I Love Gospel Doctrine this year!!
I love what we are studying and I love our teachers. Last week the lesson on the first vision was amazing and although we have heard it one hundred times over I just love to read it in his own words thinking about it coming out of his mouth.
Since 9th grade seminary I have always had a love for the D&C and for Joseph Smith.Our family Church History trip we took years ago was just enough to wet my lips and have the desire for more. Although we haven't been back yet, I still constantly talk about going again all the way to New York this time.
Although I have an unwavering love for Joseph and total testimony of his life and teachings, I also go into the "question" mode with him. Which of course has led me to study and read books on his life and his challenges and his struggles. The more you study things then the more questions you have so in order to answer those questions you have to search more. As true with Joseph and I.
Yesterday at church our lesson was on the translation and the first 116 pages. Our teacher was extremely emotional and touched by the spirit and he brought that with him to tech our lesson, which as we all know is what "teaches" more than the words said. It turned out so interesting as he talked about the people who Believed Joseph and why. People in our ward starting talking about their conversation stories and their testimony on Joseph and he just let them. I know your not really supposed to do that in Sunday School, but it was the perfect way to get the point across, I know it was led by the spirit, and I know everyone was touched by it. They talked about people they know or themselves, and each one, their testimony came down to the knowledge that Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God, to bring us the gospel. I sat there listening to all these testimonies and stories, and I sat there thinking...
Why WOULD anyone question that? Anyone who would get to KNOW Joseph will KNOW he is a prophet and EVERYTHING that he did was from our Heavenly Father. I realized it is the same as they say with the Savior. Get to know him, don't question what he did, embrace it, with all your heart, with all your soul, with everything you have. AND I DO!
Just as I love the Savior and he loves me. I Love Joseph, he was a Prophet of god, and HE did everything in his power for US. The things he did were for us. They were for ME. It was VERY personal for Joseph and it is for me. We are so lucky to have that knowledge and the Gospel in our lives. It is so simple!
That's just my testimony of Joseph, I look so forward to an amazing year and we get to know and love this amazing man!
3 comments:
It always amazes me that even with a poor teacher, whenever you read the first vision in a class, the spirit is so strong. It's energizing and beautiful and the room fills with this light and energy it almost BUZZES and you feel so happy. I love it. I too am so happy what we're studying! I want to read Work and the Glory again this year. Let's see if I can get it on Amazon.uk or something! Love you!
JackiRae, -- 3 John 1:4, love you, mom :)
I loved your testimony.
I will never forget how strongly I felt the spirit at the sacred grove.
I have had really really good G.D. teachers and I have had some that bore me to sleep. I am greatful for my experience first hand learning about Joseph and the pioneer latter day saints.
I have to share a story...
In our ward, there is a new couple. They have actually been here for a year now but..
Their last name is Smith. I kid you not, to me, he LOOKS like Joseph Smith and I always feel the spirit around him. Is that weird?
Other sister's have said the same thing. I dont know him well enough to just ask him but I bet he is closely related.
Anyways, I am so greatful for the gospel and what we know. It brings such peace. Im greatful for Joseph taking on such a huge responsibility and putting total faith into it. He gave his life for the gospel. I only hope I can be 1/2 as brave and faithful as he.
Love ya!
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