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Church & State
Six Liberty Stake members visit Missouri State Capitol
Norma King, Media Director (Rush Creek Ward)
The annual Missouri Church Leaders Day at the Capitol brought 145 church members from around the state to the Capitol in Jefferson City on March 11, 2026, to meet their legislators, find out what’s important to them, and share church members’ faith in Jesus Christ and their desire to build strong families and communities.
Among them were six members of Liberty Stake: President Brody Perschon, Second Counselor in the Liberty Missouri Stake Presidency; Lori Garcia, Stake Communications Director; Mike Thorne, Outreach Director; Norma King, Media Director; and high school students Ryan Thorne and Hyrum Swearingen.
“It was wonderful to see so many Saints from across the state of Missouri take an active role in their government and take time out of their busy lives to help make these connections, testify of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and offer to help strengthen communities,” said President Pershon. “I especially was impressed with the youth from our stake as well as those from across the state.”
For the Liberty Stake members, the day at the Capitol began with being introduced on the House floor at the beginning of the session by Rep. Bill Allen, a Republican from House District 17.
“Being announced on the floor was such an awesome experience, being there in the presence of all these important people. It made me feel as though I could do more than just be a high schooler, I could change something for the better,” said Hyrum Swearingen, a Liberty High School junior.
“I was impressed with the depth of knowledge our state representatives have and how they could clearly articulate the difficult nuances faced in various bills they were having to vote on,” said Mike Thorne.
The group was also able to visit with state legislators who represent legislative districts in the Liberty Stake boundaries in their offices. Those included Senator Kurtis Gregory, a Republican representing Dist. 21; Rep. Marty Jacobs, a Democrat representing Dist. 38; and Mark Meirath, a Republican representing Dist. 39.
“I was impressed with the depth of knowledge our state representatives have and how they could clearly articulate the difficult nuances faced in various bills they were having to vote on,” said Mike Thorne.
“My favorite rep was Mark Meirith because of his focus on the youth and his personality as such a God-fearing man,” said Hyrum, who, along with Ryan Thorne, was invited by Rep. Meirith to consider being an intern at the Capitol.
“It was great to sit down with Marty Jacobs and have him walk us through a few pieces of difficult legislation they had to vote on that Wednesday,” said Mike Thorne.
“All the legislators we met with were down-to-earth and very interested in what we, their constituents, had to say,” said Norma King. “I appreciated that Rep. Meirith had an amazing picture of Jesus Christ protecting a sheep from wolves in his office, as well as the scripture from Joshua 24:15 – And as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. It helped me to know that many of these men and women have faith in our Savior and try to follow him.”
Hyrum said his visit to the Capitol changed his view on politics and now he feels more obligated to be in politics, have opinions and help make changes.
President Pershon added, “This visit took me back to my college days as a Political Science Major at the University of Utah and reminded me that expressing our voice is as important as ever.”
Captions
01 – Ryan Thorne (left) and Lori Garcia visit with Rep. Marty Jacobs during a visit to his Capitol office. Photo by Norma King
02 – Missouri House Photographer Tim Bommel photographed Rep. Bill Allen with the Liberty Stake contingent prior to the beginning of a session March 11, 2026. Shown are: Norma King, Lori Garcia, Rep. Allen, Ryan Thorne, President Brody Perschon, Mike Thorne and Hyrum Swearingen. Photo by Tim Bommel
03 – Norma King with the Legislative photographer Tim Bommel at the Missouri State House. Photo by Tim Bommel
04 – Hyrum Swearingen interacts with Rep. Mark Meirath in the legislator’s office. Photo by Norma King
05 – Father-daughter pair, Mike and Ryan Thorne, pause for a photo in the Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol. Photo by Norma King
06 – Rep. Mike Meirath poses with youth Ryan Thorne and Hyrum Swearingen March 11, 2026 at the state capitol. Photo by Norma King
07 – After visiting with Senator Kurtis Gregory, the Liberty Stake delegation paused for a photo. Shown are Mike Thorne, President Brody Perschon, Hyrum Swearingen, Senator Gregory, Ryan Thorne and Lori Garcia. Photo by Norma King
08 – A view of the House chamber before the morning session. Photo by Norma King