This general conference weekend began very special because Gerald was baptized Saturday after the afternoon session. His two brothers and dad were able to come and I know that made it even more exciting for him. He is 22 years old and will be the first baptism I have been a part of that I was able to contact in the street and teach all of the lessons to him. It has been truly incredible and humbling to see the way his life has changed during this past month. He has a new light in his eyes and has found so much joy that comes through living the gospel.
I am sure you are all thinking the same thing but I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! Weren´t all of the talks so wonderful? I could feel the spirit very strongly and a theme that really stuck out ot me was the way the spirit can testify to us what it is that we need to be doing betterl. Sister Marriott asked us to ponder the question, ¨What is limiting my potential to progress?¨ Lary Lawrence of the seventy said, ¨We should ask the Lord what lack I yet? What is keeping me from progressing?¨
I remember at one point in the mission I wanted to know what more I could sacrifice to become a consecrated missionary. I asked President Arrington in one of my interviews with him and he said, ïf you want to know what more you could sacrifice or do to be better ask the Lord. Get on you knees and ask him in a humble and sincere prayer, and then prepare yourself because it isn´t always easy to have our weaknesses uncovered.¨
I decided to take President´s challenge and asked in prayer what it was that I neeed to do to become a consecrated missionary. Although my answer didnt come immediately, one morning while I was studying a talk, the spirit testified so strongly to me what I needed to give up. It was a very humbling moment becasue just like President said no one likes having their weaknesses unconverd, but I know the truth of the statement ¨the spirit doenst lie¨ and through the atonement I was able to turn to my savior in order to clear and obstacle that was limiting my potential to progress.
In 2 Nephi 32:3 We are taught that the Holy Ghost will teach us all things that we should do. I testify that the Holy Ghost, as our constant companion, can warn us in times of danger, and open our eyes to see what we are lacking to become more like our Savior. We must be willing to live worthily and invite him into our lives and then listen to the still small voice. I know that as we listen we learn how to recognize how the spirit speaks to us and when we act on the impressions we receive we are able to be protected from evil and also bless the lives of others.
I invite you all to always stay true to your baptisimal covenants so that you can have the wonderful promise of having the spirit to be with you always. Evaluate what you have learned in the conference and ask your Heavenly Father what it is that you lack, what it is that is keeping you to reach your full potential and I know he will answer through the Holy Ghost. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thank you for your constant love, support, and prayers.
Con harto amor,
Hermana Parkin