Today I had a really great testimony-strengthening experience. I went to see the Stake President about the music for the upcoming youth dance, but we only talked about that for a few minutes before our conversation was directed elsewhere. He asked me about my mia maids, and gave me some very good counsel about them. When he asked me if there was anything he could do for me, I revealed that Ben and I are looking for our family, and would he please think of us if he came across a child needing a home. He then gave me some much needed counsel and comfort about trials and the reasons we have them.

I felt so much that the Stake President relied on the Spirit to direct our conversation, and that he said the things the Lord wanted him to say. It reminded me of something that happened when I was a single student in Columbia, SC. I went to the institute building for a Saturday session of General Conference, I believe. This institute building had a limited number of comfortable seats, and I got there early so that I could have one instead of having to sit in a hard chair. I got up just before conference started to visit the ladies room, and when I got back my chair had been taken. I wasn’t really worried about this, maybe a little bit disappointed but not upset or mad at all. It happens, I’m the one who got up and left my seat open to invite someone else to sit down. Unfortunately, the few other people who were there thought I was mad and they chastised me for having a bad attitude. This upset me, because I didn’t have a bad attitude, I didn’t care about the chair. I was feeling really depressed as conference started. It sounds silly now explaining it, but I was fresh out of high school then and my crazy emotions were very real. As the choir was singing the opening hymn, the institute director came up to me and said, “I feel impressed to tell you that you are a very special woman,” in such loving tones. I cannot tell you how that lifted my spirits right there.

I learned several things from that one statement. I learned that my teacher was attuned to the promptings of the Spirit, and heeded them. I learned that my Heavenly Father loves me, that He knows my needs, and He sends me what I need in very real ways. It was such a small incident, and wouldn’t have had a lasting effect on my self-esteem. I’m sure that I wouldn’t even remember the chair incident today if my teacher had not said anything. But it served a higher purpose than just helping me to enjoy that session of general conference. It strengthened my testimony of our priesthood leaders, that they are called of God to do His work. That my Heavenly Father loves me and knows me. I felt that same Spirit today as I talked with the Stake President, and I was able to recognize that what he was telling me came from the Lord. I’m so grateful for people who are able to recognize the promptings of the Spirit and have the courage to follow through. I pray that I can hear the Spirit when He speaks to me.

–Sarah

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