Why I choose

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Moroni 10:5

This week-end was really special for me: One of my best friend in this world, Julie, was baptized after waiting for years. She is now officially member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. With her permission, I'm gonna tell you her story.

Julie always knew the church. Her father is a worthy member of the church, he was born into the church and has a huge testimony of Christ. He always taught his daughters the gospel, took them to the church every Sunday, and helped them to have their own testimony.
Julie's mother is such a wonderful woman, a good mother and a great wife. But she is not a member of the church and she didn't want her daughters to be baptized, so Julie and her big sister had to wait their majority to become officially latter day saints.
Julie turned 18 on May 20 and was baptized on May 23, only 3 days later. She is such a big example for me, and I'm really happy to have had the opportunity to live this special week-end with her.

When I saw her in the water, with her beautiful white dress, holding her father's arm, ready to be a part of God's flock, I felt the Spirit and I couldn't help but cry. I could feel how much our Heavenly Father was proud and happy to see her, coming into Him.
Then the Sunday morning, during the sacrament meeting, she was confirmed as a member of the church and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. When she came back at her sit, she shared her testimony with me. She told me that when her father put his hands on her head she felt something more inside her and she was feeling special. She looked at me, a huge smile on her face and said "I have the Spirit!".

When I came back at home, Julie sent me a message to share her testimony with me. I was really touched by her words "Because of my faith, and my spiritual experiences I believed that the church was true.. but when I was confirmed as a real member of the church of Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit, I knew".

Then I wondered.. Why did I choose to belongs to this church? Why did I choose to follow the Christ? Why did I choose to be baptized?
These questions helped me to remember why I took these decisions in my life. Why do I live the gospel? Step by step, all my spiritual experiences came back in mind and my testimony grew up. God and Jesus Christ live! I remember the first time I felt that there was a God, the first time I felt that this church was THE church of Christ. The first time I really felt the Spirit. I was 12, and I didn't have a testimony. To be honest I didn't believe that God could exist. But I was not sure, and I wanted to be, so I decided that if He exists, He will let me know. I knelt and prayed.

"God, I don't know if you're really there, but I take the risk".

I told him everything I needed, all my fears, my joys, and my questions.. For the first time in my life, I talked to my Heavenly Father. He answered. He really did! I was still praying when I felt something really strong, I felt a pure love, a pure feeling. The tears ran on my face when I realized that the Holy Ghost was testifying me the truth. "You are loved by a God, a King who gave His son, Jesus Christ to save you Julia. This church is led by the Christ himself. Come unto Him.." This feeling was the stronger one I have ever felt in my life. Since that day, I try everyday to do my best to be a good christian, a good disciple of Christ. If I look at all I have been through in my life, I realize that I never was alone. I have a constant companion while I'm thankful to the covenant that I have contracted: The Holy Ghost. It is what have been promised to all of us as we enter into the waters of baptism. And we have this promise every Sunday during the sacrament. "That they may always have his Spirit to be with them". It is true. If we remember Jesus Christ in our lives, respect his commandments then we can always have the Spirit with us. I saw it in my life, and I saw it in the lives of those who decided to follow the Christ too.

I'm thankful to know the truth. It makes me happy everyday of my life, and I would like the whole word to know this too and to be happy happy as I am. The gospel makes me happy. God and Jesus Christ make me happy. The church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is the church of our Savior, who really died for us, so we can be saved and return in the presence of God. The book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God like Thomas S. Monson is. I know that to be true, and that's why I chose to live the gospel.

Julie and me on this wonderful day. ♥