My Testimony

Yesterday I bore my testimony in church for the first time since I was really little. It was an amazing experience! Here is a written portion of my testimony:

Through many experiences and trials, I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that my Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. I believe the Book of Mormon is an inspired book and the truest book on the face of the Earth. I love temples and know that the work of God is done inside. There is no other building with the same peace and feelings than the House of The Lord. My ultimate goal in life is to be married in the temple and make everlasting covenants with an eternal companion. I know Joseph Smith was an instrument in the Lord's hands and restored The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that the Lord atoned for my sins and I am infinitely grateful for His sacrifice. I know Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and I am so grateful for the work he does and for the many prayers he answers. I know he is the true mouthpiece of the Lord upon the Earth today. I am grateful that I am a divine daughter of God. I know that as I increase my testimony through scripture study, prayer, obedience, service, attending my meetings, keeping my covenants and dedicating my whole soul to the Lord, He will guide my life in a way that I could only dream of. I know that through the many decisions that I'm facing in my life at this time, the Lord is by my side to comfort and guide me as long as I am in accordance with His commandments. I know that the only way to achieve eternal life and everlasting happiness on this Earth and in the life to come is through this church. I am so grateful for this knowledge and will do anything to share my happiness with others. I love my Heavenly Father and know he hears and answers my prayers. I hope that I can remain righteous and live with Him again! I know these things to be true with all my heart and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

HOMECOMING!

My brother returned with honor from his two year mission last week! He spoke in church yesterday and is an amazing example to my siblings and I. I am so happy to have him home. One of the major highlights of my life was waiting for him to turn the corner in the airport and greet him after being gone for two years! He has grown as an individual. This got me thinking that I'm sure that this feeling will come again when we see our Heavenly Father for the first time after returning with honor from this Earthly state! I can't wait for that day!

Parents Know Best

Through my early teenage years I seemed to struggle a little bit with the relationship of my parents. As I have become older and matured I have realized that every single rule my parents had was for my own good. They set rules because they cared about me and my future. Sometimes I would fight with them about my curfew or why I couldn't do this or that. I have realized that they set rules to guide my future to happiness. For example, if they didn't give me a curfew, I may have stayed out too late and gotten into a bad situation and made immoral decisions that determined my future. Since my parents set rules and guidelines, I have realized that these short term rules are directly related to my long term happiness. I am so grateful for my parents even though sometimes I don't understand all the rules they make. Since I have learned to follow and respect these rules, my parents now trust me to make my own rules and guidelines in my pursuit of happiness. People believe that in the Mormon church there are way too many rules. I know that they are for our happiness. For example, we have the Word of Wisdom (our guideline for what not to partake) which makes our bodies stay healthy and give us less problems to worry about in the future. I am grateful for my Father in Heaven who gives me guidelines to follow in my pursuit of happiness!

Questions and Answers

I know I have just started blogging but I want to be able to answer any questions you may have about life growing up in the LDS religion. I would love to answer questions! Any questions are wanted!

Having a Missionary

I "have a missionary".... a boy that I had dated for a couple of years (while dating other people as well) before he left on his mission. Letting my best friend leave for two years was definitely something that was hard for me. It was a major sacrifice to the Lord. I know I have been blessed for it. We have been writing throughout his mission. I have tried to support him through my letters and some days have been better than others as I have missed my best friend. I know my testimony has grown and we have grown through letters. He will be out a year in August...it's crazy how fast it goes. Well last week I got a 10 page letter from him. I was so worried when I got a letter that was that thick! He had just written me that the last couple of weeks had been the hardest time of his life. He was letting me know that we will still be best friends but he needed to focus fully on his mission and fully dedicate his two year mission to the Lord and the people seeking to find the truth. It was really hard because I know we won't write much but I know that the Lord knows best and if I am doing what is right...He will work out the rest. I have just been reading a lot of scriptures lately and through personal revelation I have felt the comfort of my Savior. One scripture I read right after this letter was in 2nd Nephi of the Book of Mormon which reads in verse 34, "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." Before I read this I felt almost bitter because I still wanted to keep that close contact with my best friend but after I read this I knew the Spirit testified to me that I should trust in the Lord and all would be ok!

Sacrifices

I make many sacrifices for what I believe in. I do not post this meaning that I am self-righteous in anyway.....I believe these sacrifices come with many blessings. Here is a list of the sacrifices that I can think of right now...

--- Waiting until marriage before sexual activity
--- Paying 10% of my income to my church to help people in need and church needs
--- Obstaining from acohol, drugs, and tea
--- Supporting my friends on missions...all worthy 19 yr. old men are required to serve the Lord for two years..yes one is my boyfriend!

These sacrifices may seem crazy and at times are hard to abide by but the blessings that come from these few sacrifices are irreplaceable. I sacrifice these things because I trust in the Lord and know that He has set these guidelines for our own good. By living these standards, it shows how much dedication I have to my religion. I make mistakes and everyone makes mistakes but that's what repentance is for!

A Normal Person

When many people discover that I'm LDS they immediately have a lot of questions. I went on a cruise with a group of my friends for graduation and someone asked if in my religion the men had many wives. I explained that my religion does not believe in polygamy. I am sure that many of you reading this have questions. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want..I will answer them respectively! Have a great day!