A husband reached over and placed his arm around his wife, whose notebook balanced on her lap as her pen moved rapidly across the blank page. On the other side of the room, another couple sat, nodding and smiling, sometimes shedding tears, as they listened to feelings and experiences with which they could easily relate. Scriptures were quoted, a teacher led a discussion and students took notes. This was a setting where people felt edified by the Spirit.
A full classroom on a Friday morning is not an unusual sight at the Salt Lake Institute building adjacent to the University of Utah campus. However, those who filled the room on Aug. 10 sought knowledge a bit more specific than the usual college-aged institute class. They were attending a regional Families Supporting Adoption conference.
"When we first started [the adoption] process ten years ago, we thought for sure we were the only ones going through this," said Devanie Jensen. "Then we got this whole new perspective. This conference has helped so much."
In the past, a national Families Supporting Adoption conference was held annually. This year, under the direction of the partnership between LDS Family Services and the Families Supporting Adoption group, leaders changed the format of the conference to multiple regional conferences, making it possible to better focus on the needs of the people in their specific areas.
"The changes are part of a new direction in the overall welfare system of the Church," said Dorian and Devanie Jensen in the conference welcome letter. The Jensens were in charge of the conference this year. "We are being encouraged by the brethren to support one another as we work together to meet the needs in our own areas."
Family Services employees, adoptive couples, birth parents, grandparents and adoptees from the three areas in Utah gathered in the institute building on August 10-11 to attend workshop classes, forge friendships and give service.
"I hope that people leave here energized, with hope, with a fresh appreciation and energy as they are reminded of the blessings they have," Sister Jensen said. "I hope that they have felt the Spirit, so that they can then give back."
The Jensens, who are the Utah regional FSA conference co-chairs, helped pick this year's conference theme, "Because I have been given much."
"The next line of that phrase is just as important," Sister Jensen said. "'I too must give.'"
Sister Jensen drew from the words of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, in the October 2011 general conference where he said, "The Lord's way is not to sit at the side of the stream and wait for the water to pass before we cross. It is to come together, roll up our sleeves, go to work, and build a bridge or a boat to cross the waters of our challenges."
This year at the conference rather than a formal dinner, conference goers were able to meet at the institute to participate in service projects to benefit the local community. Participants helped make and put together fleece blankets, journals and file folder games to be put together to make birth mother baskets.
During the keynote address, Mark H. Glade, Commissioner for LDS Family Services, spoke of the current climate of adoption and some of the things that have led up to where it is today.
"Adoption has been a part of my life for 35 years," he said. "In addition to working in the field, we had a foster child in our home. … I salute you, your desires, hopes and dreams."
Brother Glade spoke of two elements of adoption. First, referencing the scriptures, he spoke of the adoption that happens as individuals come into the fold of God through baptism. Second, using the people of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon, Brother Glade spoke of the adoption that happens to people as they become true disciples of Jesus Christ.
"It is an eternal principle and all of us need to become a disciple of Jesus Christ," he said. "And, we need to assist these children to become a son or daughter of Christ."
Drawing from the chronological timeline of the Church's involvement in adoption, Brother Glade walked listeners through some of the things that have been done in the past to encourage adoption today. Although policies and procedures have changed a bit, it is still most important to look at helping the child.
"We must focus on the child," he said. "We play a role in taking care of children so they can have eternal families."
Sharing personal experiences of many of the trials and triumphs of some people he has worked with, Brother Glade spoke of the hope that couples can have as they look to a bright future.
