What a wonderful General Conference. I loved listening to our living Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson on Easter Sunday. President Nelson in his talk titled: “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains” he stated:
“Each of God’s children deserves the opportunity to hear and accept the healing, redeeming message of Jesus Christ. No other message is more vital to our happiness-now and forever. No other message is more filled with hope. No other message can eliminate contention in our society.”
What a marvelous message of hope and faith. He teaches us: “The answer to each your challenges is to increase your faith.”
He pleads with us on “this Easter morning is to start today to increase your faith.”
- First, study. Become an engaged learner.
- Second, choose to believe in Jesus Christ… Choose to believe and stay Faithful.
- Third, act in faith… Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.
- Fourth, partake of sacred ordinances worthily. Ordinances unlock the power of God for your life.
- And fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.
Let us follow the Prophet of God’s counsel and as we do, He will pour out blessings in our lives. He wants us to feel of his love and experience His Joy.
During our Bishopric Meeting these past few weeks, we have discussed why we enjoy doing certain things. I enjoy building things. I enjoyed working alongside my brothers and father as we built a cabin, converted homes to apartments, constructed decks, finished basements, covered canals, and built other homes. My father was always in the middle of some kind of project or was planning a future project. I’m realizing that I enjoy working in real estate selling new construction because of my experience with my father at a young age. These are some of the things that bring me joy and I accomplished and finished projects. I learned about joy from my father here on earth.
This discussion sparked some personal thoughts, making me wonder about what I learned directly from my Heavenly Father? What do I know about the joy our Heavenly Father feels when He sees us accomplish or finish His projects. What joy do we feel while we are doing His will?
In John 15:9-12, the Savior explains the love he has for his disciples is the same love that his Father in Heaven has for him. He wants us to feel His love, partake of the fruit of His love.
9 As the Father hath aloved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye akeep my commandments, ye shall abide in my blove; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your ajoy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye alove one another, as I have bloved you.
John 15:9-12
How did our Savior view those that followed him? How does he view us? He continues in John 15:15-16.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you afriends; for all things that I have bheard of my Father I have made cknown unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have achosen you, and bordained you, that ye should go and bring forth cfruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my dname, he may give it you.
John 15:15-16
He calls us friends if we follow His plan and keep His commandments.
I’m grateful for Father in Heaven for the love that he expresses to me through the many gifts he has given me and ways he blessed my life.
Might we all continue to listen to these wonderful messages of this General Conference! Let us feel his love as we study his words through our living prophet. I look forward to the coming days when I can listen to the messages again. I look forward to the evening when my son, Shawn plans an evening to spend with me listening to the priesthood session again and having a wonderful discussion about the “principles” of the gospel.
We love you and miss you all,
- Bishop Jeff Anderson
- Highland 28th Ward
- “Stay Humble, Work Hard, & Be Kind”