Single Adult Conference

Tonight there was a single adult temple session after which we were privileged to hear from President Ascraft.

His sweet testimony touched my heart, and as soon as he walked into the room, there was a glow about him that was unmistakable. He related to us about his conversion to the gospel, and what he perceived as his slow progress in the church. He testified that all of our callings and all of our experiences are learning opportunities to gain strength in our testimonies. He reminded us to be patient with ourselves, to love ourselves. He also told us that God loves us more than we know, and forgives us more than we know. He encouraged us to spend more time in the temple and told us that he feels the Lord's Spirit there every time he's in the temple. He mentioned how he had the privilege of closing up the temple at night, and I imagined what that must be like, to be in the temple with just the Lord, and my soul filled with peace. He also reminded us that each time we go, we can learn more deeply about the Lord and his will.

He quoted D&C 50:40-42:

Behold, ye are little children, and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 
Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 
And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.


I felt the power of those verses. I even have them marked in my personal scriptures. I remember once after a very emotionally painful experience that I was reading in the scriptures and came across this verse, and felt the spirit enter into my heart and tell me that I was one of Heavenly Father's "little children." I felt his sheltering love at that time, and I recall it each time I read these verses, so it has special significance to me. I particularly liked how President Ashcraft repeated the last verse. I can't describe it but it was so powerful to me.

I was grateful to be there tonight among friends for a spiritual kick-off to what I hope will be a wonderful weekend.