November third... fast sundays and testimony meetings

I LOVE Fast Sundays... wait let me re-phrase... I LOVE the Sabbath Day in general, but most especially I LOVE Fast Sundays. Today was fabulous, and not just because Leigha was sustained as the newest member of our ward, or because she bore her testimony.

I love the opportunity to show our love of the Lord by being obedient and feeling peace and strength through fasting. I love getting to hear our beloved ward members bear witness of the truths of the gospel (we all have our favorites in each ward) and I love this ward in general. We have such a family feeling here of love and support, and that seemed to be the focus of today's meeting. Love of the ward and Love of each other were highlighted in nearly every testimony. I really wanted to bear my testimony, but I knew I would just bawl (especially after ALL the love and support we received yesterday). I have been very emotional this week, so since I did not take the opportunity in Church I will do it here.

I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows and helps me. I know that in the pre-mortal existence that when His plan was presented that I was excited at the prospect of gaining a mortal body and coming here to earth. I know that He gave us our agency so that we would be free to choose to follow Him, I am so grateful for this gift. I know that He knew that we would be mortal and imperfect so He planned a way for us to be able to overcome the 2 obstacles that would keep us from Him, death and sin. I know that our loving brother, Jesus Christ, was willing to come, live a perfect life and die to bridge the chasms that would separate us from Heavenly Father. Because of his willingness to die on the cross for us we can be resurrected, linking us to God  from mortal to immortal. Because of his sacrifice in Gethsemane, when he performed the atonement, he bridged the gap from sin, sot hat I can repent of all the stupid things I do and get to be with Him and Heavenly Father again. I also know that he not only felt all of our sins but sorrows, sicknesses and he suffered so much for me. I love him so much, and I am so grateful for the gifts HE has given me.

I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I think I have always known that, I have always had a testimony of the first vision, and every time I study it is reaffirmed to me that it is true. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I know that he was helped to restore the fullness of the gospel to the earth. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and that it contains the fullness of the gospel. I know that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. I have felt power and peace, understanding and strength from my studies of the Book of Mormon.

I know without a doubt that this is the Lords Church, that He is the one who leads it through His living prophet Thomas S. Monson. I have received my personal and undeniable witness through the Holy Ghost that he IS the living prophet and that he leads and guides this Church only through the direction of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that this Church was restored by Joseph Smith and that all the consequent prophets have been called of God as they have led and guided the church. I love this Church. I love the work of this Church and I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I could go on and on, but sufficeth to say:

Day #3: I am grateful for my testimony.