My first point of contact to Christianity was my art teacher when I was ten years old. She was a follower of Christ and a lady of firm faith and godly countenance. I was her favorite student; she would often invite me to be a part of her family festivities. Being in her home, I learnt about Jesus Christ and His eternal sacrifice. My little mind was not able to comprehend everything that she taught me but the seed of faith was planted in my innocent heart when I myself was unaware of it. Time passed by and so did my love for Christ grow stronger in my heart, much to the extent that I started wearing a cross on my neck as His symbol.
I often thought in my heart if God is one, why we had so many versions of Him and if He really existed, who is He and where is He? Where did I come from? What is the purpose of my existence? What would happen to me and my loved ones after we die? What’s my relationship with God? Does he listen to my prayers? Does he know me and even care I exist? But far from these confusing thoughts, I was unaware that almighty God was preparing me for a sacred cause and had great plans lined up for me. During these times, my life went through a series of major ups and down but I always felt His loving arms protecting me in all circumstances and I could feel the warmth of His divine love always upon me despite all odds.
One hot afternoon of May 2009, two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints stopped by my home and met my youngest brother inquiring about some address. They looked weary and hungry so he invited them in to have some food. They introduced themselves and shared a small message about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ with him and my other family members, left a visiting card with their phone number on it and invited us for Sunday service the following week. Immediately my brother called me as I was at work and told me all that happened. He asked me if I would like to accompany him to church and I excitedly said yes!
The moment I stepped into church, a warm feeling came over me and I felt I just belonged to this place forever and this is what I was looking for. My sister joined me for the discussions. We started learning more about Jesus and his eternal sacrifice; about the Book of Mormon; about Joseph Smith and how he was an instrument in the hands of the Lord to restore His true church again on earth. I started getting answers to the questions I always searched all my life and felt that finally my life has a meaning. I came to know I am a precious daughter of our loving Father in Heaven. Finally the blessed day came - December 27, 2009 we both sisters entered the waters of baptism and accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior in our lives. Since then life has never been the same again. My first calling was when I was just two months old in church.
I was inspired by the loving and selfless services of missionaries who taught us, I prayed and felt I should also serve the Lord. I filed my mission papers and got my mission call to serve in Philippines Manila Mission from January 20, 2011. here I lived a dream of eighteen months, miraculously I got the gift of tongue to learn my mission language ‘Tagalog’ quickly, taught gospel to hundreds of people, some of them rejected us, some listened but never cared, however, some humbled themselves enough to accept and became a part of the Christ’s restored church. Mission taught me a great deal about life. I learnt the significance of humility, charity, service and selfless love. In just four years Lord has blessed me with ample opportunities to serve in His true church in various callings and assignments.
I truly and genuinely feel that Gospel is the only answer for all the questions mankind might ever have and it’s the only way which will unite us all in Christ. I know there is a perfect God who despite all odds immensely loves us, we, are the imperfect people and is always mindful of us. I learnt that when we reach out to others to help, not only they get benefitted by our kindness but it helps us become better people.
I bear my testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ’s true church on the face of the earth which is led by a living prophet - President Thomas S. Monson in these last days. He along with the Twelve Apostles, members of the seventy and all the local church leaders around the world, are called of God and receive divine guidance for all mankind. I know the standard works of the church are the words of God I know Holy Ghost is real and acts as our constant companion and assist us in decision making in our day to day lives. I know that this life is neither the beginning nor the end. Living in a world of turmoils, heartaches, distress, discouragement, anger, hatred, malice, criticism, hypocrisy, only the anchor of the gospel of Jesus Christ can keep us grounded and firm to lead this life in such a manner so we can prepare ourselves to live in eternities with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I am so grateful to be a member of this church and can’t imagine my life without it. The principles I learnt here in church are helping me become better than who I am today. And I know as we put our trust in God and His eternal promises and do our best we become instruments in His hands to reach out to His children and we can feel true peace and joy. I know these things to be true, in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.