It looks like I'll be
saying that in person to a lot of you soon. My two years is coming to a
close. Tonight I'll be reunited with my parents and begin the next
chapter of my life. I've been pondering a lot on what I would share with
you at this time and the only thing I feel to be appropriate is my
testimony.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the central focus of every lesson
and activity of this Church. Every word of scripture teaches of the
Redeemer. Why? Because Heavenly Father so loves us, that He sent the
Willing Lamb to pave the way for our exaltation. Why? Because we are
spiritual beings sent to this imperfect and dangerous world to learn the
lessons of eternity. It is our very core nature to develop into an
Eternal Being with Eternal capabilities. That is what the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, that Pearl of great price, is designed to facilitate. And
just like any mathmatical equation needs the proper constants and
variables to produce the desired product, or just like any blueprint
needs the correct drawings and outlines to enable the builders
to construct a strong structure, so does the Gospel of Jesus Christ
require certain eternal principles to be lived to produce a mighty
change in us. Hence, the need for a Restoration of these proper
principles AND Authority which I testify were lost. Joseph Smith was the
Lord's chosen instrument to help bring about this marvelous
Restoration. He was given the keys, power and authority of God, the Holy
Priesthood, to unlock the doors of sacred ordinances that enable us and
teach us to become as our Savior and our Father.
The evidence of all of this is the Book of Mormon. All you have to do ask, seek and knock, and I testify that all these things will be unfolded to your view. After that has been done, I invite you to live what you know with His grace assisting you.
I know what I have spoken, written, sung, taught, testified and lived to be truth. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. Oh, how I will miss expressing my love back to him as a called and set apart representative of Him and His Church.
The evidence of all of this is the Book of Mormon. All you have to do ask, seek and knock, and I testify that all these things will be unfolded to your view. After that has been done, I invite you to live what you know with His grace assisting you.
I know what I have spoken, written, sung, taught, testified and lived to be truth. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. Oh, how I will miss expressing my love back to him as a called and set apart representative of Him and His Church.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Hyrum Smith
Elder Hyrum Smith
