"WHETHER BY MY OWN VOICE, OR THE VOICE OF MY SERVANTS.....IT IS THE SAME"

Elder Denny Blodgett
Apr 11
4 min read

Last weekend was very nice and peaceful. Two times each year, we are given a special opportunity to hear words from living prophets and apostles….. General Conference weekend is one of my favorites of the year. In a world full of noise, confusion, and competing voices, the inspired words from our leaders stand as a clear and steady source of truth. I find myself pausing…..reflecting…..and trying to figure out what I can do to realign my life with the teachings of Jesus Christ and keep myself on the “covenant path”. I am also reminded that God has not forgotten me…..He is speaking to me through these men.

I also like the fact that General Conference is more than just a series of talks over a two-day period of time. It is personal revelation. As I listen with faith, the Holy Ghost can help me find answers to my questions, give me comfort in things I am dealing with, and guidance for direction on what I should do with the issues facing me in my life. I will end up listening to these talks over and over again in the next few months. Every time I listen to a talk the second and third time, I learn something new and the feelings I get are difficult to express in words. I receive deeper understanding and figure out ways to apply those teachings in my life day by day. I guess the bottom line for me is simple….. General Conference helps me stay more anchored in Christ. Even as the world changes and we read about so many really sad and difficult problems and events…..the gospel of Jesus Christ is constant. And the beauty of what we see at conference, is that we are listening to prophetic counsel….. which will help us all to better prepare ourselves to face challenges, resist temptation, and hopefully remain spiritually stronger.

The pictures and videos below are more of our activities of the week. The weeks are going by quickly and we have very mixed emotions about leaving because Ghana is a very special place here on Earth. Jill says to me often, "I hope I won't ever forget what we have seen and what we have done". I had an experience this week to share….. I was walking into the entry way of the Butterfly Market, a place you have seen many pictures of before. It was crowded and there was no place to park. Usually people park a ways away and then walk. We walk from our house because we are only about a half mile away. As I was entering the market, a big man, mid-30’s, very “buff”, dressed in camouflage clothing was being honked at from a car behind him. The guy in the car was laying on the horn, indicating he wanted him to move. The man turned around, stood his ground, stared at the driver, and then began to walk to the drivers side of the car. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “it looks like that guy is just trying to see if his horn works”. He stopped, looked at me with his upset and agitated face, and said smiling. “you must have seen the expression on my face as to what I was about to do”. I laughed and smiled…..and so did he…..he reached out and shook my hand, and said, “thank you”. We both walked in the market together without any incident and what he may have done with the driver of the car. I thought about that experience this week and again am in amazement as to how genuinely good these people are….. and how friendly and kind they have been to Jill and me. I know I keep repeating myself, but I will never forget them as long as I live.

I do know that God lives. I do know that He knows each one of us personally. General Conference is a gift from a loving Heavenly Father. He is speaking to us through his designated apostles and prophets to help guide us through a troubled world. If we listen and follow their counsel, we will be blessed with greater peace, more direction, and increased faith that will help our futures to be more bright. This knowledge has given me so much happiness and contentment in my life. I know that following the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ, will bring more happiness in all of our lives. We just have to give it a try.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK !!!

General Conference from our Dining Room Table. Looks like I still have lots of hair.

General Conference with the De Hoyas

It was going on 10:00 in the evening.....so General Conference from our bedroom.

Kristie and Ross Wilson. They served as the Area Executive Secretary and are now going home. She was one of our Pickleball players and we are grateful for their friendship.