My name is Cynthia(Errickson)Butcher.This is my experience and testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was going to Brigham Young University the Fall of 1981. I was also working from 3am to 7am at the Fine Arts building cleaning crew on campus. I took a class this semester called “The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ“.
After working that morning, I went to my classes I remember our teacher challenged us to ask for a testimony of Jesus Christ in our prayers. I thought about it, I had been raised most of my life in the Church, but I had also gone to church with my cousins at times to their Bible school and knew they believed Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were one being. I knew that we believed that Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost were 3 distinct beings, but I hadn’t made a concerted effort to know. I was relying on my parents and leaders testimonies. I hadn’t been real faithful in my praying up to then, I wondered to whom was I praying. It was a kind of fuzzy area in my mind.
On the way to my campus apartment I pictured a place that I could use to pray for this challenge. There was a large patio area and across the path a little one where our ward had had barbeques, there is a building there now. It had large bushes surrounding most of one side. There were cement seats on the sides of the patio; they were almost like shelves. I went to the smaller patio but a couple was there talking so I went to the larger patio and found this secluded spot where the bushes covered most of it from view. I sat down and poured out my heart to Heavenly Father. I knew that I could ask in faith with real intent, like I’d learned Joseph Smith did in the Sacred Grove, and I believed I would receive an answer. I asked Heavenly Father, “Who was I praying to?” I felt such a strong, crisp, and clear answer to my prayer testify that God was real, that Jesus Christ lived here on earth, He is the Son of the Father; that I was praying to Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. That Jesus was my advocate to the Father, that He brought our prayers unto God. That Jesus Christ was my Savior, and Redeemer of the world. It was so clear so sharp it was if a knife had cut through all the fuzzy mist, I knew! I knew for myself that God lives, that Jesus lives, that He is my Savior, and They loved me, the Holy Ghost testified of this to me. They work together as a team; a Godhead. I cried with such gratitude in my heart for this sacred witness. It all made sense now; it was all clear. It changed me; I wanted to live for and serve Them.
I want you to know knowing this didn’t make me perfect all at once. I’m still working on it but, it gives me strength and joy and hope and peace to keep on going to keep on building myself and the kingdom of God on this earth. I write this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Cynthia Butcher by staff
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Annie Mead by staff
I am so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. There have been so many times in my life that I have thought “there is no way I could have made that choice without the guidance that comes from prayer”. I am so greatful for our Father in Heaven who loves us so much and has provided us a way to commuicate with him. It is hard for me to comprehend that Someone that has formed worlds without number and people without number still cares about me and wants to hear from me.I am so thankful that our Father sent his son Jesus Christ down to this earth and provided a way that we can return to live with him again. I testify that Jesus is the Christ that he came down to this earth and lived a perfect life, then he attoned for our sins. He has felt all our pain, all our heartache and more importantly he knows how to help us overcome that pain and heartache. I further testify that he lives! He rose from the garden tomb on the third day. I know he still lives today and he guides this church through a living prophet.
It is so wonderful that we all can gain a personal knowledge of this. He will answer out prayers! The promise is true, if you ask God if these things are true he will testify to the truth of all things. I bare testimony that these things are true and I have gained a personal witness of them.
I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I love this church, and I bare witness to these things in the name of my Savior, My Lord, My King and most importantly my Friend, Jesus Christ Amen
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Amber Brunjes by staff
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was born to members of the church, and many of my roots in the church began in its youth in Kirtland and Nauvoo. While I’m very proud of my heritage, that is not the reason I’m a faithful member today.I belong to this church and remain active in it because every blessing I have comes, either directly or indirectly, from my membership and my testimony of this gospel.
I know that I am a daughter of God who existed before I came to this earth and who covenanted with my Heavenly Father (God) to come down and live a righteous live and serve and love those around me. I know that if I keep those covenants and the covenants I continue to make, I will be blessed to return to Heaven and live with Him and all my loved ones and be part of a beautiful eternal family. I have learned through personal experience and the scriptures that I can pray to Him at any time and in any place for personal guidance and protection, and that He hears and answers my prayers and answers them according to what HE knows is best, for which I am ever grateful.
I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and my literal Savior, and that when He suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross, He did it partially for me. I know that He loves me and knows and understands me and watches over me daily. I’m so grateful for his incomparable sacrifice on my behalf, and I pray that I can live worthy of His atonement.
I have a powerful testimony that the Book of Mormon, as well as the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price are books of scripture that speak the words of God. I’m grateful for them and can truly feel peace and strength when I read from them, especially from the Book of Mormon. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, called of God to restore the true church to the earth, make available the Book of Mormon, and teach us the doctrines of eternity. I love his teachings–they bring hope to my heart. I know that we’ve had a prophet on the earth ever since Joseph Smith, and that Thomas S. Monson is that man today. I praise and sustain him. And I love his stories!
If you are seeking a greater fulfillment and joy in your life, I invite you–plead with you, even–to learn more about this wonderful church. You will find a more magnificent joy in its truths than you have ever felt before in this lifetime. Your relationships and daily activities will be blessed and strengthened in your living the doctrines of this church, which are all designed to bless and help us, not hurt or restrict. I can honestly say that I have never in my life regretted living the gospel and keeping the commandments, but I have made many mistakes, some more serious than others, which almost always invoke regret and sometimes even pain and suffering. Fortunately, the Atonement of Christ gives me hope for repentance and redemption. It is in His name, the name of Jesus Christ, that I share this testimony. Amen.
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