This week we had what in our mission is called Christmas conference, it is kind of like a big zone conference with half the mission, or it was. This year we had to get Christmas conference approved through the area 70, fortunately we got to do it this year, with a caveat, the area 70 asked that rather than doing half the mission on one day and half the mission the other day we do Christmas conference for the entire mission on one day. This is what happened that most remarkable of days.....
We began the long hour and a half drive early at 7:05 in the morning in order to get to Kirtland on time. An hour, several legally gray driving maneuvers, and a scream or two from the other missionaries in the car that weren't so used to a creative Utah way of driving, we arrived in the parking lot of the Community of Christ visitors center across the road from the Kirtland Temple. According to the instructions we had received from our zone leaders we all gathered in front of the Kirtland temple and waited for everyone to arrive. At approximately 9:30 the Assistants to the President opened up the door to the Kirtland temple and asked as everyone proceeded in that they would please maintain silence and study D&C 110, 109, and 137 as we waited for everyone to come in.
It was truly an awe inspiring experience to sit in the Kirtland temple and read what occurred there as I was able to stare at the exact spot where Jesus Christ appeared and accepted the Kirtland temple as his house.
As the conference began we were notified that the area 70 of our area was present and presiding additionally that 3 of the stake presidents in our mission were present as well and would be addressing us. The opening hymn that we sang to begin the Christmas conference was The Spirit of God. Everything that occurred following could not be adequately be described by the written word nor the tongue convey the spirit that was in that sacred shrine wherein the priesthood keys of this last great dispensation were restored.
We had the opportunity to hear the various stake presidents testify of the Saviour and Joseph Smith, we were instructed by our mission president, and we had the wonderful opportunity to here from a member of the 70 Elder Seltin bear his testimony that he knows with 100% certainty that the members of the Quorum of the Twelve are guided and directed by Jesus Christ and that this church is driven and captained by the Lord. Truly one of the greatest difficulties presented by the Gospel is the challenge of trying to express even a particle of what happens when one has a spiritual experience.
The Kirtland Temple session of Christmas conference was closed as over 200 full time missionaries sang the Ohio Cleveland Mission song, and proclaimed loudly that we have been called to serve in the place where Christ our Saviour has shown his face.
I know with absolute certainty that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Saviour of the World, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he is directing this great latter day work of bringing all nations kindreds, tongues and people to a knowledge of their Redeemer and preparing this earth for his second coming which will not be as a humble babe in a manager, but rather with the armies and hosts of heaven as the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end and he shall reign forever and ever in glory and splendor with all those who will turn to him and allow him to make our burdens lights. I bear testimony that lasting peace and joy can only be found as we turn our hearts and wills over to the Saviour of all mankind, trust in his redeeming love, and try his works to do.
The Report of Elder Poe
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