Today in church I was impressed by the lessons and testimonies shared about faith, the goodness of the gospel, and the need to be an example and share our light with the world. It inspired me to share some thoughts on my love and gratitude for my religion, something that has shaped the person I am today.
I come from an area where there aren't many LDS members. It got hard sometimes, trying to live the standards when no one else around me was. It's much easier here at BYU, but I know that comfort won't last forever. Which makes me so grateful for the little additions to my testimony that seem to happen every day now, it seems like. It will make it so much easier when I'm away from here and back to being the odd one out.
Whether it's little answers to prayers or hearing about other people's experiences or simply just reading the Book of Mormon and marveling about how SIMPLE and WONDERFUL God's plan is for us, I can say without a doubt that I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my Savior. This Church and the gospel is true. I've had way too many confirmations to deny it. I can't imagine where I would be without it.
Also, can I say that I love our prophet, Thomas S. Monson? He came and spoke at devotional this past Tuesday and I was just overwhelmed by his love for each of us. The things he speaks are simple truths and can't be denied. Here is one of my favorite talks by him. It just really helps you to remember what is important in life.
God wants us to be happy. Sometimes that can't happen without going through trials first in order to understand what true happiness is. I recently had a talk with girl who couldn't understand the point of our existence. What's the point of living, she said, if we have to suffer so much pain? The reward couldn't be all that worth it, could it? I believe it can. Think about the lessons you would miss out on, the person you wouldn't become. How unfulfilled achieving your goals would seem if it didn't take work to get there. And we're reaching for the ultimate goal - to live with our families and God again. It's gonna take time and trials. It takes a lot of heat and pressure for a piece of coal to become a diamond, after all. But there's always help along the way. I believe that.
Sorry to get all preachy. But I just thought I should share, even if no one listens.
Also, here's another great video, in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Enjoy.
I come from an area where there aren't many LDS members. It got hard sometimes, trying to live the standards when no one else around me was. It's much easier here at BYU, but I know that comfort won't last forever. Which makes me so grateful for the little additions to my testimony that seem to happen every day now, it seems like. It will make it so much easier when I'm away from here and back to being the odd one out.
Whether it's little answers to prayers or hearing about other people's experiences or simply just reading the Book of Mormon and marveling about how SIMPLE and WONDERFUL God's plan is for us, I can say without a doubt that I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my Savior. This Church and the gospel is true. I've had way too many confirmations to deny it. I can't imagine where I would be without it.
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| How amazing is the Atonement of Christ? |
Also, can I say that I love our prophet, Thomas S. Monson? He came and spoke at devotional this past Tuesday and I was just overwhelmed by his love for each of us. The things he speaks are simple truths and can't be denied. Here is one of my favorite talks by him. It just really helps you to remember what is important in life.
God wants us to be happy. Sometimes that can't happen without going through trials first in order to understand what true happiness is. I recently had a talk with girl who couldn't understand the point of our existence. What's the point of living, she said, if we have to suffer so much pain? The reward couldn't be all that worth it, could it? I believe it can. Think about the lessons you would miss out on, the person you wouldn't become. How unfulfilled achieving your goals would seem if it didn't take work to get there. And we're reaching for the ultimate goal - to live with our families and God again. It's gonna take time and trials. It takes a lot of heat and pressure for a piece of coal to become a diamond, after all. But there's always help along the way. I believe that.
Sorry to get all preachy. But I just thought I should share, even if no one listens.
Also, here's another great video, in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Enjoy.
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