Akron Ohio Stake News

by Gary Fry, Stake YM President

The same scripture that led to Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord as to which church he should join is the same scripture the youth were encouraged to memorize prior to boarding the buses for youth conference in Nauvoo.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5.

Throughout youth conference, the youth were quizzed by President Laubaugh to see if they had internalized this great scripture. The goal, to help the youth realize that asking for guidance during youth conference is an important element of gaining or strengthening their testimonies.

While in Nauvoo, the early Saints grew much and also went through much tribulation. In all of this, the testimony of the Saints grew greatly and the fire of the covenant of the Gospel burned within them. That was the theme of youth conference this year, “Fire of the Covenant.” Our youth face many struggles each day. While they are not the same types of struggles the early Saints faced, our youth today nonetheless need to have their own testimonies and have their own fire of the covenant burn bright with them as they go forward into the world each day.

President Laubaugh helped the youth to realize this when he spoke about obedience and sacrifice during sacrament meeting on Sunday morning. These two principles will help the youth to endure to the end and to stay on the straight and narrow path.

As we work with the youth of the Akron Stake, we are constantly amazed at their faith, their strength, and their testimonies. I am personally grateful that I get to work with them for their testimonies help mine to grow. If you have not taken the opportunity to do so, I would encourage all of you to ask the youth of your ward what they learned from youth conference and how their testimony has grown from learning about the trials and experiences of the early Saints in Nauvoo. The Church is true and we have a living prophet here upon the earth today.