The most powerful promoters of our church are the members, we all have a story to tell and we need to share it, whether we grew up in the church and have been members all of our lives or are converts to this gospel, everyone has their own story.
Being a member
all my life, my story isn't quite as exciting as others, however it doesn't
matter how long this gospel has been a part of our lives, we all still have to
be converted at some point. Our testimony's are continuously growing
as we actively participate in our church activities, callings and as we read
and ponder the scriptures and talks from the brethren . There might
be that one specific moment in our lives that we remember, that hit us like a
bag of bricks, "oh. wow. this stuff really is true." Some may have a
Joseph Smith type of revelation, but the probability of that is pretty slim.
A lot of us
will just read our scriptures and come across the verse James 1:5; the one that
Joseph read, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Pondering this
verse, we would kneel in fervent prayer, and ask of God. While I did this
many times growing up, having faith in Christ, I knew that these things were true.
Every time I read these scriptures, with real intent, trying to get all that I
can out of them, I know. The scriptures are our connection with God. They were
written and translated through true men of God. Not one word went in without
God allowing it.
Being here
at BYU-Idaho, and taking religion classes, we really get into the meat and
potatoes of our religion and that has helped me grow immensely. My
testimony only continues to grow as I read and feast on the words of
Christ. In the last chapter of the Book Of Mormon, Moroni 10:3-5 it says,
"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be
wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember
how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the
creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things,
and ponder it in your hearts. 4And when ye shall receive
these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal
Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye
shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent,
having faith in Christ, he
will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the
Holy Ghost. 5And by
the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all
things." These three verses are very powerful. They have helped me each
time as I go through and read the Book of Mormon, a real testimony builder that
continues to warm my heart every single time I read them.
Something
that helps me as I read the scriptures or do anything when I'm just trying to
be peaceful and calm, I listen to Hymns Without Words. It's my all-time
favorite CD. I think I've probably listened to it about a million times. This
CD is the top most played songs on my iTunes. In fact, I'm listening to it
now. It never gets old. It's amazing how powerful music can be. Personally, I
love piano music. I think that anyone who can play for beans is amazing. I
especially love listening to my friends play. The talents that people possess
never cease to amaze me.
I just know
in my heart that this church is true and I have a testimony of this gospel;
Christ did come on this earth to atone for our sins, he is the Only Begotten of
the Father. Joseph Smith was the true prophet of the restoration of this gospel
in this dispensation. He translated the Book of Mormon with and ONLY with the
guidance and love of God. We are here to fulfill all that God has prepared for
us. I am so grateful for temples on this earth and the work that we are able to
do in them. And I am eternally grateful for the wonderful opportunity that I
had to be married in one. I know that He loves us, he knows us, each and every
one of us. We are all children of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is our
savior, redeemer, and our brother, and I am so excited to go back and to live
with them someday.
