Fireside Testimony
I thought I would share my testimony which I am going to be sharing at the first ever musical Fireside in Barbados. I don't think we've ever had a fireside here. I hope you enjoy it. Much love- The Sassy Mormon
Life comes full circle and so did my conversion. More than fifty years ago on a street in London, England missionaries contacted the matriarch of my family.
My mother, a baby at the time had no idea that one day she would call herself a member. Despite the missionaries best efforts, my grandmother refused to join the church under the guise that no black members were allowed.
Some fifty-some odd years later, I joined the church after months of doubt, fear and judgment from family members who could not understand my decision to join "That Church". And yes they did call it "That Church"
When I first joined the church, I was so afraid. I was so angry and had so much doubt about what I had done that I kept telling myself that I would leave after transfers where I could slip through the cracks, never to attend church again.
During this time, I heard the voice of Heavenly Father saying to me 'Why are you questioning where I have brought you?' Even when I turned my feet towards the door he spoke to me lovingly.
'Where are you going? I have set you here. This is your place...THIS IS YOUR PLACE!'
Point noted. A few months after I joined the church, my mom started taking lessons and a few days before my birthday, she was baptized.
My testimony isn't about how my mom and I found the church even though becoming members has changed both of our lives so much. My testimony is about how Heavenly Father has helped me in my life and how he can help each and every one of us as we embark on this crazy journey we call life.
Even though I've always held on to a smidgen of faith, when I joined the church I was at my all-time sickest. I suffer from lupus, a condition which weakens my immune system and tricks it into attacking itself. I blamed God for taking away my health and my future.
I was angry. I questioned. I cried. Then one day as I read my scriptures, it finally hit me that my will would never be as important as Heavenly Father's . It was his will to test my faith and to be bring me back to his fold.
You may be saying oh that is your experience but what would Heavenly Father do for me?
He makes us better. Even when we question ourselves, he makes us the best versions we could possibly be if we simply listen to his word and put in the work to make productive changes in our lives.
He erases our doubts and fears. When our trails and hardships arise, we find it easier to push forward into the storm. He becomes our foundation if we truly believe and serve him. He is our foundation. He wont let our house fall in on us.
We see our talents increase. We all know the story in the bible in the bible about talents. If we don't use our talents or utilize them, we lose them due to our own laziness. With Heavenly Father as the beacon in our lives, he surprises us with untapped skills and talents we never thought possible.
He fills our hearts with love and compassion. When the spirit of Heavenly Father lives inside us we find that we thoroughly wish to spread that love with others. We find ways to serve, we find ways to reach out and care and show love to those with whom we come into contact.
Heavenly Father loves us. He'll strengthen us if we let him. He will heal us if we believe and trust in him. He'll soften our hearts and teach us about the pure love of his gospel and how it can radiate through us if we allow him to reside in our lives.
So brothers and sisters. Choose the right, choose love and choose our Heavenly Father. He's the right choice everytime.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ
Amen.
Life comes full circle and so did my conversion. More than fifty years ago on a street in London, England missionaries contacted the matriarch of my family.
My mother, a baby at the time had no idea that one day she would call herself a member. Despite the missionaries best efforts, my grandmother refused to join the church under the guise that no black members were allowed.
Some fifty-some odd years later, I joined the church after months of doubt, fear and judgment from family members who could not understand my decision to join "That Church". And yes they did call it "That Church"
When I first joined the church, I was so afraid. I was so angry and had so much doubt about what I had done that I kept telling myself that I would leave after transfers where I could slip through the cracks, never to attend church again.
During this time, I heard the voice of Heavenly Father saying to me 'Why are you questioning where I have brought you?' Even when I turned my feet towards the door he spoke to me lovingly.
'Where are you going? I have set you here. This is your place...THIS IS YOUR PLACE!'
Point noted. A few months after I joined the church, my mom started taking lessons and a few days before my birthday, she was baptized.
My testimony isn't about how my mom and I found the church even though becoming members has changed both of our lives so much. My testimony is about how Heavenly Father has helped me in my life and how he can help each and every one of us as we embark on this crazy journey we call life.
Even though I've always held on to a smidgen of faith, when I joined the church I was at my all-time sickest. I suffer from lupus, a condition which weakens my immune system and tricks it into attacking itself. I blamed God for taking away my health and my future.
I was angry. I questioned. I cried. Then one day as I read my scriptures, it finally hit me that my will would never be as important as Heavenly Father's . It was his will to test my faith and to be bring me back to his fold.
You may be saying oh that is your experience but what would Heavenly Father do for me?
He makes us better. Even when we question ourselves, he makes us the best versions we could possibly be if we simply listen to his word and put in the work to make productive changes in our lives.
He erases our doubts and fears. When our trails and hardships arise, we find it easier to push forward into the storm. He becomes our foundation if we truly believe and serve him. He is our foundation. He wont let our house fall in on us.
We see our talents increase. We all know the story in the bible in the bible about talents. If we don't use our talents or utilize them, we lose them due to our own laziness. With Heavenly Father as the beacon in our lives, he surprises us with untapped skills and talents we never thought possible.
He fills our hearts with love and compassion. When the spirit of Heavenly Father lives inside us we find that we thoroughly wish to spread that love with others. We find ways to serve, we find ways to reach out and care and show love to those with whom we come into contact.
Heavenly Father loves us. He'll strengthen us if we let him. He will heal us if we believe and trust in him. He'll soften our hearts and teach us about the pure love of his gospel and how it can radiate through us if we allow him to reside in our lives.
So brothers and sisters. Choose the right, choose love and choose our Heavenly Father. He's the right choice everytime.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ
Amen.
LOVE your testimony. It was such an amazing thing to read and i am positive everyone will like it and feel the spirit. <3
ReplyDeleteThe fireside is going to be amazing! Such beautiful truth spoken here and you give so many ways to apply it! You really should write a book! Love your testimony and insights and I love you! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete