Well, what a week has passed my friends. So much happened - the family met J's fiancé, Alabama beat the snot out of LSU, much homework was done, and...we were able to listen to the voice of a living prophet of the Lord. But, let's start with the other notable events.
Tuesday: Helped my mother sort out our DVD collection downstairs. Yeah for organization! Oh, and lots of homework :P
Wednesday: Went on visits with C, and was very humbled by the people we were able to meet. I feel like Heavenly Father has been molding me and shaping me to become more like His Son, but I'm still so far from that goal that I feel like there's still so far to go. Meeting these people helped me to realize how little I know about the gospel of Christ, and how to partake of His divine nature. After this experience and institute, I made a resolve to try and do better to be like Him - in my relationships with others, in my priesthood responsibilities, in my schoolwork, etc.
Thursday: I think I did nothing. Wait! I watched almost an hour of Homestar videos with my brother. Yes, Homestarrunner. Why? Because he's hilarious. And Strong Bad emails. Do you doubt? Click on the link to the right entitled "Hahahaha...". You'll find out.
Friday: Went to the ward activity, a Murder Mystery party! We learned more about the Book of Mormon and the purposes of descriptions of war and chaos. Then, a group of friends and I were going to watch Beauty and the Beast in 3D...but I had a friend of mine practically begged me/dragged me all the way to his house so we could watch Les Miserables: The 10th Anniversary in Concert. Still a good choice - I love Les Miserables. Its story of sacrifice, redemption, and love touch my heart and always make me want to be a better person. Isn't that the definition of good entertainment? Well, it should be. Also, I just wanted to put a plug in for Anthony Warlow - the greatest Enjolras and Phantom of the Opera of all time. Kind of a tangent, but nobody's heard about him - and yet he is so fantastically talented. Watch these clips, and you'll see what I mean:
Saturday: The day to end all days. In a good way, that is. :D I was busy during the day, at a meeting with our Stake Presidency and other elders quorum presidencies discussing the patterns of repentance and rescue that Christ practiced, as well as basketball and other fun events. At night, I went with my parents to go listen to Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Who is this man, you may ask? He is an apostle of the living Christ, the Son of God. He was specifically called by Him to bear His name to all the nations of the earth. Specifically? He is my hero. Well, one of them anyways. He held a question-and-answer session with all the members of the church in our area, and many questions were asked and testimonies given by Elder Scott. I was fortunate enough to be able to ask a question of my own that I'd been wondering for some time - just a simple inquiry about how to exercise greater faith in the Savior, and come to know him better - and received deep instruction from him that launched me on a journey of self-discovery that has blown me away. It was one of the best nights of my life. :)
Sunday: Went to meetings at 7am, 9am, 11am, and 12pm. Church from 1-4, and then reports and visits from 4-6. Dinner from 6-7, a fireside from 7-8, and then visiting with friends until I went home to bed. Sunday are the busiest days of my week...yeesh. Just writing it down makes me tired.
The things I learned from Elder Scott, both on Saturday and through his many, many conference addresses that have touched my heart, have been of great meaning to me. I have learned much through his simple testimony of the Savior, and of principles that the Savior taught. Things like spiritual guidance, faith, integrity and character, prayer, and repentance among others. I would invite each of you to look up a talk by this man on www.lds.org, on any topic that you feel you need help or encouragement on. I can promise you that if you listen carefully, you will feel the Spirit touch your heart and whisper to you things that you need to know. Things like "Heavenly Father loves you", or "This hard trial will pass", or "You need to be nicer to your mother", or "Read the scriptures more", etc. I can even give you a head start on one of my favorite topics (not to go through, but to learn about): Why is life so hard?
I bear testimony that Elder Scott is an apostle of the Lord, and he receives power only insofar as he is obedient to the Savior's will and commandments. I know that if we listen to him, he will increase our faith in the Savior and His teachings. I love him, and I love my Savior especially. Through Christ we can do all things, and if we live worthily we return at the end of this life to our Father in Heaven. Christ tells us Himself with love, "I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)
And so we go.
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