Yesterday, I had the chance to speak in the Spanish ward in our Stake. The best part of my current calling (2nd counselor in the Stake RS Presidency) is getting to know so many people within our stake boundaries. I am inspired by all those that are going through very difficult challenges. I want to brave like them.
It is also amazing to sit in so many leadership meetings and learn from the spirit the things that HF wants for the members of our Stake. I am also slowly getting to know individual members of our high council (as they ask me to speak with them). So far, I've spoken with Brother Mark Raymond, Brother TJ Lee, Brother Bret Walker, and yesterday I spoke with Brother Justin Yearsley. There is a Brother Davis in our High Council. I think it would be hilarious if he ever asked me to speak with him.
Anyway, as I sat on the stand listening to words I did not know, I was overwhelmed with God's love for the people in this ward. I wonder if my feeling was in any way similar to what the prophet feels for all the members of the church. It was a very deep, personal, and overwhelming feeling. God really does love each and every person!
As part of my talk I knew that HF wanted me to stretch and grow as a result of this assignment. Hence, I determined that I would bear my testimony in Spanish. I'm not sure how it went, but here is one of my many practice attempts. I am currently contemplating sharing it again in my home ward on fast and testimony meeting.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost – 7th ward (Spanish Ward)
– September 18, 2022
Brothers and Sisters, I am humbled and so very grateful to
be here. I never in my imagined I would have this opportunity and I thank my
Heavenly Father for inspiring Brother Yearsley to invite me to come. The reason
why I am so thankful for this opportunity is because I have been in many meetings
with the leadership of your ward. My heart has been touched by their love for
you and the unique struggles you are facing. I know that many of you have
conquered hard and difficult challenges in your life. Your bravery and courage inspire me. I hope I
can be more like you. I know Heavenly Father loves you and is mindful of every
challenge you are facing.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints we believe that life began long before we were physically born. We
understand and believe that we lived in the presence of our Heavenly parents
along with all of Father’s spirit children. At that time, we did not have a
physical body. Yet, we learned from Heavenly Father about his beautiful plan
wherein we would each receive one. Additionally, it was there that we each made
the decision to follow this plan which would require a Savior to atone for each
of us so that we might return to our loving Heavenly Father.
As I think and ponder about that time in our premortal existence,
I wonder what I was feeling when I was heard about this plan. Knowing me, I was
probably overwhelmed with this big change – I personally, struggle with any
type of change happening in my life. Yet, I apparently had enough faith to stand
with those that chose Heavenly Fathers plan, as did you.
I have recently been reminded that just as we are uniquely
different here in mortality, so we were unique and different up in heaven. We
were blessed to have unique talents and abilities that we used up there, and
that we now use in mortality. The
thought that I was who I am now WAY before now is overwhelming to me. It makes
me so grateful that Heavenly Father sent me here to earth. In D&C chapter
46 there is a long list of some of these spiritual gifts. Here are just a few
of my favorites:
And again,
verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word
of wisdom.
To another
is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and
to have knowledge.
And again,
to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
And to
others it is given to have faith to heal.
And again,
to some is given the working of miracles;
And to
others it is given to prophesy;
And to
others the discerning of spirits.
And again,
it is given to some to speak with tongues;
And to
another is given the interpretation of tongues.
Have you
ever stopped to think about the spiritual gifts that Heavenly Father gave to
you? Think about that for a moment and see how your life has been blessed
because of your unique spiritual gifts.
One of the
spiritual gifts I have been given is a tender and compassionate heart. A few
years ago, I met a lady that lives in my neighborhood. She is a kind and generous
person, yet, she is also a very private person that struggles mentally because
of years of trauma and abuse. She lives with her mother-in-law who is a member
of my ward. This particular friend isn’t interested in the beliefs that I hold
dear. Yet, I hold her in the greatest esteem. Recently, she was venting to me
about all the challenging health problems that she is dealing with. Her
challenges come as a direct result of drug and tobacco abuse from the time she
was 7 years old. On one particular day she was crying as she admitted to me
that she just wasn’t sure what would happen to her once she dies. My heart has
always ached for her, yet on this particular day it was feeling even more compassion
because she quite literally does not know what will happen to her after
mortality is over.
I
desperately wanted to turn to Alma 40 and talk to her about death and
resurrection. In this chapter Alma is teaching his son Corianton – who was
worried about the resurrection of the dead:
vs. 4…..there
is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this
time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed.
vs 6….there
must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the
resurrection.
vs 8 ….time
only is measured unto men.
vs 11….concerning
the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has
been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as
they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether
they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
vs 12….And
then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are
received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their
troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
vs 13….
the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil….shall
be cast out into outer darkness
Sadly, my
friend might never be ready to hear these words because of stubbornness, pride
and the “natural man” tendencies that have been a part of her life for over 50
years. Yet, I will still love her and continue to share the light of Christ
that I carry within me.
I love
stories about the early members of the church. They were brave, courageous, and
strived so hard to do all that they were asked to do. I would like to share the
story of Elijah Fordham, and how he was blessed by the Prophet Joseph in 1839:
On July
22, in the midst of the sickness that afflicted so many, the Saints witnessed
what Elder Wilford Woodruff would call “a day of God’s power.” That
morning the Prophet arose, called upon the Lord in prayer, and, being filled
with the Spirit of the Lord, administered to the sick in his house, in the yard
outside, and down by the river. He crossed the river and visited the home of Brigham
Young in Montrose to give him a healing blessing. Then, in company with Sidney
Rigdon, Brigham Young, and other members of the Twelve, he continued on
his mission of mercy among other Iowa Saints. Elder Woodruff recalled one of
the most memorable healings of that day:
“We crossed the public square, and
entered Brother [Elijah] Fordham’s house. Brother Fordham had been dying for an
hour, and we expected each minute would be his last. I felt the power of God
that was overwhelming his Prophet. When we entered the house, Brother Joseph
walked up to Brother Fordham, and took him by the right hand. … He saw that
Brother Fordham’s eyes were glazed, and that he was speechless and unconscious.
“After taking hold of his hand, [the
Prophet] looked down into the dying man’s face and said: ‘Brother Fordham, do
you not know me?’ At first he made no reply; but we could all see the effect of
the Spirit of God resting upon him.
“[Joseph] again said: ‘Elijah, do you not
know me?’ With a low whisper, Brother Fordham answered, ‘Yes!’ The Prophet then
said, ‘Have you not faith to be healed?’
“The answer, which was a little plainer
than before, was: ‘I am afraid it is too late. If you had come sooner, I think
I might have been.’ He had the appearance of a man awaking from sleep. It was
the sleep of death. Joseph then said: ‘Do you not believe that Jesus is the
Christ?’ ‘I do, Brother Joseph,’ was the response.
“Then the Prophet of God spoke with a
loud voice, as in the majesty of the Godhead: ‘Elijah, I command you, in the
name of Jesus of Nazareth, to arise and be made whole!’
“The words
of the Prophet were not like the words of man, but like the voice of God. It
seemed to me that the house shook from its foundation. Elijah Fordham leaped
from his bed like a man raised from the dead. A healthy color came to his face,
and life was manifested in every act. His feet were done up in [cornmeal]
poultices. He kicked them off his feet, scattering the contents, and then
called for his clothes and put them on. He asked for a bowl of bread and milk,
and ate it; then put on his hat and followed us into the street, to visit
others who were sick.”
I love
this story – particularly because it shows me the love that Joseph had for all
the sick saints at that time. It also shows me the incredible amount of faith
that both Joseph and Elijah had in a God that is the ultimate authority regarding
the timeline of our mortal bodies. I also love that I was able to find Brother
Fordham in Family search. I even know what he looks like, because a relative
added a picture of him there!!! What a blessing. It was an even more amazing to
learn that Elijah went on to have six more children after this incredible
miracle.
As awe
inspiring as these spiritual gifts are, there is another gift that I strive to
use every single day. That is the gift we are given when we are baptized – the
constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
“As we
strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost can guide
us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger…He is the
Comforter. As the soothing voice of a loving parent can quiet a crying child,
the whisperings of the Spirit can calm our fears, hush the nagging worries of
our life, and comfort us when we grieve. The Holy Ghost can fill us with hope
and perfect love and teach us the peaceable things of the kingdom” Gospel
Library – Holy Ghost
As I begin
my personal preparations for our upcoming General Conference, I think with
excitement about the many things I will be taught and the personal revelation
that will come to me through this special gift. I hope you will also receive
many spiritual impressions that will help you in the current challenges you
face. When I think of personal impressions or personal revelation I am often
reminded of this counsel from our Prophet. In 2018 he said:
Our Savior
and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between
now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the
Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and
glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually
without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy
Ghost.
In that
same talk he also said this:
To be
sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I
promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for
every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s
timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every
blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow. That is what personal
revelation will do for you.
I know at
times we yearn for direction that doesn’t seem to come. It is at these times
that we must be patient and long suffering. About a month ago, I bought a
turtle for my 11 year old son. We spent a lot of time thinking about the type
of turtle that we wanted because we don’t have room for a large one. We finally
decided on a turtle that will never get bigger than 8 inches. Our turtle, Otis,
is only supposed to eat food that is the size of his head. I am constantly
overfeeding him because his head is the size of a quarter, and that doesn’t
seem like enough food to me. As I watch Otis eat, I realized that when a piece
of his food is too large for his mouth, he uses his front foot to break it into
smaller pieces. Just like Otis and his food, I know that sometimes gospel
things are too big for us to understand all at once. As we break things up into
manageable “bites” we are better able to receive the spiritual nourishment.
Dearest
Brothers & Sisters, I hope your eyes will be open to the miracles that occur
in your lives. I hope you will feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have
for you as you strive to become closer to by using the constant companionship
of the Holy Ghost.
Testimony in Spanish
They assigned me the most wonderful translator to help me deliver my talk. Seriously, Karina was so patient with me, and she oozed courage into my soul and we stood side-by-side. I remember once watching a video of President Hinckley having a translator during one of his oversea trips and I felt just like him.
I've felt impressed for quite a number of months to sit down and start writing a talk called The Divine Love of Jesus Christ. I started writing it today. Not sure if it's a talk I will ever give - perhaps it's just a way for me to ponder more about Christ and the love that he freely gives to me.