Dear sweetie,
What a joy to be able to talk to you today and to be able to share with you the news of Dad’s call as Stake President. It has been an amazing weekend starting with Friday evening when the outgoing stake presidency had dinner with Elder and Sisters McKay and Smith. It was great to get to know them. Both men are so knowledgeable about the gospel and also so funny. Their wives are so sweet as well. I feel like I am best friends with both of their wives and I’ve only associated with them a few times over the last couple of days. I felt the spirit so strong with them. Elder McKay is the church historian and our church purchased the Kirtland temple this week. In fact, after our meetings today Elder McKay’s wife took him to the airport so he can fly to Kirtland and visit our newly acquired properties again and help with the transition. At our dinner and at other times during the weekend he opened the meeting to questions about the Kirtland purchase and anything else we had questions about.
Saturday morning Dad has his interview at 9:30am and then Elders McKay and Smith conducted around 20 other interviews. At 1:00, President Frank called us and asked us to come back to the stake center. When we arrived, Elder McKay took Dad into the Bishops office and Elder Smith took me in the high council room. These are the questions we were asked; would I support Dad if he were called to a position of leadership, do we know of any legal action against us that would embarrass the church, has there been any abuse in our family, do I feel confident that Dad could continue to support our family financially while holding a position of leadership, additionally Dad was asked if he is currently viewing pornography. Following our interviews, Dad and I were in the stake president office with Elders McKay and Smith and Elder McKay extended the call to Dad. It was a very tender time and we felt the spirit very strong. Then he told me I was Dad’s counselor and we were given 20 minutes to select counselors. Dad knew one counselor for sure and we talked briefly about 2 other names for the 2nd counselor position, but it was amazing to receive the answer so clearly. Dad and I waited in a room in the stake offices while his counselors were called. Then we had a training meeting until 3:30 with the newly called counselors and their wives. It was wonderful to be part of that training. At 4:00, Dad spoke in the leadership meeting as the 2nd counselor in the outgoing stake presidency. He did an amazing job speaking on the plan of salvation (an assigned topic from Elder McKay). Following that meeting, we had dinner in the Relief Society room and then the adult session at 7:00. We didn’t return home until nearly 10:00 that evening (we had to run to Walmart for some groceries because I didn’t make it to Costco earlier that day). People were so nice to thank us for our service and several people told me how much they were going to miss dad being in the stake presidency. I smiled to myself thinking, “oh don’t worry- he’s still going to be here!”
Dad and I didn’t sleep a lot Saturday night. Elder McKay asked me to bare my testimony after Dad’s calling was announced so my mind reviewed what I should say most of the night and of course Dad’s mind was busy with a lot more than that! Funny story about that. When Elder McKay asked me to share my testimony I said, “There are a lot of chairs set up in there. That’s a lot of people and I get nervous speaking in front of people.” He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, “Well, get over it.” And i did! Ben, it was a miracle. Dad gave me a blessing this morning and I prayed that I would be calm and have a clear mind. I was blessed to be able to communicate clearly and not be too nervous. Dad said it was the best he’s ever heard me and I’m so grateful. What also helps is that I read 2 Nephi 25:26 this week and it prompted me to write my testimony on Thursday which I did. I was able to refer to that in the hours before my testimony which helped so much.
Another thing that was cool for me personally- on Thursday I decided to stop at Seagull to see if they had any dresses. I found 3 dresses, all on sale for $18/ea. I know I would’ve been fine wearing whatever was in my closet but it was so nice to know I had some new dresses and I felt confident and didn’t have to think too much about what to wear (one for Friday nights dinner, Saturday and Sunday).
Dad’s setting apart was incredible. I remember he was blessed with power to fend off attacks of the adversary and also disease and accidents. Our family was blessed with peace and joy while he is away. It was a powerful blessing. Afterwards, Elder McKay looked at the Stepan’s and said, “he was blessed with power to fend off attacks of the adversary- i’d stick close to him if I were you.” He also encouraged each of us to get our own witness that Dad was called by revelation.
Here are some thoughts from everyone else about today;
Michael - Today was really cool because we had the opportunity to watch Dad be called to the Stake Presidency. I felt the Spirit very strong when he and his counselors were announced and sustained. I thought a lot about how Dad taught us so much about the priesthood when we were growing up. That is so important to me and it’s awesome to see Dad fulfill this calling. Elder McKay did a great job of helping us to be excited about this too.
Luke- I really liked Elder Mckay’s talk about the sacrament. I really liked the things he said about making sure that it doesn’t become a routine. The sacrament is a very special ordinance and we have to make sure that we treat fit as such. I also really liked all of the testimonies that testified of Jesus Christ. So many people testified that they know that Jesus Christ is real and he is the savor of the world. It was a super good meeting and I’m really glad that dad can be the next stake president.
Dad - It was a special occasion today to be called as the Stake President. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve. I was grateful to Elder McKay and Elder Smith for their guidance and counsel. I’m excited to be the stake president. I’m grateful to mom and for her companionship and love.
Mary- Today was one of the coolest days I’ve had in a very long time. Talking to two general authorities in just regular conversation was very neat. I talked to Elder Smith about BYU and he told me to take his mission prep class that he teaches so I can’t wait for that. I love Elder McKay’s talk and sweet spirit. He is a really cool guy and knows so much about the gospel. His insight was very inspiring.
Sara- Great Day! It was really cool for me to see dad get sustained as the Stake President. I also loved listening to Elder Mckays talk about the sacrament. It was really awesome that i could be there to see dad get set apart by a general authority. I am really excited for dad because he can still be able to go to Girlscamp and Oakrest this year! 😊
I haven’t even mentioned our 24 hour visit to Oakland and San Jose to celebrate grandpa and grandma’s 60th wedding anniversary. It was an amazing experience. We did a sealing session in the Oakland temple and had dinner and ice cream at Fenton’s. Dad and I stayed at Matt and Wendy’s and then Matt drove us to the airpot at 4:30am. It was a whirlwind trip but so lovely.
We missed you but we know you are exactly where you should be. Keep up the great work!
We love you with all our hearts.
Love,
Mom
