Valiant in our Testimonies: Day 8: Blessings in Our Callings

I have been a member of the Church my entire life. I grew up going to Primary, Seminary, Young Women’s and Institute. I learned about Jesus Christ from a young age and have been taught about the Book of Mormon and to keep the commandments ever since I can remember.

And for so many years I clung to this early testimony as I went through life.  I clung to what my parents believed and what I had been taught in church- and all of that helped me through numerous trials and decisions. I had a testimony, but I never knew how strong it could be.

I knew I didn’t want to break the Word of Wisdom, I knew I wanted to be sealed in the temple one day, I knew going to church was good; and I felt the Spirit when my heart was touched.

But it was as I became an adult and began serving in numerous church callings over the past ten years that I began to feel my testimony strengthen and grow.  Almost all of my callings have involved teaching in one way or another. From Youth Sunday School teacher to teaching in the Relief Society to teaching in Primary- every time I was called upon to teach I felt my testimony grow.

I learned so much every week I prepared a lesson.

I remember teaching a lesson in Young Women the first time I truly understood about the Restoration and knowing for the first time without a doubt that Joseph  Smith had indeed translated the Book of Mormon.

That Sunday happened to follow an extremely hard week where I was praying constantly for a close friend and her family, while also praying for peace and guidance and the strength to get through my church lesson. I felt the Spirit testify to me that day that what I was teaching those girls was true. I understood that part of church history more than I had ever before and I know it was because of my prayers.

Over time as I  have stood and borne my testimony to my classes I felt my testimony grow – and I know I was relying on what I believed, rather than what I had been  told was true.

Although, at times I was timid in accepting callings that seemed too difficult or would cause me to step outside of my comfort zone- I have continually been able to see how each of those callings prepared me to handle certain situations in life and how they helped my testimony to grow.

“Great power has been given you through the ordinances you have received and the covenants you have made. Above all, your beloved Heavenly Father and His Son—our Savior Jesus Christ, our Advocate—are ever present to help you through life.”– Elder Christoffel Golden

Over time I have also grown to have a strong testimony of church callings. I will be the first to admit that it can be hard to accept at times.

But I have seen how they have played a monumental role in  my life and  have helped shape me into who my Heavenly Father wants me to be. Each calling–no matter what it has been–has helped my testimony to grow.

Through all the hard times I have found great peace as I have now clung to my own testimony, and can say without hesitation that I know this Church is true.

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *