God is my Father. He loves me. Before I was born on this Earth, I lived in His presence.
As my Father, God wanted me to be happy. He created a plan where I could come to Earth and learn to apply eternal principles that would bring me happiness and enable me to grow and return to His presence.
I was different from everyone else in Heaven. But, then again, everyone was different. Each of us had different needs, different talents, different areas that needed refinement in order to gain true happiness. And so God created unique experiences for each of us, and for me - the perfect blend of talents, trials, and temptations to motivate me to change and become the person He saw in me.
I came to Earth without the knowledge of my Father, but He promised me that He would be at my side. He gave His power to prophets, and through the power of the Priesthood I can receive eternal blessings, hear the will of the Lord, and make binding eternal covenants with God. But, perhaps even more important, I can have the Holy Spirit at my side wherever I go, guiding me and helping me to navigate my unique experience in life.
Life is hard. I've felt totally and completely alone, and sometimes wondered if maybe the Lord gave me something that was too hard to bear. There have been times when I've been in excruciating pain, alone, depressed, and betrayed. I curled up in a ball and wanted to die. And yet God was still there. Through my tears, I could see His hand and hear His voice. "I love you. I'm here. You're on the right path." When I prayed and followed His counsel, He taught me eternal principles. Principles that, when applied, enabled me to be stronger than the temptations and trials around me... and gave me the faith to move forward.
I know that, no matter what happens to me in life, I can be happy. I can live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and God will bless me. He will strengthen me, and He will change me into the man He saw before I ever came into this life. Will it be hard? Of course it will. Painful? Incredibly. But the promise that accompanies those whose diligent faith leads them to obey His commandments and turn to Him for guidance is clear. "For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into Heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness."
I know this is true. More, I choose to believe it, and to apply it in my life. To the testimony of the prophets and all who testify of Christ, I add my voice of faith.
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