Elder K. Brett Nattress, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided at the Hobart Australia Stake Conference on Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 May.
DOWNLOADA stake is a group of Latter-day Saint congregations.
Members of a new stake presidency were called on the weekend. Tim Jack was called as the new stake president, with Matthew Jury and Ben Mitchell called as his counsellors.
Elder K. Brett Nattress Hobart Australia Stake Conference 1-2 May 2021
Left to right: Elder K. Brett Nattress; Katie and Matthew Jury; Tim and Rebecca Jack; Rachel and Ben Mitchell; and Elder Damon Page. Hobart Australia Stake Conference 1-2 May 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Phillip Smith, Joel Docking and Matthew Jury were released after several years of service as the former stake presidency.
In his remarks, Elder Nattress encouraged those in attendance to continually look to Jesus Christ for peace, guidance, and to help us become who He knows we can become.
“Faith in Jesus Christ is foundational in all that we do," he said. "Let us teach our children eternal truths... that they are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father and that the Saviour Jesus Christ provided a perfect and infinite Atonement for every living soul.”
Elder Nattress gave encouragement to parents. “Pray with your children, read the Saviour's teachings as found in the scriptures to your children. Attend the temple as frequently as your schedule will permit... As we do, let our children see how attending the temple helps us to become more loving and devoted parents.”
“We must all invite God’s children to come unto Christ,” he said. "Do not underestimate anyone. We all have our own story and circumstances as to how we came to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Everyone, every story is important. Never underestimate the worth of a soul.”
Also in attendance at the conference were Elder Damon Page, Area Seventy; and Michael and Tamara Houghton, Melbourne Australia Mission leaders.
Elder Page spoke about the joy of serving the Lord, and God’s children. He invited those in attendance to prepare to worship in the temple, and to visit the temple as often as each person’s circumstances allow.
He also invited the Hobart Latter-day Saints to “establish homes of worship” through prayer, scripture study and following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In his remarks, President Houghton spoke about the way the Lord calls leaders to serve and minister to the needs of Church members.
President Smith said he was grateful the Lord trusted him to serve, and he acknowledged the prayers offered on his behalf over the years. He said he had felt “sustained by the love of stake members.”
Speaking of the new stake leaders, President Smith said, “I had a sweet calm assurance that [the members of the new stake presidency] are called of God’.”
Many speakers acknowledged the service, sacrifice and support that wives and families give, to allow stake leaders to be engaged in the work of the Lord.
Sister Sue Smith spoke about her husband’s love for the Lord. “We gladly share our husbands with the stake, because we love the Lord.”
President Jack spoke about the process of being called to serve. “From that very moment,” he said, “I felt the Lord starting to prepare me.”
Speaking of the days ahead, he said, “We have everything we need to survive, to thrive spiritually. I invite you to be ready to act, to participate. The Lord needs all of us.”
President Jack testified of Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, living prophets, the power of the Priesthood of God, and the Book of Mormon.