Our Loving Heavenly Father

I believe that God loves us more than we can comprehend. I have felt his love for me so many times in my life, especially when I have turned to Him for help and direction. While I served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I felt God's love for his children so strongly. As I looked into the eyes of the people I met and talked to, I loved them because of how strongly I could feel the love God has for them. I felt that he wanted them to be happy and keep His commandments because that is how we can obtain true happiness.

It's simple. God has laid out a plan for us, and in keeping the directions he's given, we will obtain true joy and blessings. We can ultimately receive eternal life, which is the greatest gift of all. But we can't automatically have blessings. We have to earn them. I understand this better now that I am a parent myself. I love my son so much. I want him to have every good thing. But I can't just give him happiness and blessings. He has to choose to be righteous and happy. God won't force any of his children back to heaven. He will let us choose Him. He has done everything in His power to make the kind of joy he knows available to us. He loves us, and His promises are sure.

My favorite children's song paints such a beautiful picture of God's love for us. It's called, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me". Nature shows such a simple, strong witness of God's love for us. I feel God's love as I behold His creations.

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank Him reverently
For all His creations of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.


Here is a picture of my little boy. There is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father loves him. The spirit has witnessed of that truth so strongly as I have loved and cared for this precious child. I am reminded of the love that Heavenly Father has for all of us as I feel the love God has for my son.


Click the title of this post, "Our Loving Heavenly Father" to learn more.

Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings

This marks the first post on my testimony blog. I can't tell you how hesitant I've been, but I cannot deny that I've been prompted repeatedly by the Spirit to do this. I don't know what will come of it. I only know that when the Spirit speaks to me, it's best that I obey. I have never had negative results in following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Many of you have not seen this spiritual side of me. This is an intimate view of what I believe.

Believe me when I say that this is not something I would do for attention. Nor would I do it to cause offense to anyone who believes differently than I do. We all chose what we believe and how we live. I am sharing my testimony because the gospel has brought me joy. When something makes you happy, don't you want to share it? Maybe it will make you happy too.

This hymn came to mind as I was setting things up. It's called "Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings". Here are the first two verses:

Sweet is the peace the gospel brings
To seeking minds and true.
With light refulgent on its wings,
It clears the human view.

Its laws and precepts are divine
And show a Father's care.
Transcendent love and mercy shine
In each injunction there.

I have tested the gospel of Jesus Christ by living it and praying about it. I know that it's true. And I know that's a bold statement. When I keep the commandments of Christ, I receive undeniable spiritual and temporal blessings. But that's not all. Keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ and praying about the precepts of the gospel brings the Spirit into our lives. The Spirit speaks to our hearts and souls in ways that are peaceful and sure. The gospel is beautiful and simple. I love it. I love the Savior.

I will be posting more of my testimony and thoughts later on. Please refer to the official church websites (posted at the right) to learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.