The Changing of the Guard

An Only Slightly Exaggerated account of the Sunday Session of Stake Conference

The wind was cold that Sunday,
The lobby silent as a tomb.
We sat assembled in the KFAC,
Hearts filled with anxious gloom.

Any passer-by-ers may have thought,
“Someone here's deceased!”
But what was really weighing down our minds
Was the Stake Presidency’s release.

The thought of losing these three leaders
Was almost more than we could bear.
We knew how much they loved us,
Sacrificing their sleep, their time… their hair.

Presidents Beck and Williams
We knew we’d see around
At Stokes and at the fair booth,
And on the temple’s hallowed grounds.

But not so with President Sagers.
To lead a mission he must go,
To battle snakes and Baptists
Three hundred miles north of San Antonio.

And after three long years of whipping
Elders and Sisters into shape
Who knows where the Church might send him…
If he doesn’t get eaten by a snake.

The whole stake will surely miss him,
But the young single adults felt so betrayed.
For attending his institute classes
Was the biggest commitment we’d ever made.

As the institute director
He showed us special care
He taught us about the scriptures
And when it is permissible to swear.


The week before the conference
We wondered, “Who could take his place?”
And when Saturday rolled around,
Our spirits we did brace.

Sunday we came with score cards ready,
Our guesses made the previous night
Based upon who looked scared and pale,
And who had hugged his wife extra tight.

We waited there with bated breath
For Elder Hammond to announce
Who would inherit the stake office,
And then rarely see their spouse.

We felt our hearts a pounding,
Anticipation shook our bones,
And then we heard the name announced,
President G. Chad Jones!

Photo stolen from The Jones Crew



His name resounded in our ears
As he stood for all to see,
And I was fairly certain
I heard Krystal yell, “Yippee!”

The room seemed a bit lighter
As we watched him climb the stairs.
And I could have sworn the smell
Of hot dog jello filled the air.


President Jones and both his counselors
Whom we hold in high regard,
Took their places on the stand…
Twas the changing of the guard.

Then we cried with President Sagers
As he steadfastly testified.
His missionaries will sure be blessed
To have him as their guide.
Photo stolen from One Moment At A Time

Then we silently committed
When President Jones asked us to invite
Everyone around us
To all meetings, day and night.


Then Sister Jones took the stand
And our joy did overflow our cup,
When she quoted Kristi,
“You can do it, Mom. Buck up!”
Photo stolen from The Jones Crew


Then Elder Hammond taught on callings,
And Elder Pieper preached balance in our lives.
And then the conference ended,
And the stake swarmed both Presidents and wives.





They thanked the Sagers family,
Pledged the Joneses their support.
But the biggest crowd was in the aisle,
Where Kristi was holding court.
Photo stolen from The Jones Crew

And every soul who left that day,
As they passed through the KFAC’s doors,
Offered prayers of thanks for leaders new,
And for those who came before.