Testimony

* photo of the Mesa Arizona Temple taken by me

I am so glad to finally be getting a "normal" Sunday where I can sit and reflect for a few minutes. I would be extremely ungrateful if I did not take the chance during my month of gratitude posts to write about how grateful I am to have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was lucky to be raised in a family where the gospel was not only taught but where I was able to see it lived by example. My parents were always diligent in their church callings and I am grateful to have been able to learn the importance of serving where you are called from them.

I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve a mission to Des Moines, Iowa. I know it was there that I was able to strengthen my testimony of scripture study as I studied every day and learned to more fully apply the teachings of the scriptures to my own life. I also saw how the atonement of Jesus Christ was able to change the lives of those I shared the gospel with.

I have learned the importance of tithing many times over as I have seen the blessings of paying a full tithe. Our lives have, without question, been blessed many times over as we have paid our tithing and fast offerings.

What a blessing it is to know that my family can be together forever through the blessings of temple covenants. We are lucky to have a temple fairly close to us so we can attend regularly. I know our family is blessed as Steve and I make the sacrifice to serve in the temple.

I know that we have a living prophet who gives us guidance as he speaks for the Lord. I have a great love for President Monson and know that when he speaks that we need to listen and act upon his words along with the words of the other apostles and church leaders. How grateful I am for the technology and resources that make their talks and devotionals so accessible to us and to the world.

I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. Regardless of my shortcomings, I know that I can go to Him and he will be there to answer my prayers, offer me peace, forgive me of my mistakes, and teach me through the Spirit.

I know that I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who was sent to make it possible for me to return to live with my Heavenly Father. His sacrifice and Atonement have made it possible for me to repent when I fall short and put myself back on the path to eternal life. I know that He lives and and am grateful for that knowledge.

I am grateful for this testimony and the opportunity that I have to share it ... even if just in my heart. I hope that my children will never question my faith or my testimony. I also hope that I can be an example of Christ through my actions to those who I know and those I come in contact with.