Feeling compelled, willingly.

It was the opening hymn, FYI.

Sarah received a text from the ward music director, asking if I would conduct (sick kids).  Grateful to do so, we went to the church early to go through the hymns, all fairly common.  As it was Fast Sunday (we had Ward Conference the week before, putting our arms to the square to sustain the Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators, as a Quorum presiding over the church)

The opening hymn was #26 in the LDS Hymnbook,  "Joseph Smith's First Prayer".  I had worked with Sarah on some special embellishments that I felt would be important to the song.  Here are the verses:

1. 1. Oh, how lovely was the morning!
   Radiant beamed the sun above.
   Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,
   Music ringing thru the grove,
   When within the shady woodland
   Joseph sought the God of love,
   When within the shady woodland
   Joseph sought the God of love.
2. 2. Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing—
   ’Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer—
   When the pow’rs of sin assailing
   Filled his soul with deep despair;
   But undaunted, still he trusted
   In his Heav’nly Father’s care,
   But undaunted, still he trusted
   In his Heav’nly Father’s care.
3. 3. Suddenly a light descended,
   Brighter far than noonday sun,
   And a shining, glorious pillar
   O’er him fell, around him shone,
   While appeared two heav’nly beings,
   God the Father and the Son,
   While appeared two heav’nly beings,
   God the Father and the Son.
4. 4. “Joseph, this is my Beloved;
   Hear him!” Oh, how sweet the word!
   Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,
   And he listened to the Lord.
   Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
   For he saw the living God,
   Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
   For he saw the living God.
5. Text: George Manwaring, 1854–1889
   Music: Sylvanus Billings Pond, 1792–1871; adapted by A. C. Smyth, 184

It was between the 2nd and 3rd verse that I lost it.  I became unable to sing, as the meaning of the words truly hit me.  The truthfulness of them.  I recovered by the middle of the 3rd, (I didn't stop directing, just singing) and struggled through the song to the end.

It is true!  All of it!  If you put me in front of a firing squad, I am as sure as I can be that I would not deny it.  Made it through the Sacrament Hymn, and during the Sacrament, thinking about what to do with the knowledge given.  I knew that I had to open my mouth.  To speak what I knew.  I listened to the Bishopric Counselor bear his testimony, and went immediately after.  I testified then, and so do now:

Christ is the Son of God, the Promised Messiah, the Redeemer of the World

Christ and His Father appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith,

Priesthood keys were restored to Joseph.

The Aaronic Priesthood, from John the Baptist

The Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John

Other specific keys from Moses, Elias, and Elijah the prophet, and

Though we do not have a president of the church today, those keys, as revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ, are held by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as a group, to preside over the church, to reveal the Word of the Lord to the world, and that in due time, a new President and Prophet will be called, and set apart to be the Lord's voice to the world. 

Now for those who read this that do not know these things, I would invite you first, to not judge me for believing.  I know it seems fantastic, but so does a Virgin birth, Jesus taking upon himself the sins of the world, and resurrecting on the Third day.   I would add my witness to those that have gone before of these truths, those currently testifying thus today, and those that will in the future.

I barely got through to the end.  I am a broken person, and will doubtless need more breaking to be the person God wants me to be.  But I know that He knows me.  That He loves me!  And that if I am obedient as best I can be, and continue to do those things that He would have me do, it will be enough.

I bear this witness in the Holy name of Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World.  the Amen is up to you.