There is an older sister in our ward who spoke today on the importance of prophets, their relationship to God, and our relationship with them.
A little background on this sister: She's older, never married. She's an art history professor at Mary Washington University. And she's losing a second battle with colon cancer. She spent the entire summer receiving treatments at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
This was one of the talks where I wish I not only had the transcript but also an audio recording because reading it could not do her delivery justice. She spoke eloquently, at times with passion, other times with reverence, and with a perspective that I believe only comes from this final trial she continues to endure.
She used the scriptures, specifically the 1st and 2nd Official Declarations of the Church found in Doctrine and Covenants, to show the prophetic role of those so called. She gave background for each of the events and how the revelations came to be. She cried as she recalled exactly what she was doing on June 8, 1978 when she learned that the priesthood would be extended to all worthy men. She was sincere and genuine and you could easily tell that this event was as momentous to her as the moon landing, JFK being shot, or 9/11 is to most of us. She wasn't apologetic in her discourse, but still bore a sweet and pure testimony of the power of revelation and prophecy in the latter days by those called who ushered in these two new eras of the Church.
Using this as a base she shifted gears towards the atonement. Specifically, how these two declarations served as a platform to extend the blessings of the restored gospel to more and more people (though she never stated it, I believe it was implied that such declarations may continue to come from God's anointed so that even more of his children shall be blessed). Ultimately, the role of the prophets is to bring all unto Christ and as such are facilitators of the atonement.
My summary fails her talk. But I haven't been that moved by a sacrament talk, maybe even any talk as I was today by hers. Maybe it's the circumstances and duress under which she delivered her address (like BRM's final GC talk) that heightened the experience for me. Maybe it's because what she had to say was as courageous as being able to deliver it. Perhaps it was because Gidget was home with our sick child enabling me to focus and give full attention. I am sure it's all of things. I am also sure that today I felt the Spirit of God, His love, and I was moved. My testimony and faith were strengthened and for twenty minutes or so I basked in pure light. This is no hyperbole and I wish that all could have been there.
A little background on this sister: She's older, never married. She's an art history professor at Mary Washington University. And she's losing a second battle with colon cancer. She spent the entire summer receiving treatments at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
This was one of the talks where I wish I not only had the transcript but also an audio recording because reading it could not do her delivery justice. She spoke eloquently, at times with passion, other times with reverence, and with a perspective that I believe only comes from this final trial she continues to endure.
She used the scriptures, specifically the 1st and 2nd Official Declarations of the Church found in Doctrine and Covenants, to show the prophetic role of those so called. She gave background for each of the events and how the revelations came to be. She cried as she recalled exactly what she was doing on June 8, 1978 when she learned that the priesthood would be extended to all worthy men. She was sincere and genuine and you could easily tell that this event was as momentous to her as the moon landing, JFK being shot, or 9/11 is to most of us. She wasn't apologetic in her discourse, but still bore a sweet and pure testimony of the power of revelation and prophecy in the latter days by those called who ushered in these two new eras of the Church.
Using this as a base she shifted gears towards the atonement. Specifically, how these two declarations served as a platform to extend the blessings of the restored gospel to more and more people (though she never stated it, I believe it was implied that such declarations may continue to come from God's anointed so that even more of his children shall be blessed). Ultimately, the role of the prophets is to bring all unto Christ and as such are facilitators of the atonement.
My summary fails her talk. But I haven't been that moved by a sacrament talk, maybe even any talk as I was today by hers. Maybe it's the circumstances and duress under which she delivered her address (like BRM's final GC talk) that heightened the experience for me. Maybe it's because what she had to say was as courageous as being able to deliver it. Perhaps it was because Gidget was home with our sick child enabling me to focus and give full attention. I am sure it's all of things. I am also sure that today I felt the Spirit of God, His love, and I was moved. My testimony and faith were strengthened and for twenty minutes or so I basked in pure light. This is no hyperbole and I wish that all could have been there.
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