I love Jerusalem. I have many cherished memories walking down the old troubled cobblestone roads of the Old City. The streets in the Old City are filled with beautiful muslim men and women dressed in their long beautiful scarfs in many different colors and patterns. The streets are filled with shop keepers trying their best to persuade you into their shop where they are selling all kinds of jewelry, beautiful carvings out of olive wood, t-shirts, goodies, leather sandals, and many other things that you never need but they try to convince you that you can’t live without. While walking through the Old City with my other fellow BYU students it was not uncommon for us to hear one of the persuasive shop owners say, “Mormons, Mormons! Come in! I have somethings special just for you today.” Thinking about these experiences I feel like I can almost hear them calling us into their stores accompanied by the unique and unforgettable smell of the Old City.
While in Jerusalem I had the opportunity to study about the life of the Savior in a way that I never had before. Having the opportunity to walk daily where He walked is an experience that is hard to describe with words
. I loved every Sabbat after our church meetings walking down through the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane and then to the Garden Tomb. They are beautiful places. I will never forget the ten days that we were able to spend at the Sea of Galilee. Every evening just as the sun was beginning to set I would go out onto the shore of the Sea of Galilee and read the four gospels. I can remember the night that I read about Peter walking on water towards the Savior. A storm was blowing in and the waves were huge. I remember looking out over the waters and pondering on this experience. These experiences brought the scriptures to life for me and helped me come closer to the Savior.
Now, three years after returning home from Jerusalem, I am serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the historical sites for our church in Palmyra, New York. Weekly I serve at the Joseph Smith Farm where the 
Prophet Joseph was living when he prayed to ask Heavenly Father to know which church that he should join. In response to Joseph’s sincere prayer Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. I know that this is true. In Joseph’s own words he said, “I saw a pillar of light, exactly over my head, above the brightness of sun which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages whose brightness and glory defy all description standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said pointing to the other, “This is my Beloved Son, hear Him.“ Heavenly Father introduced His Son, and then the Savior answered Joseph’s humble sincere prayer that he should join none of the churches. Later through Joseph Smith the church of Jesus Christ along with the authority to lead the church was restored back to the earth. The Holy Spirit has witnessed to me time and time again that this is true.
Having both of these experiences of studying in Jerusalem, and then serving as a missionary at the historical sites in Palmyra, New York has helped me gain a greater understanding of the perfect plan that our Heavenly Father has prepared for each of us. We are taught about this plan in the Book of Mormon. Heavenly Father desired for us to be able to return home to Him so he provided a Savior, which was His Son Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins. The Savior established His church while on the earth, but because men rejected Him as well as His apostles the authority to lead His church was lost with the death of the apostles. When the timing was right, Heavenly Father reached out to His children, each of us, in love and called another Prophet.
I that these things are true. I know that God lives. I know that His Son is our personal Savior and Redeemer. I know that God speaks to us today. I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet that His church was restored back to the earth through. We have a living Prophet today. To learn more about the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visit www.mormon.org.
“Trust God and Believe in Good Things to Come”
At times in our life we all feel like this, a little down, discouraged, and defeated. But we can pull through. As Elder Holland says, “There is help and happiness and ahead. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” I know that the Lord keeps His promises, he blesses us and comforts us in our times of need. I have felt that in my own life.
Click here to read more about this.
A Recent Convert’s Conversion Story
This was written by a gentlemen who I taught in Buffalo:
On a business trip to Salt Lake City, a colleague of mine, a devout Catholic, suggested one evening that we visit Temple Square, just as tourists. When I saw the Temple and took in the ambience, I was overtaken with the majesty of it all. WE visited the Visitor’s Center and just out of curiosity I asked for the Book of Mormon. I had read many other religious tracts purely out of intellectual curiosity and I believed I would find this book interesting. The senior missionary with whom I was conversing said she could do me one better: she could have it delivered. I knew that meant I’d be confronted by a missionary, but, as a lawyer, I knew I could argue my case with that missionary with great zeal.
Two young ladies showed up about two weeks later and I was taken aback with their sweetness and clear commitment to their cause. I listened intently, but told them it would be a miracle if I ever converted. I had read deeply into mathematics, physics and other sciences and had come to the conclusion, as had many experts before me that at bottom it was all based on assumptions. And, as a lawyer, I knew that the Ten Commandments were at the base of our moral code. Thus, I did believe in God and liked to talk of spirituality, but accepting the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith as real and substantive was just too much for me.
Nevertheless, I let the missionaries return since I was intrigued with their sincerity. Others came with them and one of them, in answer to my question about how to gain faith, told me that it was a gift. The missionaries advised me to get on my knees and pray for it. I was astonished by that since I was a teenager in the Catholic Church.
Eventually, I began to have some faith. More interesting was an experience I had while being instructed by the missionaries. I don’t remember what the lesson was about, but I do remember that I could see that one of them almost in a trance and that trancelike state was being transferred to me. I then knew that I was being visited by the Holy Ghost. I had read all of the Book of Mormon by then and I could now see that something new was happening to me. I had not been unhappy prior to this and felt no need for anything to complement my mental state. But here I was, accepting the Book of Mormon and The Prophet as real manifestations of the restoration of the Gospel.
After all of that, the rest came easily. I asked to be baptized on my birthday and went to General Conference a week later. I was so impressed with President Uchtdorf’s sermons on patience and love that I realized that my journey had not ended, it had just begun and that although I had not been unhappy, I was going to be happier. I recognized that the Church was not just something to attend on Sunday’s. No, it was much more-it was a way of life and a demanding one at that. The consequence of it would be not only to save my soul but also to unite me in the afterlife with all of my family.
Several weeks passed before I visited Palmyra and the Sacred Grove, in which I prayed intensely for myself and others. Surprisingly, I had sort of a revelation about my inner self that I had not faced before. I saw that I had lived all of life mostly for myself and wit
hout the real experience of love for others. That didn’t exactly make me feel very well, but I asked for the ability to feel love and compassion for others. Just as President Uchtdorf instructed, my usual impatience was a symptom of my self-centeredness. After this experience, I gained patience in most of my affairs and an ability to really feel love. I called my sisters and told them I loved them and they reciprocated.
I have abbreviated my story here in order to make it easy to indulge, but all I can say in conclusion is that my decisions to be baptized and be ordained into the Priesthood have been the two most important decisions in my life. I want to live the life that the Church has laid before me as the path of righteousness. It is a very tall order, but one that I am now committed to. I’ll make mistakes, of course, but I know that God will never give up on me-my greatest danger is giving up on Him. That would be almost unpardonable, but I believe I will not do that, not as long as I pray and read the scriptures daily.
I can only hope that the reader can see something really worthwhile in this testimony and be ready to testify before the Lord himself or herself. May you and I become instruments of His peace.
Lasting Happiness
While serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand my grandparents recorded a story in their journal that I have been pondering about lately. One of their trusted friends told of a young missionary that had contracted polio just after returning home from his mission. This young man was confined to the
hospital for some time. While he was in the hospital he shared a room with another young man who was very successful in the business world. Someone asked the young successful business man what would be his greatest wish. He replied by thoughtfully saying, “A few months ago I would have answered that health was my greatest wish, but after knowing the young mormon elder my greatest wish would be to have the inner peace that he has.”
There is a quiet but lasting peace and happiness that can come from the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this because I have experienced it and felt it. This peace comes through our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. He is the Prince of Peace.
The Book of Mormon
Today I had a touching experience while serving at the Joseph Smith Farm. I had the opportunity to take a family from Italy on tour who was baptized thirty years ago. They were so excited to be at the historical sites for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on the tour both the father and mother s…hared their feelings of the things that they knew to be true. They could not speak English so their son translated for me. While they were speaking the spirit bore witness that what they were saying was true. I felt it.
This experience was a witness to me that the message of our church is the same all around the world. The father began his testimony by saying, “I know with all of my heart that Jesus Christ lives, and that through Joseph Smith His church was restored to the earth.” So humbly, and with tears in his eyes he continued, “I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet.” He continued by explaining that is was through reading the Book of Mormon that he and his family came to know that the message that the missionaries was teaching him was true.
Below, Elder Holland, who is a living apostle in our church today, shares his testimony of the Book of Mormon. You will love watching it.
These last few days have been great. Last night was one of the funniest nights of my mission! With the permission of my nice companion (a companion is another missionary that I am assigned to work with) I will tell you the story.
As missionaries every night we make plans and set goals for what we want to accomplish the next day. When we are finished we conclude our day with a prayer. Last night Sister Valele, a native Samoan who just arrived in New York three weeks ago, and I finished our nightly planning. After she said the prayer instead of both of us getting up off our knees, neither of us moved. We both looked at each other and chuckled knowing without words the reason we didn’t move is that we were completely exhausted after a long day and week of missionary work.
To break the silence I turned to her and said, “Sister Valele, I”m pooped.” Sister Valele burst out laughing, and continued to laugh for a few minutes. Realizing that she probably didn’t understand the meaning of what I said, I smiled and asked her if she knew what it meant.
“It means that you have to go to the bathroom?” She said with a bit of uncertainity in her voice.
I burst out laughing. Actually, we both did. We laughed so hard that our stomachs hurt and our eyes started to tear up. In the middle of the laughter she said with a bit more confidence in her voice, “Actually I think that I know what it means, it means that you have…what is it called again…oh, yeah, burp. It means that you have to burp.”
I have been cracking up all day about this. I am grateful for the small moments in life that bring joy.
Along with our weekend full of laughter we also had amazing spiritual experiences. Sister Valele and I were able to take 140 youth from different parts of Utah and Arizona on tour at the Peter Whitmer Farm where the church was orgainzed on April 6, 1830. We talked about how from the very beginning of time Heavenly Father has called a prophet to lead His children. When the Savior was on the earth He established His church. Men changed it, and through a prophet He restored His church back to the earth. At the end of the tour I invited one of the young men to share his testimony. He so simply said, “I know it’s true. I think that’s all that I have to say is that I know that it’s true.”
Just like this young boy, each of us can know for ourselves that it is true. The way to find out for ourselves is to read The Book of Mormon sincerely, and pray to ask Heavenly Father to know that it is true. I have done that. I have read The Book of Mormon and prayed and asked Heavenly Father to know for myself that it is true. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that I know that it is true. In John 14:26 the Savior teaches us that the Holy Ghost teaches us truth. The Holy Ghost has witnessed this truth to my soul.
The Sacred Grove
A few weeks ago after serving at the Joseph Smith Farm (as apart of my mission I take visitors on tour at the historical sites for our church in Palmyra, New York). It was a beautiful warm clear evening as we closed down for the night. My missionary companion and I decided to walk through the Sacred Grove and spend time in there studying. This is one of my favorite things to do. As members of the LDS Church, The Sacred Grove is very important to us. The reason is that we know that in the Sacred Grove, Joseph Smith prayed to know which church was true. We know that in this very grove of trees that Joseph Smith saw in vision God the Father of us all and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I know that is true.
While in the Grove we read the Joseph Smith History. The grove was so green and peaceful. The spirit was so strong. We would read a few verses and then stop and talk about them. It is an incredible to read about Joseph’s experience in the very grove of trees that he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and feel the spirit witness to me that it is true. While in the Grove we talked with some Temple missionaries, they come for a six month mission while the temple is busy in the summer. They told us that they felt like this was too good to be true and it was all a dream. I often experience those same emotions. I am amazed at the places I am able to spend so much time. Heavenly Father has truly blessed me in calling me to serve in this mission. My testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith has been strengthened. I have a deep love and admiration for him. I am impressed at his constant devotion to the Savior and His work. I am trying to learn from him. I love the sacred grove. It is sacred ground. I know that what happened there is true. I know that.
What Happens After This Life?
Today I have been reflecting on an interesting experience that my missionary companion and I had a few weeks ago. We were out walking the long country roads in upstate New York inviting people to learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We saw a cute white farm house down a long rocky dusty driveway. We had plenty of time that day so we decided to walk the long distance down the driveway to the knock on the humble door. A short sweet elderly lady wearing a flowered shirt greeted us with a warm smile that only grandmas can give as she answered the door. We explained to her that we were missionaries and asked her if she had ever wondered where her parents and grandparents were.
“I hope they are in heaven,” she quickly said with a smile on her face followed by little chuckle trying to cover up the uncertainty of her response.
I smiled and said, “Yes you are right, there is life after death and I know that you will see your family again. Our message answers the questions about where we go after this life and how you can be with your family forever. May we come in and share a message with you about this?”
Mary thought for a moment and then welcomed us into her small home. I began by telling her that I knew that our message was true and that it is a message that Heavenly Father wanted her to hear. I promised Mary that she would find answers to questions that she had, and she would also feel something witness to her that what we taught her was true. The feeling that she would feel is from the Holy Ghost witness to her that we taught her is true. That is what the Holy 
Ghost does, it teaches us truth.
We began by sharing a scripture with Mary in Alma 40:11:12 which talks about where we go after this life. Alma, who was a prophet, is talking to his son Corianton who has concerns about life after death. Alma tells his son, “Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-behold it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
‘And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state a peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. “
We continued to explain that those who do not have the opportunity to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life have the opportunity after. We asked Mary how she felt in knowing that there really was life after death. Mary opened up and told us that a few years ago her daughter-in-law passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly. She said that her son experienced the expected sorrow from the passing of a loved one, but that he was a man of faith and took comfort in knowing that he would see his wife again.
The Sunday following the death of his wife, her son had a discussion with a trusted friend. In this conversation the man told Mary’s son that after this life there are no family relationships and that after this life we d
o not have the knowledge of who our families members are. Understandably, Mary’s son left that meeting devastated.
We explained to Mary that because of scriptures, a living Prophet, and by the power of the Holy Ghost we knew that through our Savior Jesus Christ that we can be families forever. I know that is true. Families are ordained of God. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is for our families. It strengthens our families, and teaches us how we can be families forever back in the presence of our Heavenly Father. “The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).” I know that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for His children. The purpose of that plan is to help us return to live with Him as families. This brings peace and comfort to my soul.
President Monson, our living Prophet, recently talked about Heavenly Father’s plan for us and about how we can be families forever. Click here to read his talk entitled “He Is Risen!” Below he also shares a video about how one mother relied on gospel truths to help her grief.
Remember
I have now been serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 15 months. It is amazing how fast time flies. I remember when I first began my mission. It’s funny to think about now, but I remember very clearly the end of my second day. Like all missionaries do, I woke up at 6:30 am and retired to bed at 10:30 pm. I was completely exhausted. You know those days when you reflect on what you did that morning and think, “That was only today?” It felt like one of those days. As a result, I was sure that I was going to be on my mission for the rest of my life and never return back home.
Now, fifteen months later I feel like the time has gone by faster than I ever imagined. I absolutely love it. As missionaries we are teamed up with another missionary, the combination of two missionaries is called a companionship. We spend all of our time together. Currently my companion is Sister Valele. She is a native Samoan and is so amazing and so full of faith. This is her first time in the United States, and just arrived in New York about two weeks ago. It has been fun to wat
ch her adjust to the American culture and food. We have shared a lot of laughs together. She despises apple pie and loves hot chocolate. Yesterday before we began to drive and go and visit one of our friends we were planning our route on the map. I told her that we were driving to Crane Street. She said, “Okay Grain Street, I will look for it.” I laughed and told her it was crane street. She said, “Okay Sister Davis, grain street, I am looking.” There is never a dull moment.
Sister Valele, more than supplying me with a great laugh each day, is an amazing example to me. The first time I heard her pray and she expressed gratitude for our shoes, clothing, apartment, car, etc, possessions that I take for granted daily, I knew that I had a lot to learn from her. When she shares her testimony that she knows for herself that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, it is so easy to feel that she deeply believes what she is saying. Sister Valele is teaching me about gratitude and seeing the Lord’s hand in our personal life each day.
Click here to watch a video about remembering the blessings of each day. I know that the Lord is invovled in the details of our lives. As we take the time to reflect on each day of our lives we see His hand in our lives.
