Great and Terrible Day

Today was just as the heading suggests. It was great because I went to a Stake Women's Conference. Anita Stansfield was the guest speaker. She talked a lot about following the spirit. She gave experiences from her own life where she has prayed for guidance and through faith received the help she has needed. After she finished we split into two groups for workshops. Both workshops (by the way the theme was "be as one") the speakers talked about their marriage and the things they have learned. In the first workshop the speakers were the bishop of the USU 5th ward and his wife. In 2000 their family made a resolution to read their scriptures together everyday. While preparing for this talk they asked their children what they remember the most about what their family did together. Three out of the four (the youngest is like 6) replied that it was studying the scriptures as a family. After the workshops we headed to the gym for lunch. It was wonderful. Everything about it was a great opportunity. I am grateful that I had that chance and took advantage of it.

The terrible part comes as we as a worldwide church bury our Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. There is still the joy in knowing that he has been reunited with his eternal companion. But actually having him put in the ground really brings it home. It makes it real. I knew that this day would happen. At the same time something inside of me hoped that it wouldn't. I wouldn't have minded if he had lived forever. I know, I know he would have. Of course he will live forever. First in our hearts. Second he will live for eternity in the life to come. A roommate of mine once said that she loved Pres. Hinckley because he was a cute little man that reminded her of a grandpa. I think that sums up how I feel about him. Even though I never met him he was the kind of person that you felt like you knew on a personal level. He really did feel like a grandfather to me. I love him as such. I only wish that Emma would have been able to get to know him. There will be others for her to know. Of course, I love Pres. Monson. I love listening to him speak. Not only is his voice calming but his talks always bring us a little more into his life. He shares his personal experiences for the benefit of all. The church will move forward. It is another test of our faith. Our testimonies are of Christ and his gospel not just of our current prophet. Les and I were discussing how when the Prophet Joseph Smith died that many of the saints fell away. Their testimonies were of Joseph Smith not of the church of Christ. I hope that I can raise Emma in a way that she will have a strong testimony of Christ, his teachings, and his servants.

I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer. I know that he came to the earth to show us the way back to Heavenly Father by example. His precious blood was spilt to save us from ourselves. His selfless sacrifice was the ultimate show of love. He allowed himself to suffer, bleed, and die on Calvery. I know that as we follow his teachings that we will have true joy and it will put us on the path to exaltation and eternal life. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration. I know that as a boy of 14 he knelt in prayer in a grove of trees. I know that because he had the faith to pray he saw and talked to God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. I know that through him the gospel was restored. I know that Heavenly Father has called other righteous men to head our great church. I know that each of those men spent the majority of their lives being prepared by the hand of God. I know that those who ask Heavenly Father in the name of his Son Jesus Christ if these things are true that they will receive an answer. Heavenly Father has not cut us off. He still wants to communicate with us but he will not force us to. If we have the faith to ask he will answer us through the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. I know these things are true. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and I love him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.