The Purifying Power of Gethsemane
I am always amazed at the tender mercies
the Lord gives to me on a daily basis.
There have been times when I have searched for answers and a witness has
been given to me. These tender mercies are what strengthen my testimony and let
me know that my Father in Heaven is aware of me and loves me. One of these tender mercies came at an
unexpected moment and I received a witness that changed my life.
I
have always had a strong testimony of the gospel and its leaders. I never questioned if they were truly called
of God, I just believed it. I grew up in Provo, Utah and as a child I had
numerous opportunities to see the apostles and prophets at various
meetings. They often visited our stake
conferences and other church events.
When I was 12 our young women went to Salt Lake and visited with the
prophet Joseph Fielding Smith. We had a
room at the Lion House and he came in wearing his white suit. He walked around the large table and shook
each of our hands and then talked to us.
I don’t remember what he said but I cannot forget the feelings I felt. I
feel the same way every time I see our prophet.
That is one of the tender mercies reminding me that those men are called
of God. I have seen every prophet from
President McKay to President Monson in person.
I know and can testify that they are true prophets.
I had my favorite general authorities and apostle
that I loved to hear speak in conference and then there were some brethren that
were harder to listen too. They spoke of
doctrine that seemed over my head. One apostle in particular was Bruce R.
McConkie. He spoke with great power but I
hardly knew what he was speaking about.
I compare him to Isaiah. I
usually tuned him out or fell asleep during his talks. I know that is a bit disrespectful, but
true.
In April 1985 my uncle was being
called to be a counselor in the presiding bishopric. I know I was excited for that and looking
forward to hearing him speak in the Sunday session of conference. The
Saturday morning session began and as the speakers were announced, Bruce R.
McConkie would be the next speaker. I
almost tuned him out, but on this day as he spoke I was drawn in to his words
in a way I have never since experienced.
He spoke of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord. He spoke in detail of the events leading to
the Savior’s death and resurrection. The
words were glorious. Then came his
testimony and this is what changed me.
His words cut me to the core. I
had never before thought of the apostles being special witnesses of the Savior
or I didn’t realize what that meant. As
he bore his last testimony I knew that he knew the Lord in a way that made him
able to testify of Him. He KNEW the
Lord. Here are the words that he testified
that allowed the spirit to testify to me that he personally knew the Savior.
“I
am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his
hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I
know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and
that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.”
This was so profound. I knew he would be
seeing the Savior soon and as he said he would not know him any better then
than he knew him now, I knew he was a true witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. I
now know that all of the apostles have this same witness given to them and that
they know the Lord in a way I only hope to know someday. Elder McConkie passed away 13 days after this
inspiring talk. All I could think about
was him being with the Savior. I knew he
was with him. He had testified he would
be with the Savior soon and that happened.
This witness came to me over 31 years ago
but the feelings have not gone away. I feel that wonderful feeling every time I
hear one of the brethren speak. I know
the apostles have received a special witness of the Savior and they are true
apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ. This I cannot deny and I too can testify.
