The testimony of the gospel is powerful and authoritative

Fleming Island, FL

Dear Family & Friends~

What an eventful week! A new puppy, a Happy Birthday for my favorite sister, Kendall Jane!, flooding, and the works! Happy days! I love it. :)

Yesterday we had a fun activity at the church, but by the end of the activity I absolutely broke down in tears...we watched the movie "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" with all the ward members in the Fleming Island 1st and 2nd Wards. I don't know if you've seen it or not, but if you haven't you need to get it so you can watch it. It is such a powerful movie. Watching the early saints and the life of the Prophet Joseph and their love for each other and the joy they had with one another despite their near endless afflictions kindled such love and gratitude in my heart for our family, this gospel, and the Church. Jesus Christ and His gospel truly are an invincible strength that we have opportunity to hold on to, that no matter what fire we are called to pass through in this life, we might overcome it cheerfully, with charity bursting from our souls toward all people, even toward those who have wronged us. Watching this movie helped me realize all the great blessings we have as members of this Church and made me want to share this message with everyone. I felt such a desire to listen to and obey Heavenly Father and to trust in Him and His Son in all my trials. Who knows what life will bring...but whatever it brings we will always have something to hold on to--and because of Christ, we can hold on to each other forever.

Now, if I could just keep that feeling with me all the time!

My memorizations are doing well, except for the last couple of days. They were so busy that I had to focus on other things besides my memorizations. I'll have to start again. At this point, with the rate I was going, I was memorizing a scripture a day. I've memorized Romans 8:16, Alma 7:11, 2 Nephi 25:26, and D & C 20:37--I have a list of scriptures I've got to memorize, but it is kind of fun! I'm starting to memorize just about everything I read, which is also kind of cool. :) I heard that President Monson promised that if we would memorize a single scripture a day for a year we would have a photographic memory by the end of the year! And I'm sure there are all sorts of other blessings for memorizing that many scriptures, not just having a photographic memory. But that is my eventual goal.

It was neat to hear about Eric's testimony to the people at Harmon Killibrew's funeral. The testimony of the gospel is so powerful and authoritative. It is by far the most convincing thing we have and the Spirit of God fires that witness to the very hearts of all who will open their ears and souls and listen. I think I am starting to learn that--it is when you face someone who is utterly against the gospel and the message of Jesus Christ that you feel the power of the Lord within you cause you to nearly erupt with truth and sound the gospel message right to the core of their soul. You know they can feel it. It is a fierce witness, but it is given in such great love and power that it uplifts and strengthens all who will hear it. The more you recognize the blessings, the more desirous you are to share them. I think that may well be why we made the covenant at our baptism to "always remember Christ". It is hard to "always remember" anything, let alone the Savior. It shouldn't be, but for whatever reason it is--we get so easily distracted it is amazing we can remember anything! No wonder we are commanded to read the scriptures every day and to pray always, because if we didn't we would forget quickly the Lord. I guess it is like anything, you must learn and relearn in order for it to become a part of you.

Who knows... Sorry for rambling...

I'm out of time, so I just want to tell each of you I love you and wish you a wonderful, happy, and successful week! Happy Birthday, again KJ! And Happy Birthday to you this Friday, Dad. :)

Love~
Austin