I just received my copies of the General Conference edition of the Ensign today. It used to be that I would anticipate this edition of the Ensign more than any other...and it would also take the longest to arrive. With the advances in technology today, of course, I no longer have to wait to review the talks. The talks are available to listen to almost immediately and they are available in text format in a day or two.
That being said, I find that I am still delighted when this issue of the Ensign arrives in the mail. I also find that I still approach my first perusal of this magazine in the very same way that I have done for years. That is, I start at the front and go through the entire magazine just looking at the pictures...that is, the photos. I have even been known to choose one or two to use as references to practice my drawing.
There is just something so wonderful about all of the smiling faces. I find myself drawn to them. Especially to what has been captured in their eyes. The young people and the old people, the families, the fathers and sons...and grandpas. The mothers and daughters. And everyone smiling and happy! The joy of living the gospel reflected each set of shining eyes!
I love that some years ago they began to include photos of people participating in General Conference from all over the world. How does one describe the sense of belonging and kinship that can be felt looking at the photo of someone you have never met? Someone from another country even? And yet it is undeniably there...something which can only be understood through the spirit!
We are part of one big family. We share the same beliefs and values. We are children of the same God, redeemed by the same redeemer. We love the same scriptures. We teach each other the same doctrine. We each accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and we each follow him doing our best to serve Him as we serve each other...
...and I think that the same spirit thrills in each of our hearts when we join together each General Conference season to listen to a living prophet...yes, a living prophet...and the Lord's chosen servants give us sorely needed counsel, warnings, and encouragement.
As I meandered my way through the conference edition this time, one scripture kept coming to my mind. A favorite of mine found in Mosiah 2:41:
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out cfaithful to the end they are received into dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
This is what I see in all of those happy smiling faces! Pure joy. Indeed, a small taste of heaven!
Roxane Colburn
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