Season 3: Episode 8 "The one with General Conference"
Good morning all!
This week was so great! We had the chance to serve two families! At one home we were able to do some yard work for them, and the other, we used a wire brush to peel off paint off of one of their walls.
As per the title of this episode, General Conference was this weekend. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, I will do my best to explain. When Christ was here on the Earth, he called "apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" and it was "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12). He also called seventy others to go forth and preach the gospel and prepare for His coming (Luke 10). This church or organization that Christ established did not remain on the Earth after the passing of Him and His apostles. But in 1820, another prophet (like Moses or Noah) was called, and was instructed to restore the same organization that was established when the Savior walked the earth. Today, we have a prophet, twelve apostles, seventy others, as well as many church leaders, and twice a year we have a chance to hear them speak to us on whatever topics the Spirit prompts them to speak about, and it is broadcasted worldwide. They speak on what God wants us to hear, and how we can come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. We know that God has always spoken through prophets in the past, and that He doesn't change.
One of my favorite talks that was given was by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Quorum of the Seventy. He spoke of our divine origin as sons and daughters of God, and how that should influence all of our decisions. Often we define ourselves by our employment, calling in the church, etc... It was a great reminder to remember who we all are, and who He wants us to become.
I am grateful that the Lord has again called prophets and apostles on the earth to give us further light in knowledge. I know that as we follow their counsel, that we will come closer to our savior, which will ultimately lead us to be happier in this life!
-Elder Tanuvasa