What I Know

I was asked to address a church congregation about a week ago and today I fulfilled that request. I do not know a lot of things about public speaking, I haven't had much practice as a 20 year old to address a crowd of people who are there to actually listen and glean something beneficial from what I say. But today was another positive jolt.

I was sitting on the stand and my mind kept reminding my heart that I was running a race. I was so nervous. I hadn't had time to prepare for my talk as well as I'd liked. I had that morning written down some scripture references and some thoughts I could share. My assigned topic was one of the 10 commandments. I didn't know which one to pick.

I decided to cover the angle of obedience. How if we love God we will keep his commandments. Actions speak louder than words. As I was sitting there wondering, "Oh my goodness, what if this is all wrong for the people gathered here. What if no one here needs this?" I felt a feeling. The thought came to me, "Well then, who WOULD know if I was on the right track?" And I bowed my head and said a silent prayer asking for help. When I raised my head I had a spiritual confirmation, "If you have nothing to say on this subject, bear witness of what you know to be true. Do that, and the Spirit will be here."

I got to the pulpit and spoke. There were a few laughs and towards the end there was a lot of silence as people listened to what I knew to be true. Those things I know from the bottom of my heart. I am not perfect. I am a sinner, and I'm not proud to say that either, which means I'm willing to do something about it, to change my situation by first changing myself, one bit at a time.

I know that we can all find joy and happiness if we follow the commandments given in the holy scriptures and the words of the modern prophets. I know that I can be redeemed if I do what Jesus has asked of me.

The day will come when I'm backed to a wall of faith. And there I will make my stand. I shall never forsake my King, my God, and my Savior. I try to be better, and sometimes it's easy to forget because we live in this world where we must walk by faith and not by sight. But with faith, nothing is impossible. I know that God is our father and that Jesus Christ is his Son. I know that Jesus Christ restored His church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. And I believed it, and now I know it is a fact.


Because it's true.