I'm going to be gone the next few days to Youth Conference! Youth Conference is an event my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, holds in the summer for youth ages 18 and under to attend to have a fun time, become better friends, and to come to know Christ more than we did before.
I've been part of this Youth Council that has been planning it, and maybe that's part of why I'm so excited to go, and I keep thinking about it. I'm not expecting anything huge or life altering to happen, but I know that I am excited to learn more about Christ in such an engaging and interesting setting. All those glimpses of truth, and testimony building will be the most life changing thing I believe I will ever have. Although, it comes slowly, it comes. And that's what's important. To keep moving forward, even if just a little bit at a time. Line upon line. Trial upon trial. Precious moment to precious moment.
I don't think I've ever been so excited to go to a Youth Conference before. I feel older and ready to listen to the things that God wants me to know, so I can reach my full potential. There are things I've read and heard at church that pierce me to my very soul. I know with a surety that God is there, and loves me and everyone who has ever lived with a love that is infinite and indescribable. I read something in the Ensign (one my church's magazines) that said: "Imagine what it would mean to you if you could see yourself as God sees you.. What if you looked at yourself with the same benevolence, love, and confidence that God does? Imagine the impact it would have on your life to understand your eternal potential as God understands it."
Wouldn't that be so cool? Just imagine what we would do, if we could see us from God's perspective.
I had a neat experience the other day. I was getting ready for bed, and I naturally am a night owl, so I like to read before i go to bed so my mind can slow down and feel tired. I was reading the Ensign again because I was interested in learning more about the power of the priesthood, God's power and authority on the earth. I wanted to take matters into my own hands to find the answers I was confused about, or hadn't really thought I wanted to know before. I learned a lot and realized that without the priesthood, life would be dismal. I felt the magnitude of this part of the gospel. I flipped through finding other articles, when I came to one about a man talking about his experience of realizing the impact of what Christ had done for him. His experience touched me deeply, so much that after I was finished with the article, I sat on my bed with tears silently drifting down my face. I couldn't move. I wanted to feel that moment forever. I felt that pure love that my Heavenly Father and Christ have for me. I felt of the importance of the atonement. I felt surrounded by change and peace. I knew with no doubt then that what Christ did for all of us was real. It was such a short article, but I am so grateful that I read it. I'm grateful to all of those moments that God helps me, loves me, and trusts me. I know that he knows me perfectly. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true testament of Jesus Christ. I know that families are eternal, forever, and crucial to this path of happiness we are traveling on. To me, that moment was one of the most beautiful, and precious things in my life. To know that God knows me and that he has done so much for me. If you are searching truth for yourself, even if you don't know if God exists, I challenge you to pray. Talk with God, and listen and watch for the answers to the questions you have. They may not come immediately or in the way you would think, but I know that God always answers and that he is always there to listen and respond to his children.
In my life, coming to Christ continually and proclaiming his gospel is the most important and glorious thing in my life. Nothing can compare. Everything this life has to offer is made more beautiful by it. It brings happiness and love.
My friend, Hyrum, is leaving on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this September. I am immensely proud of him. I know that he will be a great missionary because he has a heart that is willing to give love to those who need it, and is willing to let the Lord guide him. I am sure along with being excited there are other emotions like nervousness, fear perhaps, that going into the great unknown. But I want him to know that although these feelings are there, they're normal. And to let his and my Heavenly Father be your best friend, your guide, your teacher. I can only write him words from so far away, and he can only do all that he can do, but God has the power to help him in ways that make the impossible, vastly possible. Put your complete trust in him. I'm excited and proud of him. I am so happy for him. I believe that he will do great things. I'm going to miss him like Pluto misses being a planet. :P
Woah, I wrote a really long post. I hope you all can find glimpses of truth and happiness in every day of your life. You can make happiness. You can also get sunburnt when you go to the park without wearing sunblock like I did today. You can do a lot of things. Go be you.
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