March 7, 1995
Today has been another excellent day. The Spirit has been strong, especially tonight. Alexander B. Morrison spoke at the devotional tonight. After a few remarks about President Hunter, he talked about SOS--Service, Obedience, Sacrifice--giving lesser-know church historical and other stories of each. I enjoyed it. Afterward, President Hoopes spoke at our district meeting--a lot on his family heritage. Very Good. Elder Stoddard seemed to be extremely touched by it. He bore his testimony in Spanish at the end of it. I understood everything when I gave my full attention to it; I took some notes occasionally. Tomorrow morning, we'll be ^meeting to^ go*ing* to the temple at 5:15 rather than 6:00. We will also be doing sealings. I'm really looking forward to it, especially with some of the things I've been thinking about tonight-My heritage-My Posterity. Since the world was created, and down through all of the ages, there has always been an ancestor of mine here upon the earth. If I live faithful, and thus receive the promises of the Abrahamic covenant, my seed will endure until the end of the earth. Kind of sobering, but true. Families are the essential thing in the gospel of Jesus Christ. "This is *true* a faithful saying, who can receive it?"--to paraphrase Paul. The purpose of the Atonement is to make it possible for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven. His work + glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man--to bring man back to him forever. Why? Because we are his children. He loves us. That is why I am on a mission. That is why temples are built. That is why we have the church. That is why our Savior died for us. I'm extremely grateful for my testimony, which is strengthened continually each day. I love my family. I love the Lord. I have a knowledge of all the principles of the Gospel. I know that they are true. In less than three weeks, I will be speaking Spanish in Bolivia. I'm looking forward to it. I love my mission--there are and will be trials--but I can overcome them with the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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