I have been truly inspired this weekend. General Conference weekend is something I look forward to. I love to hear our prophets and apostles bear testimony of truth. I love to hear that I am not alone in my struggles to be better. I love hearing stories of Jesus.
Elder Bednar's talk truly inspired me to keep doing what I'm doing as far as FHE, family prayers and family scipture study. Consistency is key. Love is essential. The spirit will teach them, even if I don't think they are getting it, listening or caring at all.
I could talk much about others talks, who all impressed me, but Elder Holland's talk spoke to my soul. I'm not sure how to explain it, except to say that I know, for myself, that the Book of Mormon is the the word of God. His powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon sparked my memory of when I gained my own testimony of the Book of Mormon.
I was a spiritually struggling teenager. I believe I gained a portion of my testimony my Junior year in High School. I dated a great guy who encouraged me to go do baptism's at the temple early in the morning before school started. I mostly went for him at the time, but after he left on his mission, I went at 4:30am because I loved it.
My senior year, life changed dramatically for me. I remember hearing about "Brother Haws", a well known and loved Seminary teacher. I prayed that I would get him all summer long. I NEEDED some strength. I needed Brother Haws.
Prayer answered. And after a couple of days in his class, he called me into his office and asked me to be "class president" I remember looking at him and thinking that he must have this all wrong, that I wasn't really very spiritual and not a strong enough person to be an example to anyone. He was firm in his decision. That call changed my entire life. I got to bear my testimony every morning....seminary was first period. And wouldn't you know it, that year we studied the Book of Mormon.
I gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon that year because I read it. I studied it. I prepared my short devotional for seminary every night for the next morning by reading from its pages and feeling the spirit speak to me through my study. I don't believe anyone learned more that year in seminary than I did. Others in that class touched my heart with their testimonies and strength. Their examples to me and their study of the Book of Mormon also added to my testimony.
Not only that. It was the year of my life that I realized Heavenly Father REALLY does know me. Little, insignificant me. Yet to Him, I know I am not insignificant.
It was that year, that the seed of serving a mission was first planted in my heart. Brother Haws said to me, at the end of that year, right before graduation, that he knew I would serve a mission. I laughed at him. I really did.
3 years later, I wrote him a letter, from my cute....ok it wasn't really cute....little apartment in Fostoria Ohio, as Sister Roush, telling him he was right. I was serving a mission. I was sharing my love of the gospel. I was sharing my testimony that I KNEW the Book of Mormon was true, and how much it had changed my life. I was serving my Heavenly Father who not only knew who I was, but knew the people of Ohio and wanted me to help Him find them and teach them.
The Book of Mormon is truly an amazing book. A true book. A book that has brought more joy and happiness to my life than any other book. It has given me hope. It has given me comfort. It has helped me understand. It has helped me teach. And it has taught me more about myself than I could ever learn from any "self help" book.
I know its true because I asked my Heavenly Father, in prayer. He answered me.
So thank you Elder Holland, for your inspiring and powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon. Thank you for reminding me what a precious gift I have sitting on my nightstand. Thank you for teaching me what I often times forget.
I am going to do as President Hinckley encouraged to "try a little harder to do a little better"
