I joined the church when I was 11. When the missionaries taught that The Lord’s church had prophets and apostles it made sense to me. I suppose Howard W. Hunter was the prophet when I was baptized. I remember seeing an article in the newspaper that he had died and I clipped it out. It seemed like an important thing in my 11 year old mind. Pretty much I only ever knew our prophet Gordon B Hinkley. (I recently read his biography this year and LOVED it! Go Forward with Faith) I have a testimony of the church and how it runs. I knew that Thomas S. Monson would be called to be our next prophet when President Hinkley past away. I knew I would sustain him and strive to teach Gandalf to learn about and follow our new prophet.
In April 2008 I came home from working at the David Salon. I worked part time since having Gandalf and always worked Saturdays. Grady had taken Gandalf out to help get some energy worked out as they had been watching Saturday’s session of General Conference with out me. I went upstairs to get in my jammies and get comfortable as I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Draco at the time. I turned on the Morning Session that we had recorded. I raised my hand to the square to sustain our new prophet Thomas S. Monson. But I didn’t expect what would happen next. It’s kind of hard to describe but I had this overwhelming feeling of the spirit testifying to me that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of The Lord. I already knew he was. I wasn’t asking for validation. But the spirit bore witness of this to me with such feeling. And I was grateful for it.
Years passed and I haven’t forgotten that moment. In the last couple of years we have been asked, by a prophet of The Lord, to do certain things that may be hard. I have heard people compare those who blindly follow the prophet unto sheep following the herd. First of all, sheep are pretty smart, so thank you for that. Second of all I agree that we shouldn’t blindly follow anyone. We have been blessed with a working brain and we should use it.
It’s easy to look back through the scriptures and to say, “I would have listen to Noah and helped build the ark” or “How could the children of Israel not look at the serpent? Don’t they remember walking across dry ground to escape pharaoh?” The scriptures are filled with prophets asking The Lord’s people to do hard or simple things. We know from scriptures that the Lord speaks through his servants, the prophets.
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
I am not blindly following the herd. I am following a prophet of God. A man who has been called of God to be his mouthpiece on this earth. And because of the witness I have received I will follow Him no matter what. If you knew there was a prophet on earth today, like unto Moses or Abraham, would you follow him? Because of the witness I have received I am choosing to follow the prophet, no matter what he asks of me. And not only will I follow him but I will never speak ill of him. I will sustain him in word and deed.
I don’t think everyone should take my word for it and follow along. If you want to know for yourself then you need to seek out The Lord yourself. Pray unto the Father, with a sincere heart, and ask him if Thomas S. Monson is indeed a prophet. I know He will answer your prayer.
That doesn’t mean that things can’t be hard sometimes. It’s okay to seek The Lord out again and pray for understanding and peace. With the recent decision to have children of same sex marriage wait until they are 18 to be baptized I can understand confusion. Why should children be held accountable for the choices or lifestyles of their parents. I know this decision must have been hard for Thomas S. Monson to make. I am sure he was absolutely certain that he made sure that is what The Lord wanted him to do. I know President Monson loves all of us. And especially our youth. I am sure much fasting and prayer has been made in making this choice. Maybe even it was hard for him to make this call. But I remember him sharing a story where he wanted to do whatever The Lord would ask of him. He wanted The Lord to know He could depend on him.
My heart goes out to those dear brothers and sisters who are struggling with this policy and are searching for peace. I pray and hope that peace comes into their lives. And as member of the church let us reach out and show our love and fellowship. Let us welcome and show kindness to everyone who enters our doors.
I want to close with my testimony that I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that Thomas S. Monson is The Lord’s chosen prophet. He speaks for our Savior Jesus Christ. And I sustain him with my whole heart.
I really enjoyed these articles when pondering about this new policy. I think it is always good to ponder on subjects and then turn to The Lord to seek understanding. I am thankful that we already had a babysitter lined up Friday night and Grady and I could go to the temple together and seek peace.
A Well-Behaved Mormon Woman: Insights into new LDS policies on same sex couples and their children
(Gay) Mormon Guy: Waiting on the Lord (same sex adoption. Families, Etc)
Interview with Apostle Elder Christofferson
