To honor my own testimony

After some unfortunate late night web browsing last week, I started formulating a text message in my mind for a friend. It went a little like this, "I've read too many 'I'm no longer a Mormon' blog posts so send me your favorite uplifting Mormon bloggers!" But I quickly caught myself and reminded myself of a goal I've tried to meet ever since my screen time obsession began (as soon as I got my iPhone, ahem): less consumption, more production! In that moment, what I really needed was to remember my own testimony, not to read someone else's. Thought this would be a good time as any to record my testimony...

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings hope and light into the world. I know that He teaches truth. I know that abiding by His commandments helps me come to know Christ better and better. I know that only through Him can I return to live in His presence. My one true desire is to be with Him and my family forever, after we all leave this life. I know there is so much more than this life. I know that our time on earth is just a blink in eternity.

I know the full Gospel of Jesus Christ was lost after the death and resurrection of Christ. But I also know that it was restored through the power of God working in Joseph Smith. I know that His power, the priesthood, was returned to earth at this time. I am so grateful for that knowledge! I am so grateful we have His power and love at our fingertips.

I know that God is aware of and loves freely and fiercely each of us! I know that the distance from us to God is only the distance between our knees and the floor. I know that His truth and love is found in the scriptures and the words of our latter-day prophets.

Each sentence above starts with "I know" because that is simply the truth. I do not think or believe these things. I know them because I have tested them out for myself. Because I have asked my Heavenly Father and received an answer. My testimony is always molding, changing, renewing. At times I have a question that I do not understand or know the answer to. I take it to God and at times if I do not receive an answer, I wait and believe still in the knowledge that I already have, and always, in the fact that He loves me fiercely and deeply.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Image via The Good Vibe.