Church Today

Church today was exactly what this lady needed. I felt a lot of personal messages in the words of the speakers, especially in sacrament meeting. I am grateful for this day to honor the Savior of mankind, and learn more of Him.

One of the things that stood out most to me today was the strength that we can each gain from a personal relationship with Him. Something one of the speakers said that resonated deeply with me was that when we use the Atonement to overcome challenges, our perspective changes. We change. We become new people. I have seen this in myself and in my life, as well as in the lives of people around me. Through His Atonement, we each are able to be healed and changed into new people. His grace is real, and I have experienced the healing it brings.

He also mentioned that when we have experienced this healing, enabling power in our lives, we become hopeful people. That struck me because I'd been thinking in the past few weeks about how different my perspective is than it used to be, and wondering what changed to make me so much more optimistic. Not only have I been noticing a change, I've had numerous friends comment on my hopefulness recently. Hearing that the experiences I've had with the Savior are directly connected to my increase in hope suddenly explained exactly what has happened to me over the past few years, and filled me with both gratitude and wonder at the Lord's kindness.


Last week in church, our Relief Society instructor had us take a few moments to write down our witnesses of The Savior Jesus Christ and His work for us, God's children. Although my testimony is incomplete and weak in areas, I do want, today, to share that testimony with you. It is the most precious knowledge I have gained in this mortal life.

What I wrote last week in Relief Society:

     I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior, that he knows and loves us as individuals. I testify that His Atonement is real, and can wash away sins, pains, and sicknesses of all kinds--physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I testify that it is the greatest power on earth or heaven, and that by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created.

     He is our Elder Brother. He wants us to be happy. His love for us, and our Father in Heaven, was the motivation for His sacrifice.

     I know He was divinely called, and the only being who could fulfill the demands of justice while opening the doors of mercy to us. I know, through Him, that death is overcome, and all will be resurrected at the Last Day.

     I know He is the way, the truth, and the light.  Amen.


"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." -Philippians 4:13, KJV

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death with bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." -Alma 7:11-12, The Book of Mormon