BISMARK, N.D. — Young single adults came from North and South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Canada for a quad-stake YSA conference Sept. 10-12 that was focused on the temple with the theme "Which Way Does Your Tent Face?" (Mosiah 2:6).
Many of the 53 participants came from North and South Dakota's four stakes where there are relatively few Mormons and they are separated by vast distances.
"Whenever one talks of the Dakotas, they are usually talking about long distances," said Kristine Harris, one of the CES Missionaries who helped facilitate the conference, "and this requires a great deal of sacrifice and commitment."
The conference included experiences and serving in the Bismarck North Dakota Temple, which serves an area of approximately 200,000 square miles.
"The temple was by far and above the highlight of the conference," said Todd Fife, organizer of the event. "This is what we hoped to accomplish."
The conference began on Friday evening with a keynote address by President Douglas Bahr, second counselor in the Bismarck Stake presidency, who shared many humorous dating stories. He spoke of dating with a purpose and addressed such topics as how to ask someone out, what to do on a date, how to respect your date and finally how to know if you're dating the right person. Afterwards, a magic show was performed by "Master Mentalist" Greg Wilkinson of the Dickinson North Dakota Branch, with incredible, mind-boggling and mystifying feats.
Saturday morning opened with a morning devotional focused on how the Lord uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things by President and Sister Reese, president and matron of the Bismarck Temple. Following a brunch, participants attended the temple and learned how to index family records using FamilySearch.
Seminars focused on spiritual growth and learning, improving self-esteem, setting goals and dating were held Saturday afternoon. Presenters included Reeve and Stephanie Southam of the Bismarck North Dakota Ward, John and Cynthia Andelin of the Williston North Dakota Ward, Todd and Michelle Fife of the Minot North Dakota Ward, and a panel made up of CES Missionary couples from Bismarck and Fargo, N.D., Rapid City and Sioux Falls S.D., as well as Neil Nordquist, first counselor in the Bismarck North Dakota Stake presidency.
The historic Lewis Hotel at Buckstop Junction was the setting for the dinner and "thrift store" dance held later Saturday evening where participants enjoyed wonderful food and entertainment by local Native American families.
"Can you imagine the 'get ups' that a bunch of young single adults can find in the local thrift stores?" laughed Harris. "The evening just got more fun by the hour! The outfits were outrageous and everyone had a terrific time."
Sunday morning began with breakfast after which, President Rhod Greenhalgh, president of the Bismarck North Dakota Stake, spoke during a sacrament/testimony meeting where 22 young adults testified of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His divinity.
"This was the highlight for me," said Fife. "The spiritual strength of these young adults was almost palpable. Just being around them strengthened my own testimony. What a pleasure it was to be part of their lives, if but for one weekend."
Participants were sad to leave the warmth of the Spirit they experienced with each other to travel the long distances back to their homes. "Feeling the Spirit and being able to strengthen each other, just being with people who have the same beliefs was the best part of the conference for me," explained Philip Gietzen of Mandan, N.D. "I feel like I'm good for the week now!"
Lynne Anderson is the public affairs director for the Bismark North Dakota Stake.