Wherefore You Know That They Are True

 D&C 18:2 Behold, I have ^amanifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the ^bthings which you have [learned] are ^ctrue; wherefore you know that they are true.

 I've changed the scripture given to Oliver Cowdery a little.  It actually says "written", but that doesn't apply to me.  But the things that I've learned and the things that I've experienced and felt are deeply imbedded in my heart and I know they are true.

It such a blessing to me to have this testimony!  I was blessed to have a believing heart and a desire to follow and a love for the Lord.  Some of this probably is part of my personality, but some of it was taught by my faithful and devout parents.  How can I ever thank them?  Their example of sacrifice and service fills me with gratitude and love.  Oh, they weren't perfect, but they worked so hard to live the Gospel and stayed faithful and devoted to the end.

Of course, they were taught also by the example of their parents, who were taught and trained by their parents.  At this time of year (tomorrow is Pioneer Day) I'm thinking about those great-grandparents who made the trek across the plains and mountains, who left the European countries and sailed in cramped and miserable conditions across the ocean to go to Zion.  They went because the fire of the Gospel burned bright in their hearts and they were obedient.

And because of them I am here and I have that same fire burning in my heart.  

The Lord has also blessed me with many faith-building experiences.  He blessed me with Gospel teachers and examples, with the opportunity to attend college and institute classes, to be a teacher myself so that I could bear testimony to the truth.

So I feel so strongly that the Lord's words to Oliver are also meant for me.  Because He has manifested to me by His Spirit in many instances that the things which I have learned and experienced are true, wherefore I do know that they are true.

Go Get the Lost and Bring Them Back

"At the core of our leadership, as a central part of our ministry, should be the burning, driving, unrelenting resolve to go get the lost and bring them back."  Elder Tad R. Callister

We studied this talk last night in FHE and this sentence really jumped out at me.  Probably that's because it's so opposite of what I do and what my motivations are.  I do want to bring back "the lost", but it's not a burning, driving, unrelenting resolve.  Unfortunately, if the room were filled with women of the ward, I wouldn't go to those who are wandering, but to my friends with whom I am most comfortable.

I need to really pray to be filled with this desire and resolve, to be filled with charity as Moroni describes it.  I need to move outside my comfort zone and reach out to those who are lost.  Perhaps the mission will help teach me this.

Doing Much Good

D&C 11:8  Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.

 9 ^aSay nothing but ^brepentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my ^cwork, ^daccording to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.

These are the words of the Lord to Hyrum Smith when he desired to know what role he should play in the developing latter-day Gospel.  But as Acell and I contemplate another mission, the words seem to have the potential to apply to us as well.

There is a reason why Acell had this prompting to go on a mission, and I've had a strong witness that this is what we should do.  I don't know what the Lord has planned for us, but He does.  

It's not as if we were doing anything wrong, or even being lazy in our lives.  We both have responsible callings in the ward, and I'm serving a church service mission.  But apparently there's more that we can contribute, and we want to respond to the Spirit and be of service where we can. 

All Things Made Known

Alma 9:20  . . . having had all things ^bmade known unto [us], according to [our] desires, and [our] faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come . . .

What a promise!  Alma is talking about the Nephites, but here is a verse we can liken unto ourselves with joy.

He's telling us that if we have righteous desires and have faith, we can pray (I'm assuming obedience fits in there somewhere), and we can have all things made known to us, things past, present, and future.  This is the spirit of revelation, and is a gift from the Holy Ghost to us.

Sometimes we don't see all things in their entirety, not because of disobedience, but because this life is meant to be a test and we're asked to move forward in faith without knowing the beginning from the end.  But we can know with perfect confidence that we are in the Lord's hands and He loves us and wants what is best for us.