Testimony

Tonight I really feel like writing about how great my life has been lately. Certainly not in a bragging way, but to share how great the Lord is and His eagerness to bless His children. 

First, I'd like to share my experience this summer. This semester I had the opportunity to take the SFL 100 course from BYU titled "Successful Marriages and Families". The main objective of the course was to focus on The Family: A Proclamation to the World which you can read here. I can imagine the eye rolls, and people scoffing "typical BYU, offering credits for purely religious material". But in all reality, it wasn't purely religious. We talked about very difficult and heartbreaking subjects, like divorce and the destructive nature of pornography. We had to discuss these issues, among others, and how certain things can strengthen or destroy marriages and families. We not only focused on what LDS prophets and apostles have counseled concerning how to raise a family in today's world, but we studied statistical studies in depth that proved they are right. The fact that successful marriages and families truly are based on "principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities". 

I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints my entire life and I know these things to be true. I have always had a difficult time sharing my testimony, even within my own congregation- among people who believe the same thing. But currently my twin sister Alex is serving as a full time missionary in the New York, New York South mission and I'm so proud of her for her courage. Here is an excerpt from her recent email: 

"I know that I'm supposed to be out here. There is no doubt in my mind. I know that the people we are teaching are sons and daughters of God, and He is giving us the opportunity to help them. We're not here to teach, we're here to help our eternal siblings. That is what I've learned since I've been out. Before I came out, I pictured myself teaching every day, and that everything would work out nicely, and that as soon as people heard our message about the restored gospel they would just say 'Yes! I'd love to get baptized!'. NOPE. That may happen once, if we're lucky. But I realized that's not how it's supposed to go. There are people here that don't even know what Christ did for them, and some that don't even care. And my favorite part of the day is going out to share the peace and happiness we get from living the gospel. That's what I love so much; this is a gospel of happiness, and people see that. They wonder why we smile so much at strangers, and what we do. And there is no greater satisfaction than answering 'we are representatives of Jesus Christ'."


So here is my testimony: I testify that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lives, and that He died for all mankind so that we could receive a redemption of our sins and return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. He knows and loves each of us. I know that Joseph Smith was, and is, a true prophet of God. He saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove and he restored the gospel to the earth once more. Because of him, we have the Book of Mormon and the accounts of prophets like Nephi, Lehi, Alma, and many more. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and if you read it and follow the counsel given in Moroni 10:4-5 (which you can read here) you will also know of its truthfulness. I know that we have a modern prophet on the earth today, Prophet Thomas S. Monson and that he leads the church by the power of God and is His mouthpiece. Because of this gospel, I will be with my family for eternity. I was sealed to my husband for time and all eternity, and our children will live with us as well. This gospel brings true happiness and joy to every one who accepts it and abides by its doctrines and principles. I know that following Christ will lead to salvation. Of this I testify with all of my heart, in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.