HOW I CAME TO KNOW The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints IS JESUS CHRIST'S CHURCH ON THE EARTH TODAY --
WHY I AM A Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
As I approached my teenage years, I knew something was different about me compared to others my age. Deep within myself, there was
a surety and knowledge of who I was, who God was, and that He loved me. Even among other members of my church, kids my age— and I lived in a community consisting predominately of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints— I noticed a difference.
Among my peers, I was labeled a 'goodie goodie'. That's right—other Mormon kids called me a 'goodie-goodie'! Ha!
I couldn't understand why others didn't feel the same way I did about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I admit, I was fairly self-righteous at the time. I thought everyone knew they were children of God.
I thought they knew they were loved. I thought they knew God like I did.
It wasn't until I was much, much older that I realized my knowing was a gift from God, especially since
I knew it at such a young age. I learned that most people don't learn these truths until they search and ponder and pray with earnest faith. And sometimes, even those who once knew these truths could lose this knowledge due to choices they make in life.
But at the time, I learned to know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true by putting the commandments of God into action. Testing them out—like one puzzle piece at a time... I learned, that when I followed the commandments of God, I received blessings from Him.
It then became easier and easier for me to keep His commandments because I would receive greater and greater blessings from Him.
These blessings were often spiritual blessings, for instance, answers to my prayers when I had questions about what choices I should make, or peace and comfort when I was afraid of the dark at night and couldn't get to sleep (I struggled with that for so many years!).
Other times God would bless me with earthly blessings like helping me find something which I had lost, or blessing me with better health. I suffered chronic cluster migraines from the time I was a small child. There were many, many times I would pour out my heart in prayer, asking for relief, and I would receive that miracle of relief when no pain medication would work.
And when I made poor choices or sinned (yes, I did plenty of that...), I experienced the process of repentance and forgiveness and healing power of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The more I kept God's commandments, the commandments given to us by the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the closer I became to my Savior and the more I was able to recognize the promptings of His Holy Spirit when it whispered to me.
And when I wanted to know whether or not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was truly Christ's church on the earth today, I studied the scriptures, I because I had the faith to test out the commandments of God, I could feel the peace, the comfort, the surety and strength which comes when we allow the Holy Spirit to testify truth to our hearts. I felt clarity in my mind with no confusion. Peace. And the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. That His work is truly going forth in the world today.
I grew in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, day by day, brick by brick, stone by stone, puzzle piece by puzzle piece, until I had built a beautiful, strong testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A testimony which was all my own—not my parents or any of my church leaders—but built upon my testing and trying out gospel principles for myself. And I learned to know and love my Savior Jesus Christ. He has made Eternal Life possible by breaking the bonds of death and paying the price for my sins. and for your sins too!. He is my brother, my friend, my Redeemer, my King.
