"So I was asked to bear my testimony, and originally when I was asked to write one, I was like, “Do I even have one?” but over these last two weeks, I realized that I do. But I also realized that before I do bear it, I first have to give you a background story. So when I was a small child, my brother and sister would go on holidays to my aunt's house, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the beginning of the Mormon influence in my life. She would take us to church with her, and to church events, she would have the missionaries over for dinner, and friends from church over too, or we would have dinner at their house. And I just remember as a small child thinking how cool it was! It left so much of an impression on me that even after I moved to Australia with my parents, I still always remembered being a part of those things. Getting a bit older, I had the opportunity to move back to New Zealand and live with this aunt, and again the church influence started. I’d been to many other churches, I have family who are all different religions, but I’ve never felt so connected as I have to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My time in New Zealand was short lived and I eventually ended up moving back to Australia. Thoughts of seeking out the missionaries over here crossed my mind, but I was too scared to act on these feelings and thoughts alone, so the thoughts were fleeting.
Just recently a series of events in my life took place, that led me to seeking the Lord again, I prayed for help, silently in my bedroom. And the next day I had this idea that I should visit my cousin, whom I hadn’t seen in awhile and who just lived around the corner. Upon visiting her, we got catching up. And she asked me two questions.. One: do you believe in God, and I knew without a doubt my answer was yes! And the second, was “What religion are you? Do you have a religion” It was then that my Faith was tested, and I told her all that I had experienced thus far in my life. And she said to me “Aw well that’s funny, I’ve been meeting with the missionaries here and they’ve been teaching me.” So I asked her if she went to church and she told me she didn’t wanna go by herself. It was then, that I offered to come with her, and that I knew, Heavenly Father set in motion a series of events in my life to lead me here today. He guided my path, and the help that I asked for came to me in the form of my cousin, and two Angels on a push bike.
Something else that really strengthened my testimony was that I’ve been attending Cleveland chapel, I know people there, I’m comfortable there, and I was quite happy and content just being there. Up until Monday, in my mind, I was being baptized and confirmed there. On Monday, meeting with the missionaries they told me that, that wouldn’t be the case. On top of all the other emotions I was feeling, I was confused, upset and a bit angry. No hard feelings Manly ward, I just didn’t know anyone here. I dreaded the thought of having my confirmation done in front of a Ward that didn’t even know me. Sitting in that room on Monday, Elder Fankhauser and Brother Horsburgh talked me into a state of calmness, and I was able to think more clearly. I was still thinking that I didn’t wanna do this anymore. But they both shared awesome messages that stuck with me and left me to ponder.. Three things I left that room knowing.. Elder Fankhauser was sent here, at this time, to be in that room! That these thoughts in my head were Satan’s last resort, that every step I’m taking towards Heavenly Father, is another step away from him, and he wasn’t liking that too much! And that when I go home tonight, I need to pray, and ask Heavenly Father if I should follow through with this..So I prayed. And I waited for an answer that didn’t come until the morning. When I was talking to a friend on the phone about my concerns, and they told me to pray about it, I said “No, I don’t wanna pray, I don’t wanna do this church thing anymore” And it hit me straight in the heart, and I got this distinct impression and this little voice inside my head said “Don’t say that!”. And it felt like I was being scolded. During the day, I felt like Heavenly Father was talking to me, telling me that it didn’t matter what chapel I got baptised in, it didn’t matter who was there, so long as I trusted in Him, everything was going to be okay. I know this church is true, I’ve known it since I was small, I know Joseph Smith was the prophet and the man responsible for the restoration of this church. I know Jesus Christ is our Saviour and redeemer. And I know above anything, that our Heavenly Father knows, and loves us more than anything in this world.
I know Heavenly Father knows me so well! He knows me more than I know myself and a testimony to that is the missionaries that were sent to me.. Not in my area. But Heavenly Father knew what kind of people I would get along with, he knew what kind of people would best “mesh” well with my personality, and would understand my situation and circumstances. Who would get me and my dry jokes, and stupid sense of humor. He knew these missionaries well enough to know that they would build a friendship with me. A friendship that would then sometimes be the only reason I kept coming back.. He knew me so well to know that I wouldn’t want to let my friends down! And the fact that I can see this, strengthens my testimony, and also my love for my Heavenly Father. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!"
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