Aboslutely. For certain. Without a shadow of a doubt.

Lately, I've been feeling more frequently prompted to type out any insights that come to mind as I think about the Gospel. Unfortunately, I don't always follow those promptings, but I've decided I want to do better. I think that getting things in gear again on this blog will provide the motivational kick in the pants I need to stay on top of recording the things I learn from the Spirit. 

So... here we go! Drumroll please...

(Too much? Too much. Let's just talk about what I'm learning.)

In the Church, we tend to use the phrase “I know” a lot, when discussing our beliefs and the things we’ve learned about the Gospel. Primary children are taught to to use this phrase from the very beginning, learning to articulate their feelings about God and His teachings by saying “I know this Church is true.”

I think that, in general, this is a very good practice. It expresses our conviction to what we believe, and it can be a powerful tool for inviting feelings of peace and assurance which remind us of how special the Gospel is to each of us, and how pure the truth of the doctrine is. However, I know that there have been times when I’ve heard a member of the Church use the phrase, “I know,” and I’ve felt anxious about a lack of absolute certainty in my testimony. I’ve always believed in the Gospel, and I’ve always loved the Gospel, but have I always been able to say I know “without a shadow of a doubt” that all of this is true?

There have been a lot of confusing and even frustrating topics surrounding the current issues that the Church is facing. It seems that fewer people are feeling the same readiness to say “I know the Church is true,” that they may have felt back in Primary.

As I’ve participated in discussions with people who claim varying degrees of belief in the Gospel, I’ve spent a lot of time considering how/ why I can say I know that the Gospel is true, even when I’m confused by a doctrine or practice used in the Church. I’ve read about how others know that these things are true, and I’ve come across accounts of angelic visitations and profound confirmations. But I’ve never experienced anything like that… so how can I possibly say “I know??”

Here’s where introspective thought and prayer come in. I’ve thought and prayed about the answer until it dawned on me, one morning during my mission.

For me, the answer is a simple one. It’s different for each of us, but here’s mine:

It starts with an experience that I had on a Sunday evening when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I don’t know what was different about that Sunday in particular, although I remember that it was a Fast Sunday, and I’d probably heard that phrase “I know” quite a bit. I sat there in my shared bedroom, wondering if I really knew that God was there. I believed He was. I hoped He was. But that didn’t seem to be enough, and I really wanted to know.

I kneeled on the mattress of my top bunk, and asked God if He was there, and if I was His daughter. After the prayer, I didn’t see anything, and I didn’t hear anything. And if that’s what I’d expected, I would most definitely have been disappointed. Instead, I felt a simple feeling of comfort. I felt like I could trust that God was listening, and that He really did love me.

So that was it. I could trust Him. I’m not sure I knew anything other than that after that prayer, but I felt confident enough in that, and my life went on.

Now, years later, as I think about how I know that the Gospel is true, I’ve realized that that prayer established a very important foundation for me. God taught me to trust in Him, and so, I’ve grown up seeking His advice. I've prayed to Him to know where to go to find guidance and answers for everything from dealing with high school drama to learning to be at peace with who I am. And He has helped me through every challenge I’ve faced in almost the exact same way. 

Every time I have exercised my trust in God and asked Him for help, I have been led towards this Gospel. I have had verses from the Book of Mormon come to mind. I have been prompted to dig up an old General Conference talk. I have felt the urge to do things that the Savior did. In answering my prayers, God has always, always led me back to the doctrine found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has never ever given me even the slightest nudge in a different direction. Sure, I have felt tempted from other sources, both the peaceful assurances from God have only been found in this Church.

So, how can I join with millions of others in saying “I know?” My Father in Heaven taught me to trust Him, and with that trust, He has always led me here. I know that God does not lead us astray, and I invite anyone who reads this to take a really good look at exactly how you can say “I know.” If you’re stuck, pray for assistance. He’ll help you. I know it.

Blessing #11: High Mountain Experiences

There is a pattern in the scriptures of prophets going up into the mountains and having incredible spiritual experiences that they are able to use to teach the people living below. These experiences broaden their sense of purpose and understanding of the eternities, and the knowledge they receive profits generations.

I have been blessed with many of my own "high mountain experiences" throughout my life. While they are nothing like the visions and miracles of the ancient prophets, experiences like when I first received my endowment in the Timpanogas Temple, received my mission call, was baptized, etc. have likewise increased my understanding and love of the gospel.

This week, I will report to the Provo Missionary Training Center, where I will study for 6 weeks. After that time, I will go to Madrid, Spain, and serve there as a full-time missionary for about 18 months. I look forward to this being yet another "high mountain experience," and I cannot wait to serve the Lord in Spain!

It is a tradition in our church that missionaries give a "farewell talk" during church service on the Sunday before they report for their missions. I've linked to a copy of my talk here, for anyone interested: farewell talk


See y'all in 18!

Blessing #10: Accomplishment

I'm going to take a break from my usual kind of posts, because I've always wanted to share my thoughts on having a strict goal-setting/ achieving mindset.

Personally, I've found that this frame of mind can be a little disheartening at times, simply because we often neglect to give ourselves credit for our efforts (however successful) if they didn't amount up to exactly what our goal was trying to achieve. 

Now don't get me wrong, goal-setting is fantastic. When done correctly, it gives purpose to our lives, and it is a vital element in leading a motivated, successful life. I have lots of goals for myself, and yes, I do have a bucket list. 

But, have you ever considered looking at your life in the other direction?
It is with that thought that I created my "Done It" list, a sort of backwards bucket list, separate from my journal, recording the cool things I've done in my life, in no particular order. Making a list of life experiences that I've already had and cool accomplishments of mine has been a great boost of confidence! It has given me immense gratitude for the opportunities I've been blessed with, and I have definitely enjoyed living life a bit fuller, knowing that I have this list here on my laptop- and it needs to keep growing!

So, ladies and gents, I highly encourage you to start your own "Done It" list. You might be surprised at how rewarding and awesome your life has been. And remember- it's a work in progress!

...And yes, I'll share mine: Done it.

Blessing #9: Opportunities to Reflect

I'm grateful that the Lord is so aware of how much I need reminding, and I'm grateful for the opportunities He is constantly giving me to reflect and remember what I know. Seeing as it is Easter Sunday, today is one such opportunity. I love Easter, and this day has come to mean so much to me over the years. It is an annual reminder to me and the world of the atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. And if I may, I'd like to share with you what I have been reminded of as I've taken the time to reflect throughout this week:

Christ is the Creator of my world, of all that I know. He is my older brother and selfless friend. He is my perfect example to follow, and my guide in difficult times as well as in times of joy. He understands me perfectly,and wants me to be happy. I want to live my life in a way that makes Him smile, and I take comfort in knowing that He mourns and rejoices with me.
I know that He is real, that He did truly walk on this Earth as the Son of God. I know that it is only by the atonement, when He condescended from the presence of Heavenly Father as a mortal being, that we can live after this life. He is the only being that, though perfect, will have scars on His resurrected body, scars that He received for us, while we, as imperfect beings, will have perfected bodies after the resurrection.
I know that He has faith in me to do what He has asked me to do for Him and for my own progression, as well as for the benefit of my brothers and sisters. Unlike Satan, who has doubted my abilities from the very beginning, Jesus Christ knows that I am capable of returning, in exaltation, to Him and my Heavenly Father. I know that I am very blessed because of this understanding, and there is a lot that is expected of me because of it. 
I know that I cannot fulfill my mortal mission without Him, and I know that I have no hope of redemption, of eternal life, true joy, success, or an eternal family without Him and His infinite sacrifice. I hope to emulate Him in the way I live, and in the person I am. He is everything I need Him to be for me, and though I am often frustrated by how weak my efforts are, I will try forever to be what He needs me to be for Him.

I hereby testify, in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, that the things I have learned of Christ are true. I bear witness of Him, and I know that through Him, I will someday return to the place where I am no longer a stranger or a guest, but a child at home.

Happy Easter!

Blessing #8: Understanding

As a Mormon, I find that, even though our beliefs and values are truly very simple and they bring indescribable joy to those that live by them, my faith is frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted. What a blessing it is when those not of my faith are willing to make the effort to understand what we are all about! 
I am sincerely grateful to Mike Jensen, one such non-Mormon that did just that in writing his article, "The Mormon Effect." 

Please take the time to check it out! You won't regret it.
(When you click on the link, you may need to scroll up to see the article)

PS - While I think that his explanation of the Plan of Salvation is beautiful, I have to say I think he is missing one thing: Life on Earth is more than just a test to see if we could return to live with God (why leave in the first place?). It is a choice opportunity for us to learn and progress in ways we could not without mortal bodies. Living a righteous life gives us the chance to inherit all that God has, including all of His wisdom. We are here on Earth to have the chance to be like Him.

Blessing #7: A Call from Lord

I have finally received my mission call! It came in the mail last week, and I was so blessed to be able to be in the company of friends and family to open it and read aloud where I was assigned to serve. I had just completed reading the Book of Mormon in its entirety for the 4th time in my life, and the spirit was so present in the lobby of my dorm building as I eagerly opened my call.

Here is the beginning of the letter:

"Dear Sister Grover,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Spain Madrid Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. 

You should report to the Spain Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."

I'm going to Madrid!! I absolutely cannot wait to immerse myself in the Spanish culture and in the Gospel for the next 18 months of my life. And I know that it is all according the Lord's plan that this is what I do in this next stage of my life. As soon as I read where I was called to serve, I immediately knew that it was God's will. I had a sense of peace, excitement, and almost a feeling of familiarity (as though I had always known that I was going to Spain). I am so grateful for how Heavenly Father has prepared me to receive this call, as I have gone through stages of fear, excitement, feelings of inadequacy, fear again, (etc.), until I finally just felt truly worthy and absolutely ready to serve!

This will not be an easy time, however, but I look forward with faith to this year and a half of whole-hearted service. I am so blessed to have the support of all of my friends and family in this journey, and I know that the Lord will be by my side every step of the way!

(One of the General Authorities of the Church, Elder Rasband, talked about how a mission call is made in his talk, The Divine Call of a Missionary, I highly recommend checking it out!)

Here's a picture of the LDS temple in Madrid!

Blessing #6: Eternal Progression

It is an enormous blessing to be here on Earth. To have the chance to live a life here, and to experience everything from the suffering and failures that makes us appreciate the joys and tender mercies, to the love and successes that give us the strength and motivation to do amazing things.
But what for? For what purpose? 

It can all be wrapped up in one word:
Progression.

God loves us so much that He has given us the beautiful opportunity to have all that He has, and to become all that He is. We are here on Earth to love, to work, to prove, and most of all, to grow. And the best part is, we are not expected to achieve in leaps and bounds. All He asks of us is that we work everyday, just to take that next step forward. 

One of the greatest men of all time (seriously, though. I love this guy), President Gordon B. Hinckley offered this guidance, to simply:
"Try a little harder, to be a little better."

It's what God asks of us. If we want to show our love for Him, then we should be working daily to head in the direction that will lead us back to Him, as the son or daughter He wants us to be.