By LeAnn @ Living Waters

There is a song entitled: “I Have A Testimony” by Bettie L. Jones and Muriel C. Ashton.

Here is just the first verse:

I have a testimony sacred and dear to me.

Something that lies within my soul, one that I can-not see.

When life gets dark and its shadows hide all the brightness of day,

I feel God’s arms around me, leading me on each day.

This is truly how I feel. My own testimony is precious to me. As I read many posts from my Christian friends and others; I recognize their own strong testimonies of Christ. I respect their beliefs in our Father in Heaven and in our Savior Jesus Christ. In our church on the 1st Sunday of the month; we have a sacrament meeting where we come fasting. Our fast includes fasting of 2 meals, generally a 24 hour fast. This fast is dedicated to those who are poor and needy and for various other personal reasons. When combined with private prayer; we ask for blessings for those in need and for our own struggles. On that day we contribute fast offerings ; the reccommended amount is the cost of the two meals.  We give as much as we are able too. There is no set amount.

This Sacrament meeting is called a fast and testimony meeting. On this day those who feel the spirit or a desire to bear their testimonies go to the pulpit and share their thoughts about of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.These testimonies should reflect some of our thoughts or feelings about our faith. Here are a few of those beliefs.

Your belief In Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father ~

Your belief in the Holy Ghost and how He influences your life~

Your belief in the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith and or feelings about the First Vision ~

Your belief in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ~

Your belief in the Prophets of old through the ages from Adam to the present day prophet.

Your belief in Prophets and Apostles of today~

Your belief in our  present day Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson

Your belief in the Scriptures ~

Your belief in the purpose of the Holy Priesthood~

You belief in Temples ~

Your belief in Eternal Marriage ~

Your belief in Forever Families ~

This is not an all inclusive list. Of course, those who bear their testimonies do not reflect on every one of the elements of a testimony. Individuals bear their testimony of a few of their beliefs and any experiences that has helped increase their testimonies. Testimonies should be brief; allowing others time to share their thoughts.

During the Sacrament I was thinking of some of the sweet experiences that I had recently that has strengthened my testimony. I felt a desire to share my feelings. I didn’t go up in time to give my testimony during our Sacrament meeting. In our Relief Society meeting they sometimes have a few testimonies at the close of the meeting. This week they didn’t.  On our way home from church I was telling my husband that I felt sad that I didn’t get an opportunity to share the thoughts and feelings of my heart. Later I thought to myself; I can share these thoughts on my blog. Here are a few of my ponderings.

I know beyond doubt that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, knows my name and listens to my prayers. We recently had our own family reunion and I was so worried about how it would turn out. There were some family conflicts with some of the grandchildren and children. I wanted our family to be free from any contention. I prayed earnestly that guardian angels would surround my family and that Satan would be bound. On the first day of the reunion as the families started to collect at the park; I could feel some contention starting. I quickly went to the car and while crying I earnestly prayed to my Heavenly Father for help. As I left the car I felt somewhat better. Within just a little while my oldest daughter and her husband started some games for everyone to play. We were all put on different teams and as we played these games the contentious feelings went away and stayed away throughout the reunion. I knew that my prayer had been answered. I had a strong feeling that perhaps even our parents from the other side of the veil were near by and that Satan was indeed bound. I knew I had been blessed by fasting, praying, attending the temple and putting all of our names on the temple prayer roll. My dear husband had joined me in all of this preparation. I believe in Eternal families and know that I have been deeply blessed by a wonderful posterity of 48 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I know that I have a Savior Jesus Christ who is my Elder Brother and Savior.

I know that He alone was the only one that could save me from my sins through his Atonement. I know that He bled and died for me and for all of the human race. His atonement was infinite and complete. I know that if I try my very best to repent of my sins and obey our Heavenly Father’s commandments that Christ’s Atonement will be effective in my life and I can someday return to Him and to my Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for my Eternal Companion who holds the Priesthood and exercises it on my behalf and on my children’s. He honors his priesthood by serving faithfully and preforming good works in his callings. He has used this priesthood to bless our family when they are in need. We have had countless miracles through the years and prayers answered through these blessings.  My husband received a blessing from our home teachers when he had a heart attack. Through that year he had more than one blessing. There were miracles that occurred and health was restored.

I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son in the Sacred Grove. Through this experience and other’s he restored the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know that we have a modern day prophet who is President Thomas S. Monson. I know he is a Prophet of God. I know that we have 12 living apostles who travel the world over and spread gospel truths.

I love the temple and am so grateful that I was married and sealed to my husband for time and all eternity and that our six children are sealed to us and we are a forever family. I feel blessed that all of my children where married and sealed in the temple.

I love the scriptures and have been reading the Book of Mormon. I have read the Book of Mormon many times, I have taught the Book of Mormon in  Sunday School class and twice I taught it in Seminary. I am presently reading and studying it with the LDS Institute manual. Each time I read this book of scripture; I gain new insight. I can testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I have felt the power of this marvelous book and have had many prayers answered through the scriptures. I love reading the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, The Holy Bible and The New Testament. I have taught these scriptures also in various gospel learning classes. I have a great love for the scriptures.

In closing my thoughts here are three of my favorite scriptures:

Proverbs 3: 5-6

2 Nephi 31: 20-21

Doctrine and Covenants 93:1

I believe these scriptures to be true!

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true; this is my testimony.

 


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