"When President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder David A. Bednar were first sustained as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a witness of the divine origin of their calls came to me during the session. I was also given in that moment an understanding of the surpassing sacredness of the call and service of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not have the words to express that understanding because it was communicated Spirit to spirit without words. To think of it now reduces me to a depth of humility I have never before experienced, and I plead with my Heavenly Father to sustain me as He ever has that I might measure up to something that is far beyond my native capacity and be able to focus outwardly, losing myself in your service. I trust in Him, and I know that His grace is sufficient, and so I here unreservedly commit all that I have and am to God and His Beloved Son."
D. Todd Christofferson, "Born Again," Ensign, May 2008, 76
This is a very powerful feeling, to have a personal witness of something that is real and true. I too have had a witness of divine appointment of our prophet President Thomas S. Monson. It was in a very still and quiet way, when he spoke for the first time in Conference after he became our prophet a few weeks prior. I could see him differently, as more divine I suppose. It was a beautiful witness of the truth of a prophet in modern day.
I commit myself to be more humble and meek before my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ to overcome my weaknesses and imperfections and strive to use the power of the atonement in my daily life, as a guide and accounting to myself and Heavenly Father, who loves me and accepts me unconditionally.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
My Belief in Jesus Christ
To quote Elder Jeffery R. Holland from his testimony of Jesus Christ:
Now, to anyone within the sound of my voice who has wondered regarding our Christianity, I bear this witness. I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal, living Son of our literal, living God. This Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer who, under the guidance of the Father, was the Creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are. I bear witness that He was born of a virgin mother, that in His lifetime He performed mighty miracles observed by legions of His disciples and by His enemies as well. I testify that He had power over death because He was divine but that He willingly subjected Himself to death for our sake because for a period of time He was also mortal. I declare that in His willing submission to death He took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying an infinite price for every sorrow and sickness, every heartache and unhappiness from Adam to the end of the world. In doing so He conquered both the grave physically and hell spiritually and set the human family free. I bear witness that He was literally resurrected from the tomb and, after ascending to His Father to complete the process of that Resurrection, He appeared, repeatedly, to hundreds of disciples in the Old World and in the New. I know He is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved and that only by relying wholly upon His merits, mercy, and everlasting grace19 can we gain eternal life.
My additional testimony regarding this resplendent doctrine is that in preparation for His millennial latter-day reign, Jesus has already come, more than once, in embodied majestic glory. In the spring of 1820, a 14-year-old boy, confused by many of these very doctrines that still confuse much of Christendom, went into a grove of trees to pray. In answer to that earnest prayer offered at such a tender age, the Father and the Son appeared as embodied, glorified beings to the boy prophet Joseph Smith. That day marked the beginning of the return of the true, New Testament gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the restoration of other prophetic truths offered from Adam down to the present day.
I testify that my witness of these things is true and that the heavens are open to all who seek the same confirmation. Through the Holy Spirit of Truth, may we all know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent.”20 Then may we live Their teachings and be true Christians in deed, as well as in word, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I add my testimony that I too know that He lives, that He is our elder brother and that He is the literal Son of God. He died for us that we might, through His atoning sacrifice, be able to return to our Father in Heaven. They love us and know each of us personally. They know our wants and needs, answer our prayers and give us the pure and righteous desires of our heart. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Now, to anyone within the sound of my voice who has wondered regarding our Christianity, I bear this witness. I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal, living Son of our literal, living God. This Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer who, under the guidance of the Father, was the Creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are. I bear witness that He was born of a virgin mother, that in His lifetime He performed mighty miracles observed by legions of His disciples and by His enemies as well. I testify that He had power over death because He was divine but that He willingly subjected Himself to death for our sake because for a period of time He was also mortal. I declare that in His willing submission to death He took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying an infinite price for every sorrow and sickness, every heartache and unhappiness from Adam to the end of the world. In doing so He conquered both the grave physically and hell spiritually and set the human family free. I bear witness that He was literally resurrected from the tomb and, after ascending to His Father to complete the process of that Resurrection, He appeared, repeatedly, to hundreds of disciples in the Old World and in the New. I know He is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved and that only by relying wholly upon His merits, mercy, and everlasting grace19 can we gain eternal life.
My additional testimony regarding this resplendent doctrine is that in preparation for His millennial latter-day reign, Jesus has already come, more than once, in embodied majestic glory. In the spring of 1820, a 14-year-old boy, confused by many of these very doctrines that still confuse much of Christendom, went into a grove of trees to pray. In answer to that earnest prayer offered at such a tender age, the Father and the Son appeared as embodied, glorified beings to the boy prophet Joseph Smith. That day marked the beginning of the return of the true, New Testament gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the restoration of other prophetic truths offered from Adam down to the present day.
I testify that my witness of these things is true and that the heavens are open to all who seek the same confirmation. Through the Holy Spirit of Truth, may we all know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent.”20 Then may we live Their teachings and be true Christians in deed, as well as in word, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I add my testimony that I too know that He lives, that He is our elder brother and that He is the literal Son of God. He died for us that we might, through His atoning sacrifice, be able to return to our Father in Heaven. They love us and know each of us personally. They know our wants and needs, answer our prayers and give us the pure and righteous desires of our heart. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Gay Rights
Without a doubt, I think this is the most single crucial moral issue of our modern time. Marriage is a sacred commitment between a man and a woman. One that is ordained of God and is to be treated with respect and reverance worthy of that holy right and covenant. We do not have the authority to violate that sacred right by authorizing men and men and women and women to participate in it.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Latter-Day Saints
I had the occasion recently to talk to person that I knew in my childhood. He was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has gone through some hard times, but he has a good spirit and I love him like a brother. I asked him when he was going to start going to church. He just kinda lookd at me and I said "Don't procrastinate the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late." He said 'Where did you get that?' I replied that my Mother used to say it to me. I asked him if he believed in Jesus Christ and he said 'he believed he was a good man. There are other people that have walked on water besides him' he said. That is pretty much where the conversation ended. I am curious as to why he doesn't believe. What has happened in his life to cause him to stop believing, or did he ever truely believe. Was his testimony not that developed and if so does he have a desire to believe and have his testimony grow? I have been praying to have the opportunity to share my testimony and I believe that this is one of those chances for me to share and experience an increase in my own testimony.
Friday, October 10, 2008
New to BLOGGING
Wow, I didn't think I could really do this. You know computer literate and all. But I have had an interest and desire to write for a long time, and I guess this is part of the journey.
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