April 2, 2012

Hola,

What an amazing General Conference!  Elder Card and I planned to watch on the Branch President's computer in his office (in English) while the rest of the branch watched it in the sacrament room with the projector hooked up to a lap-top, but for some reason or other we couldn't have both going at the same time, so we watched it in Spanish with everyone else.  It made me feel really grateful for the men and women that translate the conference into so many languages.  Hearing it in your own language is wonderful.  But I still enjoyed it, took notes, and learned a lot.  The Spirit still spoke and testified to me of the truth of the words of living prophets and apostles, and other inspired leaders of the Church.  We have heard the will and mind and voice of the Lord.

This truly is our unique message to the world!  Like my brother, Elder Fagersten said in his email last week, "The restored gospel is more than just another nice Christian religion. That is our claim. We have more, we have the Priesthood of God, we have the modern revelation, we know that the Lord speaks to us today just as he did with His children in ancient times."  This is the same truth, the same gospel that was taught and revealed from the beginning, taught and administered by authorized servants of the Lord.  Everything we teach and preach and do in this connection we do to invite others to come unto Christ and receive the doctrines, ordinances and covenants necessary for life and salvation, and we do so with His Holy Priesthood, the power and authority by which these ordinances and covenants are sealed on earth and in heaven.

While preparing for General Conference, I read an old conference edition of the Ensign, and saw a quote from President Hinckley from a General Conference in October of 1987.  He said, "Of all our needs, I think the greatest is an increase in faith."  I took that to heart as I listened to the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and the other apostles of the Lord.  If we put our faith in Christ, and follow the counsels given to us by His servants in this Conference this weekend, I know that we will feel greater faith and security in our lives.  I feel a greater desire to do better, to bare sincere testimony, and invite all to come unto Him.

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain