My Joy Is Full

What a glorious day this has been. I will forever remember March 14, 2010 as among the best days of my life. It began with the privilege of witnessing Michael's patriarchal blessing. It was a wonderful blessing from an inspired patriarch. Next we went to stake conference where the spirit was again in abundance, with Elder Lance B. Wickman of the seventy presiding. All the talks were inspiring and the institute choir was magnificent. Their song, "Take Time to Be Holy" touched us all. But one of the real tender mercies of the Lord was the overpowering feeling in Bishop Wrigley's office right after conference when I had the great blessing of ordaining Michael an Elder. I truly felt the presence of the spirit in the ordination and then especially as Michael bore his testimony afterwards. And to experience it all with people I love and care about - Sally, Allison & Riley, Annabelle, Adelyn, Davis, Clancey and Terrica, was truly one of those tender mercies of the Lord.

Then being able to spend time with Julia and Hannah on the car ride home and arriving home only to be greeted by the rest of my family, Jeffrey, Kent and Giness, Emily and Cameron who had prepared a delicious dinner just capped off a perfect day. I just feel so blessed and grateful. How does this all apply to the Book of Mormon, you may ask? Throughout the day I reflected on the scriptures that talk about joy; scriptures like like Alma 26:11 - ..."my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy." And then in verse 16, "Behold I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Tonight I feel I understand a little more clearly the meaning of those verses.