The MOST important day
I'm going to back date this post and publish it as if I wrote it on Easter Sunday, because this talk was my most favorite from our recent General Conference—and it's not an easy task to make such a declaration, because I love General Conference and absolutely loved SO MANY of the talks. BUT... this morning when I opened my scriptures to read, I saw this written on the title page of my Holy Bible ...
This scripture in Peter, chapter 3 has long been a favorite of mine and I wrote it here, years ago as a reminder and a charge to myself. I have been blessed to study and learn of Jesus Christ, his life, his ministry and his atoning redemption prepared for us and it has brought an abiding peace and JOY into my life. I therefore try (always) to share my reason of HOPE with anyone who will listen. I also try to do this in a way that is respectful of everyone else's life and beliefs.
Speaking of hope, I hope you will listen, because I love how Elder Uchtdorf begins with the question, he posed to Google, "What day most changed the course of history?" He reviews a few of the search results and then testifies of the answer that comes from God. Here are a few excerpts that spoke to me ...
My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify that the most important day in the history of mankind was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, won the victory over death and sin for all of God’s children. And the most important day in your life and mine is the day when we learn to “behold the man”; when we see Him for who He truly is; when we partake with all our heart and mind of His atoning power; when with renewed enthusiasm and strength, we commit to follow Him. May that be a day that recurs over and over again throughout our lives.
Those who find a way to truly behold the Man find the doorway to life’s greatest joys and the balm to life’s most demanding despairs. So, when you are encompassed by sorrows and grief, behold the Man.
When you feel lost or forgotten, behold the Man.
When you are despairing, deserted, doubting, damaged, or defeated, behold the Man.
He will comfort you.
He will heal you and give meaning to your journey. He will pour out His Spirit and fill your heart with exceeding joy. He gives “power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
When we truly behold the Man, we learn of Him and seek to align our lives with Him. We repent and strive to refine our natures and daily grow a little closer to Him. We trust Him. We show our love for Him by keeping His commandments and by living up to our sacred covenants.
In other words, we become His disciples.
No matter what else I accomplish or what accolades I enjoy in my lifetime, my greatest HOPE is that I might be thought of and known as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Note: You can read Elder Uchtdorf's talk in it's entirety, here. You can learn more about my faith, here.
