Dear Sisters and Elders,
What a wonderful general conference! We have been blessed by the inspired messages and by the presence of the Spirit of the Lord. I feel that my own questions were answered and much more. I am excited to read your emails this week to hear what you have learned.
I feel to echo Elder Holland's words in the final talk of conference:
"The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind and strength--that's the first great commandment. But the FIRST GREAT TRUTH OF ALL ETERNITY IS THAT GOD LOVES US WITH ALL OF HIS HEART, MIGHT, MIND AND STRENGTH. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor.
President George Q. Cannon once taught: "No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, God will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character to do so...He will always stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them."
Elders and Sister, let us go forward with our testimonies burning bright. Let us go forward filled with love. Let us be focused relentlessly on our purpose. "...Everything we do in the Church--every meeting, activity, lesson, and service--is to prepare each of us to come to the temple and kneel at the altar to receive all the Father's promised blessings for eternity." (Elder Kent F. Richards)
"Until you have entered the house of the Lord and have received all the blessings which await you there, you have not obtained everything the Church has to offer. The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God."
We love you and we thank the Lord for you.
Mahal ko po kayo,
President Creg Ostler