Family!

Don't you just love conference? I sure do. This will likely be more of an extended testimony than anything, but I want you to know just how much I love the prophet and apostles.

I was studying Preach My Gospel this morning (see Elder M Russell Ballard's talk:)) and I came across a "Question to ask after you teach" in Chapter 3 right after Lesson 1. It stated, "If there were a prophet on the earth today, what would you ask him?"

Whoo. Talk about a loaded question. So many thoughts crossed my mind. So many questions flew through my brain at that moment! I still have so many questions about life after death, life before life, and if I'm actually doing what I'm supposed to be doing in this life that I still don't quite get. I would love to sit down with President Monson and just ask him a million and 5 questions. I'll tell you why.

President Jensen, our mission president, had encouraged us to come to conference with questions in our mind pertaining to missionary work, our investigators, our personal life and goals, etc etc. I brought a few to conference in hopes that I would understand the answers. Right at the beginning of conference, President Monson gave an address. It was two days ago, and I've already forgotten what he said, but I distinctly remember the feelings that I got as he talked. It was a tingly, good feeling that ran down my spine, and my insides were calmed. The typical ball of anxiety that is simply a part of me melted away for a moment, and I was able to listen closely as the spirit of the Lord testified to me that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know this is true!

There is a quote in Preach My Gospel from President James E. Faust that mentions that when the Spirit testifies of something true, it is given to a man so deeply that no earthly power or authority can possibly take it from him. That's how I feel about the spiritual truths I've learned since being out here on a mission. I know truth from the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. If I were determined enough, for I've seen people do this, I could deny those truths and eventually convince myself that they were no more than figments of my imagination, but I would always know that those spiritual impressions happened.

Look at any less active or former member of the church. Look at any non member of the church. Almost every single person on this earth has spent a moment with their Father in Heaven, and they can remember the feelings vividly. They can pinpoint that moment. Those things can't go away. They won't go away.

What a blessing from our Father in Heaven.

I love each one of you. Thank you for your help and strength which you've given me. I hope we will all look again at the conference talks and apply what they have to give us!

Love,

Elder Brown