What I Know

I'm feeling a desire to share what I know to be true today.  I've said all of these things before.  I say them today.  And be assured that I will repeat them countless times in the future.

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I know it is Christ's true Gospel restored on the earth again through the prophet, Joseph Smith.  Priesthood authority has been restored to the earth.  I know that the Book of Mormon is a true witness of Jesus Christ and the importance, reality and need for His Atonement in our lives.  I know that we have a living prophet today, who leads and directs and counsels us with love.  I know that God lives.  He hears and answers our prayers when we are truly seeking to know and do His will.

Sitting outdoors all day, every day has given me the wonderful opportunity to read the April 2011 Conference issue of the Ensign straight through.  Such beautiful talks, full of hope and encouragement.  I love the message of becoming like Christ, not just doing the checklist items of scripture study, prayer, church attendence, etc.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, "The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts -- what we have DONE.  It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts -- what we have BECOME."

I have faith.  I have faith that with humility, patience, and the endless outpouring of God's love, we can overcome our weaknesses and worldly desires to become like Christ.  I am grateful every day for His mercy and patience with me because I have such a long way to go.  I envision the kind of person I want to be, and I get discouraged at all of my stumbling blocks and faults and weaknesses that I know I have to overcome to get there.  But I know that it is through those faults, along with the hardships and pains and trials we all face in our lives that the Lord shapes and molds us.  His path and plan for each of us is so much better than our plans for ourselves.  I have seen God's hand guide my life with too much precision and too much love to EVER deny it. 

I invite anyone who is willing to read the Book of Mormon.  Pray with sincerity to know if it is true.  I know it is because I have read it.  On my mission, I had lots of people tell me that it isn't true, but none of those people had ever even held the book in their hands.  I would always invite them to simply read...and then they are free to decide for themselves.  I love the Book of Mormon with all of my heart, and nothing will ever make me deny it's truth or waver my knowledge of it's power.  It brings light where there is darkness.  I love sharing this light with anyone I can.  It is just too wonderful to stay quiet about, especially when there is so much darkness in this world.

That is what I know.  I am proud to share it with anyone who will listen.  I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ or any of His teachings.  I will always share what I know to be true, as long as I live.  I will bow down before Christ when the time comes, and I pray every day that when He sees me, He will wrap me in His arms and say my name and know me because I have lived a life of devotion to Him.  I live to hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."