My Choice

I've had lots of experiences in the past week that have taught me some lessons about life.

There are so many things in my heart that I feel are true. But sometimes I get swayed by the world, because it is becoming less and less common to believe the things I believe.

I start to feel silly, cheesy, cliche, and self-conscious for believing what I do, 

and then I start to doubt myself.

But I've come to realize that faith is a choice.

If it is good, and you want to believe it, you can believe it.

The more we seek after precious truths, the more we will find. We simply just have to make that effort, and our Heavenly Father is more than willing to give us what we seek.

I think back on the people of the scriptures, and the pioneers, and how they were so strong in the faith. They sacrificed so much, giving everything they had for the gospel. 

It's so easy to read their stories and not realize how amazing they really are, because we see the end results and know that everything worked out.

But they were just like us. They had to have just as much faith, and choose to trust in the Savior, just as much as we do. And they did! Something kept pushing them on, something burned in their hearts, and it got them through. They made it. We know that, we see that. And the same thing will happen for us, if we choose, just like they did, to give our lives to the work of the Lord.

I believe there is something more to me than what I am right now. And the only one who can help me become that is my Savior.

Because of that, I choose to give my whole life to Him. 

In the words of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: 

"Rise up; your destiny is a glorious one."

You can get all technical and try to explain to me why it is not possible that God exists. You can push for me to accept and tolerate the changing values of the world. You can tell me that I am deceived, confused, or silly for believing the things I do.

But I know God exists. 

I CHOOSE to believe that, with all my heart, and nothing can persuade me otherwise.

Wherever He is, that is where my heart is.

Christ is SO invested in this work on Earth. He is the head of it, and it is moving forward faster and faster each day. As the world gets more and more wicked, he is calling now, more than ever, for people of faith, strength, and courage to do his work.

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage.... and on, on to the victory!" -D&C 128:22

I am so grateful for my relationship with my Savior. I feel Him with me every day. He is helping me become the woman I want to be, and He is my best friend. With Him on my side, I can do anything.

I love Him with all my heart, and I choose that.

~Manda