Up Close and Personal.

On Sunday we had Elder Holland attend a special Stake Conference right here in Parker, CO.

That is pretty darn awesome.

(I didn't snap pictures of my cute daughters shaking his hand {and hugging him}. I thought you weren't supposed to take pics in the chapel, so I was only trying to be obedient. I didn't know that our Stake President had said it would be okay. Luckily, someone shared this pic with Mar.)

Lolo, Mar and I sang in the choir. We thought it would give us the opportunity to be physically closer to a prophet, seer, and revelator.  It did, but we still didn't have the best seats in the house, even though we arrived at 7:30am to get in line for the 10am meeting. Some people had shown up at 6am (doors opened at 8am). They had the best seats available for the average Stake member. Of course, a few front rows were reserved for special guests from the community, those with handicaps, and the families of the Stake Presidency. We pretty much saw the back of Elder Holland's head during the meeting, but we DID get a full frontal wave to the choir as he entered. Nice! Because the choir was too large for the seats on the stand (including at least 20 extra seats that had been added around the edges), a few choir members sat in the front row of the chapel, moving up to join the choir for the musical selections. Had I been more on my game, I would have totally finagled that spot for me and the girls. No complaints, though. It was an awesome meeting, and Elder Holland shook the hand (and gave a few hugs) of every youth and child there.

We had the privilege of hearing from our Stake President, Elder Hillier (an area authority and our past Stake President), and Elder Holland. I loved every talk. A few members of the stake were called on-the-spot to bear testimony. I can't imagine how nerve-wracking it would be to share your testimony in front of an Apostle + your entire stake. Two of the six that were asked are from our ward: Brother Crandall and Sister Allen.

I chose not to take notes. Our Stake President at a previous meeting possibly years ago (I can't remember how far back), suggested just listening with spiritual ears to a talk, then following the impressions you had, without jotting down every word or phrase spoken. I know I have a hard time recalling details, so up to this point, I have still chosen to take notes at every stake conference or special meeting. I don't usually take many notes during General Conference, because I know that I can access them immediately via technology (LOVE that!). On Sunday, even though I had taken a notebook and pen, I decided to just listen. To let the spirit of the meeting flow over me. To bask in the presence of a chosen Apostle of God. It was beautiful.
However, I hugely regret not taking some notes.

We've had a couple of great discussions at home about it, and Bill took notes, so I'll ask him to share them with me when we have a minute. For now, I've borrowed some of Shilo's impressions that she wrote down as soon as we got home from the meeting.

"God loves us more than we can comprehend. He sent His PERFECT son to atone for all of our sins and transgressions because of how much LOVE he feels for us. He feels our happiness when we feel happiness, and weeps when we weep.

"We will all face different challenges and trials - (some the Quorum of the Twelve are facing them now), but through the Atonement and love of our Heavenly Father we can and WILL get through it.

Acts chapter 3:

"Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

And they knew that it was he that which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."


Other notes:
"You cannot deny the evidence that the gospel offers. No one has ever claimed to have written the Book of Mormon - Joseph Smith only claims to have translated it.

"You cannot kill the truth. Prophets and apostles have been martyred all throughout time, but the gospel still stands.

"No other church or organization has ordinances for the dead that are performed in holy temples.

"We do not know when Christ will come again, but today is closer than yesterday.

"When Christ comes to the earth, we want him to see HIS church - the complete fullness of the gospel that has been restored."
{Thanks, Lolo!}

Elder Holland left an Apostalic blessing on our stake. What I remember: RISE UP AND WALK. Through the blessing he blessed those we pray for. I felt the spirit so strongly.

Bill and Mar attended a broadcasted youth fireside Friday evening that Elder Holland did in Colorado Springs. Bill recorded a portion of it, and I listened to it when they got home. A.MA.ZING.

We are so blessed to have prophets on the earth.
We are so blessed to have revelation for our day (including the AWESOME Book of Mormon).
The gospel of Jesus Christ makes me happy, gives me hope, and provides peace.
We need not fear.