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New Stake Conference Format?

I recently read on another forum the church will shortly change the way they are conducting Stake Conferences. Apparently, one conference per year will be via satellite from Salt Lake. The Stake President will speak from the pulpit for maybe 15 minutes, then the broadcast will come on. It will be the First Presidency and members of the twelve or other general authorities. This broadcast will be viewed by maybe 30 or 40 Stakes at the same time.

Just curious if anyone has heard of this and if so, what are your thoughts?

Format Conference Stake New

I have not heard anything, but I would not be surprised. The FIrst Presidency has taken over a lot of the training and I am glad for it. To tell you the truth, I would rather hear from the Brethren than local people. No room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

New Stake Conference Format? Studies Doctrine Mormon

That would be interesting, although I've always really appreciated our local stake leaders, very strong, humble brethren. I thought Stake Conference was a time to recieve a "state of the stake" update, you know what I mean? So if the broadcast is coming from Salt Lake, how do they know what's happening in Tempe, or DC, or L.A.? Just curious.

Roz

Format Conference Stake New

Yes, I have heard of the format changing to satellite - hey, I'm from the UK how come you guys have not heard?

Dubhdara.

Format Conference Stake New

Yes, I have heard of it. Actually tomorrow we are having our special "Stake" Conference from Salt Lake City. I was talking on the phone with a Branch President and he told me the broadcast for today (Priesthood session) and tomorrow is specially for the Caribbean, so whatever they discuss is specially for us. I am VERY glad about it, I think many members have felt left out when they hear something they cannot relate to. It seems like it is something permanent, Stake Conferences will be held twice per year as usual with one of them being a direct broadcast from Salt Lake City.

New Stake Conference Format?

So how did the conference go. Who spoke? Did they seem to focus on concerns in your area? Just curious.

New Stake Conference Format

My understanding is the broadcast just basically is in place of the GA having to travel to the stake and give his talk in person. Before the broadcast, stake business is conducted.

New Stake Conference Format Mormon Doctrine Studies

Gaucho, here I have my notes *unfolding paper*

First of all, the Special Conference was held in Puerto Rico (it was originally planned to be from SLC but Pres. Monson wanted to meet specifically with the Saints in Puerto Rico) so he took Pres. Richard G. Scott with him, we heard and saw a translation to English of all speakers except Pres. Monson (even Pres. Scott spoke Spanish since he served the mission in Uruguay, his Spanish is GREAT by the way).

Elder Gary Coleman (Seventy): He was the first speakerf. He talked about his conversion to the Church while he was a University student. He basically talked about the four cornerstones of the Church:

a) Jesus Christ
Joseph Smith
c) Priesthood
d) Book of Mormon

Sister Coleman: Just shared her testimony

Elder Richard G Scott: He talked about going to his mission to Uruguay and going by ship from New York to Uruguay, he mentioned he stopped in Trinidad but there were no members of the Church here as yet but nowdays there are thousands of devoting members who live to deserve the blessings of the Lord (I guess he was talking about the whole mission since we do not have 'thousands' of members here).
He also talked about the tremendous influence we have in other people and how the Lord wants us to be happy and smile and be cheerful people. He mentioned that Pres. Hinckley has a tremendous sense of humour. He recalled the time when the Apostles were having a meeting with him and when he came to the room, all the Apostles stood there with their dark suits and ties and Pres. Hinckley said " You all look like 12 birds standing on a coast line".
He also talked about what kind of attitude we have about life and if its always 'dark' or there is 'sunshine' in our lives. He also mentioned trhat by living righetously we have the protection and promises of the Lord. Faith is the only way for assurance of happiness and peace in this world, he said to 'fight' our problems with the faith on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Of course, he talked also to the youth and it is interesting because I think that's his 'calling', he specifically said that what he was going to say also applied to every member of the Church and not the youth alone. He mentioned drugs, pornography, modesty, and chastity. He also talked a lot about his wife....he was very emotional while talking about her, you could see he misses her.
He talked about parenthood and how important it is to spend time with your children. He said a story that really touched. While he was having this job as an engineer he went away for a week or two, when he returned as soon as he reached, he saw his wife washing clothes by hand...so immediatly he started repairing it and his wife asked "What are you doing??" and he looked at her and said "I'm fixing the machine so you will not have to wash the clothes by hand" and she said "Go and play with the children" and he answered "I can play with the children at anytime" and she said with 'that' tone "Go and play with the children!" and he said that when she speaks that way, he has to obey . So he went and play with the children. It was not a big deal to him until the next day he gets up and see two small little arms around his neck, it was his little four years old daughter, she gave him a kiss and a hug and told him "Daddy, I love you. You're my best friend" and she kissed him...
Before introducing Pres. Monson he said that "after Pres. Hinckley, Pres. Monson is the most important person on the face of the Earth".

Pres. Monson: His talked was very 'casual' he was very informal all through the talk. He talked about a couple of local leaders he met and he talked a lot about children, about not worrying that they make so much noise and they like to run (note: you could hear children's noise very loud). He mentioned how Pres. Kimball said that children are that way because they are great spirits in such a small body.
He talked also about going to Haiti and could not believe the meetinghouse the members had in there. It was very poor. So he contacted the Church about it and he said the Church was taking way too long (more than 2 years!) and he said that the Burocracy in the Church is big and people suffer in the mean time. So he could not wait any longer and called a meeting and when he started the meeting he said "This is going to be the shortest meeting you would ever attend. I want a meeting house in Haiti! and I will take care of the papers later". So the members in Haiti got the meeting house but they did not have a drinking fountain, again the Burocracy of the Church was stopping it. He called a General Authority and said : "I want a drinking fountain and I want it NOW!"...and Haiti got the drinking fountain.
He talked and analized D & C 88:119
He also mentioned that sometimes they get very funny letters, specially from children who ask them what kind of foods they like and he always answer"whatever my wife puts on the table I eat" and his favourite book is Christmas Carols by Charles Dickens. He said he loves to read Scrooge story of conversion.
The biggest challenge in the world today and in the Church is Family Disintegration. He talked about being safe everywhere we are and seeing about the safety of our homes and family. He talked about how his wife almost died twice two years ago and the power of the Priesthood.

That's basically. I was very surprised to hear how much emphasis he gave about the negativity of the Burocracy of the Church.