On Sept. 26-27 the Monett Missouri Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints enjoyed an international spiritual feast from Elder Yoon Hwan Choi and Elder Clement M. Matswagothata. 

Choi was born in South Korea. Matswagothata was born in Botswana. Both are full-time General Authority Seventies in the Church of Jesus Christ, serving under the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as special witnesses of Jesus Christ and helping to build up and regulate the Church globally. Choi presided at the conference, which was held in the Monett Stake Center and televised to Aurora, Carthage, Granby, Stockton, and Cassville for the Stake’s population of over 3,000.

Choi, a black belt in taekwondo, related an experience he had while in the South Korean military. He was at a ceremony for the nation’s presidential honor guards, of which he was one. Each soldier was given a shot glass. Their commander was going down the line filling each soldier’s glass with wine, after which each soldier quickly drank his wine and stood back at attention. To not follow the commands of a military leader would result in punishment. Choi was the only member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his unit. As part of his church membership, Choi had committed to not drink alcohol or use tobacco or take any harmful substances. He silently prayed to Heavenly Father for protection. Just as Choi’s commander poured the wine into Choi’s glass, a messenger ran in with an urgent phone call from the general for the commander. The commander left without seeing if Choi drank his wine. The soldier next to Choi, who had already drank his wine, quickly switched glasses and drank Choi’s wine. The commander returned, looked at Choi’s empty glass, said, “Good!” and went on to the next soldier. This and other faith-building stories were shared at the conference..

At another time, Choi asked the people who had served missions in South Korea, of which there were two people, to come up and sing “I Am a Child of God” in Korean with him.  Next he asked everyone who knew Spanish to stand and sing “I Am a Child of God” in Spanish. To everyone’s delight, Choi concluded by asking  “everyone who speaks English” to stand and sing  “I Am a Child of God.” Everyone stood with grins on their faces and filled the room with joyful music.

The two-day stake conference began with a Saturday afternoon leadership training, with 170 in attendance, followed by a supper of pulled pork, buns, beans, coleslaw, watermelon, and cookies. After supper, there was an adult session with 334 in attendance. Early Sunday morning, there was a Rising Generation Devotional for children ages 8-11 and their parents with 297 in attendance. Then came the general session with 929 in the Stake Center and more viewing in buildings throughout the Monett Missouri Stake boundaries.

Monett Ward Relief Society President Becky Ward, whose occupation is a nurse, said of the conference, “Elder Choi taught me how to be kinder and love others more like Jesus loves us, to look at others the way God and Jesus look at all of us, as individuals, to not forget that no one, other than our brother, Jesus Christ, has been perfect here on this earth, and tell others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Monett Young Single Adult President Blair Powell and his wife, Lauralie, who work in the Monett School District, said of the conference, “I loved Elder Choi’s message. He shared a message of peace and joy. The doctrine of this church is centered on family and our Savior Jesus Christ. He encouraged us all to ‘open our mouths’ and share the love that the Savior has for all of us.”

In six months, another conference will be held with the goal of strengthening members’ faith in Jesus Christ.