For the past couple of months, I’ve thought a lot about what
the gospel of Jesus Christ means to me, and wondered if it is something I can
make work in my life. And I’ve got to be honest, I never saw myself as one who
would try and find an alternate way when it got hard, or someone who would ever
doubt the experiences I had in the past.
The truth, which was bothersome to me for a short time, but
is now something I’m grateful for, is the fact that there isn’t an alternative
way. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to find true happiness on this
earth, and in the life to come. There are no “easy way” outs, and no shortcuts
to eternal happiness.
Robert L. Simpson once said: “It is only this `living
water,' the gospel of Jesus Christ, that can and will bring a happy, a
successful, and an everlasting life to the children of men."
So how can we strive for, and partake of the Living Water?
The main thing I want to talk about, is the difference between testimony and
conversion. The two words have made a lot more sense to me lately, and I’d like
to share some thoughts I’ve had.
First, testimony. A testimony is what a person claims to
believe to others, it is something everyone needs to have. I always thought
when a person had a strong testimony, it meant they were the most spiritual
person they could be, and it was more of an end result. I felt like conversion
was just what happened after you had a testimony for so long and kept it
growing; eventually you would just always know that what you believed was true.
Elder David A. Bednar has said: “Knowing that the gospel is
true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is
the essence of conversion.”
The two important words of that statement to me, are the
words knowing, and being. What I’ve come to understand, is
that a testimony is something we let others know. It’s an outward expression of
what we know to be true. Conversion is what results inside of us when we act on
those truths, it’s something we choose for ourselves based on what we’ve felt
and learned, and it’s not going to be something people will see right away.
What I’ve learned is that it is so important to gain a
testimony. You always hear it, and how it’s important, but IT REALLY IS SO
IMPORTANT. Because your testimony is what your conversion will stand on, as you
continue to experience, learn, testify, and do the things the Holy Ghost guides
you to do. I’ve realized more now, that before I graduated, I was still
building my testimony, even when I felt I was “doing” just fine. But just learning and testifying isn’t ever going
to be enough. We need to really ask ourselves: " Why do I want to live the gospel?" and then choose to make the commitment.
Our loving Heavenly Father has given us everything,
literally everything. But one of the most important gifts He has given us, is
our decision to choose. There is so much power that comes when we choose to
follow Christ and His teachings, because our decision is really the only thing
we have to give back that will be our own.
“…anything else we give is
something that God already gave to us. When we give tithes or offerings, we are
simply giving back to God what He first gave to us. Any money we earn in this
life, for example, comes to us because of God’s creations. If we give our time,
we are giving what God already gave to us—our days upon the earth. But when we
give our will to Him, this is a gift that is uniquely ours to give. When we
give our will, we are giving ourselves totally, withholding nothing. If we gain
a testimony, and then make the conscious choice to change and live our lives as
Heavenly Father has said we should, think of how amazing and powerful that
choice really is, and how dramatic the impact will be in your life.” -Russell
T. Osguthorpe
I’ve noticed since returning home from school, the change that’s
already started as I’ve made the decision to try again. There really is
something so special that I feel when I actually wake up, and go to church in
the morning. I feel like I’ve got the chance to show Heavenly Father that I’m
trying, and I’m so grateful to have the chance.
I’m so grateful for the Atonement that makes it possible for
us to try again when we stumble, make mistakes, and have doubts. It’s so
amazing, and it’s so special. I know that it is real, and it can and needs to
be a part of our lives constantly. It’s a sweet experience when you humble
yourself, and allow yourself to be His child, where you can tell him anything
in complete honesty, and He works with you
to make things right, telling you how much love He has for you along the way.
It’s a lifelong process, and I’m so grateful that I’m able
to have this learning experience. I’ve learned so much already, and I’m looking
forward to what the future holds when I never let myself give up. I knew once
that it would be worth it, and I need to have faith and jump until I can know
that again.
Trials really are amazing, they are a gift, and we should be
thankful for them. They are painful, and unbearable at times, but it’s the perfect
chance for Him to show us what we are made of when we can’t see it ourselves. They
help us grow so much. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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