A witness

This weekend was the semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and yesterday afternoon three new apostles were called and sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The passing of Elders Boyd K Packer, Richard G Scott, and L Tom Perry in the preceding months made these new calls necessary at this General Conference. As the new apostles were called, I recognized Elder Gary E Stevenson and Ronald A Rasband from former General Conference talks and callings in the church. Elder Dale G Renlund was a new name to me. However, even though I was not familiar and only slightly familiar with their names, I felt peace upon hearing of their call. In this morning's session of conference, as I heard them bear their testimonies, share the stories of their calls, and give their first direction of apostles of the Lord to the Church, the witness I received by the Holy Spirit of God was undeniable that these men were called of Him to lead the church in these latter days and guide us down the path to return home to Him.

Their words were the ones that struck me most deeply, touched my heart, and helped me desire to improve and change. The witness I received that their words were the will and words of God was indescribable, and I am so grateful to be a member of this Church where the Lord guides His prophets and apostles. A Church where individuals are called of God not for themselves, as one of the newly called apostles said today, but for God's needs and His Church. I am so grateful for these new apostles and their willingness to follow the Lord's will and lead His church. I look forward to learning at their feet and hearing their testimonies and learning from their life's experiences.

I have a strong testimony of these new called apostles now. I know them to be called of God. I know God speaks to his prophets on their earth today and leads His church through them. He is the organizer; He is the voice; He is anxiously waiting to teach us His will so we can do His work on the earth and all that is necessary to bring ourselves and all of His children home to be with Him forever again. I know without a doubt that these men will lead us in the way and are chosen of Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.