I have always believed that there was a God and that he loved me. I believed when my mom told me that before I was born, her Grandma who had passed appeared to her and presented me to her, and said she was going to have one more child. I believed when my mom told me of her experience on the other side
where people were rushing about busy in the Lord’s work, where the architecture was beautiful beyond description, and where she got to hug Jesus and feel the indescribable love that he had for her and everyone.
I believed a young women leader, who told me at age 14 that if I read the Book of Mormon, even just a verse a day, I would always have God’s love and light. What started out with one verse turned into one chapter. I felt the Holy Ghost strengthen me, guide me in my decisions, enlarge my capacity for learning. My high school Biology teacher noticed, “What are you doing? Something’s different about you.”
One night after reading the scriptures and going to bed, I was overcome with a crushing sensation. I couldn’t see, couldn’t move, couldn’t talk. I thought I was being crushed into oblivion. The only thing I could do was reach out to God in prayer, in my mind, that he would save me. Immediately I felt that immense pressure being lifted off my body like a weighted blanket, and filled with peace and relief. I believed Joseph Smith, when he wrote about a similar encounter. I knew I never wanted anything to do with that dark side, Satan, and I would do everything I could to keep out of his grasp.
For me, that meant continuing to read the scriptures, praying, attending and serving at church, keeping the Commandments and obeying the Word of Wisdom. These have been my anchor that keeps me grounded amidst the storms of life; pain, temptation, grief, fear, depression, panic, loneliness, fatigue, anxiety, anger, and discouragement.
I know that God lives and loves me and that he sent his son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins so we could return to live with him.
I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that by reading it I have felt it’s scripture power.
I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Jesus in these last days before Jesus returns.
I know that families can be together forever through the ordinances of God’s temple.
I know that we have a living prophet who guides us and that by following him we will not be led astray.
God has made more out of my life than I ever could have on my own. When I was praying to know if I should marry Brandon, God put it in my heart to know that he was the right one. When Kate was about to be born and her heart stopped beating, God gave me the peace to accept whatever the outcome would be. When I have been paralyzed with fear and panic, God calmed me. When I was so filled with resentment I didn’t think I could forgive, God took away my hard feelings, immediately upon asking, and I was able to forgive. I know that God will help me through whatever lies ahead by just asking and believing.
I am grateful to God for all that he has blessed me with. I feel him in nature, in spending time with family, going to Church, helping others, reading the scriptures. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.