Testimony

This week in New Testament, we read what Christ has to say about marriage and what he has to say about missionary work. This was great for me because it was like the last chapter of my life and the next chapter that is coming up fast.
While I was in church today, I was reminiscing about my mission and how much it meant to me. It really was the greatest thing that I have done so far in my life and I'm so grateful for it. It really strengthened my testimony as I went out and found the lost sheep that had wandered far. It gave me so much joy.
Right now, I feel like I need to share my testimony. And one of the easiest ways that I can do that is through song. My favorite song that expresses perfectly how I feel about my savior is a song called "I Testify" by Janice Kapp Perry.
The lyrics go like this:

I testify of Jesus Christ, My Lord, My King Omnipotent,

Who framed the worlds and scattered stars throughout the firmament.

Who from the dust of earth formed man and gave us breath that we might move.

And gave us laws to serve our God and live with Him in love.

I testify of Jesus Christ, My God, My Unseen Comforter,

For I have sought Him oft through prayer and found Him waiting there.

I have not touched His wounded hands nor yet beheld His holy face

But I have felt His love for me and heart His gentle voice.

I testify of Jesus Christ, Beloved Savior, Precious Friend,

Who suffered death and hell’s abyss to ransom me from sin.

Who came when demons sought my soul and banished them with sword of light.

And when despair would steal my hope His presence stilled the night.

When with all flesh my eyes shall see my blessed Savior face to face

My witness then shall not exceed the truth I know this day.

For God has written Jesus’ name with pen of flame upon my soul

And how can I but testify of Jesus Christ my Lord?

I love my savior so much. I am so grateful for all that He has done for me. I know that He lives and that He loves all of His children. I know that because of his atoning sacrifice, we can all go home to live with him someday.

Missionary work is the best

This week, in my New Testament class, we read Matthew 16-18, Mark 9, Luke 9, and John 7-10. In our reading, the Savior gives the 12 apostles the authority (priesthood) so that they can heal the sick and preach the gospel to everyone. In Luke 9, it says, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (verses 1-2). This stuck out to me as very important because missionary work is the way that our church grows. We have members who try to share the gospel using social media and other ways and we have people who actually sign up and serve missions. They pay money each month to go to a new place for 1.5-2 years to share the gospel with the people in the area that they are assigned. They are called by a prophet of God and given the authority to share the gospel and to preach to people.

When I was on my mission, I was so grateful for that authority to preach. Being a sister in a foreign country, it was a great comfort to know that I was being watched over and that I had the power to help people change their lives. In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 15, Abinadi is a prophet who preaching to the priests of king Noah and chastising them a little bit because of the things that they are teaching or not teaching to the people. In a way of encouraging them to change their ways he quotes Isaiah in verses 14, 15, and 17, saying, "And these are they who have published peace, who have brought tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet! And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!" 

Where I served my mission, I didn't always feel like I had "beautiful feet." Walking up and down mountains and in the dust and through mud and giant puddles, my feet got really dirty. But I knew that I was blessed and as long as I continued to use my authority righteously and used it to bless others lives or to "preach the kingdom of God" I would be okay. This was such a comfort and I'm so grateful for the power that the priesthood gives us.