General Conference

As most of my readers (Hi Mom!) probably already know, this past weekend was General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka Mormons.  It's a weekend where we don't actually attend Church, but instead listen to a 4, 2 hours broadcasts on Saturday and Sunday from our leaders in Salt Lake.  The Prophet (think Moses type of Prophet) and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles (think Peter, James, and John) speak to us and give us revelation for our day.  They warn us of things to come, give us council on things we should be doing, and share uplifting messages.  It happens the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October every year and it's one of my favorite weekends of the whole year.  I usually have a few things/questions in my mind I hope will be talked about/answered.  Without fail, I always receive what I'm looking for.

On Friday night Daniel asked me what I was hoping they would talk about.  Immediately I said I was hoping they would talk about mothers and women and what the heck I should be doing with my life.
Daniel always says I am one of God's favorites, because one of my favorite speakers, Elder Jeffery R. Holland spoke about mothers.  I cried through the whole thing.  It was wonderful.  You can watch it here.

Another talk that really hit home was from the President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, President Nelson.  He spoke about women and the impact that women can and will have in the world.  He said, "We need women who are devoted to shepherding God's children along the covenant path toward exaltation; women who know how to receive personal revelation; who understand the power and peace of the temple endowment, women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families, women who teach fearlessly." Watch entire talk here.

Immediately I thought about this tiny little blog.  Sure, I have 17 followers, and not that many views.  But my impact may be greater than I realize.  I never know who might stumble upon my little corner of the internet.  So, I thought to myself, I should share what I believe on my blog.  And I should share it fearlessly.

But then, I began to doubt.  I don't want to offend anyone, I thought.  I don't want to turn anyone off from reading in the future, I thought.

Then the very next Apostle to speak, President Henry B. Eyring, a member of the First Presidency, said this: "You can treat those moments of inspiration like the seed of faith that Alma described.  Plant each one.  You can do that by acting on the prompting you felt today.  The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do.  Whatever it is: do it.  When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him."  Watch entire talk here.

Wow.  That could not have been more clear.  I had had a prompting, I knew it was from the Spirit.  And then I was given direct council NOT to ignore it.

So here I am.  Speaking as plainly, as fearlessly, as directly as I can.  To share with you what I know to be true.  So that every single person who reads this blog will know that I know, and I can say that I followed through on direct, personal direction from God.

I know that God lives and loves us and is personally interested and invested in our lives, wants us to be happy, and if we let Him, will direct and enrich our lives.  I know that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save us from the things that we cannot save ourselves from: physical death through His Resurrection, and spiritual death through His Atonement.  I know that He overcame both of those, and offers up His saving power to each of us.  He understands every single thing that we are going through and knows exactly how to help us, if we let Him.  There is no place too dark that His light cannot shine.  We have no greater friend, no greater teacher, and no greater ally than Jesus Christ, and He loves us more than we could ever imagine.  He died for us, and He lives for us today.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (aka Mormons) is Christ's Church upon the Earth today.  His gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, who really did see God and Jesus Christ and they gave him instruction on how to restore the Church back to the Earth, just as it was when Jesus Christ was alive.  And we have a living prophet on the Earth today to lead that Church.  President Thomas S. Monson is that prophet.  He speaks to Jesus Christ who directs His Church in our day.  God's power is on the Earth today, and is used to bless our lives every day.

I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, from ancient plates to stand as a witness that he was a prophet of God, and also to give us further Scriptures from our loving Heavenly Father.  I know that this book is true.  I know that if we read it everyday it will bring knowledge and power into our lives.  I also know that the Bible is truly and living scripture as well.

I know that families are the center of God's plan for His children on Earth.  There is nothing more important that a mother and a father and their children at home.  I know that these family relations last beyond this life and into the eternities.  Families truly are forever, and do not end at "death do you part."

Finally, I know these things because I have spent hours and hours studying it, praying about it, and pondering it.  I did the work and now I know.  It is the foundation for my life.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the reason I do everything that I do.  It is the reason I give everything I have to my family, the reason I look for ways to serve those around me, the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I lay down in gratitude each night.  It enriches my life in the good times, and pulls me through the bad times.

I know that you can know it, too.  If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me or research more for yourself at mormon.org.  Here you will find the answers to life's most difficult questions.  It could be the most important thing you ever do.