Today I had the opportunity to speak with a friend who is seeking to gain a testimony of the church. As I thought about that desire I thought it could be helpful for me to share how I gained my own testimony. I realized that it is something that could help more than this one friend, so I am sharing this testimony with all who read this. I have received many enlightenment's from God, but I believe a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is based on three components. A knowledge that the Book of Mormon is an inspired book of God written by ancient prophets here on the American continent. A knowledge that Joseph Smith was a true prophet who restored the Lord's true church here upon the earth. Finally, the knowledge that we have a true and living prophet who reveals God's will to those upon the earth.
The first strong testament I received was that of the Book of Mormon. When I was probably about 14 years old I was told that I could receive a knowledge of the Book of Mormon's truth if I would ask God if it were true. I realized that I had to gain my own knowledge of this truth myself because at some point if a friend told me that I only believed what I believed because of my parents I wouldn't know what to say to them. I knelt down one night with faith that God would give me an answer. I asked Him if the Book of Mormon was of Him and almost before I could get the question out I felt an overwhelming warmth and peace that I had always known this book was true. Tears of gratitude ran down my face as I realized that the Lord would answer my prayers.
In that same night I asked God if Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and interestingly enough I didn't really receive an answer. In fact I still can't say that I have received a huge manifestation from the spirit, but I also don't feel I need a huge one. I have had many quite moments when I have thought about the Prophet Joseph Smith and it makes no sense at all to me that if the Book of Mormon is true that Joseph Smith would have gone through and done all he did if not for the fact that he was a true prophet of God. I just know that he is a prophet of God because of the fruits of his labor. In addition to that I have felt the quite reassurance of the spirit every time I proclaim Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God.
Finally I have been lucky to gain a testimony of two of God's prophets in these latter-days. April conference of the year 1995 was the year that President Gordon B. Hinckley became the prophet. I was 15 at this time and I was seeking also to know if he was a prophet of God. I had prayed to know, but I hadn't been answered right away. When they announced him as the prophet and asked the members of the church to raise their hand to sustain him I stood in my parents home and raised my hand. After that the choir sang, "We thank thee O God for a prophet," and when the camera showed him again on the TV that similar warm and peaceful feeling swept over my body. In that moment I knew that God was answering my question of whether or not he was a prophet. I knew His answer was yes.
Similarly when President Thomas S. Monson became the President of the church a year ago I had another conviction that the Lord had called him to be His next prophet. I stood and raised my hand to sustain Him a prophet of God and I did it through faith that the right man had been chosen. As I stood there with my arm raised those same feelings of peace can over me and I again was blessed to know the Lord's will concerning his church.
My testimony was not received through any grand sign or revelations, just quite manifestations of peace from the spirit. It is simple and yet incredibly profound for me in my life. You can take all that I have from me, but I will never deny that Jesus is the Christ and this is his church. The people are imperfect and there will always be mistakes made by man within this church. God is perfect. He knows all and understands all and I know that if I ask of Him and have faith in the things that he has asked me to do He will bring me home to live with Him one day. I am so thankful that twice a year I can sit at the foot of the prophets and for two days feel a tiny portion of the joy and peace that living with God must bring. I love my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. That love is the greatest blessing I have in my life.
1 comment:
I liked how you mentioned the "tiny portion of peace." I had never thought of it in that light.
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