Thursday, November 16, 2023

Trent's Testimony

 Ever since my mission days when I was asked to study for 2 hours-- one personal study and one companion study, I had in my mind that your testimony gets stronger by acquiring more insights, knowledge and perspectives than you previously had.  I still remember one of the prophets saying that he almost understands the endowment(after going for a lot of years), and thinking that was because he hadn't studied it enough(I'm not implying that I understand more than he).  But in the last couple of years, I have come to find that the gospel is best felt and experienced and also that it is pure and simple.  Studying the gospel gives us an opportunity to feel and think, which is why we're asked to study. The 2 great commandments provide a perfect  perspective.  You can learn those two principles very early in life, and then continually be refined by the things you learn and the perspectives you gain and your willingness to share them with your neighbor.  I am happiest in my life when I am doing good-- whether it is doing a service for a neighbor, or answering a student's question, or having a conversation with my wife.  All things good come from God.  The plan of salvation makes so much sense, because it rewards each person for all the good he/she does.  Everything else is just noise that distracts us from doing those pure and simple things to spread love.  For the way that I feel when I think of the following things-- I know them to be true: God loves me individually and has provided a Savior that loves me as evidenced by the promptings and guidance from the Holy Ghost.  Families are sacred, and are the most effective unit for sharing and spreading God's love.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church, with Prophets, Apostles and leaders chosen by revelation to guide and communicate principles that are divine and eternal.  The Book of Mormon is true, and brings us closer to God because of its purity and the way it came into this world.  I share this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.