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I am inspired
by the examples being set by the righteous members of the Church, including the
noble youth. You courageously look to the Savior. You are faithful, obedient,
and pure. The blessings you receive because of your goodness affect not only
your lives but also my life and the lives of countless others in profound but
often unknown ways.
A few years ago, I was
in line to make a purchase at my local grocery store. Ahead of me stood a young
woman, about 15 years old. She appeared confident and happy. I noticed her
T-shirt and couldn’t resist talking to her. I began, “You’re from out of state,
aren’t you?”
She was surprised by my
question and replied, “Yes, I am. I’m from Colorado. How did you know?”
I explained, “Because of
your T-shirt.” I made my accurate supposition after reading the words on her
shirt, “I’m a Mormon. Are you?”
I continued, “I must
tell you that I’m impressed by your confidence to stand out and wear such a
bold declaration. I see a difference in you, and I wish every young woman and
every member of the Church could have your same conviction and confidence.” Our
purchases completed, we said good-bye and parted.
Yet for
days and weeks after this random everyday moment, I found myself seriously
reflecting upon this encounter. I wondered how this young girl from Colorado
came to possess such confidence in her identity as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I
couldn’t help but wonder what meaningful phrase I would figuratively choose to
have printed on my T-shirt reflecting my belief
and testimony. In my mind, I considered many possible sayings. Eventually, I
came upon an ideal statement I would proudly wear: “I’m a Mormon. I know it. I
live it. I love it.”
Today
I’d like to focus my remarks around this bold, hopeful statement.
The
first part of the statement is a self-assured, unapologetic declaration: “I’m a
Mormon.” Just as the young woman I met in the grocery store was not afraid to
let the world know she was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I hope we
will never be afraid or reluctant to acknowledge, “I’m a Mormon.” We should be
confident, as was the Apostle Paul when he proclaimed, “For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth.”1 As members, we are followers of our
Savior, Jesus Christ. Such conversion and confidence is the result of diligent
and deliberate effort. It is individual. It is the process of a lifetime.
The
next part of the statement affirms, “I know it.” In today’s world, there are a
multitude of activities, subjects, and interests vying for every minute of our
attention. With so many distractions, do we have the strength, discipline, and
commitment to remain focused on what matters most? Are we as well versed in
gospel truths as we are in our studies, careers, hobbies, sports, or our texts
and tweets? Do we actively seek to find answers to our questions by feasting on
the scriptures and the teachings of the prophets? Do we seek the confirmation
of the Spirit?
The
importance of gaining knowledge is an eternal principle. The Prophet Joseph Smith “loved knowledge for
its righteous power.”2 He said: “Knowledge is necessary to
life and godliness. … Hear, all ye brethren, this grand key: knowledge is the
power of God unto salvation.”3
All
truth and knowledge is important, but amidst the constant distractions of our
daily lives, we must especially pay attention to increasing our gospel
knowledge so we can understand how to apply gospel principles to our lives.4 As our gospel knowledge increases, we
will begin to feel confident in our testimonies and be able to state, “I know
it.”
Next is
the statement, “I live it.” The scriptures teach that we must be “doers of the
word, and not hearers only.”5 We live the gospel and become “doers
of the word” by exercising faith, being obedient, lovingly serving others, and
following our Savior’s example. We act with integrity and do what we know is
right “at all times and in all things, and in all places”6 no matter who may or may not be
watching.
In our
mortal condition, no one is perfect. Even in our most diligent efforts to live
the gospel, all of us will make mistakes, and all of us will sin. What a
comforting assurance it is to know that through our Savior’s redeeming
sacrifice, we can be forgiven and made clean again. This process of true
repentance and forgiveness
strengthens our testimony and our resolve to obey the Lord’s commandments and
live our life according to gospel standards.
When I
think of the phrase, “I live it,” I am reminded of a young woman I met named
Karigan. She wrote: “I’ve been a member of the Church for a little over a year.
… For me, when investigating, one sign that this was the true Church came
because I felt I’d finally found a church that taught modesty and standards.
I’ve seen with my own eyes what happens to people when they disregard
commandments and choose the wrong path. I made up my mind, long ago, to live
high moral standards. … I feel so blessed to have found the truth and to have
been baptized. I am so happy.”7
The
final phrase in my declarative statement is “I love it.” Gaining a knowledge of
the gospel
of Jesus Christ and diligently living gospel principles in our everyday
lives leads many members of the Church to exclaim enthusiastically, “I love the
gospel!”
This
feeling comes as we feel the Holy Ghost
witnessing to us that we are children of our Heavenly Father, He is mindful of
us, and we are on the right path. Our love for the gospel grows as we
experience the love of our Father in Heaven and the peace promised by the Savior
as we show Him we are willing to obey and follow Him.
At
different times in our lives, whether we are new converts to the Church or
lifelong members, we may find that this vibrant enthusiasm has faded. Sometimes
this happens when times are challenging and we must practice patience.
Sometimes it happens at the peak of our prosperity and abundance. Whenever I
have this feeling, I know I need to refocus my efforts on increasing my gospel
knowledge and living gospel principles more fully in my life.
One of
the most effective but sometimes difficult gospel principles to apply is
humility and submission to the will of God. In Christ’s prayer in the Garden of
Gethsemane, He expressed to the Father, “Not my will, but thine, be done.”8 This should be our prayer as well.
Oftentimes, it is in these quiet, prayerful moments that we feel encircled in
Heavenly Father’s love and those joyful, loving feelings are restored.
At a
Young Women leadership meeting in Eugene, Oregon, I had the privilege of
meeting and talking with Sister Cammy Wilberger. The story Sister Wilberger
shared with me was a witness of the power and blessing of one young woman’s
knowing, living, and loving the gospel.
Sister
Wilberger’s 19-year-old daughter, Brooke, was tragically killed several years
ago while on summer break after her first year at university. Sister Wilberger
recalled, “It was a difficult and dark time for our family.
However, Brooke had given us a great gift. We didn’t recognize this as she was
growing up, but every single year and moment of her brief life, Brooke had
given us the greatest gift a daughter could give her parents. Brooke was a
righteous daughter of God. … Because of this gift and especially because of the
enabling power of the Atonement, I have had strength, comfort, and the Savior’s
promised peace. I have no question where Brooke is now and look forward to our
loving reunion.”9
I have
a testimony of our Heavenly Father’s great plan of eternal happiness. I know
that He knows us and loves us. I know that He has prepared a prophet, President
Thomas S.
Monson, to encourage us and help guide us back to Him. I pray that each of
us will put forth the effort to be able to confidently declare, “I’m a Mormon.
I know it. I live it. I love it.” I say these things humbly in the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.
“To Know
Truth”
cji
11/01/12
Knowing
truth is always true
therefore
one has to believe
not as
strangers darkly lost
unwilling
to clearly truth see;
Yet truth
is not always free
there’s an
immortal cost
with the
Holy Ghost to share
the
Gospels eternally pure!
The
Savior spoke truth to all
inviting
all to the Father return
showing
to each the light
leading
to the path and way;
The same
is true now today
to know it
and to live it right
all
truth thus able to discern
hearing
forever’s eternal call!
Copyright © 2012 – cji
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