For one of my classes at BYU-Idaho I had to write my personal testimony/view of life for my posterity. I thought I would include it here for all of my relatives to read:
My Personal Testimony
I believe that every person is a child of God and, as such, has great potential within. We were created in His own image and after His own likeness. I believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much! He has created a plan for our happiness. As part of that plan, our Father sent us to Earth so that we could gain a physical body, learn and grow through our choices and experiences, and prove ourselves worthy to return to His presence and become an eternal family unit. On Earth we would be given the gift of agency – the act to choose for ourselves. Our Heavenly Father knew that we are not perfect. We would make mistakes. As part of His glorious plan He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins, overcome death, and show us “a more excellent way.” We have been given scriptures including The Bible and The Book of Mormon to help us understand His plan. We also have living prophets who holds the keys of priesthood authority and revelation to direct the affairs of His church on the Earth today. It was through the prophet Joseph Smith that our Savior Jesus Christ restored the fullness of His gospel in these the last days. Our prophet today is President Thomas S. Monson. If we are obedient, repent of our sins, and do the best we can relying upon our Savior Jesus Christ we can have the gift of eternal life and return home to live back in the presence of our Heavenly Father with our families.
In the Book of Mormon we read about a Lamanite King who was taught the plan of happiness by a missionary named Aaron. In Alma Chapter 20 we read:
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.
I am so inspired every time I read this story for the great example this King is to me. I want to return home to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ to live eternally with them and my family so much that I would give up all that I possess, even give up all of my sins that I might do so. I am eternally grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on my behalf. This is my simple testimony that I share with all of you!
I believe that every person is a child of God and, as such, has great potential within. We were created in His own image and after His own likeness. I believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much! He has created a plan for our happiness. As part of that plan, our Father sent us to Earth so that we could gain a physical body, learn and grow through our choices and experiences, and prove ourselves worthy to return to His presence and become an eternal family unit. On Earth we would be given the gift of agency – the act to choose for ourselves. Our Heavenly Father knew that we are not perfect. We would make mistakes. As part of His glorious plan He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins, overcome death, and show us “a more excellent way.” We have been given scriptures including The Bible and The Book of Mormon to help us understand His plan. We also have living prophets who holds the keys of priesthood authority and revelation to direct the affairs of His church on the Earth today. It was through the prophet Joseph Smith that our Savior Jesus Christ restored the fullness of His gospel in these the last days. Our prophet today is President Thomas S. Monson. If we are obedient, repent of our sins, and do the best we can relying upon our Savior Jesus Christ we can have the gift of eternal life and return home to live back in the presence of our Heavenly Father with our families.
In the Book of Mormon we read about a Lamanite King who was taught the plan of happiness by a missionary named Aaron. In Alma Chapter 20 we read:
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.
I am so inspired every time I read this story for the great example this King is to me. I want to return home to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ to live eternally with them and my family so much that I would give up all that I possess, even give up all of my sins that I might do so. I am eternally grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on my behalf. This is my simple testimony that I share with all of you!