Why I Believe

I’ve always loved the beauty of God’s creations, especially the mountains of Utah and Idaho. They’ve taught me to appreciate His handiwork. I don’t know how you can see such magnificent things and doubt there is a creator. Over the years, both mental and chronic illness have given me an education in trusting the One behind it.

I’ve spent years praying about my health, finances, and future. I attend the temple as often as I can, frequently bringing a collection of questions about how to improve my circumstances and take better care of myself.

And Heavenly Father keeps giving me lilies.

I’m serious. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sat in the celestial room, opened my scriptures, and landed on some variation of “consider the lilies.”

Lilies happen to be my favorite flower, which makes His choice rather personal. And, after sufficient repetition, rather exasperating.

I’ve even told Him, “Heavenly Father, if I see that ‘consider the lilies’ stuff again, I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”

But I treasure those persistent lilies. I ask how things will work out, and God reminds me that He knows. I want answers I can act on, and He invites me to trust Him. The lesson has required patience and substantial growing pains.

I’ve also had anger toward God. It’s hard when struggles go on for long periods of time. Eventually, I realized I wouldn’t be arguing with Heavenly Father if I didn’t believe He was there to hear me. After a period of stubbornness and anger, I realized I wasn’t nearly as happy then as I was when I was more active in the gospel.

Through these experiences, my testimony of Jesus Christ has deepened. I know He lives. I believe His Atonement reaches every part of our lives, that He understands our suffering, and that His grace makes forgiveness, healing, and eternal life possible.

My relationship with Jesus Christ is just as personal and precious to me as my relationship with Heavenly Father. He’s my older brother, and I know He knows me. My patriarchal blessing tells me that before this life, I spent long periods of time with both of Them. I knew Them, and They knew me. I believe that relationship continues today, and I treasure it.

Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ understands everything we’ve experienced and everything we have yet to face. Every sorrow, every pain, every joy, every frustration, and, of course, every bit of humor. He gave us that extraordinary gift so we could become one with Him. There’s something deeply comforting about knowing that the Savior of the world also knows me as His sister. He knows my personality, my struggles, my hopes, and the whole complicated business of being human. I know Him as my Savior, but I also know Him as my brother. That relationship means everything to me.

I still have questions. But I trust His love, His wisdom, and His ability to care for me when I can’t see what comes next.

And I love lilies.

I’m the oldest of six children, raised by parents who taught me to love Heavenly Father and live His gospel. Their faith gave me a foundation. My own experiences gave me a testimony for myself.

I love the personal gift of my patriarchal blessing, which specifically tells me that Heavenly Father speaks to me through the scriptures. It’s one of my spiritual gifts. Refining it has taken years of practice, patience, and guidance from the Holy Ghost. I’m still working on it.

I love the scriptures. Some verses inspire me, some fascinate me, and some make me think. But I’ve learned to recognize when a verse carries a message Heavenly Father wants me to understand at that particular moment.

I’ve learned to trust those impressions. I know it’s personal revelation. Heavenly Father knows my circumstances, understands my personality, and communicates with me in ways I recognize.

I believe Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith. I believe in living prophets, priesthood authority, temple covenants, and the eternal nature of families. The Holy Ghost has helped me recognize the truth of these teachings through my own experiences.

My faith has grown through study, prayer, and personal revelation. I’m grateful for a gospel that gives me purpose, eternal perspective, and a relationship with Jesus Christ and a loving Heavenly Father.

When I was a teenager, I decided to follow Moroni’s invitation at the end of the Book of Mormon and pray to know whether it was true. I expected a solemn confirmation. I didn’t consider Heavenly Father’s sense of humor.

I felt as though He looked down at me with a wry smile and asked, “Really? You know it’s true. You have always known that it’s true.”

That experience taught me something wonderful about our relationship. Heavenly Father understands my personality, appreciates my sense of humor, and communicates with a familiarity I treasure. I’ve recognized that same affectionate humor in His answers throughout my life.

I’ve received personal guidance countless times while reading the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Alma 37:36–37 is a favorite passage that I love because it’s one of my mom’s favorites. And it teaches us to counsel with the Lord in all we do. Doctrine and Covenants 64:33 reminds me not to be weary in well-doing, a motto that has become defining for me.

Scriptures have strengthened my relationship with Jesus Christ, guided decisions, and reassured me through difficult seasons.

I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know the Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations from God. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet because of the truths he brought forth and the witness of the Holy Ghost I’ve received while studying them.

That testimony comes from personal experience. I’ve felt the Spirit, recognized Heavenly Father’s guidance, and received answers that continue to strengthen my faith.

If you’re curious about the Book of Mormon, I invite you to follow Moroni’s counsel. Read it, ponder its teachings, and ask Heavenly Father whether it’s true.

I believe He’ll answer you. And don’t be surprised if His response reveals just how well He knows you.