Personal Testimony and View of Life

Personal Testimony 

         I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love reading the Book of Mormon and pondering the teachings therein. I know my Savior Jesus Christ loves me, I know He died for me, and I know He was resurrected for me. I know He wants me to be happy, and I know I will be happy if I obey the teachings of His Gospel. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I know he was instrumental in restoring Christ’s Gospel to this earth. I know the Temple of God is a Holy place. I love listening to the teachings of the living Apostles and Prophets, and I know President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet. I know I can families can be together for eternity. I know that if I keep the commandments and endure faithfully to the end then I will be able to return to the kingdom of my Heavenly Father. 

View of Life

          One of the most memorable life lessons my grandfather ever taught me was when he said, “Rachel, you will get out of life exactly what you put into it.” Grandpa must have repeated that quote to me dozens of times over the years, and I love him for it. Not only did he teach me about the value of hard work, he showed me by his own example what it means to work hard. He always had something for my brother and me to help with, such as picking peas or moving wheel-lines. I didn’t enjoy the work at the time, but whenever I think back to those memories I smile fondly and say a silent thank you for the valuable lessons I learned from my grandfather. 

          Life isn’t meant to be easy. Life is a time for learning and growing. It’s a chance to take every day and be a little better than yesterday, and not quite as good as tomorrow. It’s a chance to learn from my mistakes. It’s a chance to strive daily to become a little more Christ-like is all I think, say, and do. It’s the time I have been given to prepare for eternal life with my Heavenly Father (Alma 12:24). 

          Life may not be easy, but it’s the only mortal life I get and I don’t want to waste it. I have a lot I need to learn before I will be prepared to meet my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.