Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the twelve apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, just spoke at Harvard Law School to give a Mormonism 101 lecture about what our faith is and does. He gives a great simple explanation of what we believe, what we have in common, and how we differ from other Christian denominations. It’s a 17-minute video that’s worth watching and sharing. It doesn’t seem to be a complete version of the lecture, so if anyone has a link to the full thing, feel free to share it in the comments below.
I believe what he teaches here is true. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that His Church has been restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that there is a living prophet and apostles that continue to direct that Church and testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or find answers to your questions, go here.
I know Easter is coming because I can feel it. The sun begins to shine more. The trees are trying to prove they’re still alive. Birds reappear. It seems like I can feel the warm breath of life itself slowly settling all around me. It all testifies of Christ, you know. There is no winter that cannot be overcome, and there is no night without a bright and shining morning. No sorrow or pain can remain when the bright light of our Savior shines down upon it. Even death itself is no match for the power of the Son of God.
I heard this song on the radio the other day (I listen to Christian radio in the car), and it just filled me to overflowing with that Easter feeling. I’ve listened to it no less than a dozen times since, and I just need to go buy it.
The song is “Hero” by a group called “Abandon.” Here’s an acoustic version they performed on Air1. Listen to the words and just let it soak in. I promise it feels like Son-shine.
I mentioned earlier a petition going before congress against illegal pornography, and demanding the enforcement of laws related to obscenity and decency.
It was down for a while because it was hacked by a group who’s not pleased with the efforts to crack down on the porn industry.
Anyway, it’s now up and running, and needs to be signed by noon (EST) on Tuesday.
Please take a minute and make your voice heard. Click here.
You will remember this talk if I give you two hints: fried chicken and a quarter. See? It was a great story that helped us learn that Heavenly Father cares about everything that we care about– even things that might seem insignificant. I love Elder Cornish’s testimony and stories about prayer.
” When we truly believe that God rules His kingdom and that He has all power and all glory, we are recognizing that He really is in charge, that He loves us with a perfect love, and that He wants us to be happy. I have found that one of the secrets to a joyful life is to recognize that doing things the Lord’s way will make me happier than doing things my way.”
What are some of your favorite insights from this talk? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.
To anyone who is checking out GCBC for the first time, the goal is to read one General Conference talk a week and discuss it together as an on-line “book club.” If you want to learn more, go here, and then join the discussion right here each week.
We have living prophets and apostles. LIVING prophets and apostles! It’s amazing.
I love general conference deep, and I think my children are catching on. A while back, Natalie asked me if I knew what her favorite holiday was. I guessed Christmas, and she said. “Nope. General Conference.” I think she’s given it a little more thought since then and decided it’s actually in second place, but still. Happy heart pinch moment.
Next round: Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st. I don’t have anything new and exciting to say about getting ready for general conference because I’m just happy with my same old routines. It’s all become tradition, both physical and spiritual traditions, and I look forward to it like an oasis in a busy world.
So I’ll just remind you to start thinking of questions you have for the Lord about your life, your family, your goals, your needs, your potential… and pray about those questions. Watch conference with your questions in your hand and a pencil ready to receive revelation. I promise it works.
Here’s a post with other suggestions to prepare yourself for conference.
And here’s another with suggestions of how to prepare your children.
There are always a plethora of current resources for activities and children’s general conference packets over at Sugardoodle.
I always love to review the last conference before I watch the next one. It makes it easy to recognize patterns and repetition– both tools that God uses to tell us, “Pay attention to this!” Here’s the highlight video from October 2011 conference:
See? Doesn’t that just make you excited?
Also, the tradition of General Conference Book Club will continue after this next conference, but there will be a big change. It will still have all the integrity of studying the conference talks, but there will be a new guest hostess. I’ll post more about that as we get closer.
Feel free to share any of your own traditions and preparation strategies in the comments below. Your idea may feel like a perfect fit to someone else’s circumstances.
Diapers and Divinity 
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