Testimony Tuesday - President Monson

In the last week my thoughts have been with the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, especially with the passing of his wife.

We believe that we have a living prophet on earth today that speaks to Jesus Christ and receives revelation for the Church and world as a whole.  To read more about prophets, go here. 

I have felt a personal witness that President Monson is the prophet and can communicate with our Heavenly Father.  I have been listening to President Monson speak at General Conference for over 15 years; he loves to tell stories about his experiences listening to the Holy Ghost to direct him.  This is one thing that has given me my personal witness that President Monson's is Heavenly Father's prophet on the earth today.  He is a master at listening and obeying the Spirit.  I know President Monson has the ability and inclination to listen for the voice of the Holy Ghost and then to act upon the instruction he receives.  I love knowing that I can listen to the prophet and receive direction from the Lord through him.  It has been a great blessing in my life to learn from the prophets.  If you want to hear or listen to his most recent address to the Church, go here. 

Testimony Tuesday - What the Holy Ghost Helped Me to Remember

I taught early morning seminary for 3.5 years.  To learn more about seminary, a scripture class for high school age youth, go here.

This has been my favorite calling in the church.  I loved studying the scriptures and helping my students to learn about Jesus Christ and his Gospel.  

It also very time consumptive.  During my last year teaching, I was going through a particularly challenging time and was overwhelmed by all my responsibilities.  I needed to focus on myself and my family, which meant I needed help.  

I needed someone to teach seminary for me.  But who?  The early morning commitment (it often conflicts with work schedules and getting children to school) made it difficult to find a substitute that would be a good match for my students.

After a week of struggling to know what to do, the Holy Ghost brought to my remembrance that a friend in my ward (what we call our church congregation) had offered to help teach for me.  

In that moment, I felt peace, joy and relief.  Peace that can only come through the Spirit.  

She taught my class for me for two weeks, a service and experience I will not forget.

Testimony Tuesday - What I Have Learned From Adversity

God loves me.  He knows me.  

This is something that I never knew until recently.  

Since a small child, I have always felt a yearning for our Heavenly Father, but I rarely felt a personal connection. Although, I did receive answers to my prayers and inspiration when needed.  

I had a reached a point where I could do nothing but rely on our Heavenly Father to endure and survive.  Then through His presence in my life and the way my prayers were answered did I learn that He loves me personally.  He knows me and can help me with exactly what I need.

These experiences have also helped me learn that He knows and loves my daughter. And that He always has.  He reminded me of spiritual experiences before and after my daughters birth.

Throughout the last few years, He has guided me through the Holy Ghost to learn this truth, until I had the ability and knowledge to recognize it.

I am grateful I learned that God loves me and knows me, because now I can teach my daughter that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love her.