We had stake conference this weekend. The main focus was missionary work, and they put a focus on sharing the Gospel through social media and other online mediums. When I was on my mission, I was positive that I would come home and share my testimony and beliefs with everyone I know...but I didn't. Stake Conference today gave me a new resolution to go out and share my testimony. I have many Facebook friends who aren't members of the Church, and may not fully know what I believe. My blog is open to the public, and there could be someone who randomly clicks on my blog and wonders what I believe. Today I finished (apparently I started it when I got home from my mission, but never finished it) my mormon.org profile. And I created a Twitter account (@KiraPond if you're interested) so I can share my testimony there. ...not like I need any more social media to keep up with, but I do want to share my testimony.
Without a doubt, I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I feel the love of my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ each day. I know that they know me, that they care about me, that they help me. I have had many trials in my life, and have felt help getting through those times.
I know that my family is eternal. Jeff and I were sealed for time and all eternity by the holy priesthood authority restored on the earth in these days. That was one of the best days of my life, one of the happiest. To be in the temple, surrounded by our family and a few close friends being not just married, but sealed together FOREVER means more to me than anything else. I know that because of that sealing, I will always have my true love by my side, and that each of our children will also be with us forever. Because of that same sealing power, we are both with our parents and siblings forever as well.
Family is so important to me. Jeff and I make sure to have time to spend as a family each week. We have Family Home Evening, even though Jackson is young and doesn't know what is going on. We know it is important for him to hear us sing the simple Primary songs and gather as a family. I have many fond memories of my family being gathered together (don't get me wrong...I also have memories of the many times I begrudgingly left what I was doing to gather with the family for our FHE.) I want Jackson to grow up knowing how important that family time is, and to come to enjoy the time we have to spend together discussing Gospel topics.
I take time most every day to take a quiet moment during Jackson's nap to sit down and read the Book of Mormon and the Ensign, to get the words of ancient and modern prophets and bring that extra strength into my life. I'm not perfect, and it doesn't happen every day, but when it does I do feel a difference. The Book of Mormon is true. It was translated by a Prophet in these Latter Days. The Latter-day Prophets are inspired in the words they speak in General Conference and the words they write in the Ensign each month. It is a blessing to read them and apply them to my life and receive that added strength from them.
I have a strong testimony of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father hears them. And I know that He answers them. I can kneel down and pour out my heart to my Father and those prayers will be heard and answered. I have felt help and comfort and some of the most difficult times in my life. I have felt His guidance when I didn't know what to do. And I have felt peace knowing that decisions I made about my life was right. Prayer is an important part of my day, first thing I do when I wake up and last thing I do before I go to sleep. I am teaching my sweet baby the importance of prayer, ensuring that we pray before our meals and saying a prayer for him before we put him to bed at night.
Within the Church, there are many great opportunities. I have had the blessing to serve in several different capacities. Each calling is equally important in it's own way. Currently I am the organist. I play the prelude in Sacrament meeting each Sunday to bring the Spirit to the meeting, as well as playing for the congregation to sing the hymns during the meeting. I am also a visiting teacher, visiting a few sisters in the ward to take them a spiritual message each month and cultivate friendships. In my last ward I was a Ward Missionary. Before that I was the Ward Choir Director. I have also been Relief Society President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and several other callings. I am grateful for each calling and the chance it gives me to learn and grow and stretch myself. I am also grateful for each of the other leaders in the ward who help to lift and strengthen each ward member every week.
The Gospel is true. I can't imagine where I would be without it. I don't want to imagine where I would be without it. It brings me so much strength in everything I do. It brings me hope. It brings me peace. I know where I came from, why I'm here, and where I'm going. I love the Gospel, and I love the happiness it brings to my daily life and my family.
