The Testimony of a Boy Hoping to be a Man

What do you think?

I will begin by saying, the last post wasn't actually my last post, so forgive that misleading statement. 

I've been told once or twice to,

"Think before you speak!"

Which, in all honesty, is the something that I do struggle with. Perhaps I don't care to think, or I don't really understand what I am saying can effect people in more significant ways than I perceive, but that is the old me. I have gained a better understanding of how vital each word is.

These few words that I want to share are the ones that I hope to reflect and to show throughout my next two years in serving the Lord, Jesus Christ, in the far off lands of Africa. So pay attention, and know that I believe these things with all of my heart.

I know that my Redeemer lives! I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah and Savior of the world. There is a love and joy that all can obtain, but it is a gift from God. I know that God wants to give this gift to all of His children, but He has asked that we do a few things. 

The promise for doing these five things are Eternal Life, and that includes eternal joy, eternal love, and eternal families. 

These are the five things we must do/obtain:

1.) Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement

2.) Repentance for our sins

3.) Baptism by immersion for the remission of our sins. (Being cleansed through Christ)

4.) Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. (Given the Holy Ghost through the power of God)

5.) Endure to the End.

I know that as you fulfill each of these steps, your love and happiness in this life will grow exponentially. You will never be without difficulty, but the challenges become lighter burdens as you give yourself fully over to the Lord. I know that I am going to Africa to share this message with other of God's children, and the one thing that I want out of it is to know that others have the opportunities to spend eternity with those that they love. Eternal Families is what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about. God is our loving Heavenly Father, He wants His family to come back to Him.

That is my testimony, and now I would like to share that of the Church's. It is in

 The Family: A Proclamation to the World

THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.