1.
I believe
in Jesus Christ because God has answered my prayers. Members of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are strongly encouraged to pray to God for
personal inspiration regarding the reality of Jesus Christ and whether the claims made
by the church and prophets are true. When I was ten years old, I prayed and
asked Heavenly Father if the church was true and if the experiences recounted
by Joseph Smith really happened. God answered my prayer by sending an
incredible feeling of warmth, peace, and joy into my heart. He confirmed the
truth of those things to me. Since that time, I have had numerous other
confirmations of those truths. Most notably, I received many confirmations of
my faith when I served as a missionary. During that time I would teach about
the experience of the Prophet Joseph Smith seeing God the Father and His son Jesus Christ.
When I would explain this experience and recite Joseph’s words, I always
received an additional confirming witness in my heart.
2.
I believe
in God and Jesus Christ because God has provided answers to questions that I
wasn’t even asking. On at least two different occasions, I have received
distinct impressions from God about specific actions I was supposed to take. In
neither instance had I been thinking or praying about that course of action.
God decided that I needed to be pushed in a specific direction, and He let me
know by sending specific thoughts and feelings into my mind and heart. These
inspirations were so distinct and so profound that I could not deny them and
they changed my life. I followed those impressions and my life has been
immeasurably improved because of doing so.
3.
I believe
in God and Jesus Christ because I can see God’s guiding hand and positive influence
in my life. When I look back on the events of my life, I can see how I have
been guided and blessed. Over the past five years, my life has not gone
according to my plans. It has gone in ways that are unexpected but much better.
When I expected to get a new job, I didn’t get it. But that failure led to
other opportunities. In so many ways, when I look back on the path my life has
taken over I can see how the Lord has guided and influenced me to be where I am
now. I could not have predicted the course my life was supposed to take, but
looking back I can see that I am better off and happier because of God’s
influence.
4.
I believe
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its teachings because
when I follow the teachings, I am happier and my life is better. At one
point in my life, a very loving church leader strongly but gently counseled me
to repent. He believed I could be a better person, and by pushing me to change,
I became the person he knew I could be. That call to repentance improved my
life, my marriage, and my ability to serve God. My life is better and I am
happier because I am following the principles of the Savior. I feel grateful
and blessed to have inspired leaders in my local congregation and also the
Prophet and the Apostles who guide the church and the world.
5.
I believe
because I choose faith over doubt. There are still aspects of the gospel
and pieces of church history that I do not fully understand and which are hard
to accept. However, I have made an active choice to believe and exercise faith
in God and in His teachings present in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. I decided that belief was better than doubt. That decision to believe
has changed the way I approach a lot of issues. I remember thinking one day,
“What if I’m wrong?” What if the church isn’t true, or God isn’t real?” I thought
about that for a long time and I realized that the chance of being wrong did
not matter. It did not matter to me because I am convinced that living the
gospel is the best way to live. I think living a Christ-like life, and living
in a way that supports eternal families is the best way to be happy, and for
society to prosper. The gospel makes me happier every day than I would be
without it.
6.
I believe
in Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of the
beauty contained in the doctrines of the church. I will mention three
doctrines that are supremely beautiful and inspiring to my soul. The first is
the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The teaching that because of
Christ’s love and sacrifice that I can be forgiven of my sins and return to
live with God inspires me. It lifts my heart. The second is the doctrine of
eternal families. Within the church we know that within the temples of God,
families can be united forever, and not just during our lifetimes. Families are
meant to last forever. Third, is the doctrine of baptism for the dead. Within
the church we learn that God loves all of his children equally and he has
provided a way for the living to work on behalf of those who did not have a
chance to receive baptism during their lifetime. No one is forgotten, no one is
left out. These doctrines are powerful and they touch my soul.
