Reminiscing

by Nola Redd | More from this Blogger

It's hard to believe that today is the tenth anniversary of my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope you'll allow me to indulge in a little reminiscing on the subject.

As I stand here, my mind is blown by the small number of years that have passed. In many ways, it seems as though the gospel has always been a part of my life. The life I lived before seems so distant and foreign. But at the same time, it seems as though it were only yesterday. Oddly enough, I can remember thoughts and feelings I had about the church with clarity. I remember the first time I heard about Joseph Smith's vision and the disbelief I felt, the questions I struggled with. I remember other doctrinal points that seemed so alien to me at the time, and how I felt about them - points I now have a strong testimony of. The very contrast of the two - feeling as though I've been a Latter-day Saint forever and remembering thinking the Church was a little 'odd' - is a bit disorienting.

I can also remember the strong testimony the Holy Spirit bore the first time I knew the Book of Mormon and the Church were true. I remember worrying that I would doubt this inspiration and writing a quick but emotional testimony that I knew these things were all true and that I needed to be baptized. I have never had to turn back to that written testimony to remind myself, as I thought and feared I might, a fact for which I am grateful. The Holy Ghost testifies to me every day as to the truth of the gospel, and whenever I need a 'quick dose' of the Spirit, I pick up my scriptures and read the same passage that first touched my heart, and I feel it testify to me again as to the truth of what I read (like many, I'm sure, I turn to 3 Nephi 11).

How grateful I am to be a member of this church. How grateful I am that all of my adult life has been guided by inspiration. How grateful I am to Heavenly Father, to my Savior Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Ghost for guiding me into the gospel, especially at a time when I was so convinced that they had no concern for me. How grateful I am for a strong and unwavering testimony. How grateful I am to have had my life so completely and thoroughly changed.

Related Articles:

RS/EQ: Questioning Your Testimony

Visiting Teaching: Strengthening Your Personal Testimony of Jesus Christ

Avoiding Barren Ground

Learn more about Nola Redd

Freelance writer Nola Redd is a stay-at-home mom to three kids, with a fourth on the way.

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