Personal Prophetic Epistle

Its General Conference this weekend!!! I'm so excited to hear our beloved Prophet speak! What an amazing opportunity we have to go and listen to the Prophet and other inspired men and women speak to us about the gospel.  Last General Conference Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles said this,



"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."

My friends and I waiting to watch conference live!

I love that quote! When I heard that last conference it was such an inspiration to me. So I decided to test it out.  As I sat there at conference I focused on questions I had and inspiration that I needed to better fill my role as a missionary. I know that my Father in Heaven loves me so much and wants to communicate to me, he's just waiting for me to ask. So all throughout the conference I wrote down all the inspiration I was given, the feelings that I had and the great quotes I wanted to remember. I looked for answers to my questions and concerns in the things that people said and in the thoughts that the spirit brought to my mind. The result was revelation specific to me and my concerns. I compiled all the moments where God answered my questions and the times I felt inspired to act or change and now I have my own Personal Prophetic Epistle!  It was another witness to me that God loves me personally and will answer my questions!



Our Prophet! Can't wait to hear from him!



So it's that time of year again!! Its conference this Saturday and Sunday.  I'm excited to get another Personal Prophetic Epistle and I hope you are too!  So get your pen and paper ready and bask in the love you will feel from our loving Heavenly Father.  Let me know your experiences!! I can't wait to hear from you all!

Check out this website to watch it online or tune in on BYU channel or go to your local meeting house to watch 10am and 2pm Mountain Standard Time October 5th and 6th. Or come watch it with me in Nashville at 11am and 3pm at 3600 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville Tennessee!

http://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Check out this link of how to prepare yourself for General Conference!

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/prepare-for?lang=eng

Check out this video about preparing for General Conference!!!

How do we know?!

I was thinking today about how it is that we can say that we know something to be true.  How do I know that the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ are true?  How do I know that I have a Heavenly Father? How do I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins? How do I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a Prophet? How do I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God?

I came across this scripture in The Book of Mormon that I think helps answer these questions. Alma 5:46

"Behold, I say unto you they are made ^aknown unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have ^bfasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of ^crevelation which is in me."

That scripture truly does tell us how we can know, and it tells us that we need to put a little effort into it.  As we read the scriptures I think its important to remember that scriptures are the testimonies of Prophets (Men called of God to lead his children on earth).  This scripture is the testimony of Alma, a Prophet in The Book of Mormon.  He is sharing with people how he came to know the truth, he tells the people that he has put forth his own effort and fasted and prayed and he says that he knows the truth of these things because the Holy Spirit of God has made it known unto him.  I love it!! Who better to ask for advice than a prophet of God!

We need to fast and to pray!

When we fast we give up food for a period of time and show God that we are willing to sacrifice our temporal needs for a time to get that answer.  In fasting we show God that we are willing to put aside something we want and need (food) in order to receive our answer.

Along with fasting Alma says we need need to Pray!  Prayer is key in seeking answers, unless we ask an answer wont come.  But there is a catch to praying.  Listen to this scripture, the testimony of the prophet Moroni about how to get an answer...

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

 I love that!! So lets recap, if we:

- "receive these things", hear the word of God
- "ponder it in your hearts", really think about in in our mind as well as our heart
- "Ask God", pray about it!
- "with a sincere heart", really sincerely seeking an answer
- "real intent", be will to act on the answer
- "faith in Christ", having faith we will get an answer

Then we will get an answer, its that simple!!

As a missionary we teach people everyday and everyday we ask people to pray.  I myself have prayed and I know the message we share is true but only as you pray will you be able to know the truth as well! 

I challenge you all to read and pray about The Book of Mormon!  If you do I know that God will answer your prayers and tell you that it is indeed his words!