One thing that seems to be missing throughout this story is a
single, definitive moment when I knew the church was true. I think that
is because I knew all along – I just had to find it. I have said before
that as I learned about the church, it was like I found a name for what I
believed. For instance, the eternal progression of spirits from the
pre-existence to earth and then beyond…that is how I always knew it was.
There was no way that I could believe that we were solely made up of
chemicals moving around in our bodies and this life was it. There was
something eternal about our souls that I knew came from another place.
Another example would be the teaching that goes on in the spirit world.
I always knew there had to be a way that other people of the world were
taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God wouldn’t just say, “Oh, well those
people were in the wrong spot on earth to hear the Gospel so they have no
chance.” That never made sense to me in other churches. I was
amazed at how much the LDS church supports other churches. Also, I always
wondered why there wasn’t a stronger presence of God within the churches I had
attended. If God had such an influence during Biblical times, why
wouldn’t he still? Why wouldn’t he communicate to man through revelation
in the present time? The LDS church provided an explanation for my
beliefs and questions.
I had no specific moment that I felt Heavenly Father’s presence enter my life because
I had felt it there before and knew He was there watching me and guiding me
throughout my life; my relationship with Heavenly Father has not changed much
as I have changed churches. I did, however, feel a lot of positive
reinforcement from Him. I felt Him rejoicing that I had found the true
church and would be able to grow even closer to Him. When I got out here
to Rochester, I went to the Hill Cumorah and really felt Him saying that He was
proud of me and so excited for me.
I believe the greatest blessing was to ‘re-connect’ with and learn more of the
Savior. I have come to know Him so much more through a greater
understanding of the Atonement and of His love for each of His children on an
individual level. Now, I do not only believe in Jesus Christ but I have
come to know Him.
Through the strengthening of my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ,
I’ve been able to find more of my true self. One of my favorite quotes by
Quaker author Parker Palmer is “Before you tell you life what you intend to do
with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your
life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell
you what truths you embody, what values you represent.” Being a member of
the church and having the gift of the Holy Ghost has helped me to find that
more eternal aspect of my soul and to let that part of me shine through each
day.
2008
Edit - It has been about 5 years since I originally wrote this story.
(I’ve kept the below testimony as it was originally. It is still
that simple and that thriving.) In the past years, I’ve quit school,
served a mission (which was financially supported by Drake and his family in an
amazing turn of events), moved to Arizona, moved to Utah, started school yet
again, and married an amazing young man. I’ve been blessed in so many
ways by such amazing people. Lars and I are still dear friends and he
served as my witness on my wedding day.
I am
so grateful for this church and the blessings it has brought me. I am so
grateful for the members and all the support that they offer. I know that
this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was the first in a line of
latter-day prophets who act as a mouthpiece for God. I know that with the
help of the Holy Ghost, each of us can look inside ourselves and find that
eternal piece of us that can remind us of the wonderful plan of salvation and
bring joy to each day. I know that Jesus Christ lives and He is guiding
this church.
I hope
and pray that reading this story will help you to strengthen your own testimony
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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