Tomorrow starts something we, as Latter Day Saints, refer to as General Conference. But it's not just for Latter Day Saints. People from any faith, from anywhere in the world, are able to attend, watch, listen, or read. It's the leaders of our church--from our President, to his counselors, to the apostles, and to the various worldwide area leaders--who we get to hear from. They teach us about things like the Atonement, our purpose in life, and how we can live with our families forever. Most importantly, they teach us faith in Jesus Christ.
So, it being Conference weekend and all, I figured this is a great time to share my testimony. Here it is. I'll try to keep it simple.
We are children of a loving Heavenly Father. His greatest desire for us is to have joy. That's it. So, through Christ, He created this earth and sent us here to experience lots of things: joy, sorrow, bitter, sweet, excitement, disappoinment, hunger, fatness, hot, cold, etc. All so that we could gain understanding and experience.
But, the most important reason Heavenly Father created this earth is so that we could have a chance to be tested. In order to ultimately achieve TRUE joy, we need to learn to choose the right. So He gave us commandments to live by. Some of those commandments are: not dating until you're 16, living a healthy alcohol and drug-free life, having faith, and forgiving others. There are a lot more. And they all tie together.
So here we are. On our little earth. Living our little lives. Some of us aware of the big plan of happiness, some not. But what's cool is Heavenly Father doesn't play favorites. He doesn't much care how much you know, where you come from, your culture, your career, or the color of your toothbrush. He doesn't give His blessings to just Catholics, just Mormons, just Baptists, just Atheists, or just the plain old apathetic. He loves ALL of His children equally and gives His blessings equally, provided we follow the commandments He's set forth.
One day, we will sit before Him and have an account given of how we lived our life here on earth. He will judge us with justice, but also with mercy. If we've lived according to His commandments, He will give us more than we can possibly imagine. We will be able to live with our families forever, we will be able to become like him. But most importantly, we will have pure and simple JOY. Unlike anything we've yet experienced.
And it will last forever.
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
-Matthew 11:28-30
If you want to know more, just ask.
