Jeffrey R. Holland

This last weekend Jordan and I had the rare opportunity to have a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak at our stake conference. If you did not already read the title, it was Jeffrey R. Holland, which is probably one of my favorite apostles (I know we shouldn't have favorites, but hey why not!!??).

For my friends that aren't members of the church, here is a picture of this sweet man!!

I was so excited. Jordan and I even went to the Saturday night adult session! Bad to say, we never ever go to the Saturday session. But hey it was Jeffrey R. Holland!!This is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life!! Jordan and I were so uplifted and spiritually fed.

We got to sit in the chapel (we got there an hour early) but were still cramped in. But we were so close to him it was amazing.

I won't go into all the details, but Elder Holland got up with his scriptures, set them aside and told us he had nothing scripted or really prepared for the night (which is amazing to do considering he had to fill and hour of the meeting!). He simply said, "I want this to be personal. Even though I cannot sit with each of you individually, let's pretend that we are sitting in my living room, or yours, and we are simply going to talk." He went on to talk about the sadness that we feel in this life, and how when times get so bad that we need to turn towards Christ. He mentioned the story of when Christ tamed the seas, and he said, "When we are in this life and the seas are stirring, why would we jump ship!? We would surely drown!! Does jumping ship make sense to anybody!!??" He talked about how much Christ loves us and even after all that we have done, He still loves us.

If you have ever heard Elder Holland speak, he speaks with such authority, I compare it somewhat to what it would be like if God himself were talking to you. It is the sweetest message, but so direct and so powerful. At the very end of the meeting, you could see the message and what he wanted to say just building inside of him. He finally let out, "Don't you dare ever think God doesn't love you. Don't you dare think he doesn't love other people. Don't you dare." There was not a dry eye in the room. He went on to talk about personal experiences with Spencer W. Kimball and Howard W. Hunter. It was so touching.

After he was done speaking he looked around to conclude the meeting, and turned as if he had to ask permission from the Stake President and then looked back at us and said, "Oh yeah! I'm in charge!!" And he changed the closing song to "Abide With Me Tis Eventide." The cap to a wonderful meeting.

I almost forget that Apostles are people too, and still have challenges and trials just like us. I am so grateful the opportunity to see Elder Holland on Saturday night and again on Sunday morning. I am so filled with joy from seeing him and hearing the words that he spoke. My testimony of the church has definitely grown this weekend, and I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life. The church is 100% true!!