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| PROPHETS OF THE LORD |
Last night, 17/11/2016, the Centurion and Pretoria Stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had the honored privilege of being addressed by members of the Seventy and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. What a blessing and honor it was to be there...
Just yesterday I wrote an article about being true to yourself and having no fear in gladly sharing your truth. In sharing my thoughts on last night's conference, I'll first start of by saying it's been a few weeks since I last went to Church and in deciding to attend last night's meeting it felt as though I first had to choose between going or attending gym instead. Nevertheless, I searched deep within myself and found a strong conviction to go, an undoubted desire to be there, not to socialize or meet new faces but to hear what message the Lord had for me through His Apostles
Those that know me well might be in awe from my last paragraph considering how strong a Christian I am and how strongly I feel about my Religion but we all have ups and downs along the way and it is only through being true to myself and acknowledging my weaknesses, will I be enabled to turn these weaknesses into my strengths.
Going back to the conference and my thoughts, we were addressed by Elder Soares and his wife, as well as Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife.
As the first speaker at this special conference, Elder Soares started off by emphasizing the importance of a Prophet in our day as well as the added importance in having faith in the Lord's appointed Prophet. He noted that Faith is the first principle of the Gospel and in a world that has today lost it's identity and moral values, it ever more critical that we look up to the Prophet for his teachings, this for a promise of a safer life and promise for eternal life.
He reiterated notes from a talk he had read about the Sabbath day and how it is a day of gratitude and love. Being a native of Brazil, he shared a story of when him and his wife visited USA and how on a Sabbath day they had decided to go to Church instead of pay an occasional visit to an amusement park. He shared how at this particular ward they had visited, they met a couple that had recognized their accent and therefore invited them into their home for lunch as the husband had served a mission in Brazil. Later that night Sister Soares had a miscarriage and the first person to turn to was the same brother that had invited them into their home. His words were, "Was it a coincidence that this Portuguese speaking brother was a Gynecologist and the Bishop, a doctor at the hospital which was just a few blocks from our hotel?" It certainly was not and the Lord had indeed directed them to that Ward. Do what is needed of you and the Lord will take care of the rest.
He closed off by saying, "Elevating the spirit of the Sabbath is the greatest service that we can bring into our homes."
At the conclusion of her husband's talk, Sister Soares started off by sharing a conversation she had had with another individual and how this individual had said, "I'm a good person and serve my fellow men, why do I need the Church?" She mentioned she had never thought she would come across such a question.
In response to this she shared her thoughts and that first and foremost, the Church is the Church of Christ and not the invention of men. That hardships and suffering are no excuse to lose your faith, one should always stay consistent. Her message spoke to me, that inasmuch as we might come across encounters with our fellow members at church it is really no excuse, the Church is the Church of Christ and that is who your focus should be on. She stated she feels the Gospel is what aided her in raising and steering her family in the right direction.
She closed off by saying. "I need Jesus Christ in my life, He is my greatest light. When I am weak, I turn to Him to draw from His strength. He does not reject even the greatest sinner. We need the Church and the Gospel."
Sister Katherine's talk was a short one and more of her testimony on the Book of Mormon.
What stood out the most for me was her shared story on the exercise of reading the Book of Mormon in your home and with your family.
She mentioned her two sons were constantly and most times at each other and how she had once heard that reading the BOM can eliminate contention in your home. She notes she decided to try this exercise as her last resort and was at awe at how this brought love and value into their home.
What an honor to have met him, listen to him speak and chuckle at his jokes.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson presided at our meeting and as such had the honor of closing our meeting with his remarks.
He mentioned in his talk he would reiterate what had been said by Elder and Sister Soares as well as his wife, Sister Christofferson. He started off by saying he is grateful for Elder and Sister Soares as they are perfect and genuine examples of what they teach. This had me thinking that how often are we perfect doers of our beliefs? He went on to encourage us that we should stay consistent and persistent in our pursuit in and of the Gospel, I made a note to myself that inasmuch as I am consistent with gym and my goals, why can't I do the same in my beliefs and religion? Surely it's possible...
In reiterating his wife's talk, he said in their daily BOM exercise, he and his family came to learn and recognize the voice of the Spirit and the Lord, he said the scriptures became theirs and their children's friend and that the greatest blessing we could bring into our homes would be the Scriptures.
In his talk he mentioned how the Church is for all but will always put emphasis on "The One" and the "Lost Sheep". He mentioned each of us are needed in the Gospel and can contribute. He referred to the Parable of Talents and how the Lord will always add onto whatever you have whether big or small. He said we need to stop comparing ourselves as the Lord counts the desire the same as He does the act, "I give not because I have not, but if I had, I would give".
He referred to the Atonement as more than just an act of forgiveness but also an enabler of the Plan of Salvation and cleanser to enter into the presence of the Lord. He reminded us that the Lord is an active Leader of His Church and that we should have faith and allow our faith to grow.
In closing he said, "I bless you to have the Holy Ghost in your homes and individual lives and to allow the Holy Ghost to reign, I also bless you to have and attain joy."
Words spoken last night have left me with peace in my soul, they have left me reassured that we are indeed led by an ordained Prophet and Apostles. They have reminded me that I matter and inasmuch as I need the Church, the Church needs me too...
I am a Mormon, I dare to stand alone, I dare to have a purpose firm and I dare to make it known!
Just yesterday I wrote an article about being true to yourself and having no fear in gladly sharing your truth. In sharing my thoughts on last night's conference, I'll first start of by saying it's been a few weeks since I last went to Church and in deciding to attend last night's meeting it felt as though I first had to choose between going or attending gym instead. Nevertheless, I searched deep within myself and found a strong conviction to go, an undoubted desire to be there, not to socialize or meet new faces but to hear what message the Lord had for me through His Apostles
Those that know me well might be in awe from my last paragraph considering how strong a Christian I am and how strongly I feel about my Religion but we all have ups and downs along the way and it is only through being true to myself and acknowledging my weaknesses, will I be enabled to turn these weaknesses into my strengths.
Going back to the conference and my thoughts, we were addressed by Elder Soares and his wife, as well as Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife.
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| ELDER ULISSES SOARES _ MEMBER OF THE SEVENTY |
He reiterated notes from a talk he had read about the Sabbath day and how it is a day of gratitude and love. Being a native of Brazil, he shared a story of when him and his wife visited USA and how on a Sabbath day they had decided to go to Church instead of pay an occasional visit to an amusement park. He shared how at this particular ward they had visited, they met a couple that had recognized their accent and therefore invited them into their home for lunch as the husband had served a mission in Brazil. Later that night Sister Soares had a miscarriage and the first person to turn to was the same brother that had invited them into their home. His words were, "Was it a coincidence that this Portuguese speaking brother was a Gynecologist and the Bishop, a doctor at the hospital which was just a few blocks from our hotel?" It certainly was not and the Lord had indeed directed them to that Ward. Do what is needed of you and the Lord will take care of the rest.
He closed off by saying, "Elevating the spirit of the Sabbath is the greatest service that we can bring into our homes."
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| SISTER ROSANA SOARES - WIFE TO ELDER SOARES |
In response to this she shared her thoughts and that first and foremost, the Church is the Church of Christ and not the invention of men. That hardships and suffering are no excuse to lose your faith, one should always stay consistent. Her message spoke to me, that inasmuch as we might come across encounters with our fellow members at church it is really no excuse, the Church is the Church of Christ and that is who your focus should be on. She stated she feels the Gospel is what aided her in raising and steering her family in the right direction.
She closed off by saying. "I need Jesus Christ in my life, He is my greatest light. When I am weak, I turn to Him to draw from His strength. He does not reject even the greatest sinner. We need the Church and the Gospel."
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| SISTER KATHERINE CHRISTOFFERSON - WIFE TO ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON |
What stood out the most for me was her shared story on the exercise of reading the Book of Mormon in your home and with your family.
She mentioned her two sons were constantly and most times at each other and how she had once heard that reading the BOM can eliminate contention in your home. She notes she decided to try this exercise as her last resort and was at awe at how this brought love and value into their home.
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| ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON - MEMBER OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES |
Elder D. Todd Christofferson presided at our meeting and as such had the honor of closing our meeting with his remarks.
He mentioned in his talk he would reiterate what had been said by Elder and Sister Soares as well as his wife, Sister Christofferson. He started off by saying he is grateful for Elder and Sister Soares as they are perfect and genuine examples of what they teach. This had me thinking that how often are we perfect doers of our beliefs? He went on to encourage us that we should stay consistent and persistent in our pursuit in and of the Gospel, I made a note to myself that inasmuch as I am consistent with gym and my goals, why can't I do the same in my beliefs and religion? Surely it's possible...
In reiterating his wife's talk, he said in their daily BOM exercise, he and his family came to learn and recognize the voice of the Spirit and the Lord, he said the scriptures became theirs and their children's friend and that the greatest blessing we could bring into our homes would be the Scriptures.
In his talk he mentioned how the Church is for all but will always put emphasis on "The One" and the "Lost Sheep". He mentioned each of us are needed in the Gospel and can contribute. He referred to the Parable of Talents and how the Lord will always add onto whatever you have whether big or small. He said we need to stop comparing ourselves as the Lord counts the desire the same as He does the act, "I give not because I have not, but if I had, I would give".
He referred to the Atonement as more than just an act of forgiveness but also an enabler of the Plan of Salvation and cleanser to enter into the presence of the Lord. He reminded us that the Lord is an active Leader of His Church and that we should have faith and allow our faith to grow.
In closing he said, "I bless you to have the Holy Ghost in your homes and individual lives and to allow the Holy Ghost to reign, I also bless you to have and attain joy."
Words spoken last night have left me with peace in my soul, they have left me reassured that we are indeed led by an ordained Prophet and Apostles. They have reminded me that I matter and inasmuch as I need the Church, the Church needs me too...
I am a Mormon, I dare to stand alone, I dare to have a purpose firm and I dare to make it known!
