Testimony

As we complete our second mission, we take with us memories of many experiences. These are in addition to teaching institute 3 times a week and visiting over a dozen seminary classes in the Albany Stake.  These include:

·   Visiting Cornell and helping at MarCon (a YSA conference) in March 2015
·      Presenting at Gathering in the Grove in May 2015 (another YSA conference)
·      Seneca Lake Girls Camp in July 2015
·      Susquehanna River Canoe Trip in May 2015 with temple friends
·      Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert in June 2015
·      20 Temple Trips with branch members (Manhattan, Boston, and Palmyra)
·      Hill Cumorah Pageant in July 2015
·      11-year old Scout Camp in July 2015
·      Presenting New-Teacher Training for new seminary teachers (June-Aug)
·      Serving in the Branch presidency and as Family History Consultant
·      Albany Stake Temple Youth Conference August 2015 (3 days in the baptistry)
·      Fayette Consortium with CES leadership on April 6, 2015
·      Knight home/Stowell home/River Consortium in July 2015
·      Visiting the newly dedicated Priesthood Restoration site on Sept. 21, 2015
·      Touring Boldt Castle and spending conference weekend in Watertown in October 2015
·      Thanksgiving in Baltimore (w/Nori's, Jeff’s, Jessica's, & Tammy’s families, Greg, Steve, & others)
·      Teaching Seminary Inservice in October (Albany and Owego), November, and January
·      Pathway training and service beginning January 2016

We know more than ever that God lives.  He knows us personally and loves us.  He is the author of the Plan of Happiness that will help us return to Him and become like Him.  We know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  Through His Atonement, we can be redeemed of our sins and be changed through His enabling power. We know that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God and the instrument through which the Lord restored the fullness of His gospel. He saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in a small community not far from our mission; and we have experienced feelings of the Spirit to our hearts and minds as we have visited multiple times numerous sacred places significant to the restoration in the latter days.  We feel so blessed to have served both our missions in the state of New York where so much occurred to provide for us and all people everywhere the blessings we enjoy today.

In addition, we know we are led by a prophet of God today, President Thomas S. Monson.  We know the Book of Mormon is true, that it was translated by the gift and power of God, and that it can bring us closer to God as we study it with real intent and a humble heart.  

Our most cherished knowledge is that through keeping our covenants, we can be together as a family always.  We hope each of you will be faithful and obedient to what you have been taught.  We are so proud of your service to the missionaries who are serving in your wards, your temple worship, service in your callings, and service to your families.  We have "no greater joy than to know that [our] children walk in truth.”  This work is important, and we are privileged to be living now, participating in the ongoing work of the Restoration and preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

We will miss teaching and testifying of the Savior as frequently as we have been.  We have learned so much both about how to teach and about what we have taught.  We aren’t sure of what lies ahead for us, but we look forward to continuing to do our part in helping to build the Kingdom of God.