My Testimony

Lately I have been feeling a little sad, because some of my siblings are inacctive in our church. I am not meaning this as preaching but I feel as though I should just simply bear MY Testimony. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have been taught right from wrong. Even though I made some BIG mistakes when I was younger, I still believed in the church and knew I needed to make it right. It was hard, and painful, and even embarrassing... but I did it. I know now that I grew from that experience. I love my Savior, I have partaken of his atonement. I know the power it has to change lives. I also know how powerful it is, and even if you've made mistakes you can be forgiven. All you have to do is pray and in some cases confess to the bishop. I love my family, my husband, my children and my brothers and sisters. I am so thankful I get to be with them for all of eternity. I KNOW with out a doubt that The Book of Mormon is true. I have prayed about it, I could tell you the very moment I gained a testimony. It was my freshman year of high school I started reading it so I could go to a pizza party and ended reading so I could know for myself. This testimony is what got me through high school having only a few friends and eating lunch alone most of the time. I wouldn't sacrifice my standards for friends, or boys. I made a commitment to myself that I wouldn't date outside of our faith and I never did. I know we are members of the true church. I know what prayers feel like when they aren't sincere and I know what they are like when they come from a heart that is ready to listen. There is a difference, I can't explain it fully but I can tell you I have felt it. The gospel has saved me, more than one time, in more than one way. I have suffered from depression, I have had suicidal thoughts, and the gospel saved me. I am happier than I have ever been and it is because I have friends that have my same beliefs, I'm not saying you can't be friends with people who do not attend our church, how else would we share the gospel? I'm saying it's much easier to live the way I was taught when I surround myself with people who have my same standards and respect me for keeping them instead of constantly challenging or mocking them. I say these things in the name of our loving Savior Jesus Christ.