As written by the author on June 7, 2025, the day before the Liberty Missouri Stake split into two stakes – The Liberty Missouri Stake and the Shoal Creek Stake

Thirty-one years ago I sat in a meeting just like this one, the Clayview building to be exact. It was 1994 and I was a senior in high school. I lived in a smaller suburb of Kansas City, called Leavenworth, that’s on the Kansas side, and yes, where the army base is, and all the prisons…like six if I’m not mistaken. The two wards that met in Leavenworth were the only units in the Liberty Missouri Stake that were not located in Missouri. It should have not been a surprise to me then, when the visiting authority announced a new stake was forming–the Lenexa Kansas Stake–and that both Leavenworth wards would be part of that new stake. 

“Wow, what just happened?” my mind was spinning. Typically, I loved change and new things, but upon further reflection, this might not be the change I was hoping for…especially as a 17-year-old. I had made such good friends in the Liberty Stake through Girls’ Camp and Youth Conference, like Robyn and Polly. And would the new stake have any cute boys? (Yes, these were pressing issues for my 17-year-old mind.) 

Being in a new stake was not easy. It was filled with new people, who all seemed to know each other, and didn’t seem too excited to welcome us in. (I’m sure that was just my jaded perception.) What should have been the most joyous year of my life–senior year–was sad, lonely and filled with doubt. What was the Lord doing to me, to us?

But change brings growth. Being friendless meant that I had to learn how to make new friends. New people meant opening up new possibilities and worlds. I was privileged to meet President Donald Deshler then, the first stake president of the Lenexa Stake. He would go on to influence my life in many ways, including where I went to college and helping usher in the new temple. 

Change gave my family more ways to serve. My mother was called into stake primary and was gone a lot visiting other wards. As part of his busy job managing a major department store, my father was working on Sundays once a month. As the youngest in the family, I was the only child left at home. Now, once a month I would be heading to church alone. Even though I’m an extrovert, I was nervous about sitting alone. But these changes were what I needed to grow stronger in the gospel. 

The Lord was preparing me for something else, too. After receiving a scholarship for journalism to BYU, I felt a strong impression I was to turn it down. It was another, how-can-this-be moment. I had wanted my whole life to attend BYU and to be normal and find a fun group of friends that loved the gospel of Jesus Christ as much as I did. But the impressions were frequent and undeniable. I was to attend the local university. I knew it, and God knew it. 

Now I see how having moved stakes my senior year prepared me to make this even harder change. The Lord was preparing me. And that decision completely changed my life. It was at the University of Kansas, that I met my wonderful husband. He is a wonderful gift to me, my children and many others. It was here I met some of the best friends of my life who are more like sisters. My “Taco Tribe” who I still keep in touch with and visit, to this day. Looking back, this hard change of “not attending the school I had dreamt of” brought the most delicious fruit.

As we face uncertainty this weekend, know that the Lord is in the details. He is aware of us. He knows where we need to be, who we need to influence, and how we need to grow. He is preparing us. 

As I contemplate this change, I look back to my 17-year-old self. Did she know what was happening? Could she tell that this uncertainty and sadness “would be but a small moment?” No, but this 48-year-old woman does. She knows to trust in the Lord with all her heart, mind and strength. She knows Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ love us and are preparing us for something even greater. 

Back in 1994, what was considered the Liberty Missouri Stake now encompasses five stakes. Five. In the space of not many years – 31 to be exact – this little band of believers has grown to a sea of faithful. To quote President Russell M. Nelson, “My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.”

I know I do, and I hope you do too. I know Christ lives. I know He lived and died for us, and that He lives now, guiding and directing his Church. I love Him, and I know He loves me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.