Spotlight On...Landon

Today Landon gets to speak in sacrament meeting. Here is a copy of his talk:

Hi, I was asked to talk about my experience in singing in the priesthood session in October 2009.

As many of you know, a lot of us young men in this ward got to sing in the priesthood session. The practices were long and boring. They lasted for about 1 to 2 hours, two days a week. We practiced for around 3 months.

When it came day to sing we sang on the bus. We made the spirit so strong that some of us cried. We had at snack. We practiced for a long time that day. A lot of us felt good. We knew that we were doing the Lord a great favor.

As I went into the Conference Center I could feel the Spirit more than I could ever feel it before. Also it was the most scared I have ever been. There were about 22 thousand people looking at me live, but millions looking at me on TV. But when we started the meeting I said a prayer in my head to help me know the words to the songs. We did great in the first song.

Elder M. Russell Ballard was the first speaker. He was my favorite speaker. He talked about the relationship with fathers and sons: how fathers should listen to their sons and sons should listen to their fathers. Sons should talk about how school and friends are and tell their dads all about it. Fathers should talk to their sons about how to be a good father and respect all girls and children. But as he went on, I thought he could be talking about earthly fathers. But what if he also meant Heavenly Father as well? So that got me thinking a lot. Maybe we need to pray more. Maybe we need to pay tithing more. Maybe we need to read the scriptures more. I think we should do all of these things.

But I think that we should put all these things together. My family as three boys in it. So we should do all of those things. Get all 3 of us and read the scriptures, pray, and do everything to get our love for one another. I have the best dad in the world. He helps me do almost everything. Like he got me a dog, just for keeping my room clean for two months. He gave me the best room in the world. And he loves me very much. I also have a very, very, great, outstanding brother. At the time when I kept my room clean for two months, he went right along with it. He helped me get the best room without being asked. And he also loves me.

I looked up father in the topical guide, and it brought up Mark 7:10.

“For Moses said, Honour thy father and mother and whoso curseth father or mother let him die to death.”

That could go either way. If I curse my dad or Heavenly Father, I will be sorry. So please don’t let down your father or Heavenly Father. And talk to them daily and talk about everything that is on your mind. And love them with all of your heart.

Now moving on. My favorite song was Rise Up, Ye Men of God. All of the songs we sang great. I loved every minute of it. When we finished Rise Up, Ye Men of God, the Spirit was stronger than ever. I was in tears. I was so glad that we could do a once in a lifetime experience.

I know that my testimony got stronger that day. I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith lived and was a true prophet; that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and that he does talk to God and everything that he asks us is God’s will. I know that the Lord did give me my family for a good reason, and that he let me sing in the priesthood session for a great reason. And He loves me very much, too. I love him, too. I am thankful to live on this earth at this time. And I leave this with you today in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love Landon!