Testimony

My father always told me the gospel was true even though he seldom went to Church. I went hit and miss because I would have to walk three miles to Otto where the ward was located. I went often enough to get some basic understanding and I felt it was true. In my teen years I sowed some wild oats for which I am sorry. I didn’t really embrace the gospel like I should have until I married Bessie. She was a very spiritual young lady. She wasn’t hung up on material things. What she wanted was a spiritual home for her future children.

While she was taking the missionary lessons, I read in the Doctrine and Covenants 68:25 that if you don’t teach your children the gospel, the sins would be on your head. Well, I felt I was sinful enough that I didn’t need to add more by failing to teach my children. Therefore, my sweetheart and I made the decision to always be active, have family home evening and teach by making the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints an important part of our family. We have been blessed as a family for making that decision. 

I know through the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith talked with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that the true gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and blesses our lives if we are obedient to the gospel principles.

Grandma and I have truly been blessed. It is a great blessing to see your posterity accomplishing righteous purposes. We feel it is a blessing to have a testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. Of the multitude of people on this earth, there are only a few that have a testimony regarding the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. To have this testimony is truly a “Pearl of Great Price!”

The gospel has brought many blessings into our lives both temporally and spiritually. The gospel truly gives one a compass to direct their life in the right path through the sojourn of this earthly life. We are grateful for this guidance and for the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As for myself, I am a weak man so I am in need of the Savior’s grace. Having a testimony and having faith in Jesus Christ gives me blessings of comfort that can be obtained in no other way.

To our posterity, I would say, “Be obedient and work hard so that the Spirit can help you to bring this blessing of a testimony to those searching in your area of the vineyard.”

Know that Grandma and I love you all and you are in our prayers that the Lord will bless you and your families!