We've gotten so much snow out here. I was skiing in Vermont on New Year's Day and it snowed 8 inches while we were on the slopes. We found this great ski resort that I think convinced me I could settle on the East Coast. the name of it is Killington. The resort is operated by the same company that owns the Canyons in Park City. At that base of the mountain is this little village that looked like moms miniature Christmas cottages. So much fun.
I am getting ready for the new year with our Sunday school teachers in our Ward. always a great experience. Below is a quote that I came across while preparing for teacher development, that I love. It speaks to the boldness and preparedness each of us should have in bearing testimony of the restoration:
While in Philadelphia, Joseph Smith was invited to a very large church opened for him to preach in with Parley P Pratt and Sydney Rigdon. Elder Pratt writes, "There was about three thousand people assembled to hear him. Brother Rigdon spoke first, and dwelt on the Gospel, illustrating his doctrine by the Bible. When he was through, brother Jospeh arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon, and translated them by the gift and power of God. He commenced by saying: 'if nobody else had the courage to testify of so glorious a message from Heaven, and of the finding of so glorious a record, he felt to do it in justice to the people, and leave the event with God.'
The entire congregation were astounded; electrified, as it were, and overwhelmed with the sense of the truth and power by which he spoke, and the wonders which he related. A lasting impression was made; many soulds were gathered into the fold. And I bear witness, that he, by his faithful and powerful testimony, cleared his garments of their blood. Multitudes were baptized in Philadelphia and in the regions around; while , at the same time, branches were springing up in Pennsylvania, in Jersey and in various directions."
-Parley P. Pratt. Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 1985) pp. 260-1.
