April 3, 2017

It's been a good week. I was suprised to see that this week, the Adversary was trying to make me doubt my testimony of the authenticity of this Chruch being Jesus Christ's church. I had been reading Our Heretige, and as I was reading I came accross the part that talked about Brigham Young becoming the next prophet after Joseph. I found it strange how he became the prophet, and I found myself wondering whether or not Brigham actually had the same authority that Joseph Smith had as the prophet. I was really bugged by it, reading about how Signey Rigdon, who was a member of the first presidency, apostosized, and claimed that he was to be the next prophet. I was bothered by the situation, and I felt like the saints had simply gone for the most likely correct answer instead of having recieved devine inspiration that "yes, Brigham Young is the next prophet". I talked to my companion about it, and he told me that the church was true, and that I need not worry. It continued to bug me. Now, I had experienced these type of feelings and doubts before, I knew that they are not all too uncommon. The Lord kept a steady watch as I took the situation and went forward with what I wanted to KNOW to be true, but was at that moment unsure of. I remembered spiritual experiences which I had had in the past, confirming to myself that Yes, there is the God in Heaven, and a Savior of the World. K... so that was out of the way... hardest bit of information. Next, the legitamacy of the church being led by a living prophet. I knew that if the Gospel is true, I would be able to pray about it, and receive an answer. I went to church, I listened intently to the testimonies, and I had a spiritual confirmation that the church Is true. It was very subtle, because the Lord knows that I already have a big testimony, but in His infinite mercy and love, he gave me the prick in my heart that I needed to know, without a perfect knowledge, that yes, this church is in fact led by God, and His apostles and Prophet are His chosen representatives. I love that. I cannot wait for Conference, we will all see it next weekend... for those of you who are asking the same question that I answer the same way every six months... I will be watching conference in Czech, I will be listening in English using headphones so that we can be i the same room as the members while they are watching it. I am super excited to see it, I will be praying to have my testimony strengthened, and to have my Armor of God equiped. I have a testimony now... that even the strongest people in the Gospel, still sometimes get hit in a chink in their armor, because satan is very clever, and he knows where our weak spots are. .......... Last night, Elder Jensen and I were visiting a Recent Convert and her son, and in the middle of the meeting, we get a call from President Pohořelický. I said, "It's the mission president, can I take this?" They let me take the call, I answered and President said, (translated) "Elder Dean! how are you?!" "Good, what can I do for you President?" "Elder Dean, where are you from!?" "I'm from Utah" "yeah but what city!?" "Eagle Mountian." I told him. "is that by Saratoga Springs???" he asked me. "yes..." I told him. "Did you hear? They are going to build a temple in Saratoga Springs!!" I was so suprized at the fact that he had called me, and the fact that he told me that I was going to have a temple in my home town (pretty much), that I just said, "That's awesome, thanks for letting me know President!" He then hung up, and after realizing the reality of what he said, I texted him back that night truly thanking him for this news that he simply couldn't wait to tell me. I realized that a Temple... a House of the Lord, means so much to my Mission President, and he, among hundreds of other faithful latter day saints are looking forward, so intently for the news of a temple in the Czech Republic. Years and Years they go by, waiting for the day that a temple will be announced in the Czech... The Saints here are like the saints at the beginning of the Church's early history. they are working towards building a house of their God, and this is their one Goal... can you imagine? Living without the temple, and without the convenience of the Ordinances at hand... Waiting and waiting for the Lord to extend His love, and to build up a temple for you and your family and friends. Some of your loved ones are getting older, and they cannot travel far to attend temple worship, and this makes the Ordinances nearly impossible for them to get. with Eternity on the line, you look forward for nothing more, than a temple, and to be able to do precious Saving ordinances therein... President called me, and informed me... Elder Dean... my dear missionary... I have the best news for you, The Lord is giving you... a temple... wherein you will be able to worship, and it is to be close by, and your family, and your family's families will be able to worship there... isn't that amazing?! In the mean time, my mission President and hundreds of faithful latter day saints will look forward for the day when they too will be able to say, "We are going to have a Temple!" I feel an enormous sense of urgency, to help everyone I know to understand the Significance of A temple... don't take it for granted... You have no idea what this means to people over here... How selfless, of my mission president, to congratulate me for the temple in my city, when he, has been waiting for years and years and years... to simply attend the temple in his own country. We don't realize how blessed we are. I love you all, and I know that this work is true, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and I know that we are led by a prophet today, and that prophet IS led by the Lord and Savior. This is His church. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. S Láskou, Starší Dean