As we headed into the Christmas season this year, My thoughts turned to gift-giving and I wondered what would be the greatest gift that I could offer. After some thought It occurred to me that one of the greatest gifts I have to offer is that of my testimony. Putting that testimony into words has been challenging Trying to adequately express the sacred knowledge I carry in my heart is not a simple task. But I pray that the Holy Ghost will be my guide I make a valiant attempt to do so. What has come my mind just now are the lyrics of a song I sang as a young woman, ages ago:
"If you see the light of heaven in my eyes, If you see a joy that riches cannot buy, There's a simple explanation that I freely share with all men, For this is where the priceless treasure lies: I know God lives, I know He loves me. I know He hears me and answers when I pray. I know His son is my redeemer And that He died for me that I might live eternally one day. I daily drink of living waters, For He has promised those who drink shall thirst no more. I daily feast upon His teachings. In perfect faith I grow because I know His promises are sure." (Song of Testimony, Janice Kapp Perry) I know that I am a beloved daughter of a living Heavenly Father who loves me and I love him. Just as a child is born on this earth with many of the same characteristics and traits of her parents, I also possess many divine qualities that I inherited from my heavenly parents. I continually strive to develop those righteous qualities so that I can eventually become as they are. My God orchestrated a magnificent plan to provide me the opportunity to exercise my agency to learn and grow here on this earth in the company of my brothers and sisters. But he did not abandon me here. He provided me with all the tools I would need including prayer, scriptures, a living prophet and apostles, and the opportunity for personal revelation and guidance from the Holy Ghost. The power of prayer is a real thing. As I have faced some significant challenges this year, I have had so many family and friends declare in love that they are praying for me. It is difficult to describe, but I have literally felt strength from those prayers lift me up, ease the emotional weight of my challenges, and aid my body in physically healing from the trauma I've been through. I have experienced countless tender mercies and miracles that serve to remind me that my Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers and the prayers of others on my behalf. God knew that, despite my best efforts, I undoubtedly would make mistakes and fall from His grace and so He lovingly offered me a Savior that would choose to intercede and to save me from my sins. I know that Jesus Christ's life did not begin as a babe in Bethlehem, nor did it end on Calvary's hill. Jesus Christ atoned for my sins, and died that I might live again with my earthly and my heavenly family. I know that he was resurrected and lives still. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God to bring about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that this included the restoring of sacred priesthood keys and bringing forth the Book of Mormon to serve as an additional witness of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon which expands my knowledge of the plan of salvation, and has helped me come to know and love Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the hope and peace I feel as I study the teachings of ancient prophets found in the Book of Mormon and exercise faith on that knowledge and in my Savior. I testify that my God and my Savior are keenly aware of me and want me to succeed in finding true joy. I have felt a special calling to locate "the lost sheep" and offer them hope, show them charity, and guide them back to our Savior's loving and outstretched arms so that he can lift them up and carry them back to the fold. This year, in particular, I have been placed in special circumstances and been given targeted opportunities to bring the light of Christ to others. I am grateful for the confidence that my Heavenly Father has in me to run his errand. I cherish these experiences and how my testimony has been strengthened as I am able to exercise faith and minister in his name. And this is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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December 2020
About MeMy name is Andrea. I'm a Mormon mom in my 40's and I am fighting a rare type of brain cancer: Anaplastic Astrocytoma. |