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would receive answers in the Lord's way. He mentioned that he was in the presence of Elect Spirits ^tonight^ and thanked us for letting him be there. He said "I know he will guide you for He lives. I solemnly witness and certify in the name of Jesus Christ Amen." Also - Of all the things I say tonight, remember this; "I POSITIVELY KNOW that Jesus Christ Lives - What I tell you tonight is not based on faith." However, out of all of this, the thing that meant the most to me were just a few comments on President Hinckley. I had fasted at the beginning of this month to gain a testimony of the New Prophet and to concentrate more on others than myself. This night I received a powerful, real witness that Gordon B. Hinckley is the Lord's chosen servant. When he made these comments, I felt the Spirit, then I began to cry, weep profusely. I haven't that kind of manifestation in almost three years - since my first EFY experience. I can now testify with a certainty That I KNOW that Gordon B. Hinckley has been called as a prophet. After the devotional, we had a District meeting where President Wright spoke on testimony. I realized something about how I've gained my testimony. The seeds were planted when I was a little child by the teachings of my parents. I knew that they knew. I can still remember my dad saying ("Beyond a shadow of a doubt"). Eventually, *my* I began to gain a testimony of my own reasoning- the church was true, because there was no way it could not be true. Then, about the time I was a freshman or sophomore, I *gained* began to gain a testimony in my heart. (I can remember telling my mother one time that I knew the Church was true up here, but not down here.) The first half-dozen times or so that I heard the song Never A Better Hero, I cried profusely. I remember the first time I heard it, in a SSD (Special Seminary Devotional) I cried *unc* a lot. It was about
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the first time I remember doing that. Then, at EFY '92, I cried a lot, especially June 5, 1992. I could say without a doubt that I knew that Joseph Smith is a prophet, that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon is true, that God lives, that Ezra Taft Benson was a prophet. And I did. I was praying in a closet at Helaman Halls until about 3:15 on June 6, 1992. My roommate opened the door. I bore my testimony to him. Other occasions after that, I felt the Spirit strongly, though I didn't cry. EFY '93, Sons of Helaman, many times in Seminary. Occasionally, a tear or two would come to my eye, but that was it. I remember learning that Howard W. Hunter was a prophet. Sons of Helaman, I knew, and then, when I saw the Sattelite Broadcast of Joseph Smith's martyrdom, (150th anniversary), a tear or two came, and I had it reconfirmed. But last night, at the end of Elder Scott's remarks, when he talked about President Hinckley, I started crying. And for the next five-ten minutes, Every time I would think of President Hinckley, it was reconfirmed powerfully. All through the closing song - "Lord, I Would Follow Thee"--I cried. It was wonderful. My testimony has been strengthened. But, occasionally, I do have rare instances like this where I know powerfully, and my eyes become drinking fountains. *I KNOW* I believe that this is what is described in Alma 17:2-3, where, after the sons of Mosiah had put forth their own efforts *of* ^in^ *scr* diligent scripture study, prayer, and fasting, They received the Spirit of Prophecy + Revelation (things closely related to testimony-(see Rev. 19:10 and D + C 8:2-3; I won't discuss this now) and were able to teach with power and authority of God. I received the authority to preach the gospel on January 22, 1995 under the hands of Preston J. Checketts. *The power of a* I have received the power through a testimony from the Power of the Holy Ghost. I know that this is the work of God,
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and that he has called me, personally, through his special witnesses, to minister to the people of Cochabamba, Bolivia. I KNOW that He lives, and that He loves me. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, did suffer on the cross so that I, through His mercy, might be able to return and live with my Father in Heaven after this life is over. I KNOW that Joseph Smith did see them-Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, that Spring day in 1820 in New York. Because of his faith and obedience in the words of James, he was able to be the instrument to begin this last, great Dispensation of the Fulness of Times in preparation for the Lord's second coming. The Book of Mormon is a true account of the Nephites, Lamanites, + Jaredites; that it was written for our day-that it is the keystone of this church- that it IS the instrument that the Lord Jesus Christ has given us to bring Souls to Him. I also can say that I KNOW, with a certainty, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that Gordon B. Hinckley is the Lord's prophet at this time. I testify of these things in the name of my Lord and Master- He whose work I have been called to do--He Who I can do all things through that are expedient in Him-even Jesus Christ, Amen.
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