Gospel Topics - Faith and Testimony

Hello, everyone!  The past two weeks in Sacrament meeting the topic has been faith and testimony.  I believe that both faith and testimony are virtues we must constantly work to develop. 

When I was a young girl, Girl's Camp was what helped me most in these areas.  This is when I would have the biggest opportunities for growth.  It would be a call-to-action time for me. 

You would think it was the great preparation, talks, and testimonies shared by the leaders at Camp that led me to these moments, and maybe this is what encouraged the opportunity for me, but in reality it was Solo Time.

I loved Solo Time.  During Solo Time, I was forced to take an absolute timeout from the world and responsibilities.  We were given a certain amount of time, and I would go and find a beautiful quiet place to sit and be alone.

It was then in those quiet moments, surrounded by Heavenly Father's creations, that I would take to heart the things that I had been taught at Church, kneel down, and ask my Heavenly Father if they were true.

I remember one of those occasions.  I was wondering how we could say we knew the prophet was a true prophet of God.  I had searched the scriptures and found some logical answers.  When I knelt and asked with sincere desire to receive an answer, I knew.  I knew that the current prophet would never lead me or the Church astray.  I knew he was a true prophet of God.

After my prayer, the world seemed even brighter and more beautiful around me.  Any doubt I had had was gone.

The lessons I learned at Girl's Camp would gradually slip away, but I believe the most important lesson I ever learned and will always remember is that God hears and answers our prayers.

He does and He will.

Also, the sincerity of the prayer is important.

Since then and especially in recent times, I have observed that my initial prayer in the morning and my final prayer at night are not always the most sincere.  I must seek sincere prayer during the day too, when I am not so tired and my mind is more alert.

For me, when I read the scriptures is the best time.  If I read and then kneel in prayer, my words really feel like they reach the heavens and my heart fills with a greater faith in and love of my Savior.

Do you have an experience with faith or testimony you would like to share?  We would all love to hear it!  



This is a personal experience shared by Celeste Estes.