Norman, Oklahoma, has wards and branches in Norman as well as surrounding communities such as Noble, Blanchard, and Chickasha.
Twice a year, members of the stake gather for what is called “stake conference.”At these Sunday morning meetings we are instructed and inspired by our local leaders, and traditionally there may be a member of the higher Church leadership visiting from Salt Lake City. As the Church has grown, these visits from the General Authorities have become less and less frequent; the growth of the Church has created more and more places for them to visit.
One thing the Church has been doing in recent years is to broadcast stake conferences to stakes in different areas, allowing the General Authorities to address many stakes at once. One of these broadcasts, taking place on October 21, 2007, addressed 107 stakes in the Salt Lake City area. President Gordon B. Hinckley, the president of the Church, was among those who spoke.
While the meeting was specifically for members of those stakes, members of the Church are always interested in what the prophet has to say. As reported in the Deseret Morning News, here are some of the things President Hinckley said to the members of those stakes.
- Marriage is “a joint venture” that can bring great blessings. He challenged husbands and wives to respect each other and work to communicate effectively.
- He called on the members to hold regular family prayer.
- He also spoke of financial honesty. He warned against extravagant lifestyles that can compromise family stability.
President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, was also among the speakers. Even with the great problems in the world today, he said, people can live full and rewarding lives free from fear if they exercise faith. “Don’t be afraid. Be happy,” he said.
He added that some problems are not solved in mortality, but “no blessing will be denied the righteous who are striving to do good.”
