I would like to end 2007 with my testimony of Jesus Christ. I want to testify of His love for me and my family. I with as well as for my trials and tribulations. Going through the trials that I’ve gone through in my life has made me who I am today. I would like to share my unwavering faith in my Savior as well as my belief in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also known as the Mormon Religion.
I was born and raised a Mormon or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by wonderful parents who taught me the word of God from an early age. I was raised to rely on God, to ask him for his help and blessings in all my endeavors, big and small. I learned early in life that God loves me and knows me personally. I also learned that God loves all of us equally, no matter who we are and what our circumstances are.
Growing up in Samoa, I had the opportunity to know and be friends with both Mormons and non-Mormons. I was welcomed in their homes and they were welcomed in mine. During this time I saw and understood that there was a difference in my family and my friends’ families. I came home to a home that was usually peaceful and harmonious while my friends would sometimes go home to a home that was contentious and unwelcoming due to drinking and alcohol abuse in the home. I don’t mean to imply that my home was perfect. No home is perfect, we all have challenges and problems, but as a young person I clearly saw that my friend’s home was missing something that I had in my home.
As I grew older I was able to discern many other differences in my home and in my other non-Mormon friends’ homes. I saw for example, that even though many of my friends and their families believed and worshipped God, for them it was something that they only did on Sundays. This was in direct opposition to what I learned at home, that God is a part of our lives every minute of every day. I saw that my friends’ definition of fun and good times often involved alcohol and other practices that I felt were not worthy of them.
It was during this period of my life that I knew that our God gives us commandments for a reason. He loves us so much that He has provided a way for us to go back to Him by following his commandments and obeying His will. He didn’t give us commandments to be a burden in our lives. Rather, He gave us commandments so that we can be blessed in our lives.
It was also during this time of my life as a Young Adult that I began to seriously study the Scriptures. I read both the Book of Mormon and the Holy Bible a couple of times over from cover to cover. It was the first time in my life that I really prayed for understanding and for the Spirit to open my mind and heart so that I would know the truth for myself. My prayers were answered and with each reading I was able to understand and comprehend more and more. In fact, I continue to discover deeper meanings and more profound messages in the Scriptures even today. It was at this point of my life that I knew for a fact that both the Book of Mormon and the Holy Bible are inspired of God.
Years went by and I started my own family. I wanted my children to have what I had when I was growing up.
I knew that in order to be truly happy as a family we needed to be active and faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I mentioned in a previous post that we did have the opportunity to visit many other denominations because of other circumstances. We attended Christian services both in military installations and in different communities as well. I really tried to find in these other churches what I had in my Mormon Religion when I was growing up. Needless to say, I did not find it anywhere else.
These experiences and so many other personal experiences have strengthened my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of what I’ve learned through personal experience, study and prayer and because I’ve seen for myself “religion” as practiced by my other brothers and sisters, I know without any doubt whatsoever that my Mormon Religion is the restored Church of our Savior Jesus Christ.
I know that Jesus is my Savior. I know that He came to the earth to show us the way. I know that He suffered so that all of us can be forgiven of our sins if we dedicate ourselves to Him and seek His forgiveness and guidance in our lives. I know that our God loves us all, Mormons and non-Mormons. I feel and see our God’s Hand every single day of my life. I know that He answers my prayers. He has given me the gift of the Holy Spirit to be my constant companion, to help and to comfort.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who was called upon to restore His Church. I know that President Gordon B. Hinckley is a Living Prophet and that he continues to receive revelations from Him for us today. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ just as the Holy Bible is a testament of His ministry here on earth. I know that Jesus is at the head of the Mormon Church and that he continues to lead it today through His living Prophet. I am so thankful to be a member of this Church and for all the blessings that He has poured upon me and my family.
I know all of these things because I’ve experienced them in my life. I’ve felt it in my heart and soul. I know all of these things and I can not and will not deny them.
As my last post for 2007, I beseech all of you to find out for yourselves what Mormons believe. I invite you to visit the official Church sites online or to attend a service where you live. May God bless all of you and your loved ones wherever you live and may you all feel His love in your lives. May the New Year bring you joy and peace and a renewed desire to find out what the Lord’s will is for you and yours.
