Conference Time!

I love to read the scriptures because they are the words that God has inspired the Prophets to write. We can open up the Old Testament and to read about the warnings Noah gave the people before the floods came and to read in the New Testament as Jesus Christ performs miracles and teaches all those who will listen in parables and then to read in The Book of Mormon as Alma the Younger testifies of his experiences using the redeeming power of the Atonement. 

One doctrine I love to teach about is that God has called a modern day Prophet today.  The scriptures tell us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever so if He called Prophets in the ancient times then it only makes sense that he would call a Prophet in modern times.  Joseph Smith was the first prophet called in these latter days and since his death God has continued to call Prophets to lead His church. 



My friends and I attending the April 2011 Session of Conference



Today our Prophet's name is Thomas S. Monson and every 6 months we have an exciting opportunity to listen to him and the other apostles speak.  This is such an amazing exciting opportunity we have to listen to what our Heavenly Father inspires them to teach.  These men of God pray and seek inspiration to know what the world needs to hear.  I'm so excited to listen to them speak this weekend! 

One of the modern day Apostles, Jeffrey R. Holland said this about conference 

“If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you,”

I hope you all watch as much of this conference as you can.  Take the time to pray before you sit down and watch it and ask God for your own "personal prophetic epistle".  

Follow this link to watch the 4 sessions of Conference on line http://www.gc.lds.org/ , check your local listings or come to one of our church building and watch it live 10am and 2pm mountain standard time.  Here in Franklin Tennessee you can join us at the chapel on 1100 Grey Fox Lane at 11am and then again at 3pm!

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/03/why-do-we-need-prophets?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/preparing-for-general-conference?lang=eng

Conference was Amazing!!

Did everyone get a chance to watch Conference? I hope so, it was so inspiring.  As I watched the sessions this weekend I truly felt that my Heavenly Father loves me and I knew that the things that the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and his apostles taught were true.  If you didn't get a chance to watch it I would stronly recomend checking it out on line.   Go to http://www.lds.org/ and click on Last General Conference and you will be able to select different talks to listen to.  http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng

Here are 2 highlights...

Elder Eyring talked about The Book of Mormon, he said that The Book of Mormon will lift, guide and inspire you.  The people in these books will inspire you to be better and it will become part of your character. As he spoke of The Book of Mormon I felt the spirit testify to me that the things he was saying were true.  This book is amazing and can change your life if you will read it, ponder on it and allow the teaching to take root in your life.  If you haven't read this book then read it, and if you have then share it with someone today!

My favourite talk from the weekend was from our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson (the last one in the sunday morning session). He was funny and spiritual!  He quoted the scriptures saying "draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you."(D&C 88:63)  I love this promise, if we draw near unto our Heavenly Father he will draw near unto us, I love reading promises like that in the scriptures!  President Monson goes onto say "Develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father through prayer and he will bless you." He shared a personal story about prayer, it was funny yet spiritual, a perfect combination!  look it up and watch the video, his facial expression are the best! http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng 

I am thankful to hear a Prophet speak!

October is one of my favorite months on the year!  Tennessee is proving to be as beautiful as people claim it to be.  The leaves are starting to change colour and falling to the ground in preparation for the winter months.  The weather wont quite get as cold as I'm used to back home in Canada but I'm still looking forward to this beautiful season.  In Canada we celebrate our Thanks Giving in October and with that coming up in a few weeks I have thought about the things I am grateful for.  One thing we as Missionaries get to tell the world is that there is a Prophet called of God to lead and guide the church of Jesus Christ and the world.  In October we get the opportunity to hear from him and his apostles. 

Its a new thing to most people that we have a living prophet on this earth today but that fact strengthens my testimony of my Heavenly Father and his love for us.  God loves his children in the Bible time just as much as he loves his children that are living now so if he gives us the gift of a Prophet to lead his children in the ancient times then it only makes sense that he would give us a Prophet to lead and guide us today. The prophets role is to be the lords mouth peace here on the earth.  In Amos 3:7 is states "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.".  In a world of confusion and turmoil the Lord gives us prophets to guide and teach us.  In 1820 God called Joseph Smith as a prophet in these latter days to restore His church on the earth again and since that time he has continued to call a prophet. Today Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the prophet to all the world.  Just as in ancient times these prophets have been directed by God to call 12 Apostles lead and guide his children.  President Monson and the twelve apostles are speaking in a general conference on October 1st and 2nd at 10am and 2pm mountain standard time (11am and 3pm Tennessee time!) and I hope you all will watch.

I know that if you will listen to the Prophet and his Apostles speak you will feel the spirit of the Lord and you will know as I know that these men are truly called of God.   When I listen to the prophets speak I feel my testimony grow and I feel the spirit of the Lord witnessing to my heart that the things that they are telling us are indeed from God.  I know that God loves everyone of his children and tries to speak to us on a daily basis.  Open your heart and listen for his words! I challenge you all to watch at least one session of General Conference and have a question in mind and let the Lord speak to you through his servants and through his spirit.  God loves you and will answer your sincere prayers to him.  Keep seeking him and listen with your ears and with your heart!

Any thoughts my friends?! I love you all!

This is a photo of me and some of my closest friends attending conference live in Utah.  As we stood in that room as the Prophet of the Lord walked in I felt the spirit so strongly and I knew that he was a man called of God.  Pray to know for yourself, I know that if you pray with real intent your prayers will be answered!

(The 181st Semi-anual General Conference will be held live in the conference centre in Salt Lake City Utah on October 1st and 2nd. You can view this conference on your own television (check you local listings) at any LDS meeting house and on the Internet at http://www.lds.org/ .  Please watch at least one session, it will change your life!!)