The Afton Wyoming Stake had its semi-annual conference on August 23-24, 2025. The conference was presided over by Elder Stephen J. Larson, an Area Seventy from Meridian, Idaho.
Elder Larson is a partner of Grow Rasmussen LLP, an accounting firm in Boise, Idaho. Elder Larson formerly served as a Bishop, Stake Presidency Counselor, and mission leader in Peru.
The Stake Youth Council requested a special session of conference with Elder Larson, which was held on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. prior to the general session of conference.
At that meeting, local teenagers Vinnie Roniger and Ross Hilton spoke, as did Afton Stake President Scott Milne, and the meeting ended with words from Elder Larson, who addressed numerous questions from local youth.
Vinnie Roniger stressed the necessity of building a personal relationship with God, while Ross Hilton discussed how attending church services for the right reasons brings us closer to Christ.
President Milne gave the youth four truths to remember as they go through life.
1. You are known to God. Look for His tender mercies in your life.
2. You are loved by God no matter what. Like the father of the prodigal son, God will never give up on us.
3. Remember who you are, a child of God with divine potential.
4. You are good. You are better than you think you are. Do not let the world beat you down.
Elder Larson showed the students a snapshot of a strangler fig tree, a tropical species known for its pattern of growth on host trees, which frequently results in the host’s death.
He urged the young people to be on the lookout for the world’s stifling effect. God has given us the choice of becoming a host for His influence, which will help us grow, or being a host for the adversary’s influence, which will eventually strangle us like the strangler fig tree.
Elder Larson was asked how he could tell if what he was feeling was from God or just himself. Elder Larson responded to this question by reminding the youth that all good originates from God. If your feelings motivate you to do good and grow closer to Christ, we know they are from God.
On Friday the 22nd, the day before the conference began, a small forest fire broke out in the timber southwest of Smoot. This fire raged on throughout the conference, eventually devouring thousands of acres and affecting the lives of many individuals in the southern part of Star Valley. People were forced to evacuate their homes, while cattle grazing in the forest went missing.
Throughout the conference, many prayers were offered to God for supernatural intervention to mitigate the effects of the fire. In his concluding remarks of the conference Sunday afternoon, President Milne urged the members of the Afton Stake to join together on Monday for a day of fasting and prayer that the weather would cool down and our valley would receive rain to help suppress the fire.
He also requested the people of the stake to pray for the safety of those fighting the fire, as well as those whose homes and livelihoods were threatened.
On Tuesday, following the conclusion of the conference, President Milne sent the following message to the members of the Afton Stake:
“I appreciate your prayers and fasting regarding the fire. Witnessing the Lord’s hand in this enormous blessing and miracle has been a truly remarkable and precious experience.
It’s been incredible to see the weather change and moisture come in response to our faith and prayers. It has been really wonderful to see the community band together to support those affected and offer assistance in any way they can.
Let us thank God for the abundant benefits and miracles we have received, and utilize this occasion to teach and testify to our children and others about the power of faith and drawing on the powers of heaven.
We’d also like to thank everyone who has been fighting the fire and working so hard to protect lives and property. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to reside in such an amazing town with such beautiful people.
Thank you! May the Lord continue to bless us and those who are fighting this fire.
In his closing remarks, Elder Larson encouraged attendees to fast and pray, as President Milne had requested.
He reminded us of Romans 8:28, which states that “all things work together for good to those who love God.” Elder Larson reminded us that if we rely on God, even tough or seemingly negative circumstances can work in our favor.
