General Conference and Easter

I'll try not to make this too long, but I'm kind of considering my blog as a semi-journal and I really want to share some of my feelings/testimony from this weekend. For those of you who don't know, General Conference is a bi-annual meeting(s) held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (you know, us Mormons), where we have several sessions of speakers, among whom are the living prophet and the apostles. It is a weekend to be uplifted and rejuvenated and to listen to relevant guidance given by men who are called to witness of Christ. Topics include anything Gospel-related, such as the Savior, tithing, fasting, being happy, building families, etc. You can almost always pick out a theme. This conference, there were two themes that really stuck out and that were emphasized again and again: parenting/raising righteous children and the Savior. I loved having Easter and Conference on the same weekend. I can't express how wonderful it was to hear the Prophet and apostles testify of Christ, of His ministry, His sacrifice, and most importantly, His resurrection. It was peaceful and reassuring. Even the music (go MoTab!) brought the spirit so strong because all of the songs were about the resurrection and life of the Savior. I feel so blessed, so priviledged to have been raised by righteous parents with the Gospel in my life. I am grateful that I never really had to question whether or not the church was true. I have had many witnesses from a young age that my Savior lives and that His Priesthood is on the earth today. I know without a doubt in my mind that this is the true church and that it is lead by a prophet who knows the Lord and speaks the things that He would have us know. I feel so loved by the leaders of the church. They are so positive and happy and set such a great example of strength and faith. I kept thinking throughout conference about several of my friends from back home. I thought about Katie and Kathleen. I am so proud of them. With all of the talks given on parenting, I thought about Katie and how she is about to have a child of her own. I feel so much joy knowing that her child will have the Gospel too, because she had the courage to go against all odds and join the church and be married in the temple. I thought of Kathleen and how happy it makes me to see her flourish in the church and to know that she too is married for eternity...even if it is to Phil! ;) I was so blessed to play such a small part in their coming to the church. Everyone kept telling me I was such a great missionary, but honestly, I was just in the right place at the right time. Katie and Kathleen didn't need me. They felt a witness of the truth from the Spirit and just took off with it. I'm just glad that I got to be a part of their lives and to feel of their spirits and watch their testimonies grow and to see them now. Did I mention I'm proud of them? It makes me want to share the Gospel so much more. I had a friend (actually, an ex) pass away suddenly a couple weeks ago. I hadn't been in contact with him for several years, but I know he was living a very different lifestyle than the one I have chosen for myself. I've judged him pretty harshly from pictures I've seen of him and what I've learned about him in recent years, but something changed recently. Since his passing, I stopped holding the grudge against him that I didn't realize I'd been carrying for years and I started thinking of him as what he could be. I wonder what he is being taught now. We dated for 5 months. Did I teach him anything? Maybe he wasn't ready then, but I can't help but wonder if I could have made a better difference in his life. He knew I was a devout member of the church, but did he know my testimony? I need to stop judging and start viewing others as children of God who just haven't found the truth yet. Sheesh, I HAVE the truth, and I still mess things up all the time! I am so thankful for my Savior. I feel so undeserving of the endless blessings He gives me. I am thankful for prayer and that I know I can pour my heart out to my Heavenly Father and that He'll hear me. I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I know we lived before this earth, we're here to gain a body and to work our way back, for we will live again, because the Savior conquered death and rose again. I know we have the potential to be as our Heavenly Father. This is not blasphemy, but the greatest expression of His love. He wants us to have all that He has because He loves us. I am overwhelemed by that love and that hope. I wish I had the words to express what I am really feeling. Instead, I have been rambling, hoping to convey at least a little bit of what I feel. The Gospel is so perfect. As I bear testimony of one aspect of it, it fills my soul with gratitude and testimony of another and another because it is so complete. This is not the fantasy of a 14 year old boy. Joseph Smith was a prophet, he restored the Gospel in its fulness. The Book of Mormon is a true record of a people that lived on this earth, some of whom saw the resurrected Lord in the flesh. (I feel weird doing this in blog form, but) I bear testimony of these things-they are all true-in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.