Entering a large hallway, he received the answer—and the reassurance—he had sought. Before him stood the resurrected Savior, who told him what he needed to do. President Snow later told his granddaughter Alice Pond about this experience. Alice recorded the conversation she had with her grandfather in the Salt Lake Temple:
“In the large corridor leading into the celestial room, I was walking several steps ahead of grand-pa when he stopped me and said: ‘Wait a moment, Allie, I want to tell you something. It was right here that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me at the time of the death of President Woodruff. He instructed me to go right ahead and reorganize the First Presidency of the Church at once and not wait as had been done after the death of the previous presidents, and that I was to succeed President Woodruff.’
“Then grand-pa came a step nearer and held out his left hand and said: ‘He stood right here, about three feet above the floor. It looked as though He stood on a plate of solid gold.’
“Grand-pa told me what a glorious personage the Savior is and described His hands, feet, countenance and beautiful white robes, all of which were of such a glory of whiteness and brightness that he could hardly gaze upon Him.
“Then [grand-pa] came another step nearer and put his right hand on my head and said: ‘Now, grand-daughter, I want you to remember that this is the testimony of your grand-father, that he told you with his own lips that he actually saw the Savior, here in the Temple, and talked with Him face to face.’”5
Ashlee then asked us to tell her what evidence we have that the Old Testament prophecies of the Kingdom of God rolling forth across the earth are being fulfilled.The change in the age limit for missionaries
The disasters all across the earth bring the church into many countries as it brings aid
The growth of temples all over the world
The use of the internet in preaching the gospel
President Snow said this: "We can see the hand of the Almighty establishing a kingdom spoken of in ages long past by Daniel the Prophet,—a kingdom which shall grow and spread until it fills the whole earth [see Daniel 2:44], when light and intelligence shall be so generally diffused that it shall no longer be necessary for any man to say to his fellows, “Know ye the Lord, but all shall know him, from the least unto the greatest;” [see Jeremiah 31:34] and when the Spirit of the Lord shall be poured out upon all flesh to such a degree that their sons and their daughters shall prophesy, their old men shall dream dreams, their young men see visions [see Joel 2:28], and when there shall be nothing to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain of the Lord [see Isaiah 11:9].9"
President Snow also spoke of the Kingdom of God moving forward even in the face of persecution:
Brethren and sisters, God has set up His Church and Kingdom on the earth for the benefit and blessing of the human family, to guide them in the way of truth, to prepare them for exaltation in His presence and for His glorious coming and kingdom on the earth. His purposes will be accomplished in spite of all the opposition which may be brought against them by wicked men and the powers of darkness. Everything that stands in the way of this work will be removed. Nothing will be able to withstand His power, but everything that He has decreed will be fully and perfectly accomplished. The love of God for His people will continue and abide and they will triumph in His might.10
Then Ashlee shared what it was like when she recently traveled to visit her husband's family in Virginia. Ashlee grew up in Utah and hasn't often felt that her values were being attacked. But her youngest was very fussy on the plane ride to Virginia and passengers were not understanding. The man behind her said that she needed to get a muzzle for her kid. That hurt her feelings, but it was the comment on the way home that really stung. A woman behind her said, "Birth control is a good thing, isn't it?" Ashlee know that the woman's comment reflected the values of the world. But she was trying to do what Heavenly Father values.
Teresa Anderson shares a thought from a Christian Mommy Blogger in relation to the world today advocating less children. This woman said that Motherhood isn't a hobby it is a calling. It isn't something you squeeze in if you have time for it. It is the reason God gave you time.
Falila Taula talked about a global conference she attended at work. Everyone had to make a presentation about themselves. Within the Utah office there was a lot of pressure not to bring up being Mormon. But she couldn't leave that out and accurately portray who she is. In her presentation she had a big picture of the temple and said that she is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that her faith is the most important thing in her life. Everything she does at work is secondary to that. Her boss, who is of another faith nodded his head in agreement--essentially endorsing her decision to include her faith in the discussion.
Leslie Weber talked about how standing up for each other helps us overcome persecution. One time she was riding in the car with another sister on the way to an activity. This sister began speaking unkindly about another sister they both knew. Leslie was so uncomfortable and troubled, but she was tongue tied. She vowed that if she was ever in that position again she would say something. Sure enough, it happened again. She spoke up in defense of the persecuted sister. It was uncomfortable, it was awkward, but she did it!
Paea Olah talked about the impact of our examples. She and her husband lived with her in-laws for a while after they were married. They were not members of the church. They seemed like they didn't really care, but they were watching. One Sunday Paea came into the kitchen for breakfast. Her said, "Isn't it fast sunday!?" She had forgotten, but they had not. They were watching!
Amora Doxy talked about one side of her family that has slowly moved further away from the Church and then further away from all spirituality. It always feels like a fine line of being herself, bringing the Spirit, but not offending. At Christmas time the whole family sings and plays instruments together. Over the years she noticed that one by one the religious songs were disappearing for more and more Santa and snow. She had written a Christmas song that was very spiritual and that meant a lot to her. Her dad really wanted her to sing it (It is his side of the family) but she felt so awkward. She sang it and everyone was very loving and supportive. She concluded that when we are brave enough to be ourselves others often let their guard down too.
Finally, Ivy, a visitor, shared her experience growing up in the Czech Republic. She was the only member in the city when she was a teenager. It was a somber place and few people were religious at all. She lived there for a while with her children and tried to teach them the meaning of the gospel surrounded by a very secular society. She taught her daughter not to take the gospel for granted. One day her young daughter gave the aunt they were living with a Book of Mormon and shared how important it was to her. Ivy could never give her sister a Book of Mormon, but by teaching her daughter the gospel the way was prepared.
I know that if we try to remain strong, the Lord will help us to be instruments in His hands to bring the Kingdom of God forth.
