First off, I just want to talk about how being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has affected my life. I honestly don't know who I would be without the gospel. I might have no motivation to do anything, I might just simply give up when things get hard. Everything I am, everything I want to be, and everything I want, was brought around by the church (at least, I am doing my best to live as the Savior did, although, I know I have A LOT of work to do).
The gospel has given me so much comfort in times of trial and hardships. When my Uncle Don passed away, it ended up not being as hard as I thought it would be because I know I will see him again, that he isn't in pain anymore, and that he is still with me. At times I will talk to him and I feel as if he is sitting right next to me, listening. Our savior and our Heavenly Father do the same thing. As we go through times of trial, all we have to do is speak to them and they will be there for us. Our savior knows what we are going through. He went through and dealt with all of the pain and suffering that we feel. David A. Bednar said "You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did."
This quote touches my heart. No matter what you are going through, or how alone you may feel, pray to your Heavenly Father, and his son, Jesus Christ. Know that they are with you and that our brother, Jesus, understands what we are going through. They will use the Holy Ghost and they themselves, will comfort you. Life is tough, but with the knowledge that our Savior went through everything we have gone through and will go through, can comfort us to know that we are not alone, and that he care.
I am so thankful for the atonement. Without it we would not be able to be forgiven of our sins and make it back to the Celestial kingdom. We would, in fact feel alone and hurt. I am so thankful for the gospel, and for the role the family plays in this gospel. Family is so important to me and without this gospel, and the knowledge that we have the potential to be together forever, I would probably distance myself from them because I would know it would hurt less when I lost them, not knowing that I could see them again. In 2 Nephi 18:15-26 it states "(15) And many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. (16) Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." I really like these verses because it is saying that when times get hard, we need to depend on our testimony, and stay true to what we know. Grasping to our testimony will help us so much. I am so blessed to know what I know and to be able to share my testimony.
I know that Heavenly Father, and his son, truly care about us. I know that when we go through trials, they are there to help us, and the Holy Ghost will be there to guide us through life's rough times or decisions. I know that Joseph Smith was, and still is, a true prophet of God, and that he translated the Book Of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon and the Bible (King James version) are true words of God, and that in times of need, we can lean on them to help comfort and guide us. I know that Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us individually. He cares about us and wants us to return to him. I know that we have a true and living prophet on the earth today. I know that President Russell M. Nelson was called of God, and that there is a reason that he was put as our prophet at this point in time. I know that if we live worthily we can be with our family forever. I know the importance of the temple and a temple marriage, and am so excited for when it is my turn to go through the temple and receive my endowments, and one day be married for time and all eternity. I know that the temple is a little bit of Heaven on earth. I know that we can receive personal revelation and that Heavenly Father talks to us through the Holy Ghost. I am so blessed to be in this gospel and know what I know. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love,
MaShayla
