My Testimony

My friend and I were talking about religion the other week. She brought up the fact that some of her closest friends judge her for some of the choices that she has made. She was worried that if she hung out with Melissa and I that we would do the same thing that all of her other friends had done in the past. I tried to insure her that we wouldn't but I'm not sure she understood the real reason why I couldn't ever judge anyone for their choices. There was a time in my life when I was very bitter towards God. I was hurt and upset by many of the things that were happening in my life and I was trying to find something to blame it on. It led me down a path that, if given the choice again, I would never choose. I've done a lot of things that I am not proud to say that I've done. I've seen, heard, and said a lot of things that I shouldn't have. I was in a place in my life where I couldn't have a testimony of God. I wouldn't believe in anything because I didn't believe in myself. When I finally made a turn around every perception I had was different. When I finally came back to the Gospel I was changed. I know longer judged others for the choices that they made in their lives. To this day I don't judge people for their choices. I know that everyone has to make decisions for themselves. No one has the right to tell you what to believe and tell you that you are, or that you are going to go somewhere, because you don't share the same beliefs that they do. I have been in a place where I thought everyone around me was judging me. I hated it with a passion. It took me farther away from the Gospel then I had ever realized. I didn't want to be around people who were going to judge me when they had problems of their own. That is why now I don't judge people. That is why I will never judge people. Everyone has a choice to make and I will love them no matter what it is.

That being said though, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I've been a member of this church for my entire life and it has helped develop me into who I am. I have a strong testimony that this church is true. I have benefited from many miracles because of my enduring faith. I have seen and felt things that I could not even begin to describe. This church has helped me draw closer to my Heavenly Father. I know that He loves me and every other person in the world. He is our Heavenly Father and wants nothing but the best for every single one of us. I know Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He has, in the past few months, become one of my best friends. I know that Christ made it possible to live with our Father in heaven again. I know that if I do all that I can; I can make it back to the presence of my Heavenly Father again. I know that if I do all I can; I can be with my family forever. I know that the the bible is the word of God. I know that through the bible we can draw closer to God and learn about Christ. I also know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. People can draw closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by reading and studying it. I know this because I have personally done it. I invite all of my friends who have questions about my faith to ask them. I have nothing to hide about what I believe. I know without a shadow of a doubt that what I have said is true. I invite all of you to find out what I have found out so you can experience that same joy that I have.

-Jeremy-