Testimony and Struggles

Amber bore her testimony in Fast and Testimony Meeting on Sunday. It went something like this:

My Uncle Brandon just died. I've been struggling with fears of death--fears that I'm going to die. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know that He can help me with my fears of death. I know that families are forever, and that I will see my Uncle Brandon again.

As she spoke, her little frame shook as she held in her emotion. She had to pause a few times to control her tears. It was a simple, yet powerful testimony. The tears ran down my cheeks as she spoke.

Last week Amber asked me if I was worried for her. As she paused and waited for my reply, I contemplated the best answer. I told her that I wasn't. I told her that I knew that she was struggling, but that that was going to be okay. I told her that I had no doubt that through the Savior she would get through this trial--that she would make it.

We all will get through. God loves us. He is there. He will succor us.

I was reading a conference talk called "Choose to Believe" by L. Whitney Clayton, and I was struck by something he said. He said:

"Belief and testimony and faith are not passive principles. They do not just happen to us. Belief is something we choose—we hope for it, we work for it, and we sacrifice for it. We will not accidentally come to believe in the Savior and His gospel any more than we will accidentally pray or pay tithing. We actively choose to believe, just like we choose to keep other commandments" (L. Whitney Clayton, "Choose to Believe, April 2015 General Conference). 

Overcoming this trial is going to continue to take a lot of hard work. We are going to have to continue to choose to seek the Savior, and find peace through Him. It's not going to go away just because we want to be okay again. This whole process is building my testimony and the testimonies of my kids. It's going to take hard work. It's up to us to continue on the path.

Primary Program and Testimony Meeting

Amber’s Testimony

Amber played in the primary program to accompany the Activity Day girls. She accidentally played the introduction toward the end of the song. However, despite her fumble, she kept playing; however, she was totally heartbroken. Bryan and I kept giving her the thumbs up sign throughout the rest of the program, but she couldn't seem to get control of her tears. (She is a bit of a perfectionist.) After the program, the ward members congratulated her over and over and over and over and over again... She heard time and time again how spiritual her playing the piano made the meeting. She was given notes after primary congratulating her on a job well done. One note read, "I felt the spirit when Amber had the courage to continue playing the piano. I felt her playing was beautiful!" Another person wrote that their favorite song was the song Amber played, because Amber did such a great job on the piano. telling her how amazing her playing was, and how much it touched those present. 

Today, during testimony meeting, Amber got up and bore testimony of the power of prayer. Her voice cracked as she explained that she prayed during the primary program--after making a mistake on the piano, that she could feel peace. She explained that after the program, the ward members came to her rescue by congratulating her, and encouraging her. She bore testimony that she knew that the ward members were an answer to her prayers. 

When Amber finished bearing testimony about the power of prayer, a sister from our ward bore testimony about the power of prayer and Amber being an answer to her prayer. In last month's testimony meeting, Amber bore testimony that priesthood blessings can answer prayers--she had already shared this experience in a past testimony meeting, so I was somewhat surprised when she shared it again; however, I kept my surprise to myself, and I am so glad that I did. Sister Eldredge stood up and bore testimony that Amber's testimony last month was an answer to her prayers. She had been praying for guidance, and much needed direction when Amber's testimony of the power of priesthood blessings entered her mind. Feeling it to be an answer to her prayer, she chose to receive a priesthood blessing, which she felt helped her to make a needed decision in her life.

Heavenly Father truly is aware of each of us. He loves us and He desires to send us blessings. If we can be in tune with the Spirit, we can be an answer to someone else's prayer. The ward member's were an answer to Amber's prayer, and Amber was the answer to Sister Eldredge's prayer. After church I asked Amber about baring her testimony the previous month, and she said she was just so impressed to say what she did.