The Gospel of Jesus Christ

I'm so glad to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.  I'm so glad to have answers to my questions.  I'm grateful for good people in my life:  family & friends.  You are all so very important to me. 

My heart is full.  I am happy in this moment.  I hang on to it, for it is precious and rare.  But, through the gray clouds, more and more, I am seeing the blue sky of happiness.  I love it!

A conference talk reminded me of something important.  A testimony is the best anchor in times of trial:  (To Hold Sacred -- by Paul B. Pieper -- of the Seventy)

The Book of Mormon provides other examples of the struggle to give priority to the sacred. It speaks of believers whose faith led them to the tree of life to partake of its sacred fruit, the love of God. Then the mocking of those in the great and spacious building caused the believers to shift their focus from the sacred to the secular. (See 1 Nephi 8:11, 24–28.) Later the Nephites chose pride and denied the spirit of prophecy and revelation, “making a mock of that which was sacred” (Helaman 4:12). Even some eyewitnesses of the signs and miracles associated with the Lord’s birth chose to reject sacred manifestations from heaven in favor of secular explanations (see 3 Nephi 2:1–3).

Today the struggle continues. Secular voices are growing in volume and intensity. They increasingly urge believers to abandon beliefs the world considers irrational and unreasonable. Because “we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:12) and “do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17), at times we may feel vulnerable and in need of greater spiritual assurances. The Lord told Oliver Cowdery:  “If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.  “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:22–23).

The Lord reminded Oliver and us to rely on sacred personal witnesses already received when our faith is challenged. Like Moses’s, Alma’s and Joseph’s before, these divine encounters serve as spiritual anchors to keep us safe and on course in times of trial.

Besides my personal study, here's more of what I've been reading.  They each have uplifted me:

...and entertained...

    

Today is beautiful!  Here's what it looks like outside my front window.  I love the sunshine and growing things.  I love my flowers, the greening grass, and the small leaf shoots on the trees.  I love spring!

Love you all,

Ellise