It is a great feeling. I know that this church is true. I know the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is a prophet called of God.
I have been in his presence and you can feel it, both times I have been in the same room as him, I couldn't stop the tears from my eyes. This past year has been one of lots of growth for me. From finishing high school, the Kansas City Temple open house, dedication, and cultural celebration,
going to BYU early for Summer Term, the Brigham City Temple open house and dedication, the General Relief Society Conference, and now General Conference. I feel so blessed to have been here on the earth at this exact time. I know I am here at this time for a purpose. Now that I think about it and look back, I see why I have been put in certain situations. And I can't wait to keep moving forward with this wonderful journey. I am excited to serve a mission.
I know I am ready, ready to start the process of preparing for a mission and the paperwork. I always talked to my good friends about a mission. Especially my senior year of high school, it seemed like I said, "Man, I just wanna go on my mission..." everyday...if not everyday, at least once a week. And I always talked about how lucky the young men are to be able to serve the Lord when they are 19 years old.
I was more than willing to wait until I turned 21, but I always said if I could go on a mission when I was 19 years old, I would. So, today when I heard the announcement, I didn't have any doubts.....I am willing to do anything and everything to get prepared for a mission. I am on full drive now. I know that this is the true church! Sometimes I just sit in the library, in the Wilk, in my apartment, or wherever and think, "I am so lucky to be a part of such an amazing church, I am so blessed to know what I know! How can I let this slip my mind?" Tears come to my eyes.
I love this church. I love missionary work, I love this gospel. I love having knowledge of the blessings I am able to receive from the temple! Temples have always held a special place in my heart. My first memory of temples and the spirit that can be felt in the temples was when the Nauvoo temple open house was held.
I had the opportunity to go. I was very young, just baptized, but I still remember to this day how I felt. I felt the presence of my Mom there. She had passed away, but that was the first time I had felt her presence since she had passed. I remember just knowing how special temples were that day, and I still know now. I know that families are forever. I know I will be able to see my Mom, my uncles, aunts, grandparents, and friends that have passed on again. I know that I want a temple marriage. I won't settle for anything less. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without my family, especially my parents. My dad is amazing.
He has been such a great example to me throughout my life. He showed me how to rely on the Lord when it feels like things could get too hard. When my mom died, he took care of us. He did all the laundry, cooked, had family home evening with us every Monday night, we always went to church, he has taught me so much, and still does!! I love him so much. Then there is my mom,
she is amazing. She took my brothers and I in as her own. How hard it would be to get married, and get 4 kids right off the bat. I love her so much. She has taught me how to have faith. And work hard, even when we just wanna give up. People will ask me if I call her "step mom" but I don't. She is my mom. She always will be, so will my other mom, they both are. Lisa Renee will always and forever be my mother,
but so will Maria. I know that I may not know everything when it comes to the scriptures, and I know that I make mistakes, but I want to be a servant unto the Lord. I know missions aren't for everyone, but it is for me, right now at this time. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and I just know this church is true! I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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