For our family and dear friends - most of you know how important the gospel of Jesus Christ is to us. It is a major part of our family and we wanted to create a blog to share our personal beliefs and the beliefs of our church. We also wanted this to be a special spot, where we could share our personal feelings openly and only those who really cared to know would come. So since you have come - here is our family testimony of the gospel. We know these things are true because of the whispering of the Holy Spirit letting us know they are true as we have studied the scriptures, learned the gospel in our homes and at Church, prayed for ourselves, and from our own life experiences that have taught us.
#1. First of all - we have a testimony that there is a God, and that He is our Father and that He loves us and Listens to us and Hopes for us to return to Him. God truly is our Heavenly Father - the Father of our Spirits. He loves us just as our earthly fathers love us - He worries for us, provides for us, helps us, loves us, and blesses us. We know this is true because when we pray to Him, we feel His love close, we have a peaceful warm feeling in our hearts that He is there and listening. Each day, if we are looking for it, we see and feel the blessings and tender mercies that He sends to let us know of His love and that answer our prayers. We know He has answered our prayers and he will answer yours too.
#2. We have a testimony of the life, mission, and atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He helped to create this earth. He is the God of the Old Testament. He volunteered to come to earth to make a perfect sacrifice for sin so that we can be forgiven when we make mistakes. This is so important to us - because as you, our friends, know-- we often make mistakes! We are very much still learning the lessons of this life - how to be humble, to always speak kindly to and about others, to always be kind and patient with our children and each other, etc. etc. etc. (I am sure you don't want to hear about all the things we do wrong!) But Christ's atonement does makes it possible for us to be forgiven of our mistakes, and if we are baptized and continue to repent and to put our faith in Him by keeping His commandments, Christ has already paid the awful price and there is a way for us to become clean and return to live with our Father in Heaven one day if we will just Come Unto Him. No matter what we have done in this life - the Savior says to each of us like he did the woman taken in adultery "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:11); and invites each of us to come unto Him. This knowledge has also been a blessing in our relationship with each other and our friends. We try to look for the good and know that the atonement makes it possible for us to forgive each other and to just love. Our job is not to judge, but to love one another. Christ is our greatest example of loving others.
#3: We have a testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and know that one day we all will be resurrected; that our bodies and spirits will come together again - never to be separated again! Christ does live! The scriptures testify of this! This is very important to us because after we lost our MaryAnne - this truth is what we hold on to to get us through missing her. After we buried her and her crib was empty and when our arms felt so empty, it was reassuring to know that one day we will get to hold her again, to put our arms around her and love her, and to get to know her in the flesh. We have felt the Spirit both testify of this truth and also comfort us with it. We know that Savior did rise again and that He continues His work in the flesh.
#4: We have a testimony that a way has been provided for Families to be Together Forever. It is part of our Father's plan for each of us to be sent to earth in a family. A family loves and cares for one another. Within the walls of a loving home, children can have opportunities to love, to work, to find joy in life, to learn, to serve, to understand how to relate with others, and to grow in their talents and abilities. A loving family is the perfect practice ground to prepare us to face the world. Also, as we have become parents - it has opened up our perspective on how important creating a loving home for our children is, and how it is not as easy as our parents made it look! It requires sacrifice, dedication, help, balance, forgiveness, and a great sense of humor! And being part of a family, both our own and our extended, has truly brought us the greatest joys that we have ever experienced in our lives! We are not perfect, but we are trying to get better together! We love each other and we love our children, we love our parents and grandparents and we love our brothers and sisters. Heavenly Father loves us and wants for us to be able to enjoy these close ties for eternity. Through special ordinances available in Temples - Families can be Sealed to be Together for Eternity if we are faithful to each other and to the Lord. After losing MaryAnne this truth has brought us hope and peace. We don't want to be separated from or lose each other or any of our children. We are so grateful that the Lord provided a plan for us, and all who want it, to be an Eternal Family.
#5: We have a testimony of that the fullness of the gospel taught by the Savior while he was on the earth has been restored again to the earth in these the last days and the knowledge of the gospel is rolling forth to fill the whole earth. Joseph Smith, as a young boy in New York in 1820, prayed with a sincere heart to know which of all the churches were true. He had been seeking and pondering this question for a very long time. He one day he was reading in the bible and a certain verse touched him very strongly. It was James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." Joseph resolved that he would ask God. He went into a grove of trees near his home and prayed to know the answer to his question. Satan tried to stop him, but he continued praying in his heart. The next thing that happened was miraculous. In Joseph's own words, "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, a young man of 14. They told him that he "must join none of them, for they were all wrong.. that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Joseph Smith History 1:11-20) After this vision - the way was opened up for the Lord to restore the fullness of the gospel that is evident in the Bible:
A) The Book of Mormon- Another Testament of Jesus Christ - this sacred record was given to Joseph by the angel Moroni in an answer to a prayer to know what the Lord would have him do. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith and tells of a group of people who were led out from Jerusalem to America 400 years before Christ's birth, and that after Christ's death and resurrection, they were visited and taught by the Savior. These scriptures are a second witness to the truths taught in the Bible. There is a promise contained near the end of the Book of Mormon, that if anyone would like to know the truthfulness of this book, if they will ask God in sincerity and willingness to follow the counsel he gives, they can ask God and he will let them know if it is true or not. We both have had the Spirit witness to us again and again that it is true and we hope that you too - each of you personally --will take the challenge to read it, and to pray for yourself to know if it is true. God will let you know for yourself.
B) The Priesthood Power - authority to act in God's name - was restored to Joseph directly from John the Baptist and the Lord's apostles Peter, James, and John in other sacred visits. This means that Joseph, and others who have and are ordained with this authority, have the power to baptize, to confirm the Holy Ghost, to bless those who are sick, to lead the church and receive direct revelation from God, and to perform ordinances in the temple for both the living and those who have died. This personally has blessed our family in so many ways - We both come from homes where our fathers honored this power and were worthy to use it to bless us in our childhood and to baptize and confirm us and to ordain Brent to the Priesthood. We had wonderful bishops and leaders that held this priesthood and the keys of repentance and forgiveness. The priesthood power - specifically the sealing power held by the sealer in the temple --makes it possible for us to be bound together forever and for our family to be eternal - not just until death. It has been such a blessing and strength for Brent to lead our family - to give priesthood blessings when I or the children have been sick or discouraged. It was very special for Brent to dedicate MaryAnne's grave as hallowed ground through the priesthood power. It has also been very special for him to give a name and blessing to each one of our children through this sacred power, and to have the help of the Lord in all of our callings that we have been set apart by the priesthood power to do. We are so grateful for the blessings of the priesthood!
C) The Church of Jesus Christ has been organized again on the earth and is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Lord does work through prophets! He gives them the authority to speak and act in His name. Under the Father's direction, Jesus Christ is at the head! He gives direct revelation to His living prophets. Joseph Smith was called as the first president and prophet, seer, and revelator of this dispensation (or time when the fullness of the gospel is on the earth). There have been 15 other men since that time that have held this calling. Thomas S. Monson is Christ's prophet on the earth for right now. The Lord has called 12 Apostles to testify of Him and to assist the prophet in leading the church. If we follow them, they will lead us toward the Savior and a happy life - both now and in the life to come. The church is organized into Areas of the world, Stakes within cities and Wards and Branches that are organized to watch after individuals and families. There are volunteer leaders who are called and set apart to preside over these areas, stakes and wards to strengthen and help each person to come unto Christ and to bless and care for one another: "To mourn with those who mourn, ..to comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places...that ye may be redeemed of God.., that ye may have eternal life--" (Mosiah 18:9) Each individual person is important to the Lord ("What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?"--Luke 15:4) and the church is organized in a way to watch out for each person and individual, and we each have an opportunity to bless and help each other and to be blessed and watched out for ourselves. We have loved serving in the church and have been blessed so much by others who have served in the church!
#6: We have a testimony that the Holy Ghost lets us know of things that are true and part of the plan is that we each get to choose for ourselves what we will do. To every person is given the Light of Christ to know what is right and wrong. This is our conscience that if we listen to it will lead us to things that will help us be happy and keep us away from things that will hurt us. The Holy Spirit is an actual personage of spirit that comforts us, bears witness of truth, teaches us, inspires us and guides us. It is through the Holy Ghost that we can literally feel the Love of our Father - His arms around us, His forgiveness, and that we can gain our own testimony of the things the Savior, the prophets, and the scriptures teach us. The gifts of the spirit as taught by Paul are: "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Galatians 5:22) When we are feeling these feelings, they are gifts from the Spirit and from God. Also we know from Doctrine and Covenants 9:8, that if we have a question or a problem that we "must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that is is right." This is how the Holy Ghost can guide us. We have felt these feelings many times as we have sought answers to our prayers, and with questions or decisions, we have made, as well as in learning of truths at home, at church and at school. When we have felt the spirit we have felt happy, at peace, clear thoughts, and a warmth within us. Also at times, we have had scriptures brought to our mind to help us discern what is true and what is not true, and we have felt promptings that have led us to safety or to meet those who need our help, or to help us to share our testimony. It is such a special blessing to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide us, comfort us, and teach us. With this guidance - we each have a choice. Will we follow the prompting or feelings, or will we choose to do our own thing? We love that the Lord lets each of us choose for ourselves what we will do. He loves us, hopes for us, teaches us - but in the end we have our agency to choose. With this agency - there is always a consequence that follows. If we choose to follow Him - then He can pour out blessings on our head and lead us and guide us more. If we choose not to follow Him - we have no promise in receiving His blessings and often feel feelings of heartache, discouragement, and despair. But all is not lost - we still have the atonement that makes it possible for us to repent and turn our hearts back again toward the Lord! There is always a place of safe return and a path to lead us back to what is right and will make us happy! This is the Lord's plan for us to learn and grow! We are so thankful for this plan!
#7: We have a testimony that living the principles of the gospel truly makes us happy! We know that the commandments have been given to us by God and that He has given them to us so that we can be happy! They are not restrictions or punishment - but they are blessings He wants to give us! We love the story that compares the principles of the gospel to the string of a kite - Because of the string, It keeps the kite flying higher and higher in the wind. If you cut the string - the kite will lose control and fall down with a crash. We know that as we have lived the principles of the gospel - it has blessed us and lifted us higher and higher; and like-wise, when we have not lived the principles of the gospel, it has led to pain, hurt, disappointment and more problems. Though the gospel doesn't take away all of our problems and trials - it does bring peace and safety and makes the burdens light. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." --John 14:7 Some of the principles of the gospel that we have gained a personal testimony of and that have blessed our family the most are these:
1. Family Prayer and Scripture Study, and Family Home Evening: These activities have brought us closer as a family and closer to the Lord! It is fun (and challenging) to try to do it will small children - but so fun and rewarding!!!
2. Paying Tithing and Fast Offerings: The Lord promises in Malachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." We have felt the Lord pour out blessings on our head - providing for us when we needed it, blessing us with food to eat, and for things to work out, and giving us help and strength. We know He has blessed us more than we can receive and we are so grateful for the blessings that come from paying Tithing and Fast Offerings
3. Chastity and Filling our Home with Virtuous Entertainment: When we were dating, we set boundaries for ourselves and worked hard to protect one another and live worthy to go to the temple. Doing this has blessed our marriage in wonderful ways. We have great trust in each other. Because of our faithfulness before marriage, it gives us a secure feeling that we can be faithful to each other now that we are married. Brent saved his first kiss for me - which is the greatest gift of Love he could give me. I love him deeply for doing this and want to encourage our children to do the same. Also, we have a testimony that the atonement can cleanse us of past mistakes and change us - to be born again - and to start things clean and fresh again. This is the beauty of the gospel! Having Movies and Books that are uplifting and happy, and talk of virtuous and lovely things has also been such a blessing to us! It keeps us focused on doing what is right, being kind in our family, and keeping the Spirit in our home to strengthen and protect us. These blessings are definitely worth it to us, even if it means we miss out on seeing the last movie of a series because it contains material that would make the rating PG-13. The disappointment we feel at not getting to see how everything turns out pales in comparison to helping us keep a happy, safe and clean spirit in our home. (Not that you can't see PG-13 movies - but the Lord does ask us to "not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable." For us, this has lead us to making a family goal to not watch PG-13 movies- but we know you need to use this standard to judge even G or PG movies.) “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).
4. Living the Word of Wisdom: (Eating Healthy Foods and Not Smoking, Drinking Alcohol, Coffee, Tea, or Taking Harmful Drugs) We felt the blessings of health, strength, and a clear thinking that comes from living the word of wisdom. “All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings … shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint” (D&C 89:18-20). Living this Health Code has been such a blessing! We have witnessed friends who have chosen to take harmful drugs or smoke and drink and have watched the light leave their eyes and faces, their souls become slaves to the substance and their lives and homes have been torn apart in very painful ways. I know the Lord will bless us and protect if we will obey this law.
5. Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy: The joy and peace and blessings that have come to us from keeping the Sabbath Day Holy are incredible. In school, we tried very hard to complete our studies on the other 6 days of the week, so that we could spend all of Sunday focusing on the Lord, His Work, and being together as a family. It feels so good to forget about work, to forget about school, to forget about the world - and think and focus on things of the gospel one day each week. This truly makes it a day of rest for us and re-energizes us to be able to face another week! Also, we have noticed it has lessened the perceived severity of our weekday problems as we have taken a day off from thinking about them and can look at them with a fresh frame of mind Monday morning. There are many principles of the gospel - each that comes with blessings from the Lord. We are not perfect at them, but we just keep working on them- and they do lift us higher and bring lasting happiness!
Concluding Testimony We share our testimony - that these things are true! God is our Father, He Love Us, He Hears our Prayers; Jesus is the Christ and He atoned for our sins and mistakes and we can be clean and forgiven through Him. Christ was resurrected and He Lives today and Guides His Church. Families can Be Together Eternally and bring us the greatest happiness! The Savior's church has been restored again on the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and testifies of the Savior Jesus Christ. The priesthood has been restored to the earth and blesses us so richly. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and has been called by the Lord to lead and guide us today. The Holy Ghost's influence is real and if we heed the promptings we receive we will be protected, guided, and blessed. Living the Gospel does make us Happy! The Church of Jesus Christ is true - it teaches us of the Lord's plan for us and leads us to true and lasting joy! Our family is forever blessed because of the blessings of the gospel! We share these things with you, and look forward to hearing of your own testimonies and convictions. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
