New name... again

This blog started as a proselyting and teaching tool while I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I originally named it “Go ye into all the world...” to reflect my calling to teach the gospel. This title of course came from Christ’s command to His Apostles after His resurrection. The particular scripture reference is Mark 16:15.  (See also Matthew 28:19-20 and 3 Nephi 11:41.)

When I returned home I had planned on continuing to post on this blog as a way of sharing my testimony and thoughts relating to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I correspondingly renamed this blog “Be thou an example...” from Paul's first epistle to Timothy chapter 4, verse 12.  Paul counseled Timothy to be "an example of the believers" despite his youth.  Similarly, I wanted to use this blog for the same purpose.  However, as can be seen by the minimal number of posts over the last 8 years, I have not been the best at structured, regular writing and posting.

Now, nearly a decade later, I'm considering a new structure to my posts.  I realized that I often have insights either during personal or family scripture study, or during church each week.  There are many of these that are not too personal to share.  Also, I've been praying for a way to share the gospel online and one of these recent Sundays I felt the distinct impression that perhaps part of the reason for some of the insights I find is to share them.

In addition to this desire to share the gospel, I've always had in the back of my mind the idea of writing out the most important things I would want to tell my future children and grandchildren.  In line with this, I'll be using this blog to place my thoughts and insights on the gospel, as that is the most important thing in life that I can share with my posterity.

With a new purpose comes a new name: "That our children may know...."  This comes from The Book of Mormon, in particular 2 Nephi 25:26 quoted here:

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

I know that this is truth.  I know that Christ is the ultimate solution.  I know that we will all sin, but that Christ will redeem us if we will but turn to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  There is nothing so important in life as this.

May the peace of Christ and His Atonement abide with you always.

Observe the Law of the Fast

Fasting is a way that God has appointed for man to receive greater faith and strength for his efforts and struggles in this life.  Fasting is going without food and drink for a period of time.  Combined with prayer it enables us to receive answers to our prayers and blessings or help for ourselves or for those in need.  Fasting helps us learn sacrifice and recognize our dependance upon God for our daily life.  We learn to be grateful for what we have even as we seek further blessings.

When we fast we should have a purpose for our fast.  We can gain greater insight and personal revelation as we ponder on and seek guidance in relation to our chosen purpose for our fast.  This purpose may be an important question or decision that you are seeking an answer for or a confirmation of.  We may also fast in behalf of those in great difficulty, such as for those that are ill.  Fasting can accompany grateful joy or deepest sorrow.

The prophet Isaiah itterated some of the Lord's purposes for the fast: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6-7)

As we fast often, especially for others, we are moved to think less of ourselves and to have greater compassion for those who are in need.  The church sets aside the first Sunday of each month as a "Fast Sunday." (see Moroni 6:5)  On this day members fast for two consecutive meals and donate at least the cost of the meals as a "fast offering."  All of the money thus given is used to directly aid people in need, often within the communities of the donors.  Humanitarian aid is also provided worldwide by the church through these funds.

We should not put on a show of fasting, but should be humble in our demeaner and our actions.  As Christ taught: "when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.... But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:16-18)

As you fast sincerely the Lord's promised blessings of health and  righteousness will be yours.  As Isaiah also teaches "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."  The Lord's guidance will be ever available and we shall be "satisf[ied]... in drought, and...be like a watered garden..."  We will be content and have the peace of the Lord, even in tribulation. (Isaiah 58:8-12)

Follow the Prophet

Amid clamor and confusion God always provides peace and clarity.  One way He has done this is through prophets.  A prophet is a man whom the Lord calls and empowers to speak His word for the benefit and salvation of His children here on earth.

The Bible is full of prophets.  Adam taught his posterity the gospel and commandments of the Lord.  Noah declared repentance (returning to the Lord's gospel) before the flood.  Moses led Israel out of Egypt and taught them to worship the true God of Israel and not the idols that they had left behind.  Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others taught and chastened Israel as they cycled from belief to prosperity, pride, and then wickedness.

Christ Himself came to teach His law and establish His church and gospel.  He chose and ordained 12 Apostles (Matthew 10:1-8) and Seventy others (Luke 10:1-2,9) to teach His gospel and proclaim His name.

Today we have living prophets who teach the same gospel and the same commandments of the Lord.  They offer a constant, unchanging voice of clarity in our shifting world.  They declare repentance and teach God's commandments and moral standards despite apathy, apostasy, and moral degeneration in society.

Following the counsel of the Lord's prophets guides us in a safe and happy course through this life.  They are the watchmen on the walls who can see danger afar off. (See D&C 101:45; Isaiah 62:6; Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:16-17)  If we listen to their warning voices we will be able to avoid and overcome the snares and pitfalls of the adversary and of the world.

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

What does the Sabbath mean to me?

Most of all I have the wonderful opportunity to be as clean as when I was baptized by partaking of the sacrament at church.  Also I get to be with and learn from (and sometimes teach) other wonderful members and visitors.  Because of those reasons, the Sabbath becomes a day of refreshment and spiritual upliftment and edification.  As one of our scriptures says: "He that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth... Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants 50:21-22)

Experiencing that understanding by the Spirit while at church helps me to strive to keep the rest of the Sabbath just as uplifting.  The Sabbath becomes a day to seek for Spiritual truth and to serve and lift others.  Studying the scriptures, praying and singing hymns helps me to receive that truth which I need.  Activities such as visiting home-bound members and singing hymns for people in a nursing home are a couple ways that I have sought to offer service.

With all of this to do it becomes easier to let go of activities that are not suited to the Sabbath.  These activities are not necessarily bad (indeed, we may participate in them throughout the week), but they don't help lift us spiritually and they don't help us remember God.  Such activities as shopping or attending a sporting event should be kept from diminishing the purpose and meaning of the Sabbath.

We have the promise of the Lord that we will be blessed as we seek to sanctify the Sabbath:

"If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth." (Isaiah 58:13-14)

"Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours... he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.(D&C 59:16,23-24; see also verses 9-15)

I know that the Lord fulfills His promises, for I have seen His hand in my life and I know of His goodness and mercy and of His relationship to us as our Loving Father!

Study the Scriptures

The scriptures are written by prophets whom the Lord inspires through the Holy Ghost.  They record God's dealings with His children.

Just as God inspired men in the "Old World" to write scriptures, He inspired men in the Americas who kept a record of God's teachings and gospel in their land.  The "Old World" record is the Bible.  The record from the ancient Americas is the Book of Mormon.  Both testify of Christ and teach His gospel and commandments.

In addition to these records, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints espouses the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

As we study the scriptures we learn God's will and purposes for each of us.  We receive personal revelation for our own lives.  Daily study of His Word is a wonderful habit that brings blessings of knowledge, peace and direction.

Pray Often

Our Father in Heaven cares about and wants to help each one of us.  He wants to hear from us.  We can share our gratitude and needs with Him through prayer.  We can share our concerns, troubles and triumphs with Him as we would with a loving, caring father.  He knows what we are going through, but He gives us the opportunity to pray. (see Matthew 6:7-8)

As we pray faithfully and seek God's will in our lives, He will answer.  He may not answer immediately and He may not answer how we expect him to, but He will answer.  "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which will dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation;..." (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3)

As we pray daily and seek to follow what God has already revealed to us, we can recognize God's answers more consistently: "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more;..." (2 Nephi 28:30)

As we ask specifically for guidance and knowledge God will lead us step by step.



The Power of the Book of Mormon

In the Book of Mormon is the Power one needs to come to know the true nature of our Heavenly Father and of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  A person can also come to know for themselves, independent of anyone or anything else in this world, that the Book of Mormon is sacred scripture along with the Bible.  As such, it contains God's word and will and His gospel.  You can also know that Joseph Smith was the man whom God called and gave power to translate the Book of Mormon and establish Christ's original church again on the Earth.

With these witnesses you can gain the strength you need to overcome any obstacle that you are faced with in your life.  If you will study daily this divine Book of books and abide by the principles that it teaches, you will have the aid of the Spirit in your life.  You can overcome all things through Christ.

It may sound like a simple answer to what seem like insurmountable problems, but it is a true answer.  I have felt the Spirit and Power of the Book of Mormon in my own life.  I have also felt the absence of the Spirit when I have neglected my study of the Scriptures.

We also have the promise of modern prophets concerning the power that comes from studying the Book of Mormon:

The moment you begin a serious study of the Book of Mormon, you will find greater power to resist temptation.  You will find the power to avoid deception.  You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.  When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater abundance."
     -Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov 1986, "The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion"

I offer a challenge to members of the Church throughout the world and to our friends everywhere to read or reread the Book of Mormon.... Very near the end of its 239 chapters, you will find a challenge issued by the prophet Moroni as he completed his record nearly 16 centuries ago. Said he:
   “And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? …
   “And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true” (Moro. 10:27, 29).
   Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.
     -President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, August 2005, "A Testimony Vibrant and True" 

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Baptism by immersion is incomplete without the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Christ taught "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)  The Gift of the Holy Ghost is the baptism of fire: being "born... of the Spirit."

This gift must be given by those who have the authority of God, His priesthood.  One or more priesthood holders lay their hands on the head of the person and confirm him or her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They also confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost allows us to have the guidance of the Spirit at all times.  The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, and as long as we are living righteously we can have Him with us.  He will help us understand and learn truth.  He will guide us by feelings in our hearts and thoughts in our minds. (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3)  He will bring us peace and comfort. (John 14:26-27)  He can teach us all things.  He can bring us the "fruit of the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Through the Gift of the Holy Ghost we can find the strength and the conviction to continue on the right path through the rest of our lives.

A Prophet Speaks Today!

We have the wonderful opportunity this weekend to hear from living Prophets.

Just as in the Bible, God leads His people by the words of "His servants the Prophets." (Amos 3:7)

"Come, listen to a prophet's voice!" (Hymns, 21)

More information on General Conference can be found here.

Pray to know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

As a missionary, I do my best to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ clearly.  It is possible to be logically convinced of the Gospel, but that is not what will lead to lasting conversion.  It is only through the power of prayer and the witness of the Holy Ghost that you can have an abiding testimony of Christ and His Gospel.

Enos prayed all day and all night.

Christ promised: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)  He also promised that "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." (John 16:23)

Near the end of the Book of Mormon we find a similar promise.  It reads in part "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:3-5)

Pray to Heavenly Father.  Share with Him the feelings and desires of your heart.  Ask Him if this message is true.  Close your prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

I promise that if you will do this in faith, sincerely desiring an answer, you will feel the truth of this message and desire to learn more.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

One great difference between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any other Christian church is our scriptural canon.  We believe in and use the Bible.  It's testimony of Christ's life and of His divine Messiahship is an indespensible witness.  We also believe that God inspired prophets on the American continent to teach His gospel and to testify of Christ.  Their words were recorded and handed down from generation to generation.  Eventually the records of their words were abridged on golden plates by a prophet-historian named Mormon.  He entrusted this record to his son Moroni who finished the record and hid it away.

Three years after his vision of the Father and the Son, Joseph Smith knelt in His room to pray.  He was visited by Moroni and, among other things, was shown the location of the golden plates.  Joseph sought out the place that he had been shown and was met there by Moroni.  Eventually the plates were entrusted to Joseph and he began to translate them by the gift and power of God.

In 1830 the translated account was published as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

I know that this Book is a true record, that it was written by prophets just like the Bibile was.  I also know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Lord.  He could not have translated the Book of Mormon without the help of God.  I know that the priesthood power and authority of God has been restored and that the fullness of God's power and blessings is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The fullness of that gospel is taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Most importantly I know that Christ is my Savior, the Redeemer of the world.  I know He loves me and each and every one of God's children.

You can know the same things by the power of the Holy Ghost.  If you will sincerely read the Book of Mormon and pray to know of its truth you can receive the witness of the Holy Ghost. (see Moroni 10:3-5)

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith

In the early 1800s God again showed His love for His children by calling a prophet.

As a young man, Joseph Smith honestly sought for truth.  His family was deeply religious and studied the Bible regularly.  Joseph investigated the many churches in his vicinity and studied the Bible to find which church to join.  The Bible taught that there would be "One Lord, one faith, one baptism..." so he sought that faith. (Ephesians 4:5)

While reading in the Bible, he came across James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God; who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him."  Trusting that the Lord would give freely to those who ask and not chastise them for asking, he determined to "ask of God."

On a clear spring morning in 1820 Joseph retired to a grove of trees near his home.  There he knelt and offered a spoken prayer.  He later described his experience in these 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.... 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!" (Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17)

Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  They spoke to him and answered his questions concerning which church was right and which he should join.  Joseph was told that he "must join none of them" (JS-H 1:19).  None of the churches then standing had the priesthood authority of God.  This authority would be restored through Joseph Smith.

At later times Joseph Smith received the Priesthood under the hands of John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John.  These men came as angels and conferred the necessary Priesthood to baptize, give the gift of the Holy Ghost, and run the Church.

Joseph Smith was also led to a sacred record kept by the ancient inhabitants of the Americas.  He translated this record by the gift and power of God and published it as The Book of Mormon.  This Book is a fruit of  Joseph's work as a prophet of God.

Most importantly this Book supports the Bible in testifying of Christ's reality and divinity!

Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation

One of the great ways that God shows His love for us is by calling Prophets.

Prophets are called and chosen by God.  They are ordained with the priesthood, the power of God delegated to man to do His work.  They are given the keys, or authority, to run His church and teach the gospel.

Prophets speak the words of God for our benefit.  They teach us His commandments and show us the way back to Him, through Jesus Christ.  The prophets have always prophesied of Christ and His coming.  They wrote their prophecies down and these writings were kept and read through the years.  We have many of these today in the Bible.  We also have words of prophets in the Americas as contained in the Book of Mormon.

When people reject the Prophets they fall into apostasy or disbelief.  This can happen individually or as communities and nations.  Throughout the scriptures we see this happening.  Adam taught his family the gospel, but eventually his posterity rejected his words.  When Noah was preaching, the people did not accept him.  Noah's family was righteous and after the flood they continued in righteousness for a while.  Eventually the gospel was rejected again.

We can protect ourselves from apostasy.  We can know that the words of the Prophets are true.  We can pray to ask God, in the name of Christ, if the scriptures are His words.  We can ask to know that He loves us and that this is the way He reveals His plan for all His children.  If we pray, God will confirm that the scriptures are His words.  He will also reveal to us how we can apply the teachings from the scriptures in our daily lives.

Central to all these teachings is the life, ministry, and atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer

What is prayer?

"Sincere, fervent, and constant communication with the Creator of our spirits and bodies, our Heavenly Father" (A talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard)

"Faced with religious questions, a young man from the Czech Republic with an open mind found that he could get answers directly from God through prayer."

Watch a version of this video with English voice-over.

In my life, prayer is a constant theme.  Through prayer I have received peace and comfort and strength when it has been needed.  I have come to know that God is my loving Heavenly Father who knows me and cares about me personally.  I have gained a witness of Christ's atoning sacrifice and love.
   I know Christ's church is once again upon the earth in its fullness. I know living Prophets and Apostles lead the church by inspiration from God.
   I know you can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive answers and guidance for your life.

We Believe: Revelation

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Articles of Faith 1:9)

As recorded in Amos 3:7 "the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."  God "is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (1 Nephi 10:18)  He has always revealed the Gospel through the prophets.  Every prophet prophecied of Christ and taught His gospel as it had been revealed to them.

   In our day the fulness of the Gospel of Christ has been revealed through modern-day prophets.  This revelation has included our Heavenly Father's plan for us, His children.  Also, we have come to learn more of the true character of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

   God will continue to reveal truth for our day through His Prophets.  We can know that the words they speak are the words of God if we will "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)

"Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice..."

It's that time when we get the wonderful privilege of hearing the words of God as spoken by His living Prophets and Apostles.  Twice a year in April and October the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brodadcasts a General Conference of the church worldwide.  This conference is held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.  There the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles along with other church leaders assemble to address and instruct the saints around the world.  These men and women have prepared carefully and prayed to know what to say.
   As members we prepare ourselves to listen to and apply these inspired messages.  We know that the words that are spoken come from God and represent His will for us a church.  We also know that through personal and family study and prayer we can receive personal revelation concerning God's will for us as individuals and as families.

These messages aren't just for members though.  Every person in the world can and will benefit from listening to the words of God's prophets.
   As you learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and begin to apply and live His teachings, the Holy Ghost will bear testimony "in your mind and in your heart" (D&C 8:2).  You will see the fruits of the Spirit in your life: ^"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." (Galatians 5:22-23).

"Come, listen to a prophet's voice..." (Hymns 21)

Conference will air at 12pm and 4pm Eastern Time, Saturday and Sunday, April 2nd and 3rd.  Check the Church's General Conference website for more information on how you can watch conference and what it can do for you in your life.

Revelation

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Articles of Faith 1:9)

The principle of revelation is the principle upon which Christ's church is built.  As Christ said to Simon Peter "flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven....and upon this rock I will build my church..."  Through Peter's faith he knew, by the Spirit of God, that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God."  (Matthew 16:16-18)

And so it is with us.  We have the word of God as revealed to and recorded by prophets in Old Testament times and by the Apostles in New Testament times.  We have the Book of Mormon, which testifies of Christ and upholds the Bible.  We also have living Prophets and Apostles today.  We can act in Faith upon all the words of God as spoken by His ancient and modern prophets.  We can ask about their truth and validity.  We can seek a personal witness of their callings as Prophets and of Christ's divine Sonship and life.  We can receive, as did Peter, revelation confirming truth.  "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

I have personally studied the scriptures, I have prayed to my Heavenly Father, and I have received a witness that the scriptures do contain the word of God, that Prophets speak His words, and that the fulness of Christ's gospel is upon the Earth.
   I know Christ died for us, but I also know He was resurrected the third day and is our Living Lord and Savior.

Who I am and why I'm "Mormon."

I am the oldest of six children.  I have 4 younger brothers and a younger sister.  My parents are still happily married after 22 years.  Our family has lived in Utah, Oregon and now Idaho.
  I enjoy good books.  Sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, etc....  I also really enjoy singing.  I was in choir during high school, then I was part of a barbershop quartet with 3 of my friends when I started college.  As far as college goes, I attended Brigham Young University - Idaho where I started a bachelor's degree in Chemistry.
  All of that is on hold right now because I am serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I have left my family and friends and set school and girls aside so that I can share the Gospel for two years.  And I'm not getting paid to do this.  I have volunteered my time and money to come out to Western New York and teach of Christ.

I have always had the blessing of knowing Christ's gospel.  But I do not think I ever fully understood what being a member of the LDS church meant.  I knew it was blessing my family and that we were happy because of it, but that was about it.  As a teenager I had to start making more decisions for myself.  Some of these decisions had to do with the way I would live my life.  I had to decide, for myself, that I would continue to live my life according to what I had been taught by my parents and the living Prophets.  It has been hard at times, but the comfort, peace, and security that have come from living the teachings of Christ have more than made up for the trials I have faced.
   Because of the personal trials I've gone through and the blessings I've received, I want to share what I know.  I want to share Christ's gospel and Heavenly Father's plan, because I know the happiness, peace and strength that comes from living in Their Way.

I know Heavenly Father loves all of us.  I know that because He loves us, He gives us prophets who teach of His Son, Jesus Christ.  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by true prophets.  I know Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)