My Testimony - 5/14/2012

I believe in Christ. I believe that He lived on Earth, He died for us, and He was resurrected. 

Why?

I think there are many reasons why I have developed this testimony.

As a child, my parents and church leaders taught me this.

That won't give you a testimony, though.

So I took their challenge to pray, to have faith, to seek for my own answer.

It's difficult to just believe what someone says without your own experience or witness.

I don't know quite when that testimony started blooming, but I know that I have received numerous experiences that point to the fact that Jesus Christ is my Savior.

There may be time when I question or wonder - what if I didn't believe?

And I don't want to deny what I've experienced.

I am grateful that even if I do deny my testimony or question so much, I can always ask.

And I will always receive my answer as long as I'm truly looking for it... and not hoping walk away from it all because I'm too tired, or it's too inconvenient, or life is too confusing, or I don't agree with how other people express their faith, etc. 

It is okay that others might do this, though. 

My father and a General Conference talk reminded me that we're all on our own path of learning.

We are each different.

We can't all live up to the same ideals, for we are meant to be unique.

The Church is not the end goal, it is the means to an end.

There are still requirements for us all, but it's not up to us to judge another's worth or progress.

God is merciful. Oh, He is an amazing Father with unconditional love and mercy.

I feel that my relationship with my Heavenly Father is a close one.

I love Him and seek His love.

The testimony that I have of His existence is probably the foundation to the testimony I have of Christ.

I know that Christ lives because our Father loves us.

I know that Christ performed the Atonement because He and our Father loves us.

I know that I am here to learn because my Father and Elder Brother love me.

I think this post feels somewhat scattered and maybe it's incoherent, but this is what I wanted to share.

I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost to be my companion and to testify of truth to me through a confusing and difficult and wonderful life.

I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.