BELIEVE (word #4)

I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE that happiness is a decision. I BELIEVE people are inherently good. I BELIEVE that freedom is what makes the country I live in the the "promised land". I BELIEVE in families. I BELIEVE in love. I BELIEVE in prayer. I BELIEVE in the POWER of both love and prayer.

And all of this....I believe... comes from my belief in Jesus Christ, I believe he is the Savior of the World, and I BELIEVE he knows and loves me and that he is my redeemer. Because the tomb was empty on the morning of the third day...because HE LIVES, I BELIEVE that life and love are eternal.

I feel that I have always known this. My parents taught me that "Jesus Loves Me" from a very young age. I remember as a little child, spending the night at my Grandma's house in Pennsylvania, laying in the dark (with I believe my older brother, sister and a cousin) and someone was teaching us the Bible verse John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son...."

My faith grew and at the age of eighteen I read the Book of Mormon. I BELIEVE the Book of Mormon is ALSO a witness that Jesus Christ is the literal son of God. This book also witnesses of his coming, of his birth, of his life, of his death and of his resurrection. It testifies of God and of his incredible love for all of his children.

Reading and studying the word of God, whether from the records written of his life and teachings in the Bible or the Book of Mormon can bring great joy and meaning to life, I BELIEVE this to be true. This is based on faith. I can write of my faith and hope, I can not prove anything, but I know this to be true.

Recently there has been much media coverage over the question: are Mormon's Christian? (I'm guessing much of this stems from the fact that Mitt Romney is running for president of the United States and people want to attack him politically, which means personally, so let's go after his religion) The answer is yes, and if someone wants to debate this, please hold on while we pull out our SECOND witness of this fact and explain the Book of Mormon....again.

I BELIEVE religion is very personal. I BELIEVE in personal revelation. I BELIEVE that God does listen to our prayers and answers them. I know first hand that it may not be how, or when we want our prayers answered, but he does answer.

I BELIEVE peace comes from faith in Jesus Christ. He paid a price for me, this is something I can hardly comprehend. My gift back to him is my heart....."that whosoever BELIEVETH in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life".

OK - so I believe in this guy too ;) life is too short NOT to BELIEVE!!