I'm starting a series of articles for an indefinite period of time here.  Every time I turn around, I'm told to keep a journal.  Since I hate writing, I've been avoiding it like the plague.  This way, I'm not actually writing, and if anything ever happens to my computer, these will be saved in cyberspace forever.

Starting today, I will write a regular article about how my testimony of this gospel has been strengthened.  Hopefully making my blessing tangible will help me to know how very many I have.

The articles that I am going to write are for my own, personal edification, not to start huge debates about religion.  Feel free to leave your opinion, but know that if I feel attacked or if I believe you are trying to start an argument or debate I will warn you once, then delete any more antagonistic comments.

Thank you.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

General Conference was this weekend.  Since the passing of President Hinckley, I've been looking forward to the events of this weekend with ambivalence.  I've been excited to hear the words of the Lord, but I thought it'd be quite strange without President Hinckley there.  He's the only prophet I remember, so while I like President Monson, it'd be quite a change.

Then came Saturday morning.

The new second counselor in the first presidency, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, presented the new First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for sustaining by the members.  As I watched that solemn assembly on tv in my dorm room, I felt a rush of..."rightness."  As my friend stood with the elders of the church all across the world, as I stood with the sisters, and we raised our arms to the square in support for those men, something told me, deep in my heart, "This church is TRUE!"

I watched with fascination as apostles of God spoke to me, each and every one hitting me with exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my life.  Tears welled in my eyes as I sat in my 8 x 12 cinderblock box, transfixed to my little television.

My friend, we'll call her Annie, was going to a big formal dance Saturday night.  She is not LDS.  She wanted our opinions as she was doing her hair, and so sat on my bedroom floor, as we witnessed a historical meeting.

President Henry B. Eyering, first counselor in the first presidency, spoke last Saturday morning.  I was multi-tasking, helping "Annie" with her hair and listening.  Then, I felt it.  A pulse in my chest.  I looked up to see him staring directly into the camera.  He said (now I can't remember verbatum, forgive me), "There is a living Christ.  I KNOW THAT."

My thoughts: "So do I."

Those simple, eight words spoken by a man called of God to lead and guide us filled me with more joy than anything I could ever imagine.

The subsequent sessions were just as glorious.  So many times in the past two days I've felt an overwhelming witness by the Holy Ghost that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and that this church is the only true and living church on the earth today.

I know that Jesus is the Christ, "the son of the living God."  I know he atoned for my sins, that he loves me.  I know that he knows my name, and is my advocate with my Heavenly Father.  I also know Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to know of his love.

I know that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, and I know I'd be completely lost without it.  It is my lifeline, and I'm ashamed to have taken it for granted, and to have needed this conference to remind me.