I love the line from the "Newsies" song, but it's part of what I want to portrait.
Our Stake President: Pres. Kusch challenged us during our recent Stake Conference to rewrite our testimonies. He said: 'If you have a blog, blog about it. If you have FB, FB about it.' So, here I am. Thinking and re-exploring my feelings about my testimony of the Gospel.
I'm grateful for my awesome roommate Staci who provides me with awesome incites late at night when we stay up talking. Many times it ends up being about scriptural things since we read our scriptures at the same time. Last night, she reminded me of some of my favorite verses and favorites sections of the Book of Mormon...namely, 1st Nephi.
Last year provided me with a look inside Lehi and his family that only a handful of people can say they've had in this life. I was ablt to play the role of Laman's wife in the Hill Cumorah Pageant (2010). I'd had some background knowledge and experience in 2005 when I visited Guatemala and Mexico to see some of the ruins and places that archeologists believe to be the Book of Mormon places. For whatever reason, this family came ALIVE for me. They sang, they breathed, they struggled, they fought, they rejoiced, they bore testimony, they lived had families of their own, they lived ordinary lives. I came to love them. Yes, even Laman and Lemuel. It helps me relate to Nephi in his disappointment when they choose to disobey the things they are taught. I also love to think of Sam as Nephi's 'Hyrum." The super strong older brother who is always supportive of the fact that his little brother is the prophet.
Staci and I were specifically talking last night about all the women in these men's lives. They were SO influential. They changed generations. They aren't necessarily spoken of by name, but they had influence. Whether for good, or for 'not so good.' Which made a BIG difference. The influence they had effected the rest of the people in the Book of Mormon. Their influence was mostly, in my opinion, over their husbands. It didn't matter whether he was the prophet, or if he was the prophet's brother. There is a clear distinction with the brother's in their family. Two brother's decided to choose what was wrong, the other's decided to follow the Lord.
I LOVE this family. Nephi is my scripture hero. I look to his example. That is such a strength to me. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father chose Nephi to carry and look after the plates for 30 years in order for me to have the opportunity to communicate with my Father in Heaven through them today. I've felt Heavenly Father guide me through them before.
In addition, I know that the Prophet Joseph, having the little schooling and education that he did, could not have made up the stories and experiences in the Book of Mormon! He was a young 14 year old kid who was humble and simply asked for help. Because of that humility, Heavenly Father was able to show himself and His Son to Joseph in order to begin the process of bringing the truth back to this Earth and to our time. His family was crucial in supporting him in his work. That too is another example, besides Lehi's family, that Heavenly Father specifically places us in family units for us to learn and grow.
I also know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. His Plan is specifically for us to learn to become like Him, which is what this life is all about.
We DO have a living prophet on the Earth today. He is Thomas S. Monson. He is so kind and has a big heart.
I believe our Church is different because of Authority. Heavenly Father has blessed us with a tiny bit of his power here on Earth. I'm grateful that we have that authority to bless our lives in the form of worthy priesthood holders.
I guess there will be more to come later on...
:)
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