LDS.org - Liahona Article - Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration

This talk is amazing. My favorite part- and the part that has stuck with me these past few months is this:

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration

"Suppose for a moment someone told you these three facts about a New Testament personality and nothing more:first the Savior said of this man, "O thou of little faith" (Matt. 14:31); second, this man, in a moment of anger, cut off an ear of the high priest's servant; and third, this man denied knowing who the Savior was on thee occasions, even though he had walked with Him daily. If that is all you know or focused upon, you might have failed to come to know one of the greatest men who ever walked the earth: Peter the Apostle.

Similarly, attempts have been made by some to focus upon or magnify some minor weaknesses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but in that process they too have missed the mark, the man, and his mission. Joseph Smith was the Lord's anointed to restore Christ's Church to the earth. When he emerged from the grove of trees, he eventually learned four fundemental truths not then taught by the majority of the contemporary Christian world.

First he learned that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are two separate, distinct beings. The Bible confirms Joseph Smith's discovery. It tells us that the Son submitted His will to the Father(see Matthew 26:42). We are moved by the Savior's submission and find strength in His example to do likewise, but what would have been the depth and passion of Christ's submission or the motivational power of that example if the Father and the Son were the same being and in reality the Son was merely following His own will under a differnt name?

The scriptures give further evidence of this great truth: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16). A father offering up his only son is the supreme demonstration of love that the human mind can conceive and feel. It is symbolized by the touching story of Abraham and Isaac (see Genesis 22). But if the Father is the same being as the Son, then this sacrifice of all sacrifice of all sacrifices is lost, and Abraham is no longer offering up Isaac - Abraham is now offering up Abraham. ..."

So powerful and so true! I love General Conference! I love the messages of our living Prophet and Apostles and other people called of God to speak to us. They are inspired and their words are true.

Have a wonderful day!

2 months home and counting

The other day was my 2 month home mark. I wasn’t really counting but when I saw the calendar it hit me. I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. I suppose that it helps that I am kept very busy with school and things. Next week is midterms already! I can’t believe it! Thankfully I only have two tests.. plus a couple of assignments also due. It probably will be a crazy week but I know that I’ll get through it and not too far away is Spring Break!! I am super excited for that although I don’t really have any plans yet. I’ll be going to a wedding reception the Friday school gets out and then that Saturday I’ll be down to Provo to take the Indonesian language test. Wish me luck.. I’ll get to see just how different Indonesian is from Malay… but I figure it is worth a try. If I don’t go for it then I’ll never know. Well back to homework and studying…