June 27, 2004
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Wow, today was so much fun. After Church our family went to the Prows’s to celebrate Jeff’s mission call to Northern California. It was just a small gathering with a few families and the missionaries. I had so much fun visiting with Jeff and Gina and Elizabeth and Neichel and James and swapping stories and having a good time. And the Jacksons were there and I have always loved the Jacksons and the Cooks were there which is always a good time. It was seriously so much fun.
Oh, and this morning I got many e-mails from lots of friends and family, which was way cool.
And then before Church we picked up someone who was just in town randomly and wanted to come to Church . . . she was from Germany, very sweet lady.
One last note . . . Today in 1844 the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. I testify that he was a prophet of God, and that he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the sacred grove of upstate New York. I have had my own personal “sacred grove” moment, and so I will bear solemn witness that our Father in Heaven communicates with us, His sons and daughters here on Earth.
He is our Father. I know that we lived with him before we were born. As I prepare to leave my family now and go off to college, I have often thought about what it must have been like to leave our Heavenly Parents and come here to Earth. I believe that we chose to come here so that we could grow and learn, and I think we are growing. I am grateful for the chance to continue to talk with my Father. Despite the joys I have experienced here that surpass the joys of my infant state of spirit then, I miss my Heavenly Parents terribly, and I long for the return to Heaven. I am so grateful for our Brother whose atonement made it possible for all of us to return and live our Father once more.
Joseph Smith bore witness of that Brother, even Jesus Christ. I add my testimony to his which was sealed with his blood 160 years ago:
“He lives! For [Joseph Smith] saw him, even on the right hand of God; and [he] 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” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76)
Comments (4)
It’s refreshing the way you talk about God as someone so familiar. You talk about him like you would a dad you haven’t seen in a long time.
I like that, but it almost sounds like you are reducing the power of God and of Heaven because you speak of Heaven as if it’s just like Earth and you speak of God as if he’s just like your dad. I don’t know . . .
Awesome testimony, thanks for sharing that … I’m headed to BYU in the fall and just thought I’d say hi!
we had one of our young men’s leaders talking about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and the things that he went through to bring about the restored gospel and the book of mormon…he broke down into tears and it was very moving.
hearing/reading people give their testamonies are very uplifting and I really enjoyed yours.
I was thinking today what my life would be like if i wasn’t a convert and the church wasn’t established on the earth today and I was really astonished at how much I’ve changed as a person and I am really glad Joseph Smith fulfilled his calling so I could become one of the sheep in the Savior’s flock and know that my Heavenly Father loves me…
I enjoyed visiting with you too Dan
I look forward to getting to know more people my age in our ward than just the old folks. That’s an awesome testimony and I admire you for not being afraid to share it!