The LDS Shelley South Stake has its bi-annual Stake Conference
SHELLEY- The LDS Shelley South Stake met Sunday morning, February 7, 2021, under unique circumstances because of Covid-19. The meeting was broadcast to members in their homes by Zoom. BYU-I President and Area Seventy Henry J. Eyring presided and spoke at the meeting.
The LDS Shelley South Stake met for its bi-annual Stake Conference. The meeting was held over Zoom so members could comply with the State’s Covid-19 social distancing mandate. The following link allows those who missed the conference to view it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lYXCOMzjSU
Dr. Bryce Hanson, 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency, first addressed the conference by speaking of the Good Samaritan. He told about how we need to serve others no matter what the circumstances are in our life. He spoke of the acts of kindness shown toward him and his family by people of all faiths. He encouraged members to reach out in these unique times and serve others.
Doyle L Batt, President of the Idaho Falls Temple, and his wife attended the meeting.
Sister Batt spoke how the limited endowments and sealings in the Temple because Covid-19 has taught them to minister one by one like the Savior did. She said the power of the Temple is still in our lives as we keep our Temple covenants.
She mentioned how one day, there was only one sealing for a young couple who had been previously married civilly. While walking to the sealing room, the bride asked why are all of the lights on in the Temple? “We turned them all on just for you,” Sister Batt said. “Heavenly Father wants to turn the lights on for all of his children.”
President Batt spoke on how we must press forward on the straight and narrow path. Being in this pandemic, some of us have lost sight of the end goal. “Some of us have gotten comfortable not attending church, reading our scriptures, or even not keeping our Temple covenants,” Batt said. “I would invite all of us, including myself, to focus on that which allows us to have hope of eternal life and exaltation.”
Halfway through the meeting, Mark Anderson played an inspiring rest hymn, “Our Savior’s Love,” at the organ. There was no choir at the conference.
Janica Lee Tanner, the new Stake Young Woman’s President, spoke about how the church’s youth theme was similar to a Thrifty Nickle job posting ad wherein an employer lists the job’s qualifications, description, and the benefits that would come because of it. She stated the benefits of following the youth theme would be eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Thomas Yearsley, President of the Shelley South Stake, reminded members that the natural man is an enemy to God and always will be. He spoke about how members need to become spiritually submissive, meek, and humble. They need to follow the Savior as he followed his Father.
Yearsley said, “In my personal experience, I have never regretted following the brethren, I have never regretted being obedient and never regretted exercising faith in Jesus Christ. I have never regretted being submissive, meek, or humble. I have regretted it when I haven’t done those things.â€
He continued, I know it’s not easy, but seeking eternal life and exaltation was not meant to be a cheap and easy experience.
BYU-I President Henry J. Eyring, also an Area Seventy, addressed the conference by testifying the Lord is at work in this Stake. Although the pandemic has broken off ties, members need to reach out like the good Samaritan and serve others.
