The Living Prophet

Tyler and I feel extremely blessed to have been able to fly out of here last weekend to Salt Lake to watch General Conference. We went to the Saturday afternoon & Sunday morning sessions, and Tyler went to the priesthood session.The spirit that we felt wave over the entire audience as this man, an angelic messenger, our living prophet, walked in the room was overwhelming. You could literally see hundreds of people there wipe their tears from their cheeks. I am so grateful for his special witness and testimony of our Savior.

"So that we might have every chance of success, He provided a Savior, who would suffer and die for us. Not only would He atone for our sins, but as a part of that Atonement, He would also overcome the physical death to which we would be subject because of the Fall of Adam. In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: 'He is not here: for He is risen.' As one of His special witnesses on the earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name-even Jesus Christ, our Savior-amen."

President Thomas S. Monson [April 2010]We visited many of the temples in Utah. Our testimonies were strengthened as we witnessed temples dotting the earth. On Friday we were able to do sacred ordinances in the Salt Lake, Bountiful, and Timpanogos temples for those who wait beyond the veil. We visited and enjoyed the beauty of a few other temples on Saturday while they were closed for conference. I have a new love for the Salt Lake temple. It is the largest temple and took 40 years to build. The beauty of the highly ornate interior and hand painted murals was astonishing. I will never forget the treasured experience we had there while holding hands in the sealing room. The spirit in that room was beautiful. I bear testimony that our Savior knows personally the pain we face. That He suffered the pains of all men. "He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but he chose to learn by His own personal experience." I know that our mistakes will be forgotten if we truly repent. We can be made clean. As if it never was. That's the impression that kept coming so clearly but so gently to my mind and heart. As if it never was. As if it never was. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who gave us the Comforter to speak to us. I take comfort in the sure knowledge that we have been sealed together as an eternal family. The grace of our Redeemer is beautiful and infinite. I have felt the encircling arms of His love. "To the depths of my very soul, I am grateful to Him. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. He secured our salvation. Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavey, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort. Secure a temple recommend and regard it as a precious possession, for such it is.

The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation.

Each temple stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. Each is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth. I so testify." President Thomas S. Monson On our trip we were able to spend some time with Tyler's grandparents. It was amazing being able to sit with them and hear their history. I wanted to stay up all night listening to Grandpa's stories. Grandma had so many memory books and pictures that I would love to make copies of and have someday. I took pictures of some but I will save that for another time.

We also visited our besties, Traci & Stewart, who moved far away from us {frowny face} I am so happy they were able to come to conference with us. They are so much fun and teach us so much! I am forever grateful for their friendship.

It was so fun playing with these sweet munchkins that I have missed so much! My kids were so excited when I came home and showed them pictures of them. Hopefully someday we'll be within a days drive of eachother again!Before we headed out of town, we checked the weather and it said it was going to rain and snow. But Thursday & Friday was a beautiful 70ish degrees. We thought the weather people were crazy and didn't know what they were talking about. But Friday night it started to sprinkle. Then it rained all evening and got chilly! Then this is what we woke up to Saturday! It was freezing but so beautiful!

We had so much fun together on our little spiritual weekend. Again, thanks so much Sherry and Chelsey for loving our kids while we were gone. I know my blog has become church-y and I have bore my testimony many times but it makes me happy :) The more I study and speak of our Heavenly Father, the closer I feel to Him. The closer I am to Him, the happier I feel. Without daily spiritual feasting I feel empty and fragile. I love feeling His strength & comfort surround me. I seek and crave to feel His spirit every day. He has helped heal my pain and heartache. I am so grateful for His plan. I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior. I hope that when I print this into a book, my children will be able to read and know of my deep love for the Savior. I hope that we can each find time each day to bring Christ into our lives. He will bless us on our journey back to Him. Only through Him can we find true eternal happiness. And I like being happy!