"Stake conferences are a wonderful time for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and friends from the community to come together to worship and strengthen ties," according to Wellington Stake Director of Public Affairs, Raymond Mihaere.
At a recent stake conference (27-28 August) for the Wellington Stake, about 450 Latter-day Saints and 14 guests from foreign embassies, national and local government heard sermons from Elder F. Michael Watson and his wife Sister Jolene Watson, President George Harvey (Wellington Stake President) and other speakers.
A Latter-day Saint stake is a grouping of congregations (called wards) in a geographical area. There are over 2,800 stakes worldwide. Stake conferences take place every six months and are an opportunity for Church members and guests to hear messages from local and visiting Church leaders. Local Church members also participate by speaking, singing in choirs, and congregational singing.
Elder F. Michael Watson of the First Quorum of the Seventy and member of the Pacific Area Presidency spoke of the Church's belief in God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and of continued revelation being as important today as at any time in history. He stressed the need for family stability in a troubled world, the role of both fathers and mothers, with theinherent blessings that come to those who are faithful examples of the believer in both word and deed. He referenced The Family a Proclamation to the World and concluded with an 1839 statement of the First Presidency of the Church reinforced again by President Thomas S. Monson in 2008: "Upon your diligence, your perseverance and faithfulness, the soundness of the doctrines which you preach, the moral precepts that you advance and practice...hang the destinies of the human family."
President Harvey spoke about the Wellington New Zealand Stake vision "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and shared some scriptures on how we can indeed emulate the Saviour in our personal lives and in the communities in which we serve. He emphasised the importance of living worthy to receive personal revelation and testified that although the way to eternal life is straight and narrow, through making right choices we can keep on the pathway to perfection despite the opposition that we will face.
He testified that "the Church organised in ancient times by the Saviour has been restored in these latter days with Prophets and Apostles to lead us home."
President Harvey concluded by quoting Articles of Faith 5, 6 and 13, the latter being what he called a "Latter-day Saints Honour Code" and pattern to live our lives as the Saviour did.
Some of the guests from the community attending the conference were His Excellency Mr. Anthony Mongalo, High Commissioner to New Zealand for South Africa, accompanied by his wife Lillian Mongalo; Her Excellency Mrs. O'Love Jacobson, High Commissioner to New Zealand for Niue; Mr. Michael Layne, US Ambassador's Representative; The Honourable Mr. Peter Dunne, New Zealand Member of Parliament (Ohariu); The Honourable Ms. Annette King, Member for Rongotai; Ms. Rahui Katene, Member for Te Tai Tonga, accompanied by husband Dr. Selwyn Katene; and Mr. Paul Eagle, Southern Ward City Councillor for the Wellington City Council.
After the conference, guests commented on the Church's outreach in the community, especially noting the Mormon Helping Hands community service projects that take place regularly. Ms. King mentioned that she was at Ridgway School recently where Church members completed a beautification project in 2010. She reported that "the school looked as good as the day we did the work."
Other guests commented on the large number of young people in attendance and how good it was to hear the children's choir.
"Conference is a special time for Church members," says President Harvey. "It brings members from across the stake geographic area to fellowship and be edified by Church leaders through their inspired messages, said President Harvey. "It also gave us an exciting opportunity to share a spiritual experience with those dignitaries who attended who were largely unfamiliar with the doctrines of the Church, by giving them some insights into our beliefs and our programs that reach out and can benefit the community as a whole."
This year, as in previous years, the stake conducted a grocery collection which has now become a tradition as part of the August stake conference. Church members were given the opportunity to donate grocery items in support of the Wainuiomata Foodbank, run by the Life City Church.
Raymond Mihaere said that Pastor Awhina Vailima, who took receipt of the food, expressed gratitude for the groceries as they are bolstering their dwindling stocks. He said the groceries will greatly help in supporting 60 families who are struggling in the current economic environment.
Latter-day Saints also meet twice each year in a worldwide general conference. These are held in Salt Lake City, in the United States, and millions of Church members and guests participate via satellite, Internet and by other means. During general conference, the Church's leaders, including President Thomas S. Monson, speak about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The next general conference will be held on the first weekend of October.