San Bernardino Stake Conference

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles presided in the San Bernardino Stake Conference this weekend, March 19th and 20th. Traveling with him was Elder Packer, area seventy for the California area. They were here for the re-organization of the stake. President Poulsen was released along with his two counselors, President Avarell and President Ewell who have been serving together in the stake presidency for over 9 years. It was a special experience for President and I to be invited to have dinner with Elder Christofferson and Elder Packer last night along with the stake presidency and their wives. We enjoyed the talks given by both of them last night in the adult session and today in the general session. Last night Elder Christofferson gave an insightful talk on faith. He talked to the members of the stake on various subjects. Very briefly and very generally, he thanked the stake presidency for their faithful service for these many years and also talked on the importance of family and how parents should follow the prophet. He talked about how President Monson would like us to: 1)Have more missionaries, and better prepared missionaries. We need more senior missionaries. 2) We need greater attention to marriage and families. Husbands need to be honorable, faithful and respectful. 3) We need fathers to lead out in spiritual things in the home. Fathers call for family home evening; fathers call to family prayer; and fathers call to scripture reading. 4) We need to look after one another, rescueing both temporally and spiritually. We will love one another more profoundly. He quoted D&C 123:17, "Let us cheerfully do all that is in our power." Joseph Smith was a great example.

The missionaries serving in the San Bernardino Stake were able to attend and most were able to shake Elder Christofferson's hand. We enjoyed his visit and appreciate all that President Poulsen has done to further the Lord's work here in this part of the vineyard. We have come to love him and his wife, Suzanne, his counselors and their wives and we will miss them.