My Gratitude and Witness - I do know

What a wonderful week it has been.  I hope that you have all made the most of all that has been made available to you.  As I post today,  I wish to echo that which I started on Friday and add my witness to the wonderful words of council and direction we have received this weekend.

I have been pondering Alma 34:8-10.  In short, this is a simple but powerful testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His mission, His covenant, His commitment to not only God the Father, but to each and everyone of us, His brothers and sisters.  I stand with Alma in his witness of this grand plan of our Eternal God.

I am grateful for the powerful witness I have received this past few days as we have been able to hear the words of chosen prophets and disciples placed on this earth to lead, guide, and council us as instruments and mouth pieces of God.  This knowledge fills my life with joy.  It is my hope and desire that all would be able to have such joy.  

The Queen and I have been on the road this week.  We decided to add 6 new temples to our collection of visits.  I have been inspired by the dedication and devotion of all those who have sacrificed their time and energy to make our visits possible.  I have been edified the light that radiates from each of the faithful servants I have come in contact with.  The Holy Ghost has brought many things to my remembrance.  For all of this I am grateful.

As I ponder our travels, my heart if filled with love and admiration for my sweet companion, as we were not only able to serve together in the Houses of the Lord, but to converse and testify to each other of the witnesses we are each able to receive individually.

It has just been a good week.

Before I move on to the events, let me share one last thought that has been on my mind.  A friend recently questioned what is commonly referred to as "The Gift of the Holy Ghost".  They did not understand how they could not already have such a gift when they have felt the whispering power of the Holy Ghost testifying of truth they have discovered.  What is the difference between having the constant companionship and feeling the spirit?  It has been on my mind.

Here are my thoughts.  It is true that we can feel and receive the witness of the Holy Ghost in our lives as He testifies of truth revealed.  However, the constant companionship comes only through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Though I have been given this confirming gift through the priesthood, it is still dependent upon my choices to live the gospel.  When we are baptized, we are demonstrating/covenanting, through the power and ordinance of the priesthood, that we will live the gospel.  This is our covenant to God.

The second part of this ordinance is God's confirming gift that, IF, we live according to our covenant, He will bless us with the joy, happiness, peace, and comfort that comes through the power and influence of the Holy Ghost.  His covenant to us.  

The companionship and gift still remains dependent upon us doing our part.  As we have so wonderfully been reminded of again this weekend, the blessings, peace, joy, comfort, power, and virtue we so earnestly seek is dependent upon our willingness to SERVE, OBEY, and LIVE the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As we search, ponder, pray and feast upon His word; and then apply what we learn to the building up of His kingdom on earth, we will be blessed.  We must exercise the faith in doing to show that we trust in Him and His plan and wisdom.  I invite you all to add new focus and determination to do so.  I know I have committed to do better.  

Conference has come and gone, but the messages are available for us to study, ponder, and apply.  I encourage each of you to make time to read, listen, ponder, and apply the words of council over and over again for the next 6 months.

Ok, our week.

As before mentioned, the Queen and I have been on the road.  We were able to attend Idaho Fall, Twin Falls, Boise, Columbia River, Spokane, and Seattle temples this week.  We were able to see many wonders in between each of them.

While we were gone, the Professor attended the up keep and maintenance of the home front.  It was still intact when we returned, so she must have done well.

Tall Man and Ehl-Bo kept themselves busy with work, school, institute, and more.  We were grateful to join them at the temple on Friday when we returned.  

Puddin and Lady Hawkins have been on the run all week.  We were happy to see them and spend a few short moments catching up as they passed through this weekend.  They are as busy as ever.