Ozark YSA's Challenged to Be 'Faithful And Fearless'
Mormon Times
July 2, 2011
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Close to 450 Latter-day Saint young single adults from 20 stakes in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Texas attended the "Faithful and Fearless" Ozark YSA Conference June 24-26.
The conference included workshops, recreational activities, a devotional, and Sunday sacrament and testimony meeting aimed at reinforcing strength of character and self-worth through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The event was hosted by the Springdale Arkansas Stake.
Don and Jessi Osmond attended as special guests and served as emcees for the conference. The workshops at the conference were taught by President Richard and Sister Betty Lu Merkley, of the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission; President Gerald Roberts, Tulsa Oklahoma Stake president; five CES coordinators from the area; three stake presidency members; and a professional marriage therapist.
Don and Jessi Osmond led a devotional later June 25, which included Jessi singing about Christ's Atonement and sharing her testimony of God's love for all. Her presentation was followed by Don teaching with family stories of inspiration. He emphasized to the young single adults that they are more than their Facebook profile; they are daughters and sons of God.
The conference Saturday, June 25, also included a series of workshops on personal improvement, influences in media, the gospel and the productive life, dating and missionary work, sports and activities in the afternoon, and a luau tropical-theme dance.
The Saturday activities included various dating games, "Minute to Win It," instant dance competitions, water polo and many other popular group activities.
The conference concluded Sunday with a testimony meeting and a combined meeting taught by President Michael and Sister Marie Southward, the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple president and matron. Sister Southward challenged the YSAs to make a decision to marry in the temple and discussed how to live so that may become a reality. President Southward taught about the five Goliaths that we should overcome: pride versus humility, fear versus faith, immorality versus chastity, apathy toward God versus conversion, and ingratitude versus gratitude.
Jody Cochran, a YSA conference leader, said, "The conference was great! Many thanks to the people who spent the time and effort on planning, purchasing materials, grilling, decorations, setup and takedown."
Conference Chairman President James Phillips, first counselor in the Springdale Arkansas Stake presidency, said that Don and Jessi Osmond's enthusiasm made the conference a delight.
He noted "helpful resources were miraculously placed in our path with the Lord's help and guidance to make the conference a success."
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