Apostolic Blessings and Such...

Saturday and Sunday I had the opportunity to hear Elder Richard G. Scott, an apostle of the Lord, speak to the Laguna Niguel Stake. I'm not technically in that stake, but since our singles ward draws members from their boundaries, our bishopric encouraged us to attend. Love them for that! I learned so many profound principles that I thought I'd take a moment to share some of my notes with those that are interesting in being enlightened by a servant of the Lord. I took copious notes on my iPhone (I'm sure people thought I was rudely texting during his talk) and I wanted to share a few of my favorite points from his noteworthy remarks on Faith & Character:

- "If you know something comes from the Lord, no matter how hard it is, you can do it and you will be blessed for following through."
- "Character is the manifestation of what you are becoming."
- "An easy and uncomplicated life will keep us from developing character."
- "Even with the strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, He will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you."
- "Your exercise of faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of critical need..."

After divulging the mystery's of heaven, Elder Scott concluded the meeting with his testimony of the Atonement and its saving power. He then left us all with an apostolic blessing that if we would search, ponder, and pray to understand the Atonement more, great vistas of knowledge would be opened up to us. How cool is that? I know what I'll be studying for the next little while.

At the conclusion of the meeting I snuck up to the front to shake hands with Elder Scott. As he embraced my hand, I reminded him of the time we first met when I was a missionary in the MTC, preparing to serve for a year and a half in Canada. He looked into my eyes (and probably right through to my soul) and told me how wonderful it was that I served a mission and how it would bless me for the rest of my life. I quickly responded with "...for eternity." He smiled. I smiled. And it was confirmed to me again that he is indeed a prophet of the Lord!