I Believe.

I have been a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
since I was 15 years old. It was a decision
that I made all on my own. 

Since that time, Hubs and I have
married and together we
are raising our children in the
LDS faith. 

Last weekend was a very special
weekend for us, as well as for local members
of our church.

Last weekend was our Stake Conference.
We had a very, special Guest in attendance,
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles.

This was a big deal.  A very, big deal.
I only hope that I can accurately express
the feelings of love and joy that I felt
this weekend as we had the opportunity
to be instructed by an Apostle of the
Lord.

For those reading this, who may not be
familiar with the LDS faith, one of the
differences between our faith and others
of the Christian world, is that we believe
in a latter day prophet- Thomas S. Monson,
who guides and directs the Church.  He
is assisted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Holland is one of those men.
They serve as witnesses of Christ.  Just
like the Apostles of old.  You can
click on the link above if you would
like to know more.

Saturday night he spoke to us about
being broken.  He said that at different
times we are all broken, whether it is through
the loss of someone we love, poor physical
health, or broken dreams; whatever, it may be
it is ok because the Savior loves broken things.

Elder Holland said that it is through His love and the
sacrifice of His life that we are made whole
again. 

He also said something that I will never forget.
He said, "When times are tough and bad
things happen, don't you ever say, "God
must not love me."  Don't you ever say that.
He sent his Son so that you
might live and His Son gave His life for you.
Don't you ever say it.  It is
sacreligious and blasphemous."

I felt a few pangs of guilt when he said that.

He went on to say that if we are
to be called His, we will go through
the refiner's fire.  Just like Peter, and
Paul, and Hyrum, and Joseph and
others whose lives stand as a testimony
to us of the Savior.

I believe the words that Elder Holland
spoke this weekend.  More importantly,
I believe in who Elder Holland is, that he
is an Apostle of the Lord, a  special witness
of Jesus Christ.

I felt the love of the Lord and my Heavenly
Father as I listened to their servent
this weekend. 

Becoming a member of the Mormon Church
was the best decision that I have ever
made.  It has changed my life through
experiences just like this.  Times
when I can feel feel the Holy Ghost
whispering to me to do better.  To try
harder.  That Heavenly Father loves
me and wants me to return to live
with him again.  Times when I can feel
myself growing.

I haven't always been so quick
to share experiences like this with
my nonmember friends and family.
I don't know why.  Fear I guess.

I'm weak like that. 

I couldn't resist sharing some
of the words, feelings, and moments
of this past weekend.