I wish, oh I wish that you could understand what a mission has done for me. There has never been a time in my life when I have felt closer to the Spirit- to the influence of our Heavenly Father. And because of this, as I was watching Conference I felt a real concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of those that I care about the most- my beloved and wonderful family.
Mom, Dad, Zach, Jaron, Melanie and my beloved grandparents, please do not lose sight of the things that matter most.
This was THE MOST powerful General Conference I have ever witnessed in my entire life. The entire Conference touched on principles and doctrines that the world is trying so hard to crush. I know that the Lord is hastening His coming- I feel the pressure and the enormity of this mission. I feel the weight of thousands of souls that cannot be lost. Today, I read through my Conference notes. This was the takeaway from my journal today:
"I have never experienced a Conference quite as powerful as this. I have never seen in the eyes of the prophets and the apostles the certainty of these last days. Fundamental issues and principles were addressed. Yet, regardless of circumstances, trial and the falling of the world around us, it is CLEAR the direction to take. The path shines brightly before us and it is marked by eternal truths of obedience and covenant-keeping. If everything falls apart- I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. I have FAITH in Him. I have FAITH in His Atonement. I have hope in His resurrection and I KNOW that if we SERVE GOD FIRST, we will never fall. We can choose the winning team. The Spirit is needed in this great work. The pressure is on and WE MUST ACT. We must ACT and CHOOSE NOT THE UNCLEAN THING. CHOOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS. And when we fall- get back up. Repentance is real. Never forget that YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. You will ALWAYS be HIS child. You are His. And His love for you is real and certain.
SERVE GOD FIRST. If you choose Him, your power and influence in an immoral world will NOT fade. Your light will remain as a standard and a beacon that Christ is, and forevermore will be, our Redeemer and King. I KNOW HE LIVES."
I know He lives. I know it. I don't know what is going to happen to us in this life. I don't know what trials are going to beset us. I don't know when God will call each of us home, but I do know that He has provided for us the way to live. He has promised us happiness and hope and help if we lean on Him. I have watched the gospel change lives. I have watched people make decisions and covenants to follow Him. I have felt the redeeming love of the Savior. I know that He lives.
One of our incredible investigators sat with us at Conference and took copious notes on the messages being shared. At the end of the last session, the Spirit came over me so strongly to commit her to baptism. I began to ask her how she felt, if her questions had been answered. I told her the next step for her would be baptism. She says she still has questions- but I know that God will answer them. I know that she can and will know that the gospel has been restored in these last days. And never has a message been so important.
Mom, Dad, Zach, Jaron and Melanie- you are in my prayers. I love you so much and want to be with you eternally. It hardly matters what trials I am going through here on a mission- they make me stronger. They push me to be what Heavenly Father wants me to be. I challenge you to watch and listen to the conference talks again and really listen to the Spirit. Act upon His call for whatever it is that you need to do. Do not be afraid to act. We are in the last days and the Lord is calling each of us to perform His work. There is always something more we can be doing- but if nothing else, live worthy to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost. Never compromise your standards for something that seems worthwhile.
I am stepping off my soapbox now... I love you all. You matter so much to me. I pray that you will be blessed this week with safety and peace.
I love you always,
Sister Alicia Johnson
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