{8} Pressing On

This week we had stake conference in the Marriott and Elder Ballard came and was one the speakers. At our smaller stake conference, Elder Ballard was more relaxed and grandfatherly than he is when speaking in general conference. Being able to hear him speak on Sunday was a new experience for me. It was amazing to see and feel the difference in the two experiences. He went from being a general authority of the church, a hot-shot so to speak, to being a grandfather figure that was willing to tell us how it is and be completely honest with us. It was a further testament to me of the truthfulness of the gospel. These men, the ones that we call the Quorum of the Twelve, are just ordinary men. They are humans just like the rest of us and they are children of God. What makes them different from us is the calling that they hold in the church. It put into perspective the reality that we are all on the same level. We are all trying to grow and be better while flailing through this mortal life. Now, knowing that, it makes it easier for me to try harder and do better. Knowing that even Elder Ballard isn't a perfect human being and still survived mortality so far, tells me that I can do it too if I just keep trying.