A Prophet

Hello Friends and Family!                                  

There are no words to describe the deep abiding feelings I have towards this, the Lord's Church. This is the only true and living Church on the Earth today. Watching General Conference this weekend was one of the most spiritually moving experiences of my life, and the feelings I felt as I watched the Prophet of the Lord speak will remain with me in the great eternities to come. I humbly, yet boldly, sustain President Nelson, and the rest of the General Authorities, as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators in their proper positions and keys. I wanted to briefly write some of my feelings towards the things that were shared, and to express my testimony as well.

During the Priesthood Session of General Conference, as many of us know, President Nelson announced the reorganization of the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums with combining of the High Priest Group and the Elders Quorum. As this change was made, the Holy Ghost testified powerfully to me that this was, in fact, a change inspired by our Loving Heavenly Father. The priesthood is God’s eternal power and authority. God accomplishes His work by the priesthood. He created all things by this power, and He governs the earth and heaven by it. We read in the Pearl of Great Price that the priesthood, “which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also” (Moses 6:7). God and Jesus Christ have given worthy male members of the Church the power of the priesthood so that they can help “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). The priesthood is the authority of God given to men to act in all things for the salvation of mankind. Those who hold the priesthood have the authority to act in God’s name. Speaking to all priesthood bearers, President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “We are the Lord’s agents; we represent him; he has given us authority which empowers us to do all that is necessary to save and exalt ourselves as well as his other children in the world. “We are ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our commission is to represent him. We are directed … to do what he would do if he were personally present”. I know that with this reorganization, and with the continued needed revelation from the Holy Prophet of God, under the direction of His Son Jesus Christ, that the Priesthood Holders of this Church will be more fully capable to work together to accomplish God's Purposes for His Children in His Kingdom. I love the Priesthood, I respect the Sacred Authority it brings, and I strive to hold its Power through Obedience and obtained Worthiness. 

We know also, that in the Sunday Sessions of General Conference, President Nelson 'retired' the Home and Visiting Teaching Programs. Like many of you, I was shocked at these changes. However, I knew immediately that this was the Lord's decision, as well. Instead, we now have the new 'ministering' program. This program, as described, will allow for greater mobility, and love, to enter into the Church as we strive to include all in His Fold, with the Great Jehovah as our Sheppard. We know that we were not all alike in heaven. We know, for example, that we were sons and daughters of heavenly parents—males and females. We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. We can learn more about our “eternal possibilities” when we receive our patriarchal blessings. A veil covers our memories of our pre-mortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here. He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities. What better way to harvest our potential, our talents, and our differences, than by coming together as One in the Church to help 'minister' to the many different types of individuals that sit throughout our great Church? 

Truly, both of these changes are a simple preparation towards the fulfilling of the Law of Consecration in the near future. How could we, as a people, be able to fill such a Law someday when we can't even minister, and practice the Priesthood Power, as one body in Christ? All things, including these two changes, can be viewed as a preparation for what is to come. 

Perhaps one of my most favorite parts of General Conference was the announcement of the Layton City, Utah Temple! As it was announced, tears flowed freely from my eyes as I felt the Holy Ghost, in turn, fill me. I could not have heard any greater news, or be so excited for this announcement! I received a very strong witness that President Russell M. Nelson is the Prophet on the Earth today. That he does speak on behalf of the Lord to His Church, and to the World. I know that all of these changes, although they may seem overwhelming, are all simple steps towards a much larger Plan put into place by our Loving Father in Heaven. May we view them as such. 

To close, I wanted to quote the Hymn "Now Let Us Rejoice":

"We’ll love one another and never dissemble

But cease to do evil and ever be one.

And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,

We’ll watch for the day when the Savior will come,

When all that was promised the Saints will be given,

And none will molest them from morn until ev’n,

And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,

And Jesus will say to all Israel, “Come home.”

Let us 'ever be one'.

Until Next Week-

 Elder Robb

(PICTURES: It's Masters Week in Augusta GA!)