In response to an invitation to share my testimony of Jesus Christ today, online, and since I write, I've decided to use the ability I have here on WBMW to share it with as many as possible. 

In so doing, I want to distinguish my personal brand of Mormonism, if you will, so as not to misrepresent other members of my Mormon faith, who feel that what I believe, and how I express my beliefs, is not representative of their membership and affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


However, with that said, I firmly believe that my testimony, and what that does not include, as an active member of the LDS Church, strongly parallels the vast majority of believing Mormons and in fact, is what I believe constitutes a valiant testimony of Jesus Christ and His work of salvation.

I know there is a God, whom I address in prayer as my Father in Heaven. I know that I am His daughter, that He knows me and that I have a divine destiny. I love His Son Jesus Christ and I know that He lives. I love His gospel, and am deeply grateful for His Atonement. He is my Savior and Redeemer. I am so grateful for my membership in His Church, restored in these latter-days, and often referred to as the Mormon Church, by many not of my faith.

But I'm not just any kind of Mormon, as recent happenings have made that very clear. Rather, I'm finding over time that I am of a more particular kind. A kind, which is often overlooked, disregarded, and more and more perceived as a negative voice in a secular world as we move closer to the second coming of Jesus Christ, which I believe we are.

Just to be clear then, before I continue, I want to first extract from my testimony, what I am not, lest anyone feel that I represent their brand of Mormonism as I share my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as a Mormon - this Mormon.

I'm not a progressive or liberal Mormon. I'm not a Mormon who holds contrary positions to the doctrines of the LDS Church. I'm not a Mormon woman who experiences a lack of self-worth, because God has assigned male members to administer His gospel, with its saving ordinances. I'm not a Mormon who challenges the inspiration of God’s Prophet, because he is a man. I'm not a Mormon, who holds, or advocates, views contrary to the official position of the LDS Church. I'm not a Mormon, who feels the LDS Church has purposefully hidden parts of its history - for gain of any kind. I'm not a Mormon who doubts the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, or other holy scripture within the LDS canon. I'm not a Mormon woman who translates that not being ordained to the priesthood an abuse of gender inequality. I'm not a Mormon woman, who claims gender inequality inherent within the organization of the LDS Church. I am not the kind of Mormon who desires to change my faith, in order to match the values of a secular world. 

Rather, my testimony is borne of simple faith.

I have a testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the reestablished Christian Church that Jesus Christ, Himself, organized when He was upon the earth. I believe that He stands at its head, today.

The witness of the Spirit, that the Book of Mormon is a true testament of Jesus Christ, His life; mission; atonement; and resurrection - and stands as another witness of the Bible founds my testimony of Joseph Smith Jr., as a true prophet of God, in the testimony I’ve received.

I have a testimony that the keys of the priesthood, given to Joseph Smith, to organize and administer the gospel of Jesus Christ, in succession, continue with Thomas S. Monson, whom members sustain as a prophet, seer and revelator – and is the power by which he guides and directs the affairs of the LDS Church, today, as inspired of God. I stand with Him, in all of these efforts.

Under girding this foundation, is my personal testimony of Jesus Christ, as a covenant member of His Church in the great work of salvation found therein; I feel it among the greatest of my life’s blessings to be actively engaged.

Because I know these things to be true, I confidently exercise faith in Jesus Christ, that the work of salvation, within His Church, is under His direction through a living prophet, and is the will of God.

I have faith that moral absolutes do not change.

I have faith that the plan of salvation is fixed and immovable.

I firmly believe know that there are two powers, which govern this earth: good and evil.

I believe that the gift of the Holy Ghost is real and that through this Divine guide we can discern between right and wrong, and come to know all truth.

I know that through Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, that God extends His Grace to all those who strive diligently to be true to their covenants and endure to the end.

I am grateful for the gift of testimony borne of my faith in Jesus Christ, and always feel it a privilege to be invited to share it.

I acknowledge my many weaknesses in my ability to measure up to what I believe, and yet I am committed, along with many others of my faith, to continue my journey to become more like the Savior as I learn to love better; to constantly seek forgiveness; and to strive to do good with my life.

Although I know my testimony isn't unique, as I share this faith with many, it is incredibly personal to me - and is what binds the children of God to Him and to each other. And for that, I am eternally grateful to be numbered among a vast multitude desirous to exercise willing obedience to God and His laws.


tDMg

Kathryn Skaggs

Photo: LDS.org

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