"The stakes and districts of Zion are symbolic of the holy places spoken of by the Lord where His Saints are to gather in the last days a a refuge from the storm."
Sister Anni Groves, 1st Counselor in the RS Presidency, shared a quote from Elder Marvin J. Aston with us today: "If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us face, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care." This seems so applicable at this special season of the year.
Sister Laura Bunnell was our teacher today for a lesson from President Ezra Taft Benson. She began by reading portions of the foreword on this chapter concerning President Benson's experience in serving in the stakes of the Church and how important he believed this work to be in uniting and strengthening the Church.
His timeline in these callings went along pretty regularly. In January of 1935, at the age of 35, Ezra Taft Benson was called to be the first counselor in the Boise Idaho Stake Presidency where he helped a Melchizedek priesthood holder return to activity in the Church and he lead the stakes' efforts to implement the Church's welfare program.
By 1938, the stake had grown to more than 8,000 members and it was decided to divide the stake into three separate stakes. President Benson was called to be the president of one of the new stakes. While he was 'shocked', his wife told their children that it was a blessing for their father to receive this call.
As the stake president, President Benson continued to teach the principles of welfare and he gave particular attention to the youth of the stake. But less than two months after he began serving as president, he was offered a job as executive secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, which would require him to work in Washington, D.C. He first declined the offer, but after consulting with his wife, Flora, he decided to accept it. He was released in March of 1939 and wrote that it was "the most difficult day I have ever experienced."
The Bensons moved to Bethesda, MD and a little more than a year later President Rudger Clawson and Elder Albert E. Bowen, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited that area to organize a new stake. They approached President Benson, asking him to be the president of this new stake. He was again, surprised, but accepted the calling. His wife, Flora, said about his service as stake president, "He loves it so. It isn't the title that counts with him, but it's the joy of being able to help as many as possible see the truth of the gospel."
Later, as an Apostle himself, President Benson visited stakes throughout the world where he took much pleasure and joy in associating with the men and women in leadership capacities.
As members of the Church, we gather in the stakes of Zion.
"What is a stake?" A stake is defined as a geographical area made up of a number of wards (at least five) which is presided over by a presidency of priesthood leaders. Stakes are relatively fluid and are constantly changing due to the population within the boundaries.
"What is the significance of a stake?" To Church members, a stake is a symbolic expression. We are asked to imagine a great tent held by many cords extending out to many sturdy stakes that are secured firmly in the ground. We read in this section that "The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth." (Isaiah 54:2; 3 Nephi 22:2) That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes and those stakes are the various geographical organizations spread out over the earth.
A stake has at least four purposes.
1. Each stake is presided over by a three high priests - the Stake President and his two counselors - and supported by twelve men called the High Council. Each male member called to the High Council must at least hold the office of Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood and will subsequently be ordained to the office of High Priest to serve on the High Council. The stake organization becomes, in effect, a miniature church to the Saints in their specific area. The general purpose of a stake is to unify and perfect the members who live within the boundaries of the stake by providing further light and knowledge from Church programs, ordinances and gospel instruction in addition to that which they receive in their individual wards.
2. Members of stakes are to be models or standards of righteousness. Many times wards and branches are comprised of members who are recent converts. Congregations are smaller and there are generally not as many leaders available who have had the benefit of "traditions" of long-time membership and depth of gospel understanding from ancestors and previous generations of members. These smaller congregations need experienced priesthood leaders for guidance.
3. Stakes are to be a defense. As members unify under their local priesthood officers, they will be able to consecrate themselves to do their duty and keep covenants they have made. When we keep our covenants, they become a protection from error, evil and calamity.
Only in areas where the Church has stakes can a temple be built. The blessings and ordinances of the temple prepare members for exaltation. Not every stake is privileged to have a temple, yet, but we are seeing remarkable developments in the building of new temples throughout the world and this enables more and more members of the Church to receive the full blessings of the Lord.
4. Stakes are a refuge from the storms to be poured out over the earth.
Stakes are organized to help parents teach the gospel and lead their children to the ordinances of salvation.
We read in the Doctrine and Covenants 68:25-26 that,
"Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the Living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized."
Stakes are formed to perfect the Saints, and that development begins in the home with proper and consistent gospel instruction.
As stake members reflect the Lord's standard of holiness, the stake becomes a beautiful emblem for all the world to see.
Doctrine and Covenants 82.14: "For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness, her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments."
As we learn and grow in the gospel we gain inner beauty that reflects to all the world. As our wards and stakes grow in membership and in gospel knowledge, the borders of Zion will be enlarged. We, as members, reflect the standard of holiness the Lord expects of His chosen people. "Zion is the pure in heart."
Each stake serves as a defense and a refuge from enemies seen and unseen.
We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants that, as we gather together in our stakes, our light may shine as a standard to the nations - a measure of exactness and perfection. Our stakes will be a defense for us and a refuge from the storm, and ". . . from the wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."
As priesthood direction is given to the Saints, we will have our testimonies strengthened and have increased family solidarity and individual righteousness.
Our stakes are to be the gathering places for Zion and they need to be spiritual sanctuaries and to be self-sufficient in as many ways as possible. As we prepare for our own individual emergency preparedness, we should also be helping to develop a comprehensive, successful plan for our stake to shelter those who will seek refuge and safety from the storms of destruction that threaten our existence in the last days.
We read in 1 Nephi 14:14 the promise of the Lord: "He will preserve the righteous by his power."
As we participate in our stake opportunities, we will increase our own testimonies, receive added blessings, shine the gospel light to the world, and help to build up Zion to protect and defend our section of the Lord's vineyard.
Your Bloggess,
Karen
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.