Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Whoa. Conference. Am I right??

Can we just all sigh a happy sigh for the FANTASTIC conference we were able to watch! I just was speechless after every. single. talk.


The most commonly used statement award goes too..... ;)

But in all seriousness. I will quote President Monson
"In my journal tonight, I shall write, 'This has been one of the most inspiring sessions of any general conference I’ve attended. Everything has been of the greatest and most spiritual nature'". 
To that, dear President Monson, I say DITTO! 

I speculated whether Conference this time around was really amazing only because I was a missionary, but after that statement I figured that it was pretty much just a magnificent conference. I felt the whole time that the words they were speaking were beautifully inspired, with the fantastic reminder from Elder Robert D. Hales at the opening of conference that there words are God's words.  He says
"These conferences are always under the direction of the Lord, guided by His Spirit.  [The speakers] are not assigned specific topics. Over weeks and months, often through sleepless nights, we wait upon the Lord. Through fasting, praying, studying, and pondering, we learn the message that He wants us to give". 
So I learned a lot from my Heavenly Father, through these wonderful men (and the many other Apostles, and leaders who spoke).



Look at those smiles, they really do shine with the light of Christ huh? 

(From Left to Right) President Eyring, President Monson, President Uchtdorf


Among my favorite talks was President Uchtdorf's- He didn't win this year for best accent though, that award goes to Elder Edward Dube  (who's talk reminded us to look ahead and show God our willingness to keep pushing forward).  

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke on THE CHURCH part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He tells a story of a man who had a conversation about what members of the Mormon faith do. After telling them all the things we as Latter-day Saint's do to consecrate our all to the Lord, by volunteering our time to participate in service, church callings, 3 hours of worship services, fasting Sunday once a month, not to mention, youth camps,family history, years dedicated to serving missions (that's me... I do that!) and many more duty's that members fulfill free of charge. The man in response to this LDS couples description said "Now I'm confused, Why would anyone want to join such a Church?".... 

They of course said what ANY member of the church would have said (hopefully).... "I thought you'd never ask". 

As missionaries, we get weird looks, laughs, and scoffs. We get doors slammed in our faces and curse words thrown at us, and sometimes even literal things thrown at us.... Some Sisters got milk chucked at them.... Sad ;( winky frowny face (That's for my brother). But. When we get that one question, "Why would anyone want to join such a church?", we have the answers and it makes it all worth it. 

So why would anyone want to join our church? 
 There are 3 simple reasons. 

1. It is the Lord's church. 
2. It is an active faith.
3. It leads to precious blessings. 

So I want to focus on no.1. It is the Lord's Church. 

The church of Jesus Christ was restored through JESUS CHRIST himself.  It truly was Restored by Jesus Christ, through Joseph Smith and because of that we have the power, and authority to act in Christ's name - to baptize for the remission of sins, to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to seal on earth and in heaven. Without the power from Jesus Christ, we would not be able authorized to do these things, or if we did them, they would have no eternal consequence. But we HAVE been authorized, and because of that, we have real and lasting covenants, that make it possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. 

I know this is true, because I have a testimony of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it is true because I have prayed to know, and everyone can receive a witness of the truthfulness of the restoration of Christ church the same way I did. By learning and praying.
"Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again." 
If you love your Saviour, follow him.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

A year ago today.

I can remember, with extreme clarity, exactly where I was a year ago today.... and  at about this time too. 

It was Saturday morning, and General Conference was starting, promptly at 10 am, as always.  My voice was gone from a nasty cold I had obtained while at University. I remember feeling the glow from the sun  on my face as it shown outside my bedroom window indicating it was time for me to get out of bed. I can still recall sleepily gazing at my mom as she came in my room and flipped on the iHome radio to the station broadcasting the semi- annual General Conference, so I wouldn't miss a second of it. 


As the Mormon tabernacle sang there opening hymn I was still dozing, and I had no idea that in mere moments, my entire life, and the lives of thousands of other individuals, would be changed, by a series of about 15 words spoken from a Prophets mouth. 


As our beloved Prophet, Thomas Monson, stood to announce the going-ons of the Church since we met last, in April  6 months before, I was probably dreaming about what my mom was baking for breakfast paying little attention to most of the  words he spoke, but the phrase, “I now turn to another matter — namely, missionary service" made my ears perk up. 


 As our prophet  announced the change in Young Men's age requirement for missionary service, from 19 to 18, I opened my eyes and looked at the iHome that was siting parallel to my line of vision. I was shocked.  And although the words had not yet been spoken, I knew that something big was about to be spoken directly to me, through that radio. And then they were. 


President Monson said "Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."


I sat straight upright, and yelled "WHAT?", but nothing came out because my voice was completely lost, and then tears began to come as I realized what a blessing and a change was about to take place in my life, for good!  My voice was gone,  but I still wanted to yell, and proclaim for everyone to hear that I was going to serve a mission.  I had no clue when, or how, but I knew I was going to. 


I ran down the stairs to my mother and father and joyfully broke the news to them, saying  " I am going to serve a mission". 


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Looking back at that momentous day, I feel warmth, knowing that I have made the right decision. I am a missionary of God, and I feel so blessed for those 15 words that have changed  my entire life.


What an inspiring revelation that our prophet was able to receive,  so that this work could
hasten. The number of missionary's serving this year as compared to last is 80,000 to 58,000. And I can only imagine how many more peoples lives are being blessed because of it. How many people are being reached by our magnificent message because of it.  How many young women and men, like myself will be forever blessed and changed by this unique chance to serve there God and there fellowmen. I will not forget that day, nor the blessings it has given me since then. 

I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ, and I know that our Prophet, is a  true Prophet of God. 


If you would like to hear the words of the Prophets, spoken October 5th and 6th of 2013 visit:

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng