GOD WON'T YOU CHANGE HIM?

I recently came back from a wonderful trip from Florida. Mom and Dad spoiled Thayne and I with some park hoping adventures. It was wonderful! Saw a few miracles, LOVED the beauty, and wished that others sweating standing in line believed in the the power of deodorant! :D

Thank you mom and dad for a much needed vacation!

RACE CAR DRIVER
Thaynermack and I took a red eye out to Florida, hoping to get one extra day there in which we could go to the temple.

Nearing almost 1am, an announcement came on that the plane was over booked and they were looking for volunteers to leave in the morning instead. Which the airlines would provide a 400 dollar voucher, food, and a hotel room along with the morning flight out. Thayne and I didn't "need" to be in Florida, so we hopped up and walked over to the counter. I got excited about having a ticket "paid" for so I could go out and visit Kiss and Nyk sometime.

Just as we were about to be the ones putting our names on the list, I had the slightest of all impressions, that we should not do it. I told Thayne that I didn't think we should go and he asked if I didn't feel good about it. I told him the "small" (and when I say small, it was almost unnoticeable) impression, he being the amazing kid he is, said no problem, let's go sit down. So we left the grand opportunity and I wrote it off that God probably was saving me from anxiety of making sure everything went smooth the next day.

We boarded the plane and prepared our blankets and neck pillows for the long into the morning hour flight.

The guy sitting next to the window came and sat down and he seemed to be a nice guy. As the flight departures were being rapped up he and I had some small talk. He was in Utah on business. Turns out he is a stunt race car driver. Only about 200 in the USA with his profession. His line of work involves commercials and movies. He just signed on with the new Charlie's Angels TV serious. He (ha, he does have a name- Mark) Mark showed me one of the scripts for the Charlie's Angels-- talked about how car A is going 200 miles per hour, hits car B which rolls several times, and car A is to spin out of control ... etc. I looked at Mark and asked him if he really was going to do that. Without a wince, and matter of fact-- he said "Ya". He said he knew what to do to make the car roll and flip in any direction. He said high speed chases for film were a piece of cake! NO problem and he felt completely confident that whatever the direction the director wanted to have happened, he COULD make happen. (Yes, if you are picturing a girl in the middle seat with her jaw slightly dropped, next to the calm collective race car driver--you have pictured the airplane scene correctly!)

His gig in UT was near Tooele at a race car track there. For 8 hours a day his contract was such that people would pay 150 dollars per ride... that is, sit and go in a race car for 3 mins! He said he was doing that all week. Where do people get money like that to spend on 3 mins of time?!

Well needless to say I was sitting by "Mr Hotstuff". But the whole time while speaking, the guy, who is clearly "well off" was very chill, calm, and had a great peace about it. I felt impressed to ask about his family. He married around his 40's and has three little girls. And at the talk of them, this already kind and soft hearted man, became even more soft. His love for his little girls was evident.

The next three hours we talked about the gospel. Apparently 20 years ago Mark had gone to visit a ward and all he could remember was that the women and the men separated. We talked about prophets and General conference coming up the next weekend. After sharing a principle on the temple Mark said, "So if I understand, your church has a great emphasis in your dead. I don't think my church does that." At times I wondered if he may be "sleeping" through the conversation, but sure enough the spirit urged me to share on and after each principle he would recap what he was understanding... "So you believe in living apostles and my church just teaches about dead ones"... We were the only ones on the whole plane with our over head lights on. Thanyer was snoring next to me, and he was joined with a sounds of other heavy sleepers. After several hours we decided we had better get a little shut eye. We turned off our lights. I stared into the dark plane and the tears just started to roll in gratitude for such an opportunity. Sharing the gospel to someone with someone who was pure in heart was worth any pass up on any voucher! I kicked myself for not having a copy of the Book of Mormon on me. The first time in 6 1/2 years of flying for business trips and such--and no Book of Mormon! In all honestly, I didn't even think to bring one. I shared that with Patti to which her response of shock was that was always my first thing to pack. But I didn't. A few tears dropped in morning my lack of preparation.

Landing in Georgia woke up all snores. As I pulled out my tickets for our connecting flights, I noticed my conference ensign. just one more week of the challenge left! For a split second, I didn't want to give it away, for surely the edition had become like my personal scriptures. Completely marked up with impressions and insights... but God had prepared a way even with the lack of preparation on my end. I showed Mark the Ensign and his eyes lit up as I shared showed him the prophet. I told him to keep it which I half expected him to turn me down, but he thanked me and took it.

I would love to write that something amazing has happened with Mark, but no more contact after that day has been responded--but this I do know--God's elect are being called in and prepared. Mark's heart was so good, and I felt how choice of a human being he is. It was an honor to share a red eye flight with him. And I praise God for providing a means! Oh I love flights!!

GOD WON'T YOU CHANGE HIM?
We were blessed to go to church on Sunday while in Florida. The Relief Society and Priesthood lessons were given on charity. The RS lesson was wonderful. The teacher was nervous, but had prepared with the spirit. Towards the last few mins of class an elderly sister in the back, visiting from Idaho (surely any wards around Disney World get a variety of members from all over coming) raised her hand. With quite some difficulty she painfully shared a very personal experience. She and her husband were called to serve a mission. She questioned the stake president because of her husbands loss of memory, but he assured her that they were needed. Off on their mission they went. She said the days and weeks went on, and her husband became worse. He could not remember appointments or dates. She said after him asking her for the 12th time what time church started, she just wanted to yell at him that she had already told him 11 times within the last 10 mins. This sweet sister, took her worries over to the Lord and expressed that she knew that God could heal her husband. That she didn't want to be the one with the only working memory. She fasted, prayed and pleaded with God to change and fix her husband for surely she should have to go one with him like how he was. The answer came--but competely different then she expected... the answer came that God would not heal her husband. Heavenly Father told this sister, "I am trying to teach you charity."

The sister was weeping and her voice was quivering sharing such a personal weakness. She said often times she just wanted to get angry with her husband and frustrated at how many times she has to repeat herself. She said she was deeply humbled that day, that God was using her husband to help her learn charity. That it was not her husband that needed fixing or to be changed--but it was her own weakness and lack of charity towards him.

This sister was crying and the rest of us were sniffing. Her comments stirred my soul. Patience is a christlike attribute. For surely the Lord is long suffering in our weaknesses and our selfishness. Impatience is a perfect manifestation of the lack of charity one's being is not claiming/using/manifesting. How her comments hit me in such a personal way.

Read this quote from President Hinkley tonight:

To those of you who live in troubled homes, may I suggest that you let love become the lodestar of your family life. There is too much of shouting, too much of recrimination, so many tears in the homes of some of our people. Love is the only remedy. It is the very basis of marriage. It can be nurtured and strengthened, or it can be starved and weakened. The power lies within ourselves. Bridle your tempers, husbands. Wives, hold your tongues. Revive the wondrous feeling that brought you to the marriage altar. --Gordon B. Hinckley

I thanked the sister afterwards for sharing her story. Still shaking she said she fought the prompting to share it all class, but finally could not fight off the spirit any longer. I apologized that she probably was suppose to share that story at least for me and thanked her for her courage in raising her hand.

Deep lesson on Charity. Deep reminder on how often my charity is not suffering long, patient, and/or kind. God is kind with all my weaknesses. And is patient. Can I not learn to be the same with others? My weaknesses may not be someone elses. And my faults-their strengths. My powers, their limitations. But God, who perfectly sees and views all, I think would have me be more kind, more patient, more quick to love then to criticize. Actually, unless directed by the spirit, I don't think there should be any room for criticism in my life. Criticism is surely not building. I pray to seek for more charity and the strength to exercise it's power to influence my thoughts, my heart, my tongue and my actions...

These are the words we sang in sacrament today. I sang hard and probably a little too loud, as my cheeks became wet...

As now we take the sacrament, our thoughts are turned to thee,
Thou Son of God, who lived for us, then died on Calvary.
We contemplate thy lasting grace, thy boundless charity;
To us the gift of life was giv’n for all eternity.

As now our minds review the past, we know we must repent;
The way to thee is righteousness— the way thy life was spent.
Forgiveness is a gift from thee we seek with pure intent.
With hands now pledged to do thy work, we take the sacrament.

As now we praise thy name with song, the blessings of this day
Will linger in our thankful hearts, and silently we pray
For courage to accept thy will, to listen and obey.
We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We’ll walk thy chosen way.

And so my life is this Sunday evening. A week seeking forgiveness, a week contemplating boundless charity.. Hands now pledge to do HIS work and courage to accept HIS will--TO listen and obey.... I love the Lord, my heart is full. I will walk His chosen way. Oh how I love God! The more I learn of Him and His doings, the more I stand all amazed.

PS. If you are just wanting a great 10 min reminder read this week CLICK HERE.

HE LIVES

From President Eyring's April 2011 Conference talk--I have often pondered about his challenge:

"To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the church welfare program, members world wide will be invited to participate in a day of service. Leaders and members will seek revelation as they design whatever the projects will be."

Ever since his invite, which was echoed by several other speakers in general conference, I have pondered over what it is that I can do as my day of service? I plan to do something with my whole family, my ward, but also for me personally... But what?! Clean up, blankets, hygiene kits? I love that President Eyring asked that one seek revelation as to what the project will be.

I have given it much thought, and a great deal of prayer. An idea came to me--and after what happened to me on Sunday, I am for sure going to do my personal day (more like a month) of service = I have felt to memorize "The Living Christ"(click here). Anyone want to join me?! I know lots of folks memorized it on their mission, but I however did not.
I don't like to travel on Sunday's and try to avoid it at all costs. However this last weekend I felt I needed to be back for Sunday, so I booked the earliest flight out of AZ I could find. Just last week, I found out that one of my greatest heroes=Bishop Larson, was being released from being the Bishop in his ward. This past Sunday would be his last time as Bishop. I smiled and thanked God for allowing me to fly back in time to support a man that has influenced my life a great deal.

As I sat in the airport at 6:30am I pulled out my ensign and had a great read. The woman across from me made the comment about how early it was. She put her pack down and went to sleep. When she awoke, she looked over at me (by this time I had my scriptures out) and she asked if I had been reading the Ensign. I said that I had and she asked if she could borrow the magazine. The magazine was passed over and I had the thought that we would be sitting with each other on the plane.

Meet Becki!
Turns out Becki is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She never felt she worked for her testimony when she was little, she just went through the motions of church because that is what her family wanted.

Becki got into some heavy core drugs a few years back. Salt Lake was her "hub" for the drugs- so she moved to AZ to get away from the temptations and to clean up her life. She has been clean for five years now!

Not knowing what she believed she started meeting with the missionaries to find out about the church. What an amazing story she has!

On Saturday, Becki became filled with thoughts of how to get drugs whens she got back to Salt Lake City. Her thoughts consumed her. She told me that you would think it would be easy after five years of being clean, but how overpowering the thoughts were. Becki said that if she were to do it just one time, give in to drugs one time, she knew from past experiences she would be hooked and completely out of control.

What to do?! The thoughts were frightening. The only thing she could think to do was to call the missionaries over. They came over and gave her a blessing and she received the promise that she would have strength while in Utah. Becki then told me that when she woke up from being asleep while waiting for the plane, the thoughts of how easily she could get the drugs flooded her mind yet again and she silently prayed for help. She remembered the magazine I had, thought it might be an Ensign and asked if she could borrow it. (I have to smile at this because--before this month, other than the Conference edition of the ensign, I haven't/don't carry an Ensign and never did I read one. I always listened to the whole audio magazine when exercising, but reading from the actual pages, hasn't happened before this month. But I had the impression that I needed to start reading an article before I open my scriptures every day, so starting with the July Ensign, I have done just that and where ever I go, the magazine goes with me. Amazing that God can use even our newest habits--and is it too far fetched to think that perhaps God sent the prompting so that I could have an ensign with me in the airport?! I think not!:) )

We talked about the gospel on the plane. Becki had lots of sincere questions. She has a roommate that does not believe in Jesus Christ and it was obvious that this roommate has influenced Becki's thinking for she brought up how she didn't think she could believe in Jesus Christ. She believes that God, our Father, lives, but the idea of Jesus Christ seemed a little "out there".

Becki has been back to church a few times. I asked her if she had prayed over anything and had received an answer. She smiled and said that she had received an answer on tithing! Which was interesting on anything to be asking about/checking out first... she didn't pray about Jesus Christ, or other basics, but she did on tithing!

Becki said that she had received $300 as a grant from the collage in AZ. When she received the money she was excited as it was "free money" and at the time she really needed money. She pondered whether she should pay tithing over this money that she technically didn't earn. She was not even finished asking the question when she heard the words come to her mind, "Loosen thy purse strings." She said, "I don't speak that way, nor have I ever spoken with someone who says that type of thing." Becki knew that it was an answer from God to pay her tithing on the grant money she had been given.

She obeyed the impression and she told me that whenever things are tight and she is tempted to keep the money, those words of loosening her purse strings, come back to her mind and she does pay her tithing. (Side note: Sam shared a beauitful thought from institute last week. The teacher pointed out that we are not paying back/giving the Lord "10%" but rather the Lord is giving us/allowing us to have "90%". Money is not ours, our bodies are not our own, the only thing really that is our own and doesn't already belong to God is our will. I loved this beautiful reminder from Sam's institute teacher!)

The plane ended and Becki and I were both surprised at how fast the trip went. We walked down to the baggage claim and I was able to meet her devoted and supportive husband. Becki wants to be sealed in the temple and is trying to find out what the faith of her family was/is. We made a pack that she would let me know when she had her sealing date. We hugged and she walked off with her husband and I headed off to the parking lot.

Talk about an amazing experience. Had God sent me home to see Bishop Larson, yes I think, but I also think he had greater plans from the beginning! I did miss an opportunity though. I shared with Becki about who Jesus Christ is. What he has done and because of who He is, what that personally means for her, for me, for the whole world--but looking back on the conversation--I taught of him, but I don't think I officially testified that I know that Jesus is the Christ. Someone listening to the conversion would have gathered that I think, but what a lesson for me... a missed opportunity. Don't worry, it is not the end of the world. I am saddened by the realization of what I didn't do, but am thankful for the peace and determination to not pass an opportunity like that again. For I completely know what it feels like to wonder if God and Jesus Christ live. I know what it is like to pray often and plead from my soul to know if they are there. I know the hope and desire to finding out, but I also know the frustration and sometimes despair not knowing seemed to leave me feeling. But oh how sweet the truth is...

I KNOW that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of all mankind, MY Savior. I know that He has all wisdom and power... that through him and because of him, the grave has no power over life. I, we, can become perfect through our perfect Redeemer! Redeemed from a fallen state, redeemed for sins and habits that bind. We can become whole and cleansed, sanctified. Holy, without spot! How? All through Jesus Christ!

So--President's Eyrings challenge of what service one can offer...? Mine "personal" do something for the 75th year of welfare challenge is to memorize "The Living Christ"! And I hope by doing so, I can better let my light so shine. That others feeling alone/in darkness can too--come to KNOW--as I have, that Jesus IS the Christ!

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

"The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles," The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, (2000)

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
signatures signatures of the twelve

© 2000 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Five years ago today, I was nervously waiting in the airport with 3 or 4 other elders to fly back to Utah.

Shortly after my mission had started, Elder Christensen came out to a zone conference and talked about setting a date of faith. He talked about the only time he was going to meet someone new was to pray and ask the Lord to prepare whoever would sit next to him on the plane as he flew to Hawaii. He and his wife both fasted every week for months, pleading with the Lord to prepare the person on the airplane. Finally the day of his trip came. He sat in his plane seat anticipating who would sit next to him. Down the isle came this man... Hawaiian shirt, chains, very "open" with his shirt. Elder Christensen somewhat rolled his eyes and thought there was no way this man would be up for a gospel conversation. The other man sat down next to him and proceeded to tell Elder Christensen about all the women he was going to see and what he was going to do with them. Elder Christensen went back to reading his paper, but the spirit prompted.

Soon, they were deep in conversation about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the fact that God had a plan for this man. The man had never heard these truths before, but admitted to Elder Christensen that for several months his soul had been stirring for truth, and he had no idea where it was coming from.

The two men exchanged information and Elder Christensen told the man he would like to have him over with his family and the missionaries when the business trip was over. To which the man replied--well don't you have missionaries in Hawaii?

!!

I heard the talk, and my heart was overwhelmed by the truths of praying and fasting for a time when the Lord will prepare someone to hear the gospel. From that point in my mission, I decided that I could start fasting and praying for the day I would fly home and for whom ever would sit next to me on the plane. I did this for nearly 7 or 8 months, never missing a week. But about 4 to 5 months before finishing the mission it dawned on me, I would be going home with elders and they would be the ones I would be sitting by--so after a good chuck of my mission of fasting and praying for the flight home, I stopped, thinking I wasn't about to be testifying to the elders.

July 14th 2005 found me in the Newark Airport. And as we waited to board the plane to come home--I asked the Elders what their seat numbers were. I think now, there were three of them and one of me. One by one they read off their seat number. All three of them were sitting by each other. When I looked at my number I was randomly several rows away and on the other side of plane. I thought that was odd--but then all at once my mind was flooded with all the praying and fasting I had offered up for whom I would sit next to on the plane. !! My heart started to race and my hands became sweaty. I had honestly thought I would be sitting by elders and that is why I stopped praying.

Well, the first flight, the sweet man next to me asked question after question about the church. He was a truck driver and loved his wife dearly. Missionaries later came to his house and for a time he investigated. I do not know what has happened to him since. The elders on the plane kept looking back and saw my napkin drawing of the plan of salvation. The next plane, because we were headed to Utah I figured there would be a lot of smiles with people knowing who we were.

I was one of the very last people to board. And as I walked down the isle pondering if the person (yes I was not linked by the elders again) would be a member. I saw a younger in his early 30's man sitting next to the only open spot on the plane, my seat. He smiled as he looked at my name tag.

He was not a member but his wife was--although not practicing. They had just had a conversation that week that it was either his parents faith or his wife's parents faith of "Mormons". He had always been apposed by going, but he and his wife just discussed that they needed to find what was best and true for their future family. We talked all the way back to Utah and 4 lessons were taught. The spirit was sweet.

We got off the plane and before the elders and I went to go find our waiting families, two elders ran to find someone sitting waiting for their flight to give one last pass along card. ;) I smiled.

I have no idea whatever came of these two men, but this I do know, that their hearts had been prepared by God.

So sweet and tender are the feelings of the mission. Choice companions, Sr. Missionary couples that became literal family, choice people I met committed to keeping the commandments of God, lessons learned from a mission president and wife that have shaped my life, and then probably the biggest miracle of all... my heart.

5 Years ago today, I came home to a family prepared for ME. A family whom I love with all my heart.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church on the earth. With apostles, prophets, revelation, priesthood and authority from God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith prayed in a grove of trees and because of confusion, had faith enough to ask God our father which church to join. In answer to his prayer God the Father and Jesus Christ, God's son, appeared to Joseph Smith. Called him by name and reveled that at that time, there was no true and living church of God on the earth. But God loves his children, all of us, and he prepared a way for us to not walk in darkness, but to know about Him and His plan for us.

I know surely as I know I am able to breath and walk and talk--that God and Jesus Christ live! And one of my favorite truths is that God allows anyone to know for them selves--the truth. We never need take someone at their word alone, but can, through sincere prayer to God our father, ask to find the truth, ending our prayer with Jesus Christs name--I KNOW God answers prayers.

There is joy to be had in this life. Not just the life to come. And God, who knows every sparrow, certainly knows our lives and what to do to send us peace and happiness. His plan of happiness involved sacrificing his only begotten son, Jesus Christ (whom I love) to show us the way, to know our burdens, that He might make them light. He lived, died and lives again for us! Because of Love. He is Love. “Come unto Me” By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

In the 11th chapter of Matthew, verses 28–30, the Savior says: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matt. 11:28–30]

This is my basic message to each of you, wherever you live, whatever your joys or sorrows, however young or old you may be, at whatever point you may find yourself in this mortal journey of ours. Some of you are where you want to be or you know where you want to go with your lives, and some of you don’t. Some of you seem to have so many blessings and so many wonderful choices ahead of you. Others of you feel, for a time and for whatever reason, less fortunate and with fewer attractive paths lying immediately ahead.

But whoever you are and wherever you find yourself as you seek your way in life, I offer you “the way … and the life” (John 14:6). Wherever else you think you may be going, I ask you to “come unto him” as the imperative first step in getting there, in finding your individual happiness and strength and success.

When two of Christ’s disciples first heard him speak, they were so moved, so spellbound, that they followed him as he left the crowd. Sensing that he was being pursued, Christ turned and asked the two men, “What seek ye?” (John 1:38). Other translations render that simply, “What do you want?”

They answered, “Where dwellest thou?” or “Where do you live?”

And Christ said, “Come and see” (John 1:39). Just a short time later he formally called Peter and others of the new Apostles with the same spirit of invitation, “Come ye after me” (Mark 1:17).

It seems to me that the essence of our lives is distilled down to these two brief elements in these opening scenes of the Savior’s mortal ministry. One element is the question to every one of us, “What seek ye? What do you want?” The second is his answer as to how to get that. Whoever we are and whatever our problems, his response is always the same, forever: “Come unto me.” Come see what I do and how I spend my time. Learn of me, follow me, and in the process I will give you answers to your prayers and rest to your souls.

Beloved friends, I know of no other way for you to succeed or to be happy or to be safe. I know of no other way for you to be able to carry your burdens or find what Jacob called “that happiness which is prepared for the saints” (2 Ne. 9:43). That is why we make solemn covenants based on Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and that is why we take upon us his name. In as many ways as possible, both figuratively and literally, we try to take upon us his identity. We seek out his teachings and retell his miracles. We send latter-day witnesses, including prophets, apostles, and missionaries, around the world to declare his message. We call ourselves his children, and we testify that he is the only source of eternal life. We plead for him to swing open the gates of heaven in our behalf, and we trust everlastingly that he will, based upon our faithfulness.

My heart is full today.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true! I know it, for I have prayed myself and asked.