President Thomas S. Monson has taught that today’s Youth are “some of our Heavenly Father’s strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth ‘for such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14).” (The Ensign, May 2009). Similarly, President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “You are the best generation we have ever had. You know the gospel better. You are more faithful in your duties. You are stronger to face the temptations which come your way.” (The Ensign, November 2003, 82)
We invited some of our Youth in Aggieland to share their testimonies of why they believe and why they belong in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we were blown away by the powerful things they shared. We know you will feel the Spirit as you read these statements of faith from Latter-day Saint Youth:
“I belong because I am a sinner along with everyone else, and I have accessed the Atonement to make myself whole. Jesus Christ is the reason that we belong. He connects all of us through His saving grace and His eternal sacrifice. I believe because through my journey in life of trying to become more like the Savior, I have felt God’s love for me and all those around me. The Atonement has filled me with love and compassion, and as I pray, I can feel that. Because of this there is no doubt in my mind that this Church is true. Through my developing my relationship with God, I believe.”
“My belief in Jesus Christ has been a privilege and has greatly influenced my actions through life. My knowledge of the true and living Christ has overall made me a better person through how I treat myself and others. Christ’s love and grace help me through difficult times. Believing in Jesus Christ also gives me happiness through knowledge of things I would have never known if I had not believed. For example, knowing about the afterlife and where our spirits go after we die helps me find peace after a loved one dies or when I even wonder what happens after I die. Another example is the Atonement. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for all mankind shows the love He has for all of us including myself. Having knowledge of this, I know that even though I will never be perfect, I can always be forgiven of my sins and feel close to Christ once again. There are many reasons why I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but one of the most important reasons to me is because I am a child of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth of God and all His children deserve to learn of His glory and love for all of us. I am privileged to have been born into the true church of God and I believe it’s my duty to share the gospel with all those who are seeking to know the truth.”
“I believe in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I feel so much joy from knowing that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us individually. I absolutely love knowing that I can talk to my Father in Heaven and receive comfort, guidance, and strength whenever I need it. There have been so many times when I have felt confused or scared and after even just a simple prayer, I was comforted and given the knowledge that everything would be okay. I love knowing that there is always someone who knows me and what is best for me. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I know what my purpose here on earth is and that if I strive to be a disciple of Christ I can return to Him someday. Even though I will inevitably make mistakes, I know that because Jesus Christ suffered and died for everybody, I can repent and be forgiven of those sins. I know that it is never too late to come unto Christ because his hands are always stretched towards us waiting to forgive, all we need to do is take them.”
“I belong to this church because when I am at any church activity or meeting, or around any other member, I feel welcomed, loved, and know that there are people who truly care about me. A few years ago, I tore my ACL and had reconstructive surgery. I was confined to my couch for about two weeks with little to do and little interaction with others. Unbeknownst to me, several of my friends and leaders from church, all on separate occasions, visited me, bringing treats or books to read or fun things to do while I was on the couch. Is this not a perfect example of what Christ taught of when he said, “Feed my sheep”? (John 21:17) This is only one of many experiences that I have had when I have been on the receiving end of an act of Christ-like love from a fellow member of this church. I have also had many experiences of helping and serving in the community as a result of belonging to this Church, and they have only strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ and how I can become more like Him. There are people who need my help and service, and I need theirs even more. I don’t think that this unity of service and love can be found anywhere else than this setting where we all learn together of Christ’s unconditional love and guidance. This is why I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; I am constantly on the receiving end of selfless service and have opportunities to serve others and by doing so I grow closer to Jesus Christ. I choose to believe that this church is the only true and living church on the earth today because I have sought out the truth through scripture study and prayer with our Heavenly Father and found answers to these questions that I have had. I don’t believe because my parents do or because I have to, I believe because I have learned for myself that this church has the truth. Answers and revelation from God don’t always come all at once like a light bulb turning on; for me it comes very gradually like the sun rising in the morning. Having this knowledge and peace of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a very beautiful sunrise.”
“I believe for myself because I have felt the Spirit. It is that warm, touching, and peaceful feeling that sometimes even moves people to tears. I have felt the Spirit at the temple. I have felt it at church. One of the most powerful times was at Girl’s Camp. Each night, we had group scripture study and on the last day there was a testimony meeting. The Spirit was so strong there that I was brought to tears multiple times. For these reasons, I can say that I do believe that this church is true. I belong because it is a good environment to be in. There are so many good people, and we all have the same standards. I have made many friends through this church, and there is a strong feeling of unity. In this church, we do lots of fun activities, and we also help others. My last reason is that it is something constant. I know that wherever I go, the church will be run the same way. All of the doctrine will not change. I know that at church I will fit in, and those are the reasons why I belong.”
“I believe in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I feel that it is the true church. I know this church has everything we need to return back to Heavenly Father and Jesus. I belong to this church because I know that Heavenly Father has special callings for each of us to fulfill, and I know that I am a part of this church so I can bless and teach others and myself spiritually and gain a stronger testimony.”
“I believe the church is true, because every time I read my scriptures, or go to church, I feel the Spirit testify to me. I belong because every time I go to church, all the members are always so happy and loving, and I can feel their love for me, and I wonder where I would be in the world without this gospel.”
“The reason I believe in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is simple: I have had certain, spiritual experiences from the Holy Ghost that have caused my faith in this church to develop and grow. Earlier this year, I decided I needed to find out for myself if the things I have been taught were true, and when I knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father, I received a confirmation from the Holy Ghost that the gospel I had been taught is indeed true, without a shadow of a doubt. I belong to this church for one big reason: the gospel teaches that ‘all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth’ are sons or daughters of God. This knowledge is very comforting, and gives me a sense of direction and a purpose in life.”
“I believe in this church because it will always give me a huge sense of purpose, which is something we all want. If you ever asked my friends to describe me, they would probably say I’m happy, positive, bubbly, and enthusiastic. I belong to this church because of who I am. Our religion is such a joyful, powerful message of peace and goodwill. Since I have such a peppy personality, I want to be around people with the same attitude. The gospel of this church gives the members a light that shines through them brightly. If I’ve ever had a bad day and need something uplifting, I know I need to focus on church related things, and before I know it, my negative attitude has disappeared. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because it encourages me to be a better person and to be a joyful daughter of God.”
“I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I am a daughter of Heavenly Father. I know that He loves me very much and that if we try, we can make it back to Him. I believe because of the scriptures. I think that we would all be very lost without something to turn to on the earth. I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ and I know that He came and suffered for us. Knowing that has helped me through some challenges. I know that if we really believe, Heavenly Father will help us get back to Him because He wants us back with Him.”
“I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because: 1) There is no paid minister or pastor. Our bishop does not get money for preaching and is appointed through priesthood keys and authority. There is a direct line of priesthood, or the power of God, which is very well organized and can be traced back to Jesus Christ, our Savior. 2) We believe that families can be together forever! We trust in the Lord’s Plan of Salvation to bring us back to our Heavenly Father. 3) There is also a strong feeling of unity that I feel among the Young Women, or group of girls from age 12-18, that I felt at Girl’s Camp. Church members are there for each other, and I like that. 4) Lastly, we do what we say we believe. We act like Mormons, we serve like Mormons, we are Mormons! And we are proud to be Mormons!”
“I’ve always thought I believed in the church because my family goes there. But I think it’s because I have had moments where the Spirit has confirmed to me that the church is true. Those feelings are warm and peaceful. This is how I know and why I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I think I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many reasons. But the main one is because I have witnesses, like the living prophet, that it’s a true church.”
“I believe with all my heart that there is a God, he loves us, and he sent his only begotten Son to die for us. Every morning when I wake to sunlight streaming through my windows, I believe. Every time the skies turn grey and little droplets of glistening rain fall to the earth, I believe. When I see a bee buzzing around a flower, or feel a gust of wind blow my hair, I believe. God made this planet and all of its beauty for his children. I believe from the feeling I get when I look at the places and people surrounding me, from learning about the stars in class to seeing a fellow student help pick up the dropped books of another. There is so much proof of God’s existence in the world around us. He has not hidden it from us, but it is our job to learn how to see it. I believe, I know, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. How can you not when you experience the happiness of getting baptized, the redemption of repentance, and the reverence of a priesthood blessing?”
