April 4, 2010 Easter Sunday

I have a question that was to be asked today about building and flying kites but I am electing to change it due to the fact that today is Easter and as I sat in priesthood meeting I had an impression to write the following instead.

My testimony.

I am writing this testimony tonight because of an impression that I had during priesthood meeting while listening to Pres. Eyring as he talked about our persisting in prayer and other obedience to God’s commandments.

I have been very blessed by the Lord through my life. I was born of righteous parents into the true church of God and that was only the beginning of my many blessings. During my youth I was blessed in being given instruction in the gospel in my home and in primary and mutual. I had callings early in my youth that taught me to be a teacher and a leader. It began with responsibilities in the Aaronic priesthood in the Deacon’s quorum presidency. Then as I was assigned to work on Youth Councils and help plan two conferences at BYU I learned many things and cherish those experiences. I was later called as a Primary teacher responsible for the Blazer class and the 11 year old scouts. I didn’t even have my own Eagle Rank and yet was being asked to teach them to earn their Eagle. I did earn me Eagle Rank and so did several of the young men that were in my class.

Then as I served my mission in Texas I was given responsibilities there that continued to teach me and give me experience in the Lord’s love for me. Then upon returning home and completing my education I married Marie in the Manti temple on June 20, 1975. We moved into Verl’s home in Mapleton where I began using my education as a TV repairman. It was only the beginning of several vocations that I would have and at the same time I was called to be a Primary teacher again. This time though for the 8 year old class. That also was only the start of many church responsibilities. Through the years I have served as a primary teacher again as a 11 year old teacher, Elder’s Quorum 2^nd Counselor, Ward Executive Secretary, Cubmaster, Webelos Leader, Scoutmaster, 2^nd and 1^st Counselor in three Bishoprics, Stake Young Men’s 2^nd Counselor, High Priests Group instructor, and twice in the High Council. I have also had many responsibilities in scouting including serving on Timberline courses for 16 years, serving on Woodbadge staff for 3 years, also serving on District, Council and Region staffs. Finally I have also had the opportunity to work 12 years with Young Women’s camp as a Priesthood advisor. I do not list these to brag but rather to show where the Lord has shared with me his tender mercies in giving me experience in the gospel and through these years I have been given many experiences where I have known that the Lord has been there to guide my way and give me a testimony of His work and of His life. I have come to know that He lives and that He loves each of us. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His true church. I know that He has given us prophets to guide us and give us hope. I know that Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the latter-days and each one after him has been a true prophet also. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and was given to be a second witness of Christ and of His love for us. I know that the Priesthood is the power of God and have witnessed miracles of it’s use for our benefit. I also know that God is our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is our brother who atoned for our sins if we will but obey God’s commandments. I also know that I have been blessed beyond my worthiness with a special family. I am thankful for you my children and your spouses and for your children. I often am thankful to my Heavenly Father that he has given me such obedient children. Yes I know that you are not perfect and I know that you realize that I too am not perfect, in fact far from it. I have made many mistakes and had to repent from them just as each of you when having made mistakes but that too is a testimony to me of the Lord’s love for us. That He will forgive us knowing that we are weak and need his strength to work through to our perfection. Thank you to each of you and thank you to each of your spouses for your efforts to be valiant in the service of the Lord. I love each of you and I love my Heavenly Father and my Brother Jesus Christ in whose name I bear this testimony to you.