Easter 2018

This has been a historical conference weekend and wonderful Easter weekend. It began with a solemn assembly to sustain our new prophet, President Nelson and two new apostles of the church. Then we heard new revelation in a change in the Elder's Quorum and High Priest Group organization as well as a change in the way home and visiting teaching will be carried out. It was announced that young women 14 and up will be included in the assignments to minister. How exciting!

As I have prepared for and listened to conference, I have felt the spirit of the Lord strengthen my testimony in his work and his church. I felt the spirit testify to me that President Nelson is indeed who God wants to be the prophet today as I raised my hand to sustain him. It was a special moment for me and moved me emotionally despite the irreverence of my children about me as I stood in my living room and hushed them for the occasion.

Even though I was frustrated by the irreverence of my children and rebuked them later, I was still able to feel the spirit of the conference and of this special day that we celebrate the miraculous event of Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Perhaps I was most frustrated by the fact that I know this is so important. I want my family to see the significance and feel the Spirit as well. I want to feel it and be strengthened by it, but not alone. I can't coerce them into it and I'm frustrated by the dismissiveness I see when I feel I should have taught them better. Why don't they know this? At dinner, I took a moment to remind them what it means to be reverent or at the very least be quiet so that others can feel the Spirit. The afternoon session went better.

I know that Christ lives and that He loves us. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of us and our needs, wants, desires and trials. He has the time for each of us individually while addressing the needs of everyone in the entire world.

Our family has been assigned the task of bringing a worship service to the Cottages, a nursing home behind our house. With the help of the Hill's musical direction, we have been doing this for almost two years. Usually, we cancel on the Sunday of general conference, but I couldn't do it today being Easter. So we got dressed in our Sunday clothes and went to the Cottages between sessions. Usually, I can bring others in to help, but this week it was just us.

Ammon was being particularly rowdy today and I tried to patiently quiet him, but inside I wanted to wring his little neck as he distracted the residents from listening to the beautiful music provided by the Hills and his sister. Then it was my turn to give a talk. I drew my message from John 20:11 where Mary comes to ask where the body of the Lord has been taken. I felt her grief as she begged to know where he was and then the glorious relief when she recognized the Savior who called her by name. He came to comfort her in the only way that she could be comforted. I felt the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of this principle. He knows us and He loves us.

He knows how to comfort us and to bring us back to the Father if we will be open to Him and His grace. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and all of His children. If we will follow the inspiration of the Holy Ghost even when it makes no sense, we will be blessed. If we are obedient to His commandments, we will find joy and avoid the pitfalls of darkness that come from disobedience. Commandments bring happiness. Keeping our covenants will bring everlasting joy and peace to us no matter our current circumstances. We need not fear death for Christ overcame death for us. Earthlife is NOT the end.

I found it significant when President Nelson concluded the conference with an invitation to all individuals on BOTH SIDES of the veil to come unto Christ and come to the temple.

There is no other church on earth that can give us the promised blessings and make real the covenants and ordinances in our lives that this church can. The power of the priesthood is real and makes effective those saving ordinances. This is Christ's church. It was evident to me today that He leads and guides it through his living prophet and apostles. I'm so grateful to be a member of His true church. I wish I could invite everyone to come and know the blessings that can come into your life from making and keeping these sacred covenants. My life is not perfect. I have suffered from depression, disappointment, stress, anxiety, and imperfections. But I know God loves me and I know I am where He wants me to be. I know I can overcome all things with His grace and His strength. I know there is a higher purpose and a bigger eternal picture. I know that my trials are shaping me somehow and with time and patience, I will understand His purposes in my life. I know He wants me to be happy. And most of all, I know that He loves me no matter what.