It has been a blessing for me to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where I gained a personal testimony of the Savior. It took time for me to know the truth and the love of the Savior for me personally as I was from a different religion. I was not a regular student of CES Institute from the time of my membership in the church since 2013. Language was the barrier which made me nervous at times to answer questions in the class and I neglected to attend the class because of this very reason.
The members, leaders and the friends at Church gave me a warm and safe zone where I could learn the gospel in my day-to-day life. Though I couldn’t understand every word and teaching taught in the classes and in the activities, the manifestation of the Spirit was strong and I gained a testimony that the doctrine of Christ is true. President Thomas S Monson said, “The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it”.1 I just pondered on his words wondering how I could make my present fruitful in order to gain the knowledge which would stay with me for eternities.
With the help of the promptings of the Spirit, I was able to prepare and I serve a full-time mission between 2016 and 2018. It was a great blessing which blessed me to be enlightened with the light and knowledge of the Almighty. I found myself nourished with the knowledge of English to understand what I read and studied which in turn made me to practice and live the gospel principles that I learnt on a regular basis.
As I returned from the mission, I made a promise with my Savior that I would attend and be a part of the Institute class again. I had a desire to strengthen my testimony of the gospel and also to gain knowledge of the teachings that the Lord has restored. Fortunately, I was able to understand the class more clearly this time; as a result I kept the teachings in the class to ponder in order to receive more spiritual insights. I enjoyed the class as the teacher appreciated my responses and I realized that the Lord will bless His children if they have a desire to acquire the things which He wants us to gain in this mortal life.
Trials and temptations are part of human life and I experienced these at my job. I found myself unable to attend the Institute class because of the timing conflict with the job. But I prayed that I would find ways and means to attend the class regularly. Certainly the Institute teacher’s concern for me showed Christ-like love for me personally. She extended an invitation for me to do the assignments as I too was interested in gaining more gospel knowledge. The questions and the reading blocks were hard as I began but later on it was easier to understand. I was able to get the answers as my all-time teacher is the SPIRIT.
One day in a Sunday meeting I had the privilege of bearing my testimony. Many members in turn told me that they felt the Spirit as I bore testimony of the truth and the power of the gospel. As I made efforts during this lockdown time to do the makeup work, I was edified by the Spirit that all my worldly worries would be taken care by the Lord. I know that as we put our trust in the Lord, He will definitely listen to our silent prayers. I bear solemn witness that the Lord is mindful of me and I have felt it ever since I was obedient and love to do what He wants me to do. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Notes:
1. Thomas S. Monson, “Go for it!” April 1989.
