Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Noumea, New Caledonia for the semi-annual Noumea New Caledonia Stake Conference on the 6th and 7th of June.
A stake is a group of Latter-day Saint wards (congregations) in a certain area.
Presiding was Pacific Area President, Elder Kevin W. Pearson. Elder Pearson was accompanied by Elder Benjamin Sinjoux, another Church leader.
The two day gathering included combined meetings for all ages, a training session for local leaders and a devotional for youth.
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Elder Pearson encouraged those attending the conference to be actively engaged, thoughtful and faithful in the choices affecting their lives, families and communities.
“Don’t be an object, be an agent,” he urged. “We can all make the choice of being an object that is always acted upon or we can be an agent who takes action and chooses not to be affected by things that lead us away from the Spirit of God.”
Elder Pearson continued, “Be attentive to what the Spirit of the Lord will teach you. You will have a personal revelation that will be different than the person sitting next to you.”
Elder Pearson also expressed a strong and loving appreciation for the women of the Church.
Among the other speakers were Elder Benjamin Sinjoux and President Georgie Guidi of the Noumea New Caledonia Stake.
Other conference themes included becoming better members, parents, spouses, neighbours and leaders by developing faith in God and Jesus Christ.
The youth were grateful for a session of conference devoted specifically for them.
Elder Pearson expressed an understanding of the challenges faced by the youth. He reassured them there were thousands of other young men and young women around the world, just like them, facing similar challenges.
After the youth devotional, teenager Maryne Degeoffroy, said, “I realize I am not alone and that when I pray for answers for my concerns, other youth are doing likewise. It was reassuring for me to hear that.”