We learn that a stake has a least four purposes. 1) A stake is presided over by 3 high priests, the stake presidency, and supported by 12 men known as the high council. This is symbolic to the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. "The purpose of the stake is to unify and perfect the members who live in those boundaries by extending to them the Church programs, ordinances, and gospel instruction. 2) Members of stakes are to be models or standards of righteousness. We all can be examples to those around us right where we are. 3) Stakes are to be a defense by unifying themselves under local priesthood leaders and by doing their duty to keep their covenants. Pres. Benson teaches that if we keep our covenants they will become a protection to us from error and calamity. 4) The last purpose Pres. Benson teaches is that a stake is to be a refuge from the storm. A stake should be a safe place for us.
In D&C 68:25-26 it says, "Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.....the sin be upon the heads of the parents. For this shall be the law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized." This is one of the major purposes of the stakes of Zion. They are organized to help parents teach their children the gospel and administer the ordinances of salvation.
In the Lord's preface revelation to the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 1:35) the Lord warned: "The day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion." We can all see this coming to pass. "Never has his (Satan's) influence been so great, and only those who have taken the Holy Spirit as their guide - and followed counsel from priesthood leaders - will be spared from the havoc of his evil influence." In the next verse of scripture the Lord also states that He will have power over His Saints "and shall reign in their midst." The Lord does this as He works through His chosen servants and stake and ward authorities.
Pres. Benson teaches us that, "...stakes are to be the gathering spots for the Zion of today, and they need to be spiritual sanctuaries and to be self-sufficient in as many ways as possible. The stakes and districts of Zion are symbolic of the holy places spoken of by the Lord where His Saints are to gather in the last days as a refuge from the storm. You and your children will gather here....to generally improve yourselves and one another."
The prophet Nephi for saw our day when the Saints would be scattered in stakes all over the world. He saw the time when the Lord would extend His protection to them through His stakes. "And it came to pass the I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." (1 Nephi 14:14)
If we follow our local priesthood leaders, our bishop and stake president, we will be protected and be a light to the world in the last days. Pres. Benson visited many stakes throughout the world. He commented, "I have sometimes said to my wife, as I returned from visiting the stakes, that I do not know exactly what heaven is going to be like, but I could ask nothing finer over there than to have the pleasure and joy of associating with the type of men and women I meet in the leadership of the stakes and wards of Zion and the missions of the earth."
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