Stake Conference question

[TripletDaddy]

We had stake conference yesterday. Shockingly, my mind started wandering a bit. I got to thinking about stake conference and the early gatherings of the saints to listen to the Prophet speak.

Here is my question: what is the purpose of stake conference? I couldn't think of a practical purpose for stake conference in the modern church.

We don't take Sacrament at Stake Conference.

While we do sustain our global and local leaders, we can do that at the ward level. We also sustain the prophet in solemn assemblies wherever we may be, so there is nothing particularly symbolic about doing such in a stake setting.

Stake HC members visit the wards throughout the year, so we already have a chance to hear from them at the ward level.

The talks, while nice, are of no special caliber over any other Sacrament talk. Compare to, say, General Conference, where we are being addressed strictly by GAs. At stake conference, most of the talks are either HC or a few random members from a ward in the stake, with closing comments by the Stake President (which, as already mentioned, we get throughout the year when the SP or HC visits each ward).

Anyway, I enjoy stake conference because it is 2 hours instead of 3, but I don't get the function. What is the purpose?

[FN Phat]

This is why SC is marked on the family calender as a holiday. We generally don't go.

[RC Vikings]

It's another week off for the marginally active.

[beefytee]

Anyway, I enjoy stake conference because it is 2 hours instead of 3, but I don't get the function. What is the purpose?

It actually seems longer than the 3 hour block when you have young kids.

[Soccermom]

It actually seems longer than the 3 hour block when you have young kids.

No doubt. And with young kids, it isn't like you want to show up early to get a seat either because that prolongs the agony by another 20-30 minutes.

A few stake conferences ago, we arrived right during the opening song. No seats available. The ushers weren't doing anything and looked at us and basically said sorry, out of luck. All the overflow rooms were packed, the stage was full, and the only spot left would be standing in the hall. I looked at an usher and said, "Well, I guess this stake conference message isn't meant for us, because if it were intended for us, there would be a place for my family to sit." I smiled at him, grabbed my keys and kids, and started walking back to our car. I was seriously going to leave. Amazingly, several rows of seats opened up as the ushers had people move in to the centers. Aristides caught me at the door and said we had to stay.

[wuapinmon]

If the Sacrament is the reason why we go to Church, then Stake Conference seems superfluous. It used to be that you had a GA at one of the two per year, but now that's not the case anymore.

[byu71]

I think they are important in establishing the Stake President as a very important person. Imagine if there was no meeting for him to preside over.

[FN Phat]

Aristides caught me at the door and said we had to stay.

He is a better man than me. I would have held the door open for you and had the car warming up.

[Jeff Lebowski]

No classes to teach on stake conf. weekend. It's a perfect time to leave town. I hope they keep it around.

[happyone]

it seems that it is getting less and less. When I was I child ( along time ago) They had them qtrly and two family sessions on Saturday and Sunday. We also always had aleast one GA there and at least once a year an apostle. At the rate they are going maybe they will do away with them in the next 100 yrs.

[pellegrino]

I think the only reason it still exists is because of tradition and it does make for a forum in which three things can happen. The Stake President can address the entire stake as a body. Those being ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood are presented before the stake (the Stake Pres. is the high priest). Finally, (and I think this is perhaps the biggest reason for its perpetuation) General Authorities have an opportunity to interact with the rank and file members of the church.

[Donuthole]

Like many, I see SC as a chance to escape without needing a substitute teacher. Last fall we were in town, so we actually attended (poor planning on my part). We were treated to a rambling by Elder Kikuchi (sp?) that I won't soon forget. He gave a 45+ minute sermon, during which he addressed the viles of touching one's "privates" and watching reality TV, among other things. The myriad of random topics, coupled with his severely broken English, resulted in a very interesting conference, to say the least.

Despite the entertaining nature of that SC, we made it a point to be out of town for SC this spring.

[Donuthole]

I think the only reason it still exists is because of tradition and it does make for a forum in which three things can happen. The Stake President can address the entire stake as a body.

This isn't even true anymore, in many stakes. All 3 of the stakes i've been a part of here in Las Vegas have two sessions, as the stake center isn't big enough to seat the entire stake at once.

[FMCoug]

No classes to teach on stake conf. weekend. It's a perfect time to leave town. I hope they keep it around.

Exactly. Don't take away my BYE week dammit.

[I.J. Reilly]

Like many, I see SC as a chance to escape without needing a substitute teacher. Last fall we were in town, so we actually attended (poor planning on my part). We were treated to a rambling by Elder Kikuchi (sp?) that I won't soon forget. He gave a 45+ minute sermon, during which he addressed the viles of touching one's "privates" and watching reality TV, among other things. The myriad of random topics, coupled with his severely broken English, resulted in a very interesting conference, to say the least.

Despite the entertaining nature of that SC, we made it a point to be out of town for SC this spring.

This sounds like an awesomely enertaining conference. Most of my SC experience involves me drifting off for a moment only to wake up because my rear end is so uncomfortable on the stupid metal chairs I have to sit in for two hours because I didn't make it an hour before the conference to get a padded bench. I think we could spring for some more padded chairs with the tithing money. If it was put to a vote I would surely vote yes as a wise use of tithing funds.