a pillar of light

Yesterday Sister Koford and I had the opportunity to teach a woman about the restoration.  We talked to her about the 14 year old boy Joseph Smith who went into a grove of trees to pray.  Joseph had a simple question to ask God, "Which church should I join?" yet he received a marvelous answer.  In his own words he said, "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it rested upon me.  When the light rested upon me I saw two personages whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.  One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other, Joseph: this is my beloved Son, hear him!"  God the father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and called him to be a prophet, to restore the truths that had been lost after the death of Christ and His apostles. 

After we explained the first vision, I told Angelyn that I know this really happened.  I did not see a pillar of light, or have God appear to me, but I prayed just as Joseph did to know the truth.  My answer came more gradually and less obviously than Joseph's did, but to me it was every bit as powerful; because I now know with all my heart that Joseph was a prophet, and that he was called of God to restore Christ's church to the earth.  Angelyn's eyes filled with tears as we continued to talk about the different ways that God answers prayers.  We asked her to pray to know if what we were teaching was true, and as she agreed the spirit grew stronger and stronger.  We each felt God testifying to us in our minds and in our hearts that the things we were discussing were true.

Sometimes God answers our prayers with marvelous visions and manifestations such as Joseph's, but more often they come by the quiet whisperings and promptings of the spirit.  Elder David A. Bednar, one of the current twelve apostles, compares these different types of revelation to a light switch and a sunrise.  Joseph Smith, and Saul in the New Testament, had light switch experiences.  Angelyn and I had sunrise experiences-gradual and subtle but powerful nonetheless.  I know that even though God speaks to each of us in different ways, he truly does answer our prayers if we have enough faith to ask Him.  He loves us so much and wants us to have the truth.  Are you willing to find it?

newness

There has been a lot of "newness" going on here lately. New springtime blossoms, new mission companions, new goodwill skirts (my favorite), and a new mindset for my future. Generally I do not do well with change. I tend to hold onto the past until it is down to the very last thread and I have nothing left to hold onto. This time, however, feels different. Its like I said in my last post, rejuvenating.

I cannot put my finger exactly on what makes this time different than my previous experiences with change, but I'm pretty sure that prayer, scripture study, and missionary work are the biggest factors. It brings to mind a few scriptures on the subject:

"..born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters. And thus they became new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." -Mosiah 27:24-26

"..like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newnewss of life" -Romans 6:4

"..that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." -Romans 7:6

And while we are speaking of new, here are a few pictures of my new companions and my favorite new members of the Burgess Falls ward at the Nashville temple for the first time.

Such an exciting day! Sometimes, change is a good thing. I think it is healthy to have some newness; new friends, new seasons, and a constant goal to become a new person in Christ.

so far yet so close

I am here

my little brother is here

my best friend is here

and the majority of my other friends and family are here

but even though we are thousands of miles apart and our main method of communication is this

most of the time they don't seem very far away, and I attribute that to this

and this

Each night my friends, family and I kneel down and pray to the same father: I pray for them, and they pray for me. I know that God hears our prayers, and I feel close to them when I pray.

Each Sunday we go to the same church buildings throughout the world, study the same scriptures and doctrines, and worship the same way. The amazing thing about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that the teachings stay consistent no matter where you go. We are a worldwide, unified body of saints with Christ as the head. I love knowing that no matter where I am in the world, I will always be a part of the same church family-Christ's church family. It makes me feel not so far away at all.