Gratitude for leaders and seminary graduation.

Today all of the Laurels went to Relief Society for third hour, and Kelsie and Savanah and I all received a gift from our Young Women leaders–and also one from the Relief Society–because we're graduating. In the notebook from our Young Women leaders, there were notes from a bunch of the leaders that we've had, and I'm so grateful for their words of love and encouragement. They said many things that I needed to hear. I'm so grateful to have been able to get to know these women!! I love them all so much and I'm so grateful that I have been able to learn from them. I have grown so much in this gospel and I know that a lot of it was because of all of my leaders. I'd love to thank them for everything!! <3 <3


P.S. That ^^ was from earlier today--about noonish. Now, I'm officially graduated from seminary!!! Yay!! One graduation down, and one to go! I received so many things today: the notebook with a necklace from my YW's leaders, the pack of notepads from the Relief Society, my seminary diploma, and I also got another necklace with my diploma. It's so cute! It says my name, 2015, and "Doubt not fear not" and has a little key, a little book, and a little stone. I'm so grateful for everyone that has helped me get me to where I am today. I would not be here if it wasn't for my leaders, for my seminary teachers, and for my school teachers. I have learned so much about this gospel and about the world. I know that this next step might be a little challenging, getting used to it, but I know that it will be worth it, and I know that I can do it with the help of my Heavenly Father.

Joseph Smith and the First Vision.

Okay, so I have the devotional in seminary on Monday, and I am going to be performing the musical number that I was going to perform for the seminary conference, but we ran out of time. So, I've been practicing, and I decided to record it the other day, and I did! Even though I'm still a little under the weather, I think it turned out nice. So it's the hymn "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" (Hymn No. 26) to the tune of the song/hymn "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" and I had to do just a little bit of arranging for the end of the song because the soundtrack I picked (done by Chris Rice) had a different ending, so I had to arrange the last two verses to combine them. I really had a wonderful time with this project, and I'm so excited to be performing it on Monday! I really am so grateful for Joseph Smith, who had the courage to ask God a question, and who had the courage to stand up for what he believed and knew was right. Please enjoy the song and video here. Here are the words and lyrics that I arranged:

Joseph Smith's First Prayer:

1. Oh, how lovely was the morning!

Radiant beamed the sun above.

Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,

Music ringing thru the grove,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love.

2. Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing–

T'was the boy's first uttered prayer–

When the pow'rs of sin assailing

Filled his soul with deep despair;

But undaunted, still he trusted

In his Heav'nly Father's care;

But undaunted, still he trusted

In his Heav'nly Father's care.

3. Suddenly a light descended,

Brighter far than noonday sun,

"Joseph, this is my Beloved;

Hear him!" Oh, how sweet the word!

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God;

(interlude)

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God.

(interlude)

Oh, how lovely was the morning! For he saw the living God.

I just love this hymn and this arrangement because it's so pretty. Joseph had a question about which church he should join, and he went to God for an answer. He was only fourteen years old, but he really, really wanted to know which church he should join, so he went into a grove to pray and "ask of God" (King James Bible, James 1:5). He then received what we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints call The First Vision. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph was the first Latter-day prophet. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today and that he speaks to us from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and I know that He loves us. I know that He sends us tender mercies, and I know that preparing this song to sing for my seminary class has really helped me gain a better testimony of Joseph Smith. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Seminary.

I love seminary. It's a place where I can go during the week and learn about the gospel and have a break from school. It's a place where I can go during the week to learn more about my Saviour. It's a place where I can go during the week to learn more about what I can do to help me and help those around me. Seminary is one of my safe havens, and I am so grateful for it. Since I started seminary in ninth grade, it has made a big impact on my life and it has changed me for good. I am so grateful for all of the seminary teachers that I have had and their time and preparation. I have had many life questions answered in seminary and I have felt the spirit so many times. Seminary is one of the places that I feel the most safe and I am so thankful for that.