I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I joined back in 1964 after a long struggle with faith. I had loved the Savior ever since I could remember, but the church of my youth deserted me as it moved into the intellect movement of the 60's. Without spiritual guidance, I fell away. The Lord distinguished between the words of my mouth and the longing of my heart. He knew that I wanted to believe and so he sent a young woman who told me the story of the Restored Gospel. She bore her testimony of Jesus Christ and promised me that I could know for myself and have my own testimony.

Now forty-six years later I can only thank her from the bottom of my heart for introducing me to the church. Indeed I do have my own testimony. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, called to restore Christ's church to the earth. We have a prophet today who leads and guides us. I am so grateful for Latter-day scriptures that bear testimony of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. It stands as another witness of the Savior and it's truths have touched my life in very personal ways.

I hope that my poetry reflects the growth of my testimony and my love for Jesus Christ.

My Testimony

 
I must admit that I always wondered at those whose testimonies of the Gospel were so sure that they never had any questions.  I wondered how they could be so sure when I had so many questions, so many doubts.  I have learned a lot about myself over the years.  My head and my heart have been dueling for too long a time.  I now have the courage to follow my heart.  My questions are all in a box waiting until I can ask the Master.  Maybe by then they won't seem so important.

In the meantime, I do know what things strengthen me.  Those are all in this poem.  I try to live by them everyday.  I testify that they do make a difference in our lives if we do them for the right reasons.  When I read and study and pray and serve with the intent to grow closer to the Lord, I find myself feeling his presence in my life.  When I live the Gospel as best as I can, I feel His love.  When I stop trying to tell Him how things should be and instead listen to His guidance, my life goes better.  

Not everyone struggles as I have.  But I want any who do to know, that I no longer struggle.  I am humble enough now to just follow the Savior.  And He has let me know in very real ways that He loves me.

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