The year is something of a milestone year for me. My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is precious to me. When I think about my personal journey of discipleship, my mind often goes back to an old villa in Zwickau, where I have cherished memories of attending sacrament meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ as a child. It is there where the seedling of my testimony received its earliest nourishing. This chapel had an old air-driven organ.
Every Sunday a young man was assigned to push up and down the sturdy lever operating the bellows to make the organ work. I sometimes had the great privilege of assisting in this important task. While the congregation sang our beloved hymns, I pumped with all my strength so the organ would not run out of wind. From the bellows operator seat, I had a great view of some stunning stained-glass windows, one depicting the Savior Jesus Christ and another portraying Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.
I can still remember the sacred feelings I had as I looked at those sunlit windows while listening to the testimonies of the Saints and singing the hymns of Zion. In that holy place, the Spirit of God bore witness to my mind and heart that it was true: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. This is His Church. Earlier this year, while on assignment in Europe, I had the opportunity to return to Zwickau.
It was torn down many years ago to make room for a large apartment building. It was a sacred building to me. But it was just a building. By contrast, the spiritual witness I gained from the Holy Ghost those many years ago has not passed away.
In fact, it has grown stronger. The things I learned in my youth about the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ have been my firm foundation throughout my life. The covenant connection I forged with my Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son has stayed with meβlong after the Zwickau chapel was dismantled and the stained-glass windows were lost.
