SPIRITUALLY DEFINING MEMORIES
Elder Neil L. Andersen (Summary - Barb Hoffman)
“Eighteen years after the First Vision, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote an extensive account of
his experience, persecution, harassment, threats, and brutal attacks. Yet he continued to
boldly testify of his First Vision”. ‘I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw
two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for
saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. …I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I
could not deny it’.
Sisters—think about the point or times in your life that you have received a witness through the
Holy Spirit that Joseph Smith did indeed see what he testified of, and never denied, even unto
death. I find it to be a sacred experience and blessing that each time I read his words, the truth
is re-affirmed in my heart! I have been to the Sacred Grove several times, and each time, once
again, the strong witness has come. Have you shared your personal witness experience with
your children and| or written it down?
“Along with the peaceful direction we receive from the Holy Ghost, from time to time, God
powerfully and very personally assures each of us that He knows us and loves us and that He is
blessings us specifically and openly. Then, in our moments of difficulty, the Savior brings these
experiences back into our mind. Think of your own life. God knows and loves each of us and
that He eagerly desires to reveal Himself to us. These experiences may come at pivotal times in
our lives or in what may at first seem as uneventful happenings, but they are always
accompanied by an exceptionally strong spiritual confirmation of the love of God.”
Sisters—I echo the Prophet Joseph because of my spiritually defining memories, when he
declared: “What I received was from heaven. I know it, and I know that God knows that I know
it.”
Elder Andersen gives us 4 faith-promoting miracles in this message. I invite you to read each of
them and think about or re-read from your journal or other writings, experiences that you have
had in your life that were messages just for you. Elder Andersen states at the end of the
message he had as a young missionary: “I prayed, Heavenly Father, please help me to never
forget what I have just felt. I never have. These spiritually defining moments come at different
times and in different ways, individualized for each of us. While we cannot choose the timing
of receiving these defining moments, Pres. Henry B. Eyring gave this counsel in our preparation:
“Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send
a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my family? Faith,
obedience, humility, and real intent open the windows of heaven.”
Elder Andersen’s promise: “I promise that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure
the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you. Heavenly Father
knows you and loves you!
Sisters—With love to each of you, I believe firmly in his promise, and testify of the truthfulness
of his message.
I ran into a fellow ward member today while shopping. We both had masks on, so could see only each other’s eyes, but that was enough there in the aisle at Costco to share our hearts. You would know this sister, if I shared her name, we have all been blessed by her wonderful humor, her cheery perspective and her wise insights gained from real life experiences. I listened to her “real life” story about her “today”, and from my perspective her concerns are big and heavy. Yet, she stood before me with eyes (sometimes teary) but full of faith and peace. I now sit and ask myself, “how did she become so good…how can she be so courageous”? And although I can’t begin to know why, I would suppose that as Elder Anderson shared “along with peaceful direction from the Holy Ghost,…..God powerfully and very personally (has) assured (her) that He knows (her) and loves (her) and is blessing (her) specifically and openly”. Now with challenges that are heartbreaking and difficult, perhaps she is relying on her past experiences with God to bring her the peace and strength I saw in her eyes. I loved Elder Anderson’s final words of encouragement regarding our “Spiritual Defining Moments” when he said “let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties”. Maybe, that is what I saw today in this sweet sister’s eyes.
ReplyDeleteI was reading through Barb’s words and the talk by Elder Andersen for about the third time since it was posted. Each time I read it I was moved by something New that I had missed before. This third time, maybe because it was shortly after my Step Mother passed, and we had just had a sweet graveside experience burying her, the following statement stood out to me.
ReplyDelete“There are times when spiritual feelings go down into our heart like fire, illuminating our soul. Joseph Smith explained that we sometimes receive “sudden strokes of ideas” and occasionally the pure flow of intelligence.”
I believe that God was reminding me that throughout my Step Mother’s time on earth, even though she was not a very spiritual person, I still learned a lot of things from my experiences with her. Many times she would question the reasons why Roger and I had such strong testimonies and found a need to go to the temple and live as we do, because she just didn’t believe it was necessary. Every time I bore testimony to her I had those burning feelings in my soul and hoped that she understood our love for the Gospel and our Savior. I believe that God helped me to speak lovingly to her and I always hoped that she might feel the truth of my words
As I recall those memories and some of our good memories, I believe the Lord helped me to be a better daughter to her and love her no matter our differences.
Thanks for your insights Barb. I love you. ❤️
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