The Ontario Oregon Stake was organized on November 18, 1984, by Elder Bruce R. McConkie.  The meeting was held in the auditorium of Treasure Valley Community College. The new stake was made up of cities from three different stakes; Ontario had been part of the Nyssa Oregon Stake, Fruitland had been part of the Weiser Idaho Stake, and New Plymouth had been part of the Emmett Idaho Stake.  Reed Dame, who had previously served as the Nyssa Stake President, was sustained as the President of the new Ontario Oregon Stake, with Oris Rudd as First Counselor, and Max Gardner as Second Counselor.  Lamar Kofoed was sustained the Stake Clerk. 

 

Elder McConkie gave a talk that many remember 40 years later.  He spoke of the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life as taken from 2 Nephi Chapter 31.  He stressed the importance of being on the path, and that we should not stress over where we were on that path, but to be sure we were on the path and heading in the right direction.  The path continues into eternity, and we would have adequate time to progress, but he emphasized that we must be on the path. 

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At the time of the organization Elder McConkie was suffering from cancer.  Despite not feeling well, he went up and down the aisles shaking hands with everyone before the meeting started.  He passed away from cancer 5 months later.
 

The new Ontario Oregon Stake Presidency used the LDS Institute Building for stake offices until the Ontario Stake Center was built and dedicated.  The land for the stake center had been acquired several years before by Rex Brown, who was Bishop of the Ontario 2nd Ward. Louis J. Wettstein, a long-term resident of Ontario, was the physical facilities representative who worked extensively with the architect and the builder.

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Stake Presidents presiding since the stake was organized:

Reed N. Dame

Steven G. Laney

K. Brett Nattress

Brad Barlow

Eric Dahle

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