My Testimony

My Testimony

My first major testimony building experience happened when I was just a little kid.  My family was on vacation when I got stung by a jellyfish.  I had an allergic reaction to the sting and felt like my chest was on fire.  When we got back to our room, my Dad gave me a blessing and within an hour I felt completely better.  Since that time, I have known that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church and that the priesthood was on the earth

As I've grown, I've always had a desire to serve a mission and I was thrilled when the age to serve was changed to 18.  Because the gospel has brought me so much joy, I am really excited to be able to share the gospel with the Chileans. 

My knowledge and appreciation for the atonement is one aspect of the gospel in which my knowledge has grown a lot as I’ve had need to use it in my life.  It is so cool that because Jesus died for us, he knows exactly what we are going through and exactly what we need.  His atonement doesn’t guarantee an easy life, but it guarantees a life full of hope and happiness.  I’m so grateful for the constant strength I receive each day as I implement the atonement in my life.  The second part of the atonement that I’ve come to love lately is the enabling power it possesses.  Because he knows who we are and what we are capable of, he is able to strengthen us, as he did Nephi, to overcome the trials around us.  I know that great things are accomplished when one relies on the Lord.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw God the father and His son, Jesus Christ.  The main reason I know he is a prophet is because of the Book of Mormon.  I read the Book of Mormon when I was just a little kid because of a deal I made with my parents in which I would receive a gaming device as a result of my reading.  Although I didn’t fully understand it, I felt something special and I knew it was true.  It is not until the past few years that I have started to love the Book of Mormon.  Before I would read my scriptures because that is just what we were told to do.  It wasn’t something that I necessarily loved I just did it.  But a few years ago I really dove in and found out what it is all about.  I now know why we have the Book of Mormon.  Heavenly Father loves us; and because he loves us he gave us another witness that the church is true: The Book of Mormon.  So firstly, it gives a witness that the church is true.  Second, it is a source of spiritual power that one can use daily.  I know that personally, the days that I read and really try to learn as I read go much better than those where I do not.  And lastly, it helps one to come to know Christ.

Life is not always easy.  I know that it is full of shortcomings and disappointments.  But there is one place where you can find true peace and happiness, and that is in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The knowledge I have of why I am here and where I am going gives me the strength and the desire to live a righteous life and helps me to be happy.  I know that this joy is available to all who are willing to humble themselves and be submissive to the will of our Heavenly Father.  And these things I say in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.