A Stake President Reviews 2012 -

  A stake president reviews 2012….

Mathew S. De Visser
Stake President Sandy Utah Hidden Valley Stake
Best Stake Conference I Ever Attended

On Sunday we had the best stake conf I've ever attended. The Stake President was the concluding speaker. Below is his talk exactly as he emailed it to me today. Sorry for the length but there was nothing I could cut out of it. It was that good.
Stake Conference General Session Talk: 2/3/13

President De Visser:

My dear brothers and sisters, it has been a wonderful conference weekend. I have been inspired by those who have shared their stories and testimonies. I have been equally inspired by the music. I have learned that it is not an easy thing to plan a stake conference. Much fasting, prayer, and deliberation go into it and I have felt the spirit of the Lord guide me in selecting our speakers and topics. I express my appreciation to those who have participated. The spirit of the Lord has been with us in abundance, and I pray that it will continue to be with us as I now address you. 

Another year has come and gone, but not just any year – it was the year 2012. A year about which much was speculated, predicted, and some would even argue prophesied. And while the most discussed prediction or prophecy – that of the Mayans concerning the end of the world – did not come to pass, I feel and believe that 2012 will still prove to be one of the more significant years in our life time.

Let’s take a moment and look back at a few things that happened in 2012: 

      - Gaza fired missiles on Jerusalem causing heightened unrest in the Middle East 

      - The Director of the CIA, a man considered to be of the highest moral integrity, 

              resigned due to improprieties and adultery

      - The UN Ambassador was instructed by the White House to cover up what
            happened in Libya, attempting to minimize the deaths of four Americans
            who were murdered                    

      - There was an attempt to raise taxes during the worst economic times since
             the great depression
      - Hurricane Sandy, called the “perfect storm” hit the east coast causing
             great devastation
      - Iran became closer to a nuclear weapon
      - The use of marijuana was legalized in Washington and Colorado
      - Some states legalized same sex marriage
      - 23 states began a petition to secede from the nation
      - Russia strengthened its coalitions with North Korea and Iran
      - Forces aligned to stop school prayer, but allowed the handing out of birth control
      - The government used tax dollars to fund abortions
      - Examples of violence, gambling, drug misuse, and infidelity were more
               prevalent than ever
      - Hollywood promoted parenthood without marriage
      - Education scores of our youth plummeted to their lowest levels ever
      - And finally, we were brought to the edge of the fiscal cliff - 

In my opinion, the first 30 days of 2013 have proven to be the same. In fact, my head is spinning at all of the insanity and craziness that is happening in the world. - Now, I want to make it clear that it is not my intent today to be controversial, political, or even dire. My intent is to state the facts as I see them, as the Stake President, having been moved upon by the Holy Ghost. When I speak from this pulpit as the Stake President, the primary intent of my voice is one of love and compassion, but I also have an obligation to use my voice as a warning when it is necessary. Today is a day when I choose to use it primarily as a voice of warning hoping you will realize and understand that it is in love and compassion for you that I do. Each of us has our agency and we are free to act for ourselves. We are agents unto ourselves and each of us is free to take what I say as he or she will. You may choose to disagree with me. You may even choose to ignore me, but I have been impressed by the spirit to say what I must say. Never in my life have I witnessed a more stark difference between good and evil than I did in 2012. Never has there been a greater moral, economic, or political decline in society, than there was in 2012 and over the last few years. These climates combined, were as bad in 2012 as they have ever been in the history of the world. The current moral condition of our world and country reminds me of the condition described in Helaman, chapter 5, verse 2, and I quote:

             “For their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the
               people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who
               chose good, therefore they were ripening with destruction, for the laws
               had become corrupted.”       End quote. 

In 2012 the voice of the people spoke loudly and clearly as it chose:
      - Socialism over capitalism
      - Entitlements over free enterprise
      - Redistribution and regulation over self reliance Unfortunate as it is, this should not
            come as a surprise to any of us who have spent the better part of our lives as
            members of this church. 

The scriptures and the prophets have warned us for hundreds of years, and have been trying to prepare us for this time. The scriptural and modern-day prophesies we have read and heard throughout our lives are no longer prophesies to us – they are now our living reality. Let me take a moment and share with you a few of the scriptural and modern-day prophesies and quotes that I find interesting and revealing.

First, on November 9th, 2012 (just a few months ago) the First Presidency issued the following statement: 

          “We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, 

           to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they 

           lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect 

           the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to 

           them by the American people.” 

The most glaring part of this statement, to me, is the acknowledgement from our prophet and the First Presidency that we are living in difficult and turbulent times.

Now, listen carefully to these two quotes. To me, these quotes are fascinating, and they reflect the ability of our leaders to see and predict the future. In 1976 (this statement was made over 35 years ago) while serving as a President of the Seventy, Neal A. Maxwell said the following: 

           “I fear, that, as conditions worsen, many will react to the failures of too much 

            government by calling for even more government. Then there will be more 

            and more lifeboats launched, because fewer and fewer citizens know how
            to swim. Unlike some pendulums, political pendulums do not swing back
            automatically; they must be pushed. History is full of instances when people
            have waited in vain or  pendulums to swing back”. 

In 1966 (this statement was made over 45 years ago) while serving as an apostle, 

Howard W. Hunter said this:

           “The government will take from the “haves” and give to the “have nots.” 

             [When this happens] Both have lost their freedom. Those who “have,” lost 

             their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. 

             Those who “have not”, lost their freedom because they did not earn what they 

             received. They got “something for nothing,” and they will neither appreciate the 

             gift nor the giver of the gift”. 

Now I quote from 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-4:

          “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall 

           be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
           disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce
           breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
           traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”. 

Sound familiar? It does to me, and as the Stake President, I not only see it happening throughout the world, but I also see it happening right here in our stake. These conditions described by Paul concerning the wickedness of the last days, are being realized right before my very eyes. As the Stake President, I see and hear all manner of sin – violence, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, and immorality of every kind. I believe there are not many things left for my eyes to see and my ears to hear. Evil is escalating at an alarming pace even here at home. Just as the Savior prophesied concerning the conditions in the world that would precede his Second Coming: “iniquity does abound, the love of men does wax cold” (JS-Matt. 1:30) and “all things are in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts do fail them, for fear has come upon all people” (D&C 88:91). 

I now quote Elder Bednar in a talk he gave one day after the tragic events that occurred only 45 days ago in Connecticut. He said:

              “We live in a world that grows increasingly confused and chaotic - ever more 

               evil and dark. Nothing could have emphasized that truth more than the tragic 

               events that occurred yesterday in Connecticut.” 

With his comments, Elder Bednar also quoted recent comments made by President Packer, who said: 

                      “The world is spiraling downward at an ever-quickening pace.” 

Now, pay close attention to this next sentence brothers and sisters –
President Packer said: 

                                “I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better.”

President Packer goes on to say: 

              “I know of nothing in the history of the Church, or in the history of the world 

               to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and 

               Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds 

               us now. Words of profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. 

               Unspeakable wickedness and perversion were once hidden in dark places;
               now they are in the open, and even accorded legal protection. At Sodom
               and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now, they are spread across
               the world, and they are among us”. 

Brothers and Sisters, as I said last year during Ward Conferences – “we are in the count down.” 

Again, I say to you, that the scriptural and modern-day prophesies we have read and heard all throughout our lives are no longer prophesies to us – they are now our living reality. If there was ever a time in the history of the world for a people to wake up, pay attention, and get it together – now is that time. This is a defining moment for us, and we cannot delay. We need to get our temporal and spiritual houses in order. It is a must. Difficult times are still ahead and we need to be prepared. In my opinion, the last 5 years have put us on notice, and they should serve as a wake-up call in both temporal and spiritual matters. All throughout my life I have been counseled by our church leaders to live within my means and get out of debt. In fact, there was no topic talked about more by President Hinckley, during his time as the Prophet, than living within our means and getting out of debt. As I look back on the last 5 years, it is no wonder to me why he did. We experienced the worst economic, political, and spiritual times in the history of our country, and even globally. The words of President Packer during his visit to our stake 4 years ago still ring loudly in my ears when he mentioned this topic and warned us, by saying: 

            “This time is different. We have not experienced this in the past.
              This time it is global,  and it will be deeper and last longer than
              anything we have economically and spiritually experienced.”

Today, it is easy for us to reflect upon his words and know that he was right. Many of us would be better served today if we had taken his warning more seriously. For example, from 2008 to 2009 our stake experienced a 150% increase in welfare assistance to its own members. That assistance stayed about the same during 2010 and 2011. In 2012 we saw some improvement, and I am happy to report that we are now only 70% above our pre 2009 level of assistance. While there are some of us who could have done better, all in all, I commend you brothers and sisters. We are one of a few stakes in the entire church that remained a Fast Offering Giver rather than a Fast Offering Receiver during this time – meaning that we were able to meet the temporal needs of our own members and still have a surplus to pass on to the church to assist other stakes. I also want to commend you for following the counsel of your priesthood leader to prayerfully consider a more generous Fast Offering. It is overwhelming to me that during this temporal meltdown you have risen to the occasion and given more generously. I am very pleased to report that over the past 4 years our fast offering contributions have increased by 11%. This is amazing, especially since we now have 1,000 members less in our stake than we did in 2008. So, I thank you brothers and sisters. You are wonderful and I promise the Lord will continue to bless you as you continue to give generously. 

Now, while temporal and economic conditions appear to be getting somewhat better, let us not kid ourselves about what is really going on. Any improvement is only temporary, and the conditions we have experienced over the last 5 years will eventually and certainly return, and even get worse. Let us not forget the last 5 years, and let us learn from it. Let us all finally follow the counsel of our prophets to live within our means and get out of debt. It is possible to get out of debt if we live within our means, but it is not if we don’t. Now, not only is temporal preparedness vital for our mortal existence, but it also sets the stage for us to be spiritually prepared. The most important matter for us to consider right now and always is our spiritual preparedness. Over the past 4 years, it has been a wonderful exercise for me to call upon the Lord for guidance and direction concerning this stake, and in particular the setting of stake goals. It has been an interesting evolution to witness. Let me share with you part of a statement we prepared for all of us this year (a copy of which can be obtained from your bishop):

            “As the Stake Presidency discussed, pondered, and prayed about our stake 

            goals for 2013, we were impressed by the feeling that goals should be a matter 

            of focus and commitment at a personal level.
             In conjunction with this direction, we encourage each individual member to set 

             their own goal based on the following question:

             What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior?

Let me repeat:

We encourage each individual member to set their own goal based on the following question:

What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior? We trust that as you prayerfully consider and ponder this question, it will be clear to you what your goal should be. We also testify that your personal commitment and discipline to fulfill this goal will indeed bring you closer to the Savior and will give you spiritual strength to remain firm and steadfast in the gospel regardless of the circumstances. We are impressed to share with you one goal you might consider, as you ponder the question: What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior?

                        Spend time each day reading and studying the Book of Mormon.

Two others which are not in the statement but which I would like to also suggest are:

                  1) Don’t let a day go by in your life when you do not humbly and sincerely

                      kneel before God to thank Him for your blessings and plead with Him to 

                      give you the spiritual strength to meet the challenges which are coming.
                  2) Perform a spiritual self examination. Examine every aspect of your life. 

                      Identify those things for which you need to repent and then do it. 

                      Simply put, focus on your own personal worthiness.

In the end, the only things that will matter will be our personal worthiness and our relationships, especially the one we have with the Savior. 

Brothers and Sisters, President Packer was absolutely right when he said: 

                        “I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better.” 

As difficult as it may be to embrace, it is simply God’s plan. The moral, economic, and political conditions of the world will not, overall, get better. You and I were held back for this special time to prepare the earth for the return of the Savior. I believe many within the sound of my voice will be part of, and witnesses to, all of the events that will transpire prior to the return of the Savior. This will require each of us to be temporally and spiritually stronger than we are currently. In closing let me share a quote from Heber C. Kimball:

                “The time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys 

                 to the extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint, from the face of 

                 an enemy to the people of God. Then, brothers and sisters, look out for the
                 great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall; for I say
                 unto you there is a test, a TEST, a TEST is coming, and who will be able
                 to stand?  This church and each member of it has before it many close places
                 through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with
                 victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you
                 to be temporally and spiritually prepared, and have a knowledge of the truth
                 of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that
                 the man or woman who does not possess these things will fall.” 

Brothers and sisters, the test has come. It is now upon us. No man or woman will be able to endure what is happening now, or what is ahead, if we are not temporally and spiritually prepared. If you are not, you will not stand. I love you brothers and sisters. I testify to you that I speak the truth. I have a personal witness of the Savior and I know that He lives. He is the Son of Almighty God. He will return in glory and He will sustain us through the difficult times ahead if we do our part and are temporally and spiritually prepared. 

And, I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.