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Liberty Stake Goes to Jeff City
Stake Leaders go the state capitol
Lori Garcia, Stake Communications Director (Hodge Park Ward)
On April 9, 2025, leaders from all over the Show Me State took to Jefferson City to visit the state capitol. Stake Presidency members, Communication Directors, Community Outreach Specialists and youth leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who call Missouri home attended the special day at the capitol building to meet with members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Leaders from the Liberty Missouri Stake Stake attended the event including Presidency First Counselor, Rudi Garcia, Communications Director Lori Garcia (Hodge Park Ward), High Counselor Matt Austin and his daughter Aubrey Austin (Shoal Creek Valley Ward), Community Outreach Specialist James Ransom and his daughter Sariah (Liberty Ward) and Community Outreach Specialist and Photography Valerie Anderson (New Mark Ward).
Liberty Stake leaders were able to meet with many of their area representatives including Senator Kurtis Gregory (Dist-21), Rep Bill Allen (Dist-17), Rep Marty Jacobs (Dist-38), Rep Chris Brown (Dist-16) , Rep Josh Hurlbert (Dist-8) and Rep Eric Woods (Dist-18).
“Speaking with Missouri State Senators and Representatives was absolutely amazing,” James Ransom said. “Getting to sit down one-on-one with them in their offices in the State Capitol and hear the topics they’re most concerned about for our state, as well as have them ask us what was most important for us to have them be focusing on, was really special. A day I will never forget!”
Ransom and his daughter Sariah were given the privilege of being introduced on the House of Representatives floor before the opening of the afternoon session.
“Being introduced on the House floor honestly made me a little nervous at first,” Sariah Ransom said. “I’ve never had something like that happen before! It was really cool though, and was definitely a special moment.”
She said it was well worth a day off school.
“”Going to the Capitol was amazing! I’ve never really known how the state level of government worked, so it was neat to learn more about it as well as see it in action. There was also a lot of incredible artwork there that I enjoyed learning about.”
It was President Rudi Garcia’s second time attending Stake Leaders at the Capitol Event. He was anxious to return again this year.
“We are so grateful to be able to sit down with so many of our representatives and express our gratitude for their service to our families and communities,” President Rudi Garcia said. “Their jobs definitely aren’t easy. There are a lot of nuanced matters that they must weigh to help.”
President Garcia noted the Church is always trying to help families and shared that sentiment during the meetings.
“It all starts with strong families,” Garcia said. “If we can build strong family units, that will foster strong communities. That is something we shared with all of our leaders, and something we can all agree on, despite our different political views.”
The day wasn’t all smooth sailing, however, of which recently-called High Councilor Matt Austin and his daughter can attest while walking the capitol hallway on their way to an appointment. As they turned the corner, sewage came spewing out of a vintage water fountain, raining down on Austin and his new suit.
“When it happened I was in disbelief, and when I saw the look on Bro. Ransom’s face I knew it wasn’t good,” Austin said. “Looking back it gives me something to laugh about.Things happen for a reason, and if nothing else, it makes for a great story to tell (although I am now a little more wary around drinking fountains).”
