October 2009....Evidence

It has been said that when one enters a room, even if they just walk through, that they take something to that room and they leave something there...a thought or a feeling. Something tangible is left in that room. Think of it...when someone walks through a room if there is anyone there, they will see them and have a recollection of them being there. They may even have some thoughts as I have hade at times..."Oh, it's good to see them." or "I need to talk to them before I leave today." "How good to see them well again and here." The person walking through will have a recollection of being there and who and what they saw and their feelings of the occasion. How amazing that such a simple act can leave such profound evidence of the occasion.

Yes, when you go into a room or when you leave it there is almost always evidence that you were there. Criminal courts count on that and search for that critical forensic evidence that will convict perpertrators of their crime.

A teacher once said, "You must be so careful what you do and say around children because you never know which moment will be the moment they will choose to remember and how it will affect them." There is much evidence that a good teacher has so much influence on those they spend that critical time with as children learn and grow. How we hope that every teacher is aware of the great responsibility to influence children for good. They must leave no question about their integrity and virtue. When they walk in the room there should be confidence that all is well. The same certainly applies for parents. What an awesome responsibility to know that those moments you spend with your children are so vital.

When we go to pray, read the scriptures or go to church meetings aren't we supplying evidence to Heavenly Father that we want to do what is right, that we intend to follow Him and Jesus Christ our Savior? On the other hand if we ignore these important things in our lives aren't we telling Heavenly Father that He and His desires don't really matter to us? We know that when we do something for our fellowmen that we are in reality serving our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. In light of the way evidence frees or convicts us...we need to work at having it speak good for us. What evidence will speak out for us at the end of our lives? Will we leave enough evidence of the good we did that it will speak well for us? That evidence will determine our eternal life.

Thje evidence keeps mounting that proves Joseph Smith to indeed be a prophet of God. Elder Russell M. Nelson in a recent talk said that in the church today we have people who are translating the Book of Mormon into other languages. Generally speaking they can translate a page a day from a known language to another known language. When Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from an unknown language to a known language he did it in less that 90 days all 531 pages. During that time he had to move from New York to Pennsylvania because of the persecution . None of the intended interruptions to his work caused him to detour from the task. When you think of his resolve and his statement about not being able to deny his testimony, it becomes more apparent that he was chosen to restore the gospel to the earth in this dispensation. He knew he had seen the vision of the Father and the Son and he knew that God knew it and he dared not deny it. Joseph Smith was between 22 and 24 years of age. He only had three years of formal education. He included in the writings the history of two distinct and separate nations as he described the religious, economic, social and political cultures and institutions of those two nations. He wove into the history the religion of Jesus Christ and the pattern of Christian living. The first edition has stood with no changes in the text except for spelling of words. He announced to the world that this narrative was not fiction, but true, sacred history. Millions of great people, intellectual scholars, have subscribed discipleship to this record and its church..."The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." Many other conditions are set forth in honoring Joseph Smith for being loyal and true to his beliefs, for bringing forth the restoration of the pure and simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. During the same time of the translation he was writing information that would fill the Doctrine and Covenants of the inspiration and revelations he was receiving from Heavenly Father. Finally, after suffering persecution and revilement for nearly two decades after he finished the book he gave his life for his testimony that it was a true record from God, our Eternal Father. Just as the prophets of old he was unwavering in his calling as a prophet and fulfilled it in a glorious way. We worship Jesus Christ, as we honor our prophets for leading the way and providing us with great evidence to "follow Him".

As we look forward to hearing our prophet and apostles speak this weekend at general conference we pray that we will be in tune with them and have a desire to increase the evidence of our discipleship in the coming days. With love, Maurine Winters