Faith

They say it's a small as a mustard seed, that it is something you can feel but not see. They say that it precedes the miracle. In Alma 32:21 it states, "And now as I said concerning faith- faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. You hope for that which you can't see, feel, touch, or taste. Yet you do it anyway. You do it because the Holy Ghost has born witness to you that there is a God, that he is MY Heavenly Father. That his son, Jesus Christ laid down his life for ME. That knowledge flows through my veins. More than ever, it illuminates my heart and mind with peace and assurance that he is with me, in the details of my life. That he is mindful of my needs, wants and weaknesses. Life ebbs and flows. I've always known of God. My parents taught me about him as a child. While I saw goodness in their faith, it lacked "power". I was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints while in high school. I look back and think it was nothing short of a miracle that I found the church, or maybe it found me. I do know that when I heard the gospel, preached by two young men, that my heart burned with the truth of it. My discipleship hasn't always been true and faithful. Perhaps that is why I appreciate Christ's atonement so much. I know that he has paid the price for my sin, omissions, commissions and everything in between. I love him and I know he loves me. As a parent, I've watched as some of my children have embraced the gospel and others haven't. I'm reminded that my own parents much have experienced the same thing. I'm also reminded that Father in heaven has also seen the same amongst his children. His example is one of unconditional love and acceptance; not necessarily of the choices our children are making but most assuredly of our children. I'm renewing my temple recommend tonight. My spirit longs to be in the House of the Lord again. It feels like I imagine heaven will feel like, white, light, love and peace, full of smiling faces. My heart is drawn out to those who don't know God or his son. Because I know him, I know that I can face anything in this world because I'm promised a reunion with him in the next world. There was a country song a few years back that talked of this being our temporary home, it really is. Our purpose is to learn of God, make and keep sacred covenants and to do all we can to help others to do the same thing. If we do this, we choose happiness.