The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent

My thoughts on Elder Holland's talk "The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent"

(see how far behind I am—but I have started this email four or five times….)

I marvel at the talks that are coming from the pulpit during conference talks. How many of the Apostles are spending their 20 minutes every six months to debunk Mormon myths, misconceptions and other “odd things” that are out there floating around. It truly is amazing at the misconceptions people have about our faith and our religion. It begs the question, “Why?” Why are these men doing this? Why are they not instructing us? Or is it me who has changed and they have been doing this all the time and I have just woken up?

This isn’t political, but observational. Mitt Romney has brought the Mormon Church and the Mormon Faith to the front page of our newspaper. At first I was very nervous, but now I’m thankful. He has five sons and so do I!!!! I’m not so odd—ok, I’m very odd ~smile~. But there is a bit of anxiety with all this attention.

Which brings me to something that has just been gnawing at me for a few weeks, there is a popular actress Katherine Heigl who has been on fire as of late for her movie and tv roles and awards. In interviews she has proclaimed that she was raised Mormon “did church and the whole nine yards” so she says. But now she is far from it. She is smoking, drinking, swearing and all the other “bad” things. It is breaking my heart because in the last four or five articles I’ve read about her within the first few paragraphs the church has come up or been pointed out to the reader. My heart breaks.

I guess there are always two sides to the coin and when one is showing forth a promising face, is good and wholesome, the other side might just pop up and show some ugly.

But thankfully she isn’t our spokes person. Elder Holland and the rest of the Apostles and Prophets are!

Another observation I want to make is how the leaders of the church are giving us history lessons. It truly helps to understand the “why’s” to some of the assumptions and “rules” that are floating out there about our religion and others as well. It is nice to know how the “trinity in unity” was formed. It helps me understand my own beliefs and thoughts.

About 7 years ago I was asked to give a talk on Father’s Day on the subject of “Heavenly Father.” Truthfully there is very little in the scriptures about him. The scriptures testify of Christ not God the Father. BUT in my study I found that the more you know about Jesus the more you know about The Father. I came home that afternoon having someone ruin my talk (the kids drew all over it or something like that) to a crashed computer. I cried. I had truly lost all that hard work and my next back up was only hours away. (We back up every Sunday night.) I had learned some eternal truths and wish I could have reread my talk as I don’t recall much of what I said because I was so “in the spirit.” I look back on the great knowledge and testimony I received as a result of that study, but all my notes and other things were lost and it was a great heartache when I saw the blue screen of death.

I too had learned much of what Elder Holland professes in this talk. I have learned so much. BUT the one thing I learned was it doesn’t matter how much someone tells you these things, this is something you have to find for yourself. Your testimony of Christ and The Father have to come from your own study, faith and prayer. Reminds me of the 10 virgins; I can not share my oil with anyone and you are the only one who can fill your lamp up.