I'm not perfect, nor do I pretend to be. I'm not eloquent with words or a great writer (though I have a million stories I'd like to write one day) and I often misspeak and or say things that come across as slightly different than I intended.
I'm human.
I'm fallible.
I admit it!
But make so mistake that when I say I am a daughter of God who loves me, and I love Him. That I will stand as a witness to God in all times, and in all things and in all places that I do not say it lightly or with a blind eye.
I am a child of God.
I know it.
I love it.
I live it!
I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the tender age of 8, as were a number of my friends. My mother taught me what was right and what was wrong. She also made it clear, though I was very young, that baptism and membership in this church was a very large burden and a blessing. It was also my own choice.
I wanted to be baptized and I felt it was right to do. But my mother insisted I think on it first. She read with me from the scriptures daily, helped me pray, encouraged me to read, pray and think on my own as well as ask questions to my Heavenly Father so I could know for sure and for myself that this was the true church. That I knew for myself and not because of what she believed and what my dad believed. They were both devout LDS members and held callings in our ward faithfully and diligently. But it was important to them that I understand that they neither expected nor wanted me to lean on their faith and their testimonies past the age of accountability. (It was revealed to Joseph Smith that age 8 should be the age at which to be baptized, and no sooner, see Doctrine & Covenants 68:25-27) They would be there always to help me understand and lean on their faith when needed but it was time for me to start gaining my own testimony and knowledge for myself.
I thank her everyday for that!
Since then, I have questioned at times my faith and testimony, as I'm sure we all do no matter what religion we belong to. But Throughout the years, the more I pray and ask questions earnestly and with purpose the more I come back to myself and realize that I've already received truth and it will remain true always.
I don't understand everything there is know about the Gospel, and I am far from being able to explain perfectly even half of what I do understand well, because I'm still earning and will continue to learn far after I leave this Earth and depart my mortal body.
But one thing is certain, with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints being brought so closely under scrutiny for many different things from gay marriage, women and the priesthood, and many other things I don't want to really weigh in on now, it is time we all stand for what we know to be true!
We are being watched. We are being scrutinized and just like in old times in the Book of Mormon, and the Bible, lawyers and hypocrites are questioning faithful members and watching them to try to catch them in something contrary to what they say they believe so as to attempt to smear the church and try to destroy it.
These are the last day whether we want to admit it or not and it is now that we must stand for what we believe! Ask questions if you have them and learn by the spirit. be willing to accept the answers that come and hold tight to the light that you have received! Keep striving to learn more, keep praying and reading your scriptures so you can gain higher ground and stand fast and tall in your place that you will not be able to be torn down.
Alma 12: 10-11
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing
concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil,
and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by
the chains of hell.
Bear your testimonies often so they are shared and can grow. Speak up for what you believe for the adversary is too. Only if wee keep our mouths shut will the adversary win.
We need to be bold and kind in our words. We need to love one another the way they are but don't need accept the wrong things they do as truth. We can still be kind and loving in our conversations and in sharing our testimonies of the truth. We can still be giving and friendly towards all!
I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only church on the face of the Earth that has all the truths, keys and ordinances necessary for our eternal salvation.I know beyond any doubt that it is only through baptism for a remission of our sins and then a constant return to repentance through the atonement of Christ that we can be saved. Only with faith on His name and allowing ourselves to be saved FROM our sins will we find eternal glory with God in the life to come. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is led today by a Prophet of God, even Thomas S Monson that he truly is a Prophet, even as the prophets of old that we read of in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and that he receives divine revelation directly from God for our benefit. I know that Thomas S Monson is just a man, imperfect and with his flaws as we all are, but I also know with a surety that God will NEVER allow him to lead us astray. I know that if we follow the prophet, not blindly, but asking and seeking for answers for ourselves we cannot fail. We will not fall! And we will in the end meet our maker and our Savior Jesus Christ and he will say to us, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." From The Wentworth Letter, found in the Ensign, July 2002
Keep your eye on the eternal goal. That is my testimony and this is my plea; stand ye in holy places!
