He lives, my kind wise heav'nly Friend!

Hi all! Happy Easter!

This week was a good week, but this might be a shorter update:

-Since Sister Lopez got emergency transferred in to serve with me, after our zone's  temple day and before her zone went to the temple, we got permission to go to the temple with another zone this week so she would get to go! So I got to go twice this transfer. THE DREAM. I love the house of the Lord.

-We had our interviews with president that we have every other transfer this week. I was taken off guard by his question for me, 'In what ways so far have you changed on your mission?' I know I have changed a lot, but trying to put it in words was a lot harder than I thought. My mission is such a sacred life-changing experience for me. And it continues to be that way. Also, I just love the Weidmans.

-We did tons of service this week. I loveeee service, but missionaries get roped in to some of the funniest service opportunities ever. Oh the life. Yes I am definitely still allergic to cats and dust. #theworst

-Hermana Lopez is just awesome. She is so, go with the flow and happy. In one of our service projects this week , a woman not-so-tactfully said "I just can't get over the contrast in you two. You are white and a pink skinned giant and she is the olive skinned midget." (I am 7 inches taller than her :) ) We just died laughing.

-Elder Ballard is coming to our mission the week before I go home, so that is super exciting!!!!

-Our area covers downtown Santa Monica. Santa Monica has a lot of government subsidized housing. Let's just say, not by choice, I ended up in like all of these complexes this week. And I can't really share my experiences on a public blog and be politically correct, but there were some adventures to say the least.

-There were a lot of moments this week where I just stopped and said, I seriously have no idea how to handle this situation. I am only a 21 yr old Mormon girl from West Virginia. But God always has my back and things just work out. :)

-Our Easter was amazing. It really is one of the best holidays. Our investigator Vicky, made us a delicious dinner and gave us the cutest baskets! We got a call Sunday morning to say that our gospel principles class teacher wouldn't be able to make it, so Sister Lopez and I needed to teach Sunday School. We were both reading the talk mom sent us by Elder McConkie (here is the link---

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1985/04/the-purifying-power-of-gethsemane?lang=eng )

and decided that we should make a bunch of copies and our small class should go around the room reading it a paragraph at a time. We then had everyone share personal experiences or testimonies of their Savior. because the talk is just pure truth and doctrine, the spirit was so strong. we felt prompted to finish by singing I Believe in Christ (which turns out was written by Elder McConkie). It was a really special experience. After church a member and his nonmember friend (who came to church once like 6 weeks ago but wasn't interested in meeting with us then) came up to us to announce that his friend wanted to be baptized!!! I'M SORRY, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? We went to the visitor's center that night and taught the restoration. So powerful. He is incredible. He has an intricate spiritual background and has tried a lot of different religions. He said that when he reads the words of Joseph Smith or learns more about the restored gospel, all of the puzzle pieces of truth that he has from all of his experiences finally fit together. He knows how to follow the spirit like nobody's business. He lives right outside of our area, so we will be transferring him to other missionaries. But he's getting baptized on May 17th! Hurrah for Israel!! When we were teaching him, he went on a tangent for a few minutes about how extremely lucky we are to have "so much light in your life at such a young age". I just sat there in front of the Christus statue on a beautiful Easter evening in so much awe. He was so right. I can't express my gratitude for the knowledge and light of my Savior that I have. He really does live! And His work continues today.

-This morning I was humbled. I selfishly thought to myself (for lack of better terms), "Why do I have to give all my golden people away and then you keep giving me nuts people to teach that I don't know how to handle!" Very quickly I repented. I read in the book, Jesus The Christ, about the parable of the laborers. I am not here for a wage. I am here to work for the Lord and do whatever He asks. These are not my people - they are His. He loves each of us equally. We each have the same potential and we each need this gospel. God owes me absolutely nothing, because He has already given me everything. I owe Him everything and all I have. I love this work and I love the Lord. So many miracles this week and I'm sure there will be many more this week.

make it a great week!!!

Love,

Sister Atkinson

"Thus we in gratitude recall and give our love and pledge our all, shed grateful tear and conquet fear."

Sorry so late in getting this out. Enjoy the glorious celebration of Easter! Love, Dawn

 

Written Monday April 14, 2014

Hi all!

On exchanges this week, my sister training leader asked about different things about different times in my mission. She then said, "Sister Atkinson, you have had just a fun mission." It's probably because I get excited about anything and everything, but I can't lie----"men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25)" is one of my favorite mantras. I could use many words to describe this past week: roller coaster, miraculous, challenging, hilarious, spiritual, etc., but I am definitely going to use the word fun.

This morning we woke up a few minutes early and went running on the beach. Well as close as we can get to the beach without being illegal. [Note from Dawn: Missionaries are not allowed to actually 'go to the beach'] A few days ago, we went on an adventure on the Pacific Coast Highway to find a the apartment of a less active that lives on the beach. #bestareaever

Showed up to district meeting and forgot I was supposed to give the training. Whoops.

This week was the first time I went on an exchange in over 9 months where I wasn't the sister training leader. It was incredible. It made me look back at those 9 months as a sister training leader with so much gratitude for that opportunity. The sister that came with me has never served in an English area, always Hispanic. I probably shouldn't have laughed as she experienced how...un-open? people can be in our area, but I couldn't help myself.

We got a mini-missionary this weekend! She is good friends with my good friend, Heather Virgo! She is in Heather's home ward. I think it is so funny that Heather tries to stalk me every time she comes in town and has yet to run into me. Our mini said her highlight was street contacting. #raisedherright I can't tell you how much I love street contacting. Everyone has a story. Everyone needs to hear about the restored gospel.

We go on visits with our Relief Society president every couple weeks (we always have miracles) and she is one of my favorite humans ever. Her daughter is in the Philharmonic Orchestra at BYU and so we have talked about my first name before. Anyways, she accidentally called me Ali this week and it took me a good 5 seconds to realize that she was referring to me. So weird.

I realized I need to work on patience. It is always so frustrating when people don't get it! We feel like everyone's mothers some days. #comeonkids

Remember Tony? We met with him twice this week! Hoorah for Israel!!! Vicky has a baptismal date! We had a lot of lessons with other people, but mostly they were just big seeds planted because only working with the elect was easier for me this week. We're still praying to find a family!!

Our church building is under renovations for a couple months, so we switched to a different building yesterday and are meeting in the afternoon instead of the morning. Basically it's been a hard adjustment for a lot of people, including some of our investigators, butttttttttttttt a less active who we have been working with for months finally came to church! She hasn't been in years. We went over before church and curled her hair and everything. It was a saving tender mercy for me yesterday.

One doctrine that has really stuck out to me in my studies this week: Many people believe the atonement of Jesus Christ is a gift we open at the end of our lives. They think, "If I'm a good person and accept Christ in this life, at the end of my life, I will be "saved" and magically turned into a person who can live with God forever." That just is not true. The atonement is a gift we are to use and apply DURING our lives. We will be the same person after this life that we were in this life; we aren't going to magically be different. In order to live with God we must be perfect. Are we perfect? No. Can we ever be perfect on our own? No. Christ came to make us perfect. But that is not at the wave of a magic wand when we say "Okay! I have faith in him!" It is a process. We must choose His path. We must make covenants with Him. Faith without works is dead. If we allow Him, He can help us overcome our weaknesses and sins NOW and change NOW. "THIS life is the time for men to prepare to meet God." Throughout our journey in this life and in the spirit world, we can BECOME perfect. Through Christ. We must never become complacent. That means we have stopped progressing. And the definition of damned is a stopped progression. We must constantly rely on our Savior's grace to enable us to overcome and become. One of Satan's greatest tools is to let many believers think "Oh it's okay if I'm this way. Christ will save me and change me in the end." Our Savior is here now. We are on that difficult but possible (because of Christ) path now. Elder Ballard has said, "One day you'll look up and discover that His path has led you directly to the throne of God." We must turn our lives over to Him now.

And lets save the best for last. Remember my miracle of talking with everyone last week? When we met David Archuleta's manager? On Wednesday, we get a call.
"Hello, This is Sister Atkinson."

"Hi Sister, this is Gina, David's manager."

I think, "David...who is David? oh. OH. OH!!"

"So I told David about how we ran into each other the other day. He thought it was awesome. He's going to be in town this weekend and wants to know if we could all meet up?"

After we hung up the phone, I literally fell to the floor like the 16 yr old girl that I am and sprawled out and screamed for a good 90 seconds. #noshame

On Friday, we had our lesson!! We met at the church building. The zone leaders had to come unlock it for us. They just "had" to stay until after the lesson, so they could get a picture. #you'rewelcomeelders

We were so nervous. Not just because I sang along to his Christmas with the MoTab cd everyday just a few months ago, but because you're always nervous when you meet with a member's close friend. We fasted before the lesson and role played it like nobody's business. It was one of the best first lessons I have ever been apart of it. The spirit was incredibly strong. Gina is unreal and so prepared.  Not only is a signed copy of Elder Ballard's book "Our Ssearch for Happiness" that he personally gave her on her nightstand, but she does family history almost every day and has done it for years. She told us of some really spiritual experiences in her life where she has just had the faith to follow God's promptings. She told us of her experiences in the religion she was raised and didn't like how she couldn't ask questions, how there seemed to be a disconnect of a personal relationship with God, etc (all concerns that are answered with and fit perfectly in with the Restoration). David bore a perfect testimony of the First Vision. It was so cool to watch the Spirit work through my companion as well. Anyways, I can't really convey how special the lesson was, but it was. Gina is reading and praying. She is out of town for the next week and a half, but she texted us to tell us about the next time we could meet. Although she works in our area, she lives three blocks out of it :(. So we'll have to transition her to other missionaries when she gets back, but I am so grateful that God let me be apart of part of her journey. Some side notes:
Gina is legit and has even done PR work for people like Britney Spears (back in the good days...)

In preparation for the lesson, I couldn't say "David" without getting distracted, so I would call him Dah-veed.

Tis true, he really is 5 inches shorter than me.

David Archuleta is SO humble and so fresh off the mission. Before and after the lesson he talked to us about some of his experiences. Very genuine guy.

And I love God. Yup. I think that's about it.

MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE! HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!

My mom sent me this quote today, President Hinckley:  "These simple words - " He is not here, but is risen" - have become the most profound in all literature.....They are the fulfillment of all HE had spoken concerning rising again. "

He really does live.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Sister Atkinson

Press on enduring in the ways of Christ:)

April 7, 2014

Press on enduring in the ways of Christ:)

 

Hello everyone!
Another week!
    First off, general conference was AMAZING. Go watch it right now if you haven't on lds.org. They were just unapologetic in the way they denounced sin and advocated righteousness. A lot of you asked me what my favorite part was, but I really can't pick one! I think my favorite thing this time around was the power and renewal of energy I could feel. I could feel myself recommitting to my covenants to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, whether it's by sharing about Him, defending Him, enduring for Him, witnessing of Him, learning of/from Him, following Him, building my faith in Him, hoping in Him, or rejoicing in Him. I simply love the Lord. I love His gospel. I love His church. I love His servants. I just love Him. And I love you. I could feel connected to many of you this weekend and I'm grateful for that.
    This week was an interesting one. Basically, I promised myself a long time ago on my mission that I would only work with people who are ready to receive and act on answers from God. You'd think I get used to it, but this week was a little harder than others (not that I am complaining in the least bit. I am very grateful for all of the experiences I had this week.) It's just not every day you run in to a Ted on the street or a Chris shows up to church, but when we walk out the door every morning we have to have the faith that it will be one of those days. Elder Oaks has a quote in preach my gospel that I love (since Elder Ballard told us missionaries to share some of our studies with you ;) ),
    Dallin Oaks Quote: "None of us should be like the fisherman who thinks he has been fishing all day when in reality he has spent most of his time getting to and from the water, eating lunch, and fussing with his equipment. Fishing success is related to how long you have your line in the water, not to how long you are away from the apartment. Some fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the water for ten hours. Other fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the water for only two hours. This last type may wonder why they do not have the same success as others. The same principle applies to missionaries, whom the Master called ‘fishers of men.’ A missionary’s line should drop into the fishing water the moment he or she leaves the apartment."
    This is a principle that Sister Lopez and I have really tried to apply this week. We have talked to hundreds and hundreds of people, but we aren't getting many fish - let alone bites (well that's not true, we had 3 conversations this week that I will tell you about that were our tender mercies). But she is enthusiastic and optimistic and we both have just smiled our way through it (one thing about Santa Monica is that everyone is very honest. They know who we are and what we want. So they don't ever give us false hopes. It's nice because you don't often have people that make an appointment and don't show up, but you also get a lot more no's than I ever did in South Central, haha) So onward, ever onward this week! We are praying a lot and then getting on our feet and hitting the pavement, so miracles are all around and there are some pretty amazing ones around the corner, I just know it :)

-Conversation 1: Met a man named Henry. Late 40s. businessman-trench coat and all. Asked us questions in a teasing and condescending way at first. Sister Lopez testified about the way the gospel has changed her dad. I testified of getting answers/feeling God's love as I read the Book of Mormon. His countenance changed. He felt the Spirit. We answered his questions. He said everything we said made complete sense. He refused to meet, but he said he would read the Book of Mormon this week and come to the visitor's center. It's amazing how sometimes a seed planted can be satisfying.
-Conversation 2: [Note from Dawn: this one is a little difficult to follow with all of her hashtag thingies and her thoughts, so I will put those in brackets and then you will know the other comments are from the lady she met. Quite the story.] We were a little late to an appointment, but we really have promised God we will talk to everyone. A lady is walking towards us. My thought process=we're late... eh, just at least give her a card.... She accepts the card, looks at it, and just starts laughing. "I'm David Archuleta's manager!" {What?! YES PLEASE.} She goes on to tell us he just got home from his mission {#mominformedmetodayhaha}, she says  if we ever see someone in the neighborhood that looks like him it probably is him because her office is around the corner {#pleasebless}, She told us that David goes out with the missionaries in Utah all the time {#goodboy}, Elder Ballard has given her books before {#howdoyouturndownElderBallard}, David just asked her the other day if she would be interested in meeting with missionaries and have you ever run into missionaries in Santa Monica? She told him she hadn't...{48 hours later... #BAM. THERE WE BE. Obvi, God is real.} She was still super hesitant to meet with us, but lets just say in heaven [Dawn says, I am not sure what she means by heaven here...], I'm watching the conversation she {the manager} had with David Archuleta minutes after the conversation we had. God is trying so hard on her right now. She'll come around :) It was satisfying to be an instrument in the Lord's hands, even if we won't get to see fruits of it.
-Conversation 3: Met a character named Tony on the street on Saturday. He had a coworker once who was Mormon and was always so impressed with the way he valued his family (everyone has a connection to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like everyone!) He went to the visitor's center once because he was curious, but didn't want to learn more. Pretty adamant about it. Sunday comes and? We randomly knocked on homeboy's door!!! "Tony. This never happens. What do you think God is trying to tell you?!" He still had an attitude from the day before (although he read the Book of Mormon Saturday night after seeing us) so I said a silent prayer basically saying, "Heavenly Father. I know you wanted us to meet him again today. What do I say?" Then the words "Timing is everything Tony. Why did God want us to meet you right now? What is going on in your life that He is trying to help you with?" He opened up about a recent death in the family and being at a crossroads in his life and not knowing what his purpose is. WHAT. I silently said a prayer of gratitude. He then said "It is pretty crazy that we met again...maybe it is a sign" (#duh.) and started to open up more. He still was super reluctant to meet and the last thing I want to do is waste my time in trying to convince someone, but we have an appointment this Saturday and he said he would read the book of Mormon every day, praying before with a personal question he has for God and with the question "Is this true?" I really believe he'll do it. And if he does it, I'll get to watch God do his thing. So it will be interesting to see how this one pans out. Aka pray for tony!
No effort is wasted. I truly believe that.
Hardest moment this week: An investigator that we have been meeting with for a couple months  randomly stopped responding to our calls/texts. We had an appointment scheduled, so we show up at his apartment. His roommate that is nice to us answers the door. He and his anti-mormon roommate are in the background in the kitchen cooking. Our investigator says he is busy cooking and can't come to the door (not like him. normally he is super friendly and gentleman-like). His anti roommate starts making fun of us and asking us to be his wives. We texted him after "Let us know if you would like to meet!" No response. Heart broken? Yes. Do I hate Satan? Yes. Will our investigator come around some day in the future? I truly hope so.
I wrote in a different investigator's teaching record that we stopped teaching her because she hadn't responded to us in a couple weeks. Literally within 5 minutes, she texted us and asked to meet this week. #you'rekillinmesmalls
So we have to play the game "homeless or not?" when we street contact. Santa Monica has to be the homeless capital of the world. Some millionaires dress grungy here and look homeless (then I notice how expensive their shoes are) and some homeless people look so...not homeless.  Merciful.
I really am happy and doing well! Thanks for all the support! Make it a great week!  Love you all!
Sister Atkinson

O thou who changest not, abide with me!

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted this sooner. I know she will want you to read her talk that she gave in church which is included at the end. Thanks for you love and support. Love, Dawn

Monday, March 31, 2014 

 

Hello all!
    Sorry to hear about Doug Schwartz, but there is one huge reunion going on in the Spirit World right now!

[Note from Dawn: He was her Grandma Rayma Atkinson Schwartz' 2nd husband, he passed away this week at the age of 94]
    I feel like every email I send basically says "This week wasn't quite like any other week in my mission." I can definitely say that about this past one as well, haha. Brother Bott said in my mission preparation class at BYU that on your mission you will experience the highest highs and lowest lows. I was reading about how Ammon felt this way in Alma 26, in the Book of Mormon, this morning and it gave me so much comfort.The joy always out weighs the hard moments. God is just too good and too real.
    My sweet Rapunzel of a companion- Sister Morgan- needed to go home and is flying to Utah as we speak. Even though we were only companions for two weeks, it's amazing how close I got to her. Love that girl (like all my companions) as a sister. But the Lord can take better care of her than me, and I feel very peaceful. I have learned a lot from her the past couple weeks and a ton about myself. God just puts us where we need to be with who we need to be at every moment.
    My new companion is Sister Lopez. She is so precious! I told her that when they finally have a Hispanic Disney Princess, that they will model her after Sister Lopez. She was born in Mexico, grew up in Arizona, is Spanish and assigned to the Visitor's Center, and has been out since November. She is super bubbly and just wants to work hard, so good things are ahead.

    Random things from the week:
-Missed a step and rolled my ankle. #thecanklesliveon
-Did I ever tell you that the IMAX and BeachBody (aka where they film and produce P90X and such) are literally across the street from our apartment? I can't decide if it's motivating or disheartening to watch all these fit people park and go to "work" when we get back from running every morning, haha
-Speaking of our small street, there was a loud car accident right outside of our house (both cars were totaled. The speed limit is like 15 there, so only in LA could they manage that one. They ran into 3 of the cars around them. Ours was 5 feet away from the crash but didn't get hit. #angelsprotecttheLord'scar

-Missionaries always get roped in to the most interesting service opportunities. We had one of the funniest move-ins I've ever helped with which resulted in the lady and the homeless man she hired yelling at each other among other things. It was so weird to realize I haven't been around contention like my whole mission. #sheltered #contentiousenergymademenervous
-TEMPLE trip. Finally. I loved it. Made me feel so much peace. I can't wait until the day where I don't have to leave the house of the Lord. Someday He'll tell us we can stay forever! I asked Him what He needed me to do the rest of my mission.  I had an overwhelming sense that there is still someone I need to find, so that's super exciting. We are praying in every prayer to find a family if you would like to join us. :)
-Sister Morgan had an appointment pretty far away one day this week, so some senior missionaries took her and other missionaries and I got "babysat" at the Visitor's Center for a good 7 hours, haha. But it was fun to experience the life of a visitor's center sister for a bit. It really is a place of miracles. I met a sweet 20 yr old girl that I know God needed me to meet. Tender mercies are definitely a real thing.
-OH YEAH! While I was at the Visitor's Cneter, the actor who played Daverl (sp?) from the movie, Singles Ward (and is in a bunch of other church movies) ran in to change clothes in the restroom. I didn't get a picture with him, but it was still hilarious to me. And probably only me. Well and MIcah and Kaelyn, I'm sure.
-My body hated me a little this week and I tried to fight off a cold. #vitaminC #somanybagsofcoughdrops Pretty sure it's almost gone now.
-Sighted a giant raccoon on our street (I didn't know wildlife existed in this city besides crows and seagulls). Then we watched it climb in to the sewer. DISGUSTING.
-I LOVED the Worldwide General Women's Meeting which was broadcast on Saturday. I don't really know why, but I just cried through the whole thing. I desperately needed God's love that night, and He sent it so powerfully. Ah, I just love Him so much. Some highlights: Defend and sustain the kingdom of God. Cleave to your covenants. When you are baptized, you change forever. Don't judge others or yourself. Draw attention to the God we worship rather than yourself. Nurture others for Him as part of your divine heritage. You have a strong responsibility to treat all as children of God. God not only sees who you are, but who you may become. It was an incredible meeting. So grateful to be apart of the Lord's work and church.
-Guillaume is doing well and Vicky came to church! Keep our finding efforts in your prayers :)
-Bishop texted me amidst the craziness of the week and asked me to speak at church yesterday. #neverbeenthefinalspeakerbefore #missionpresidentandwifeshoweduprandomlytoourwardonsunday (but it's okay, because I just love the Weidmans) But it actually was a huge blessing for me. Like huge. It's prep for conference this weekend. I used bullet points instead of typing it all out, but I'll try to type it out. There are some good quality Ali stories, so keep reading.
    Make it a great week everyone! GOD IS SPEAKING THROUGH PROPHETS OF GOD THIS WEEKEND. Thanks for your prayers and support! Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Atkinson

 

[Note from Dawn:Here is the talk she gave in church last Sunday that she wants to share with you all]

    The scriptures teach us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is constant. Since the beginning his laws and gospel have been the same; they have not changed. But we live in a constantly changing world. We live in very different society than Adam and Eve or Jesus Christ or even Joseph Smith. So how do we know how to live God's unchanging gospel in a constantly changing world? The New Testament tells us how... "And (God) gave some apostles and some prophets...For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."

    Our Heavenly Father loves us. He does not want us to be confused and tossed to and fro. He has promised to send us prophets so we can know His will, so we can be steady and sure.     There are a lot of good, inspired men and women of God in this world, but a prophet is different and unique. A prophet has God's power and authority or the Priesthood. It is his calling to be God's mouthpiece. Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah...all were prophets, called by God to bring God's children to a unity of faith so they could know God's will for their time period. It has been a pattern that He has followed since the beginning.
    There would be a time of prophets, but people would reject the message and God's prophets over time. So God would take away the prophets. We would then be in a time of apostasy, or a falling away. We would be tossed to and fro not knowing what was man's interpretation of things vs God's will. But when we were ready to listen, God would send another prophet. But over time, there would be another falling away. Even after Christ and His apostles were on the earth, there was a falling away. The priesthood was lost. But, in the spring of 1820, the world was ready to listen again. God, our loving Heavenly Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, appeared to a 14 year old boy named Joseph Smith. They called him to be a prophet. Through him, God's church was restored. There has been an unbroken chain of prophets and priesthood authority since that time. Today we have a prophet. He has 2 counselors. Christ, has 12 modern day apostles. These 15 men are called and set apart as prophets, seers, and revelators. God loves us just as much as He loved those in Moses' time. We are so blessed!     One of my favorite questions to ask strangers on the street is "Why would we need a prophet of God in 2014?" They almost always laugh and ask "Have you been to Hollywood? Or down the 3rd street promenade? Or watched the news?" Then we get really giddy because we are able to testify that there IS a prophet of God on the earth today! Then they always ask, "Well how do you know that he actually is a prophet?" That is the question I want to answer today. How do I know that God actually has called prophets today?    My testimony always comes back to the Book of Mormon. The Bible teaches us that a true test of a prophet is the "fruit" that they produce. The Book of Mormon is the fruit of  Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is true, so I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's church and kingdom, so the president of the church today is God's prophet. It always comes back to the Book of Mormon, but I have had multiple experiences in my life confirm that faith and those are the experiences I would like to share.    Some of my earliest memories of learning  what a prophet is includes chanting "follow the prophet" with dozens of other primary children during singing time. Or going to my grandma's house up the street on general conference weekend, sitting on her couch, eating cheez-its, trying to convince her to scratch my back, while we all gathered and watched President Hinckley speak. Or when I asked my mom why we needed a whole closet for food storage to which she basically said "Because the prophet said so." Because of these experiences as a young girl, I know that God speaks through prophets today.     One of my favorite family home evenings, was when my parents taught us about how the prophet Brigham Young asked early Saints to pull handcarts across the country to Utah. My mom asked me to go get about 8 lbs. of belongings. I ran around and tried to decide which stuffed animals, shoes, or books to take. When I had my 8 lbs ready, she then asked "Okay. What if President Hinckley called right now and asked you to leave everything, and take these 8 lbs of belongings and pull a handcart across the country? Would you be willing?" Because the Spirit was able to testify to me at such a young age and I had parents who would ask me such a question, I know that God speaks through prophets today.    I don't think it's appropriate for missionaries to talk about their past crushes, so I was going to say "Don't tell my mission president" but considering he walked in to our ward this morning.........    When I was 14 I had a crush on this boy. And then one day he told me liked me too and he asked me to be his girlfriend!! I went home. I knew I was going to pull out the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet, a booklet that the prophet and apostles put together and said that these are God's standards for youth and all church members. I reread the section on dating, which advises we wait until we are 16 to date. I had a choice. I could follow a boy that I thought I was in love with or I could follow the prophet. Because of the blessings that have come in to my life because I waited until 16 to date, I know that God speaks through prophets today.    I vaguely remember in about 2000 when President Hinckley boldly asked all members of the church to settle all debts, to stop spending money we don't have, and save/set aside some money in case of a time of crisis. This was rare advice for a time of spending and investing. Within 10 years, the economy crumbled. It was so obvious to me who was protected because they followed a modern-day prophet and who wasn't. I know that God speaks through prophets today.    Members of the church in high school have an opportunity to take a scripture study class called seminary. Every day before school at 6 am, I would study the scriptures. I fell in love with stories of those who had enough faith to follow the prophet. Some of my favorites were the children of Israel who had enough faith to follow the prophet Moses into a parted Red Sea. Or Nephi who had enough faith to follow the prophet's call to return to Jerusalem to get the plates from Laban. Or Naaman in the Old Testament who had enough faith to follow the prophet and humbly bathe himself 7 times to be cleansed from leprosy. Because I studied the scriptures, I know that God still speaks through prophets today.
    Growing up in the Bible belt, a lot of people came to me with questions and criticisms from an early age. This led me to study church history early on. I came across things in church history that made me feel a little uncomfortable. If society looks at church history, they might call the prophets prejudiced against women or other races. I didn't know what was right. Around this same time that I had questions, Proposition 8 came out in California. Although I was in WV, I had a sister living in California and I attended a liberal arts high school and have many friends with same-sex attraction, so I was very aware. Once again, I had the question of what was right and what was wrong. I pleaded with the Lord for understanding. He didn't answer my questions in detail, so it came down to the question if I believed these men to be prophets of God. I decided to doubt my doubts before I doubted my faith. Because I exercised my faith and followed the prophets, every question I had has been answered and my concerns have been resolved. I know that God speaks through prophets today.    When President Hinckley passed away, we heard that high school students in Utah were dressing up in church clothes at school. On the day of his funeral out of respect me, my sister, my cousin, and my friend, who had joined the church a month before, as the only members of the church in our high school, dressed up in church clothes that day. We got asked all day long why were dressed up. It was a huge wake-up call for me to realize how many people have no idea about modern day prophets. I had to decide if I was going to open my mouth and share with them the good news that the restored gospel brings. I know that God speaks through prophets today.    A few months after that I had the opportunity to stand up as part of the solemn assembly at general conference and raise my right arm to the square and sustain President Monson as the Lord's current prophet. As I did that, the Spirit bore witness to me that the mantle had been passed. I know that God speaks to him as a prophet today.    When I went to BYU, I had my first opportunity to attend General Conference in person at the conference center. I could be in the same room as the prophet and apostles as they spoke to us! As I walked to the conference center, I was surprised by the usual protestors yelling and screaming at us, profanities and cruel things about the prophets. I felt dark and evil and sad. Within the hour, I stood with thousands of other Latter-day Saints and sang the hymn "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet". The feeling I had was completely the opposite of the one I had outside with the protestors. I knew those protestors were wrong; God does speak through prophets today.    Exactly a year and a half ago from this upcoming weekend, I was counseled to think of a question I had for God. As I attended the conference sessions, I was to think of that question and see if the Spirit answered my question as I listened to the speakers. My question was, "God. In about 9 months I will turn 21. And even though I have always wanted to serve a mission, the timing just doesn't seem right. And I don't think I'm going to go on a mission. Is that okay?"   This is from my journal that weekend: "Today was one of those life-changing spiritual promptings. President Monson miraculously announced that the age of missionary service has been changed for young women from age 21 to age 19. I was so blind sided" This is what my friends and I have joked about! I was jumping on my couch with tears running down my face. How exciting! Then it hit me. I could start my mission papers....tomorrow! My mind started flooding. I was overwhelmed with joy and with the Spirit. My usual concerns about timing, career, marriage, and trumpet that usually accompany my thoughts when I consider serving a mission are simply not here. It will all work out perfectly, I just know it. The word "Go...go...go..." just kept popping in my head accompanied by one of the most comforting feelings of the Spirit. I felt the same way I did when I visited the Sacred Grove or when my friend was baptized---I could feel God's love in every part of my soul....I cannot describe how I feel. I feel as if each conference talk was given for me. I feel as if this announcement was given for me, as if I am the only person in the world that matters to Heavenly Father. Obviously, I'm not that selfish and that simply is not true. But Heavenly Father does love me. I am His daughter. He has a specific plan for me...My desire to serve a mission has finally coincided with timing, the Lord's timing. I have no feelings of fear, only peace."
The next day of conference I had a different question "God. I think I'm going on a mission. Is that okay?" Elder Holland, an apostle of God, spoke quoting Christ. He said, "Do you love me more than all of this?" 'Yea Lord, I love thee' "Then leave all of this and GO and teach and testify." When He said 'Go', it was the exact same spiritual prompting of "Go" I had received the day before. God spoke to me that weekend through a prophet's announcement and through an apostle's talk. I KNOW that God speaks through prophets today.    Since coming on a mission, my testimony of modern day prophets has dramatically been strengthened. I have had to ask a lot of people to follow the prophet and be baptized, give up cigarettes, quit pornography and live the law of chastity, find a different job so they could take the sacrament each Sunday, read the Book of Mormon everyday, create a family mission plan, or share the gospel with their neighbor...As I have witnessed the faith of so many people here, including yours, and the blessings that have entered your lives, I can honestly say I know that God speaks through prophets today.    God is speaking to us through prophets this weekend at general conference. Of general conference, President Uchtdorf has said, "Decide now to make general conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. By doing these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you the powers of darkness will be dispersed from before you, and the heavens will shake for your good."    Brothers and sisters, God does not want us to be tossed to and fro. We can know exactly what His will is as we take advantage of general conference. As we prepare with questions and prayer, listen and re-listen to the talks, and act with faith on the answers/counsel we receive, I know we can be different people in a week from now.    God's priesthood authority and power is on the earth. We have a living prophet. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and this is His work. I'm so grateful to be a part of it. I really do know that our loving Heavenly Father and Savior speak to us through prophets today.

Sister Alexandra Atkinson