Podcast
Gather & Belong
A new podcast from the Mount Vernon Washington Stake — stories of faith, community, and belonging.
A new podcast from the Mount Vernon Washington Stake — stories of faith, community, and belonging.
Our youth and leaders share what to expect at Mount Vernon Washington Stake Youth Conference 2026 — the theme, the spirit, and how to prepare. Have a listen and get excited!
“Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.”— Moses 6:34
Host: Brother Andrew Miller · Guest: Melissa Knoblich, Stake Young Women’s President
In the very first episode of Gather and Belong, Brother Andrew Miller sits down with Melissa Knoblich to talk about everything families need to know ahead of the 2026 Stake Youth Conference. From the heart behind the theme to what youth should bring, read, and expect, this conversation is your insider’s guide to a conference designed to help young people walk closer to the Savior.
The conference is an overnight Thursday–Friday event at an outdoor camp setting, open to youth ages 14 and older, with over 100 participants already registered.
Spiritual growth accumulates drop by drop through consistent, willing participation — not dramatic peak experiences. Signs of the Spirit can be as quiet as leaving a little lighter, or hearing a familiar idea in a genuinely new way. Youth Conference isn’t a spiritual performance. It’s a deliberate 48-hour reconnection with peers who share the same faith foundation. Showing up with a happy heart is itself an act of faith.
How the stake conference theme ties directly to the churchwide youth theme — and why Enoch’s story is the perfect entry point for young people who feel inadequate or unsure of themselves. A prophet who felt slow of speech was still invited to walk with God. Insecurity is a starting condition of discipleship, not a disqualifier.
The experience that sparked Melissa’s vision for this conference, and how Stake Young Men’s President Justin Yates independently attending a similar event brought unified conviction to the entire planning team.
Youth are placed in small “companies” that include at least one pre-requested friend. Registration asked each participant to name one or two peers they wanted to be grouped with — giving leaders the data to engineer belonging from day one, while the larger programming keeps the full stake community connected.
Why a participant’s willingness to engage, meet new people, and invest energy is the single biggest predictor of a meaningful conference experience — and why this applies to parents just as much as youth.
Drawing on Elder Bednar’s reservoir metaphor, Melissa reframes what “success” at youth conference actually looks like — and why parents shouldn’t judge impact by the car-ride-home report. Genuine growth often surfaces days, months, or years later.
Departing from the typical tech-free camp model, youth are specifically invited to bring their phones and earbuds for a signature program activity requiring a downloadable audio or video file. Loaner devices will be available. Youth are also invited to contribute to a shared group photo album.
How a curated 48-hour outdoor retreat creates the conditions the Spirit can work with — and why face-to-face community rooted in shared faith is more vital than ever in a world of digital noise and distraction.
Gather and Belong is a podcast for families and youth in the Mount Vernon Washington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.