Skip to main content

Why do I have faith?

Some people may wonder if God exists and why other people, like myself believe he does. I would like to share with everyone why I believe in God.

My parents raised me in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I always went to Church with them. However, one thing I will always be grateful to my parents for is that they always told me and my siblings that we had to learn for ourselves if the doctrines we were taught were true.

One day when I was about 14 years old, I was thinking about what I had been taught my whole life and wondered if I knew if it was actually true. As I pondered, I remembered several scriptures from the Bible and Book of Mormon where God says "seek and ye shall find" (Bible: Matthew 7:7-8, Book of Mormon: Moroni 10:3-5). So, I decided to test God at his word. I didn't even know if God was real.

I found a quiet place to be alone for a little while. Then I started to pray how I had been taught. I opened my heart to God and asked him straight out if he was real. Now, how would I know the answer? Also in the scriptures is a description of how God will respond. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 9 verse 8, it reads:
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
That is what I was expecting as I prayed. I expected to feel warm inside, peaceful, happy, or just know that God is real. But I didn't. I felt like I was talking to the clouds. I was really confused. And also frightened. I was worried that my whole life to that point was a lie. However, I am quite stubborn and always verify anything I do or learn.

As I pondered why I hadn't felt anything, I continued to study the scriptures and go to Church. Then one night as I was reading in the Book of Mormon, I was really wondering why I hadn't received an answer. I read this verse, 2 Nephi 2:14. I put my own name in the verse where it says "my sons". I read it like this (emphasis added):
And now, [Emilie], I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
As soon as I read this scripture, I knew it was true. I felt like I was being hugged. I felt warm and happy. I knew God answered my prayer. He exists. He is real and loves me. I now know that will all of my heart. I have had many other experiences to confirm this truth to me, but I will never forget this one that was imprinted on my heart.

I testify that God lives. He is our Heavenly Father and knows each of us and our needs personally. He is aware of us and takes care of us. We are the only ones who move away from him. He is always there for us and waits for us to come to him. He loves us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Poems (Part 2)

I found my folder of old poems. I'll share them here to save them. Arlington May 28, 2018 When I went to Arlington, I slowly walked alone. I wanted to respect them, the names I didn’t know. Thousands and thousands, the white headstones were so straight. They stand in perfect rank and file; forever they will wait. I marveled at their beauty; I tried to read their names. There are too many for me to read; too many died for me. Though I do not know them, they never dreamed of me, They gave their lives fighting, for the land of the free. I went to see the Tomb, that honors the Unknown. How many families waited, for those who can’t come home? When I went to Arlington, I reflected on the past. Why are there names not older than my own? This graveyard is supposed to be just for wars of old. I know that we’re still fighting, but these names brought it home. Arlington is not just filled with past heroes. I saw a black casket, pulled by four black horses. One more s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catching Up

I don't write often. Obviously. It takes a lot for me to sit down and write out my thoughts. I've never been much of a writer. There's always something else I'd rather be doing. So what am I doing tonight? I'm writing down my thoughts, my experiences of the last few months. This is a little bit of a review of the last few years. I need to get it out and typing is faster than writing. I also promised I would write out my emotions of late. Here I go. I've been going through psychotherapy for the last year and a half. I've felt depressed and anxious for at least four years now and I used the traumatic birth of my daughter as an excuse to finally see a therapist. I experienced a lot of traumas in a few short years and the emotional toll has been hard. Let me list out my traumas: --14 December 2010: Herniated 2 discs (L4-L5 & L5-S1) --14 February 2012: Death of my dog, my best friend, Sarah --30 March 2013: Return home from my mission --1st week of July...
Post a Comment
Read more

Oh Lord, My Redeemer

Christ's Love by Del Parson Oh Lord, My Redeemer by Jeff Goodrich And the Roman soldiers laughed When they saw their pris'ner stumble He did not revile them back. And wondering, I asked, "Who was this man so humble?" And a woman at my side Choked on her reply. Though she struggled not to weep, The tears poured down her cheek, Her heart breaking as she cried: "Oh Lord, my Redeemer, Thou has done so much for me! Oh Lord, my Redeemer. All my love I give to Thee!" And the crowd went pushing on. I felt compelled to follow. I knew that they were wrong How they mocked Him all along. Suddenly my heart felt hollow. For they nailed Him to a tree On a hill called Calvary. While I stood there filled with wonder, The heavens roared with thunder, And again I heard this plea: "Oh Lord, my Redeemer, Thou has done so much for me! Oh Lord, my Redeemer. All my love I give to Thee!" I could not forget His face As I wandered fro...
Post a Comment
Read more