I know the Church is True...
So, I basically did one thing today, and one thing only. I went on a trip to Temple Square. It was a ward trip, but Jake, Chris, and Mackenzie joined me and Ethan and we had a grand time. I love the Christmas lights and general atmosphere of Temple Square at this time of year. It's just so beautiful!!
We went and saw Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. They re edited it so it's told from Lucy Smith's point of view, and honestly, I didn't like it as much. Guess that's what happens when you mess with a good thing. I didn't even cry at the end when I usually do, which is more than can be said for the woman behind me who was audibly sobbing during any even remotely emotional scene. Sheesh. There was a part when Joseph Smith Sr. is reading Moroni's promise in the Book of Mormon that when it happened I looked something like this:
Stupid Church movies.
I'm so grateful to be a member of this church. I always struggled with accepting Joseph Smith as the prophet until I saw that movie in Salt Lake a few years ago. When the song Praise to the Man came on, I felt overwhelmed with the Spirit and from that point on, I knew for a surety that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Every time I hear that song now, that same Spirit touches my heart and reminds me of that experience. I'm so grateful for those tender mercies that often times go unnoticed. Being a member of the true church of Jesus Christ is something I think people often take for granted, especially here in Utah. For kids my age, it seems like the cool thing to be the most rebellious member of the church possible. How far can we step over the line but still be a "member of the church"? It's kind of appalling to see some kids on Facebook have LDS listed as their religion when you know how they act outside of church. But that's another thing I'm grateful for that is often overlooked; this is the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. Sure people will judge us for certain things we do from time to time, but we have to remember that we go to church and practice our religion to develop our relationship with God, not the members around us. Hopefully, if we're living righteously and worthily, our relationship with fellow members will come as well, but we're all just a bunch of imperfect people that are trying to get better step by step, and day by day.
Speaking of Church, mine's in 15 minutes!
AMS
I'm so grateful to be a member of this church. I always struggled with accepting Joseph Smith as the prophet until I saw that movie in Salt Lake a few years ago. When the song Praise to the Man came on, I felt overwhelmed with the Spirit and from that point on, I knew for a surety that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Every time I hear that song now, that same Spirit touches my heart and reminds me of that experience. I'm so grateful for those tender mercies that often times go unnoticed. Being a member of the true church of Jesus Christ is something I think people often take for granted, especially here in Utah. For kids my age, it seems like the cool thing to be the most rebellious member of the church possible. How far can we step over the line but still be a "member of the church"? It's kind of appalling to see some kids on Facebook have LDS listed as their religion when you know how they act outside of church. But that's another thing I'm grateful for that is often overlooked; this is the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. Sure people will judge us for certain things we do from time to time, but we have to remember that we go to church and practice our religion to develop our relationship with God, not the members around us. Hopefully, if we're living righteously and worthily, our relationship with fellow members will come as well, but we're all just a bunch of imperfect people that are trying to get better step by step, and day by day.
Speaking of Church, mine's in 15 minutes!
AMS
AMEN. I totally didn't like it as much. :( It's quite unfortunate.
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