My Simple Testimony

This church is true.

100 percent.

Without a doubt. I know it is.

The things it has done to change my life is amazing. I’ve experienced some of my highest highs in the church, and have overcome my lowest lows through this gospel. It’s crazy to think that something so simple can do this. That it can change your life. That it can tell you who you are, and what you’re here to do, and where you can go.

I love this church.

I have a feeling that I would not be in the best place without it. I do not know how I would go through life now knowing that I am a child of God. That He loves me. Through my mistakes, through my accomplishments, through growing up, through EVERYTHING.

He loves me.

He wants to forgive me.

He wants me to forgive myself.

He wants me to forgive others.

He wants me to be happy.

What a concept that is, being happy. It doesn’t come over night and it doesn’t come through others, well eternally it doesn’t. It comes through this gospel. Knowing who you are, and who you belong to, and who loves you and wants you to be the best person you can be!

We all make mistakes. We are human. It’s inevitable. But you can still be happy and that’s what He wants as your FATHER in Heaven.

Imagine your parents love for you. It’s a lot of love. They love you leaps and bounds above what you could ever imagine.

Now picture this: Your parents leaps and bounds times infinity!! That’s how much He loves you. Actually, He probably loves you MORE than that!! It’s an insane concept, but it’s true.

I know the scriptures are true. All of them.

No I have not completely read all of these books, but I do not have to to know that they are true.

They change lives. The scriptures have changed my life. Whenever I am struggling I know I can turn to any page and start anywhere in any one of those books and I can get comfort. What a wonderful thing that is!!

When I was about 13 I was struggling a lot. I am a stressor, and that’s what I was doing. I needed something, ANYTHING, to help me. And I turned to the scriptures. 

19 year old me doesn’t do that. How much faith I must have had in such a small book, written so long ago to do that. I want the faith of that 13 year old me.

The scripture I turned to was D&C 6:36.

My absolute favorite scripture.

“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

Wow… It’s so small yet so powerful.

Why was I doubting the Lord?! Why was I letting the world get to me?! Why am I letting things that will cause no eternal harm run my life?!

I don’t want to live that way.

Life is hard. My favorite quote is “Life is a beautiful struggle” because it definitely is. It’s a struggle I am willing to take. I agreed to this in the premortal world. I had so much faith back then. I knew I could make it. 

I know now that I can make it. I know it will take time and effort and it’s going to suck so much a lot of the time.

BUT IT’S WORTH IT

I know there is power in prayer.

I can sit down and talk to my Heavenly Father all the time, whenever I need to. He is always there for me. I know that in my time of need I can pray and the Lord will hear my cries. He will answer them.

I know it may not be answered when I want it to, but it will be answered.

I have looked back on life so many times and seen the things I’ve prayed for get answered. Normally I have no idea why I was supposed to do something but I do it, and I look back and I know I did it for the right reason, and I know why.

We always ask why.

We always want to know the why of things. We are curious people.

But the Lord knows the why and will tell us in His time. When we need it. When our curiosity is gone and we can think “Oh my gosh! That’s it. That’s why!”

I know there is power in the priesthood.

My dad never went on a mission but he is the best man I know.

We fight like all people do, but I know he loves me.

I know he would wake up in the middle of the night and do anything for me. He is so spiritually in tune with things and he uses his priesthood to the best ability he can.

I know that it is important for me as a young woman to be an example to these priesthood holders.

Set high standards for them to reach. Not only temporary, but eternally as well. Choose to say “I will marry an RM.” Don’t be hurtful and close minded about those who never served because not all missions are 2 years away from home, but have standards like that to reach.

I know that families are forever.

I will see my great grandma and great grandpa again.

I will see my grandpa again.

I will see my great aunt again.

The Lord makes it possible to do so! The plan of salvation, of happiness, is for us. It’s for families.

It is so I can marry the future love of my life in the temple and be with him forever!

It’s so I can see all six of my siblings and my wonderful parents even after death.

I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet and I know all the previous and current prophets are true as well.

They are called of God.

They are led to lead us. Without them how chaotic would our church be?!

I know that they teach the word of God just as it is in the scriptures.

I am so grateful for all they have done for all of us so we can happily live this gospel without being run out of our homes and killed.

I know Christ died for me.

He gave His life on the cross and was resurrected 3 days later for me and for you.

Every time I see those videos I cry so hard. The spirit is so overwhelming in preaching to me the truthfulness of this gospel through that.

I can feel His love so much. He gave His life for me so I can be perfect like Him. So I could live again. It’s such a humbling concept to think that someone who do that.

“Oh it is wonderful, that He should care for me enough to die for me. Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”

And it is.

I am so grateful for all of you that have come into my life and changed it. Simple things you do each day have changed my perspective and they make me want to be better. I love you all and I thank you again for being such a great example to everyone.

I say all this in the name of my loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.