Stake conference this past weekend was great. I know that they are all good but this one was extra special. Elder Uchdorf visited our stake along with Elder Tenney of the 70.
I was able to hear them in 4 different sessions of conference; youth, leadership, adult, and general. They both were excellent speakers bringing the spirit ever so stongly with them.
Elder Tenney was mission president of the Spain, Barcelona mission during the 90's (naturally I had to talk with him after one of the meetings) and was a perfect compliment to Elder Uchdorf.
Turns out that they had worked together while in Europe. Elder Uchdorf was in the area presidency at the same time that Elder Tenney was serving in Spain. You could see and feel the love and friendship between the two of them.
Upon learning that an Apostle would be at our Stake conference our stake president contacted him and asked if he would be able to take some time to meet with the youth of the stake. He agreed to spend an hour with them on Saturday afternoon. (we found out that they don't normally do this anymore due to time constraints, he was 10 minutes late getting to the youth meeting from the airport)
Elder Uchdorf opened it up to questions from the youth and we had some very good ones. The final question asked by a young woman was "What were your emotions upon being called to the Quorum of the 12?"
He paused and said that that was a very sacred thing and that he did not normally share that experience, but looking out at us and saying that we are a small group (I say at least 150 were there) he would share with us that experience. And he did so. I am not going to relate it here just because of that, but you can ask me in person sometime when you see me.
Part of it though was an experience that he had had prior to that call during the week before conference. He and his wife had been out on their evening walk on the Wednseday prior to General Conference and had been discussing that very topic of who would be called to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the 12. They assumed that whoever they were had already recieved their calls and that they and their family were in for a life changing event and as such needed their prayers. So they went home and prayed for them. Having no idea at the time that they were offering prayers of strength and comfort for themselves.
He was ever so gracious, staying to talk with and shake hands with everyone who had the desire to and of course many did, myself and my family included. Falyn noted that he not only took the time to shake her hand but took her hand in both of his, looked her in the eye and really spoke to her.
Priceless memories and testimony builders.
