I am thankful for a living prophet. He's calm, asks us to increase our spirituality. He's a doctor himself. A year ago he implemented Come Follow Me, a home centered, church supported program and now we are having church in our own homes. He told us to get our rest and eat our vitamins. This conference was promised to be one that we would never forget. It is the 200th anniversary since Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ which was the beginning the restoration of the gospel. We had tickets to go to Salt Lake and experience it in person. He told us that if we prepared for this conference, it would be life changing. We have been preparing as a family ever since he asked us to. Now it is televised only, I don't think that has ever happened before. It surely is memorable already. Studying the early church history, the first vision, the scriptures, has been a sweet experience for my family. I have come to know and love Joseph Smith, not just as a prophet, but as a man. He was a man who made mistakes and was not perfect, but he was incredibly faithful and endured to the end. He was humble and quick to repent. He was a great man! I am excited for conference, even if it is not in person. Now, at this time of uncertainty, when so many are fearing, our prophet is telling us to not fear, but build our faith and use this time to focus on our faith in Jesus Christ. He blessed us that we may see how sweet home gospel study can be. It has been sweet!
While the economy may suffer, and many will die, this pause has been special to me so far. It seems as though the Lord wanted us to take a time out. Perhaps we needed a time-out from distractions and the fast pace of life, to help us remember Him and to pray again for our world and leaders. As we have sat in home, I've enjoyed watching my kids play. Their relationships with one another are strengthening. I've tried to keep to a schedule: Screen time, play time, exercise hour, chore hour, school hour, quiet time, screen time. It has helped. We've gone on walks together. I've hiked with them and roller-bladed with them. We've eaten dinner outside and had good discussions. Truthfully, this time for me, so far, has been a joy.
We've been told for a year now to increase our personal righteousness and faith. In a recent address to the Saints about preparing the world for the second coming of Christ, President Nelson said the following:
...we live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. We have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith.
Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.
How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people (see Doctrine and Covenants 86:8–11).
Do whatever it takes to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ by increasing your understanding of the doctrine taught in His restored Church and by relentlessly seeking truth. Anchored in pure doctrine, you will be able to step forward with faith and dogged persistence and cheerfully do all that lies in your power to fulfill the purposes of the Lord.
You will have days when you will be discouraged. So pray for courage not to give up! Sadly, some who you thought were your friends will betray you. And some things will simply seem unfair.
However, I promise you that as you follow Jesus Christ, you will find sustained peace and true joy. As you keep your covenants with increasing precision, and as you defend the Church and kingdom of God on the earth today, the Lord will bless you with strength and wisdom to accomplish what only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can accomplish.
We are to be builders of an individual faith in God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith in His Church. We are to build families and be sealed in holy temples. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth (see Matthew 6:33). We are to prepare for our own divine destiny: glory, immortality, and eternal lives (see Romans 2:7; Doctrine and Covenants 75:5).
I humbly testify to you that—as the Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed—the restored gospel of Jesus Christ “will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).
We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. I pray for His blessings to be with each and every one of you.
I want to choose to follow the prophet and find joy right now, and not be weighed down in fear. And, I've found that joy.
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