November 20, 2011
Today I had the opportunity of participating in an LDS Church ordination for our grandson James Taylor Wright. He is a marvelous young man and has gone through the process which God shared with us in James 1:5, in which he tells us that if we ask him, with a sincere heart, nothing wavering, he will give us the knowledge we need to create our own, personal testimony of the existence of God, the Love God has for us, and how we can best serve in His Kingdom on earth. Each of us, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddist, or any other faith that has as its basic tenant, the acknowledgement of an Eternal Heavenly Father that loves us; that created us; that wants us to love one another and to love Him by following his commandments will have a certain set of directions for receiving a testimony of Him who created us.
For me this process began when I was sixteen – Taylor’s age. I didn’t have a solid understanding of who I was, or what I could do in my life, much less a clear understanding of diety. My search began in earnest by attempting to go to the LDS Church and learn about Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost. I can remember the first time I shared a public testimony was in youth group at the Chapel in Scottsdale. It was very brief and I really don’t remember what I said. I do, however, remember the peaceful feeling I had as I went back to my seat. I felt as if I had actually made a giant step forward in assessing and pursuing a direction in which I would attempt to build on those feelings; thus, understanding my spiritual self better.
Over fifty years have come and gone and with those years I found myself to be very, very mortal. I have slipped and fallen off the path with the Iron rod on occasions too numerous to list or remember. For anyone interested in finding their personal salvation or peace, may I suggest that you go to your clergy and to God and ask what it is that you believe and how you can search out the basic principles and ordinances of your chosen religion? Your testimony and faith must and will come from God, but you must know what you believe in and you must then that knowledge to God and do as is outlined in James 1:5. For me, the stubborn one, I had to take one thing at a time, follow the commandment, or use the principle, and test myself at each juncture, building my testimony and personal knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ through this process. I went through tithing and offerings, fasting, prayer, more prayer, pondering the scriptures, the Sacrament, the Atonement, life, crucifixion, of Jesus Christ, the very opportunity to be on this earth in a home where Christianity was understood, and forgiveness of our sins. I began to understand the Priesthood of God, blessings, ordinances, temple endowments, sacrifice, death, eternal life and exaltation, and many, many more.
I once heard an elder in the LDS church state that he would soon kneel at the feet of Jesus Christ and the books of life would be opened, and that his knowledge of God and all things relative would be no greater than it was at that moment in his mortality. When our savior was on this earth he gained knowledge and wisdom in his early years. Certainly he was light years ahead of my puny growth and knowledge. I am still learning and trying to understand. I am still pondering the scripture and all of the magnificent blessings I have received in my life, but I now know that my life has been blessed and protected for the specific purpose of assisting others in their temporal and spiritual affairs in any way that he shares with me through the Holy Ghost. It is my pleasure to consecrate all that I have, talents, energy, material wealth, and anything else to the building up of the Kingdom of God on the Earth.
Please understand, we all have our path to create. For each of us it will be different, but it is incumbent on each of us to seek out the path that leads us to peace within ourselves and a God centered life. These suggestions were based on my beliefs and testimony. Seek out the truths in your spiritual community and build a testimony on them through God.