General Conference

This General Conference, even though it was a bit ago, was a very exciting one for me. It marks my year and a half mark. So, I got to think all about the events that have happened over the mission. A year ago, I was in Fayetteville with Elder Blackwell. At that point I was practically just starting the mission. I was still learning what I should teach. I just found out that I was going to be senior companion for the first time. I was so excited and when I watched General Conference it helped me to see what I needed to do to be better prepared.

Fast forward to six months ago. At this point I was in Durham with Elder Larkin. At this point I was a district leader. A lot had happened. I was starting to figure out the right way to teach and trying to discover the missionary that I wanted to be. General Conference was great. It was all about how we need to believe and follow Jesus Christ.

This Conference here I am in Morrisville with Elder Cronin. So much has happened. I have seen a lot of change. 9 Companions and 4 areas is a lot. I learned so much each companion and each area. Throughout this time I have changed a lot. Now, the question is what has been the cause of that change? There are two main ways that we can be changed; some changes happen just because we are shaped by our circumstances and experiences. Others happen because we decide to make that change. In General Conference I learned that we will never reach our full potential if we are only changed by how the world shapes us. If we want to reach our full potential then we must seek it out with the help of God.

It is only now that I feel like I am scratching the surface of understanding what Jesus Christ did for us. One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 7:11-13.

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Jesus Christ suffered for each of us. He understands every pain we have. He understands every sickness. When we pray to him and say that we are struggling he can honestly say that he knows what you are going through. You don't have to go through your trials and struggles alone. He will help you. All that he asks is that you have faith in him, repent, be baptized by proper authority, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. Everything that we are asked to do help us in the end. God loves us. I know that as we choose to change our lives that we can reach our full potential.