The Bismarck Stake’s Young Single Adult Conference: Here in the Dakota’s there are only four stakes; Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bismarck. Under the direction of Elder Hansen, of the Seventy, it was felt that there should be two Young Single Adult Conferences held each year. Rapid City was assigned to work with the Gillette Stake and so that left Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bismarck stakes to plan and work together. The Spring YSA Conference is hosted by either the Fargo or Sioux Falls Stake. The Fall YSA Conference is always held in Bismarck. Whenever one talks of the Dakotas they are usually talking about long distances. So it is with our Young Single Adult Conferences. To plan a conference and to have people attend requires sacrifice and commitment on behalf of all who attend. We had 53 young single adults and 17 leaders, including 4 sets of CES Missionaries, come from the four stakes mentioned, some traveling as many as 6 ½ hours to reach their destination. Three young single adult women come all the way from Canada, an 8 hour drive. The committee was excited to see so many attend.
With the Temple in Bismarck North Dakota the conference’s theme was “Which Way Does Your Tent Face?” This was taken from Mosiah2:6: “And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which King Benjamin should speak unto them.” Our emphasis was to bring the Young Single Adults to Bismarck to have a temple experience. A Saturday morning devotional started our temple experience with President and Sister Reese, of the Bismarck North Dakota Temple. With the spirit of the talks and the music everyone seemed prepared for the main activity of the conference. Approximately half attended the temple while the others learned how to “Index”. Words are inadequate to describe the experience of the temple but it is enough to say that all were greatly blessed for their part of these two activities.
After an afternoon of workshops we visited a historical park and held our Dinner/Dance in the old historic Lewis Hotel. We were able to enjoy wonderful food, entertainment by some of our Native American families, and a fun “Thrift Store” dance. Can you imagine the ‘get ups’ that a bunch of young single adults can find in the local thrift stores? The evening just got more fun by the hour. It was sad when the dance was over but what memories we all took home with us.
Sunday is a time when the young single adults can partake of the sacrament and share their testimonies. After listening to President Greenhalgh, President of the Bismarck North Dakota Stake, we heard inspiring testimonies from those who had traveled so far. We all felt a love for one another and regretted seeing each person leave. We had been so blessed in this conference.
What was our part in all of this? With our positions as Senior Missionaries, and living in Bismarck, we took on those assignments that needed local connections, and the FOOD! Yea, our favorite subject. There is always some worry when food is on the line but we did have fun planning the food, and picking the favorite foods of the young single adults. We had a lot of help from our wonderful friends, the Shaws, transplants from Denver. Our attitudes were that we may never get another chance to do this again so don’t hold back. To welcome the YSA as they arrived we had Italian Meat Balls, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Vegetable Trays and other goodies, For a brunch on Saturday morning we had a wonderful French Toast, made with Texas Toast, with berries and whip cream on top, sausage patties, and fruit. What a hit!! So many came back for seconds and thirds. For dinner we enjoyed a wonderful cooked brisket with scalloped potatoes, Vera’s baked beans, fresh corn on the cob with IBC Root Beer, Black Cherry & Cream Sodas for drinks. Top that off with ice cream and brownies and you can see we had a wonderful dinner. Well, enough of this; let us move forward.
Seminary and Institute: A new year of Seminary and Institute began without too many obstacles. Our summer months were filed with many adventures but our purpose in being here is Church Education and so it was good to be back doing the things we associate with, Early Morning Seminary, with the high school students, and Institute, with our Young Single Adults. We have been pleased to feel the affections from the teachers and the students. No wonder we have loved this mission so much.
We are studying the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History this year. After having studied the Book of Mormon last year it is a thrill to see how everything fits together. What a testimony builder it has been studying the revelations of Christ given in our day. We are amazed and humbled at the wonders of our Father in Heaven and His beloved Son. We are touched often by the Spirit which reveals truth. How grateful we are for all that we are receiving. We question if we will be able to maintain the intensity of experience when we leave this mission.
Fort Yates Branch: We have had two sisters from the Fort Yates Branch come to us with names of their families who need their temple work completed. We never intended to get involved in Family History work while serving on this mission but how could we ever refuse their request. These sisters are 70 miles from the Bismarck Family History Center and neither has transportation or the skills to complete the work on their own. Thanks to the Centers from the Highlands Ranch Ward who taught us the New Family Search and the use of PAF. With a little help from some of the local genealogist we have succeeded in submitting some of these names. Here are some of the names we have submitted; Brave Eagle, Joseph See the Elk, Dorothy Big Eagle, and Jack Wears Horns. There are many others but those are some of the interesting ones. It has been a thrill for us to now follow through with their temple work and we have been rewarded with a wonderful spirit as we have completed their work. What a wonderful experience we have had by serving in the Fort Yates Branch on the weekends.
We had a baptism yesterday in the Fort Yates Branch. Sister Bernadine Broken Leg accepted the gospel and was baptized yesterday and confirmed a member today. She also stood and bore her testimony in Fast and Testimony meeting. We have often said that the Native American branches may lack in many things but never in the outpouring of the Spirit. What a wonderful testimony meeting we had. There were many tears of joy shed today.
The Holidays: We were amazed to see people putting up Christmas lights today. It was a beautiful weekend and Christmas seems far away but the people never know when the nice weather will end and the storms blow in. We have already had one blizzard which pilled snow up on the fence and tree lines and one never knows when the next one will come.
Art and Marie Williams: One of our highlights this Fall has been getting to visit with Art and Marie Williams. They moved to Fargo North Dakota a few months back and drive twice a month, 3 hours each way, to work in the Bismarck Temple. Our visits have been sweet as Art and Marie have told of home and the Highlands Ranch Stake. We will miss seeing them when we return to Colorado. They are doing well in their new ward and stake and the people of Fargo love them.
Out Car: Is anyone interested to know that our little Honda turned over 192,000 miles last week? Well it did. We bought the car back in 2001 and it has served us so faithfully. By the time we arrive home, in January, we should be close to having 200,000 miles on it.
There have been many of you who have commented on all that we have done on our mission. We do not feel that same way. We are busy, that is a fact, but we also know of what is not being done and we continue to work at being more effective. We report the successful parts of our mission but we have had our disappointments and struggles as well. We are well aware of our weaknesses. Nevertheless, we know of Whom bestows our blessings and we are grateful to our Heavenly Father for this wonderful experience. Our hope and prayer is that many of you will have the same type of experience when you are able to serve a mission for the church.
We must close for now. The clock says 10:00 PM which was 11:00 PM last night and our steam is running out. We love you and look forward to seeing all of you once again.
Love, Elder and Sister Harris
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