Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Regional YSA Conference for the 5 stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Plenty of people came from all over the state; maybe not as many as the planners had hoped, but it was still a lot of amazing young single adults at one event. It was quite inspiring to see that many people gathered for something that may not always have been “fun,” but it was very influential.
There were a couple dances (More like listen to this live band or this music and if you want you can dance; yeah… I don’t dance and I prefer to preserve my hearing a few more years.), a grand scale service project (we probably packed over 1000 backpacks with school supplies for Native American school children; I had the unglorified opportunity to haul pallets outside to be loaded and put on the trucks but it was good), and lots of food (which totally threw me off my diet a couple times; it’s hard to eat keto when the food provided for you is absolutely packed with carbs, but I think I burned them off pretty well with the service project, walking between speaker locations, singing, and generally being in the Arizona heat. Thank goodness it wasn’t in July!). There were times to talk and socialize (Yes, I did talk with a few girls, thank you very much!) and when you arrive early you can actually sit there and listen to your own thoughts.
The main reason I’m writing (typing?) this is because of the wonderful experience I had with the speakers and with performing as a part of the choir. Pretty much every speaker could have been handpicked just for me as were the musical numbers. It brought a lot of peace, joy, and conviction. Here are my experiences in order and with as much detail as I remember (or want to give you; I can only get so vulnerable out here on the interwebs).
We started Friday night off with the choir singing “Did You Think to Pray?”. It isn’t too much different from how it is in the hymnbook, but it was still a great piece. The choir director for this piece, Ted Sowards, helped us to envision how each verse builds on the last (he described a situation where parents would console their distraught teenager and it was pretty interesting) and encourages you to pray when things get rough. Boy, was that a good start to the conference. The next few talks would be from some people who really did have it rough at some points in their life. Comparatively, I’ve got a cakewalk next to them, and yet I still struggle to pray. I need to get better at that, easy life or difficult.
The first speaker was a girl (Bre Lasley) that showed that God cares about individuals so much and He definitely has a hand in each of our lives. She talked about a Chinese man that still knew about Christ despite communism choking out religion, and then about a family on her mission that had a health miracle due to the prayers of the family and the missionaries. She finished with a terrifying recounting of when she was attacked in her home. She emphasized to us that God does exist and does listen to our prayers. He does protect us and will give us the power to overcome life’s challenges. We can do this through Christ.
As if the first speaker’s topic wasn’t heavy enough, the second was a man (Chris Williams) that lost most of his family to a drunk driving incident. Earlier in his life, he had accidentally run over and killed a young boy and could find peace despite his regret. Now he could find that same peace to forgive the driver and to understand that he would see his family again.
The first couple of speakers when over a bit on the time, so Devin G Durrant wasn’t able to speak very long. Honestly, I was kind of in awe at the first two talks that I don’t remember much of what Elder Durrant spoke. He pretty much just encouraged us to keep strong and to follow the same advice as the first speakers (find our strength in Christ and seek the peace that He provides). He did get to speak in a small group in place of another speaker, but I didn’t not attend that small group.
As was very fitting of the apparent theme for that session, we sang “Master, the Tempest is Raging” as a closing hymn. It was a different arrangement than in the hymnbook, but very nicely done. It started almost dark and low, but it built up to a peaceful ending where the Savior has rescued the person on the sea. The world is like a raging sea, very chaotic and dangerous. However, when we call upon our Savior, just like He calmed the ancient seas (He did create them after all) He can calm our souls and the world around us (He created those, too). No power of man or demon is enough to best God. It’s always amazing to me when the music fits the talks so well. It’s a good sign that Someone is inspiring the people that put these things together.
A ”dance” occurred at this point, but that’s not important. Back to the action on Saturday.
We started off by listening to Steve Young (yes, the quarterback for BYU and the 49ers). Even the people that you think are perfect have their struggles. He didn’t get married until he was 38 (and he knew all along that he was a “menace to society,” but so much for those words, Brigham Young. I’m still not rushing anything. I’m fine with my "menace" status.) He also suffered from depression and separation anxiety throughout much of his adult life, even as a professional football player. He focused on his strengths and wanted to see how far he could go. He never let anything (not even being a famous NFL star) come between him and coming closer to God. Fear never ruled his life.
Next was a sister who also didn’t get married until later in life. In fact, Sister Mary N Cook (a former Young Women’s leader) married so late that she started off her marriage with grandchildren. That never stopped her from living her life. She remained steadfast and prepared herself for anything that the Lord wanted of her. She repeated often the words “Live Ye” as found in Ezekiel 18:32. She encouraged us to always be grateful and steadfast, and to continue with always learning. She had experiences with her education and professional life that made her an ideal candidate (not her husband; it was really her they wanted to call) for a mission in Mongolia. Happiness can be found in growing and showing gratitude.
Third, we listened to former governor of Utah, Mike Leavitt. As governor he had to make a lot of big decisions for his state. He compared decisions to the gears in a clock. The big ones move a lot easier when the little ones are made. As young adults there are lots of decisions to be made (education, career, marriage and where to do all three as well as plenty of other big decisions). As we (1) lay out our thoughts and options, (2) shrink the uncertainties, (3) seek the counsel of others, and (4) plan to decide all while (5) praying earnestly for help from our Heavenly Father our choices will work out for good. He won’t make the decision for us (we will always have our agency), He will bless our efforts and decisions if we make them with Him. We need to have a routine for our decisions just like shooting a free throw or making a putt. As we are deliberate with our decisions, they will work out.
The last speaker for Saturday morning was President Clark Gilbert, of BYU-Pathways. To keep it short, he also focused on education. It is essentially a commandment to continue learning. We are children of God and He wants us to continue to learn and grow to become like Him. All learning is important, religious and worldly.
We had lunch and then the service project. It was a lot of work, but I think it went well. After the project was finished we went on to several other speakers. We had a lot of choices as to where to go, so I didn’t get to hear all of them, but I was incredibly blessed to hear the three that I did.
I started with Jimmer Fredette (yes, the basketball player for BYU, the NBA, and now in China). He talked about growing up and playing for BYU to make the transition to playing in the NBA and in China. He knew he had to have some decisions made beforehand, before there was any pressure to make the wrong choices when living his life in the spotlight. He knew he wasn’t going to drink or go to parties in Playboy Penthouses. He knew it was going to make him different and that was okay. He was doing what Heavenly Father would want from him. He is thinking of the long-term and doesn’t get caught up in the ways of the world. It was also pretty cool to see Jimmer participate in a shooting contest with some people in the crowd. He won, even in a tight dress shirt.
Keeping with the sports theme, I changed places to go listen to Brian Banks, a former MLB player and World Series winner. He was drafted right out of high school but decided to serve a mission and then went to BYU. He knew he wanted to serve a mission for much longer than he wanted to be a professional baseball player. After an up and down career bouncing between the minors and majors, he was on a World Series Championship team and retired. All along the way he knew he was in the places that Heavenly Father wanted him to be. He was able to have a few missionary experiences that would not have happened if he hadn’t been moved down to the minors. If we seek first the kingdom of God, we will be in the right place. He is now a pediatric dentist because he felt he needed to keep doing what the Lord wanted him to do. He encouraged us to stay in the “clubhouse” that is the church and the relationships that we can develop there.
I almost moved for my third speaker but I’m glad I didn’t. The final workshop speaker was Walid Kaakoush. He was born and raised in Lebanon as a Muslim. He was taught all his life to hate Jews and Christians. When he moved to the United States he made friends with members of the Church while playing soccer and attended his first meeting on a bet. Eventually he was baptized which caused him to be disowned by his family. He couldn’t deny it though. He served a mission, continued to play soccer, became a seminary/institute teacher, and has always stayed with the Church. Heavenly Father knew who he is and never left him alone in any of his decisions or trials.
More food and socializing followed by a live band and a dance. It made for a very long Saturday, but one of the best I’ve ever had.
Sunday was pretty much amazing. I didn’t record any names (and I can’t look any of them up) so you just get some of my thoughts, messages from the Spirit, and the notes that I took. Here goes:
- Don’t take counsel from fears but draw on spiritual experience you already have. Have faith in the things you already know. This will help in making decisions in life.
- Repentance is the opportunity to change and rise up to attain your full potential.
- Read the Book of Mormon to tap into the power of God. It took His power to translate it and the power is still there. Treasure it up each and every day to find peace.
- The Lord knew Joseph (Smith)’s name. He knows yours too and everything you are going through.
- Look up and see where you are. Be steadfast and immovable. Heavenly Father can continue to guide us as we are steadfast and immovable and help us through struggles and shortcomings. Staying a member of the Church allows you to become so much more.
- God is always there and will always love you. See what a change in your “lens” can let you see to become and achieve. Use the “lens of gratitude” in all things, even the bad.
- The Lord doesn’t care about the past but where you are now and where you are headed. The savior is always welcoming. All He asks is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
- He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye. He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint. He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart. (The speaker quoted the entire second verse of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”)
After this speaker, we (the choir) sang “My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee.” Probably the most powerful song of the conference. Definitely the most difficult, but oh so worth it. It’s by Rob Gardner. Look it up if you have never heard of it before. It’s based on scripture found in Isaiah Chapter 54 and Doctrine and Covenants Section 121. Just like “Master, the Tempest is Raging,” it’s about finding the peace and love that the Lord provides. Even when we sin or the very gates of hell seem to swallow us up, He is there. He is always there. And He’s never going to leave us. Thanks to Taylor Hudson for directing this one and helping me to feel this one.
The closing speaker was supposed to be Elder J. Devn Cornish, but he was not able to make it for health reasons. In his stead we were able to listen to Elder John C. Pingree. However it worked out, it did work out. And it was a great talk. Here are some notes I took:
- Don’t be afraid to ask His help even for the “small” things. “Why haven’t you asked for my help?”
- “God knows you specifically and has a specific plan for you.” You have been called to do things even before you came here that only you can do. To Moses (and to you) He says, “Thou art my son [daughter]. I have a work for thee.” Reread and continue to read your patriarchal blessing.
- Look for other people’s true value and worth. None of the worldly measurements really matter. Jesus Christ had none of these but He was the greatest.
- Ask, “God, what do you want me to do? What is my purpose?”
- We all have spiritual gifts. Read Doctrine and Covenants Section 46 about gifts of the Spirit. Ask others what your gifts are. See how your gifts can bless others. To Ammon it was said, “Be patient and diligent in suffering and I will make thee an instrument in my hands.”
- Having challenges and difficulties is how Heavenly Father helps us grow. He needs you where you are now. You are a child of God; you have spiritual DNA. Have the faith to step up and become what He wants you to be.
Of course, the choir had to end on a strong note. What song is stronger than “The Spirit of God”? It was the arrangement by Mack Wilberg, which is amazing. I’ve never tried to sing so loud in my life, I think, but I was certainly feeling the Spirit at that point.
This conference was one of the best things I could have done this summer. Being part of the choir also really helped to bring the Spirit into my life more abundantly. Music has a way of doing that. The conference was such an amazing, uplifting experience. I hope its effects will linger for a while. Even if it doesn’t solve my “YSA” (emphasis on the S) problem, it will have been well worth my time. If nothing else was made clear during this conference it is that I know that I am loved and that my Heavenly Father and Savior care for me. I’m not perfect, and neither do They expect that of me, but I can do and become great things with Their help.
