Testimony

Oh to have the faith of a child! Listen to what my sweet, three year old son, Noah, said this afternoon. The kids were all sitting around the kitchen table making a Halloween window scene during conference:

"I believe in Jesus. He is real! And Satan is not nice. If I ever see him I’m gonna say “If you EVER say that again (referring to Jesus not being real, apparently!) I’m gonna karate chop you!” I’m gonna stand up to him and tell him he’s WRONG! Jesus IS real and alive. He is in HEAVEN."

To his sweet, simple testimony, I add my own: Jesus is the Christ, He is my redeemer, my savior, my friend. He is most definitely real and suffered, bled and gave His life for me, that I might be free from my multitude of sins. His Father, our Heavenly Father, is real. He knows me by name and counts me as one of His fold. He sent His beloved son to die for me, a sacrifice and pain so deep, no parent should have to withstand it. But because He knew me and knew of my faults, He allowed the price to be paid, that I might one day regain the gift of His presence. I hope and pray that through my continuing efforts to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that my children might grow to know Him. That they may feel His love for them, that they might understand that sacrifice, the atonement, in a way that can never be denied. That they might become disciples of Christ and live their lives in a manner pleasing to the Father, that they too, might return to His presence and live for eternity surrounded by the love and tenderness of their Father in Heaven. I pray for His continued patience with me as I navigate through this life and all it has to offer, both good and bad, that I might strive to be the pillar of light that they will so desperately need to illuminate the darkness and wiles of the Adversary. That they can turn to me in times of trouble, times of despair and feel of their Savior’s love through that which I have taught them. That I can stand strong and fervent in my heart, my mind and my deeds, that they will one day be able to stand on their own, with their own fervent faith and testimony, that they too will be a light to their families, to those around them and all that might look upon them as examples in the Gospel. These things I so desperately pray, in the name of my Savior, even Jesus Christ, Amen.