Sunday Report

Peggy Campbell gave our TFOT lesson, despite a stress filled week brought on by her daughter, Stephanie's sudden stroke and miraculous recovery.  We appreciate Peggy's willingness to teach and felt the spirit strongly as she discussed, with help from many comments from the sisters, the talk given by President Uchtdorf, entitled Waiting on the Road to Damascus.

The basis of his remarks was the event that happened to Saul, who was actively hostile to the Christians and went around persecuting them and committing them to prison.  On his way to Damascus he experienced a life changing event, as we all know, when the Lord Himself asked Saul why he acted as he did.  This miraculous conversion story gave rise to one of the most devout and successful missionaries, whose words and deeds in fact changed the world. 

President Uchtdorf cautioned that these sorts of experiences were rare and that we should not expect such an event in our lives to convince us of the truthfulness of the gospel and we should actively engage ourselves in living its precepts.  Too many people are waiting for a soul changing confirmation,  when it is by small and simple steps that the of Spirit comes and gives us that priceless gift of testimony.

We must learn to move forward in faith, listening for the promptings of the Spirit through which the Father speaks to us, which can best be heard if we can tune out the noise of the world.  We must then act on those promptings, serving others in need, avoiding pitfalls and sometimes warning others of them, in the process being refined and strengthened in our testimonies of all that the Father is offering us if we are obedient.  We must learn to and gather courage to share the testimonies that we are developing, one step at a time. 

What we have to share is a message of joy and gladness and hope and we should learn not to be shy or reticent in sharing it.  We live in a marvelous age of social media where the sharing is becoming easier and easier.  We need only bear witness to the blessings that the gospel brings into our own lives, the strength and courage it gives us to carry on despite the adversity that is a part of mortality, and the eternal hope that can look beyond the sorrows of this life which will be banished in eternity.

We do not need the experience of Saul, or even Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, to have a strong and abiding testimony of all that can be ours in the world to come. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."  "God loves you.  He hears your prayers.  He speaks to His children and offers comfort, peace, and understanding to those who seek Him and honor Him by walking in His way."  

Next week the presidency message will be given by a special guest teacher and will be in keeping with the patriotic weekend.

Have a great week and take time to notice the small things that are given to you to strengthen your testimony of the gospel.

The Relief Society Presidency