Sister Felicia Lee – 29 October 2013
I returned from my 18-month mission in the Utah, Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission two weeks ago; I loved being a missionary so much. On my mission, I have truly learned to submit my will to the Lord’s will and also to feel of the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that this is His work - that I was just an instrument for Him in these past 18 months. In the past, the Atonement of Christ was just a story to me, it was nothing personal but on my mission, I have felt it so strongly and have gained a testimony that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. Moreover, that He has been through all that I have gone, and will go through (Alma 7:11-12).
I started learning more about the Church six years ago and eventually joined the Church in September 2008. The person who introduced me to the Church was my Dad. My Dad outstations in Bangkok and one fine day, he walked into a church outside his house and asked for a Bible in Thai. Instead, the missionaries gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and started teaching him. When I told my friends and family members that my Dad was learning more about the Mormon Church, they would tell me that Mormonism is a cult, that Mormons do not believe in Jesus Christ and that the Book of Mormon is not from God. It finally came to a point where I wanted to find out for myself and not listen to anyone.
Sure, I was very skeptical at first. I had only heard and knew about the Bible growing up. It took me a year of learning and praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true. I started going to Church and I loved it! I came closer to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ than I ever had been. I found myself looking forward to Church every Sunday and was really happy! I love the teachings of the Church. I love what the missionaries taught me. I am so happy that the missionaries did not give up on me. And because they did not give up on me, I always wanted to go on a mission and be that missionary that they were to me. And I am so glad I did. When I was on my mission, my brother and sister left on theirs too. I have never felt so much joy in my life before. Nothing comes close to seeing your brothers and sisters learn more about Christ and to see how their lives can change when they partake the Atonement of Christ. Anyone and everyone from all walks of life need the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I know that our Heavenly Father loves us so much and that Jesus is the Christ. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of Jesus Christ and not another church set up by man. I know that the Book of Mormon is a book from God, which works hand in hand with the Holy Bible. I have read every single page of it, prayed and asked God if it is from Him and I have no doubt that it is. The Book of Mormon together with the Holy Bible is just like spaghetti - the noodle and the sauce complement each other and one without another is not delicious and complete.
Sometimes I wake up and think, 'This is crazy, I am a Mormon. A very happy Mormon!' I know that everyone in this world is searching for peace and joy, and we search for it in our own different ways. I have come to realize that true joy and happiness can only be found through living the gospel of Jesus Christ - to know our true purpose here on earth, where we came from and where we are going after we die. And to know that through the Holy Temple, we can be together with our family forever. Isn't that what we all want?