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The Power of Remembering Our Spiritual Experiences
When we try to remember the Savior in our daily activities, we find added strength and spiritual growth.
I clearly remember the day I was baptized. I was eight years old, and I came out of the baptismal font feeling relief and peace because I had finally made a life-changing covenant with my Heavenly Father.
The memory of my baptism remains with me and was the beginning of my testimony. Though I was still so young and didn’t understand everything about the gospel, remembering this pivotal moment in my life has allowed me to build upon my spiritual foundation.
Remembering our spiritual experiences is key to our progression. Within the scriptures, we are reminded many times to remember the words of the prophets, the teachings of the Savior, and the covenants we have made. There is spiritual power that comes from remembering what matters most.
Remembering Our Spiritual Experiences
As I renew my baptismal and temple covenants every Sunday through the sacrament, support my family in their spiritual progression, attend the temple, and teach gospel principles to others, the memories of my baptism and temple experiences stay real and fresh to me.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ.”
By doing things that build on and remind me of the covenants I’ve made, I continue to feel the power of Jesus Christ in my life.
President Nelson also taught this powerful message:
“We cultivate faith in Jesus Christ by repenting daily and keeping covenants that endow us with power. …
“As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change.”
Remembering our spiritual experiences entices us to repent every day and cling to our covenants. When I remember testimony-building moments from my life, I truly feel those promised blessings!
Remembering Jesus Christ
When we partake of the sacrament, we covenant to always remember Jesus Christ and keep the commandments He has given us. In return, He promises that we can always have His Spirit to be with us. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20:77.)
What a powerful promise the Lord has given to us! When we remember Him and always strive to follow Him, we are promised to have His Spirit with us wherever we are.
President Nelson also taught this principle, saying:
“Nothing invites the Spirit more than fixing your focus on Jesus Christ. …
“… He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life—each and every day.”
So how can we remember Jesus Christ in a world full of chaos?
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered this counsel: “We can immerse ourselves more completely into Jesus’s life, His teachings, His majesty, His power, and His atoning sacrifice.”
As we learn more about the Savior and the way He lived, we will better understand how to remember Him in our daily habits and interactions with others.
When we live our lives with His love in mind, we truly do always remember Him and invite His light into our lives.
Remember You Are Not Forgotten
Despite our best efforts, there are times when we will fall short. We will sometimes forget Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and we can mistakenly think that They have forgotten us too.
In times of trial, we may feel as Isaiah described: “The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14).
However, though we might easily forget important things, the Lord has promised that He will never forget us (see Isaiah 49:15–16).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reassured us of this truth: “Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.”
The Lord paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. Because of that, He knows each of us personally and loves us infinitely.
No matter where we are on the road back to Him, He has not forgotten us nor forsaken us. He is cheering us along the way and carrying us when our strength fails.
The world can make it hard for us to hold on to our faith. But remembering my spiritual experiences, my Savior, and my divine identity always helps me continue to build on my spiritual foundation.
Remembering the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ can give us strength to overcome trials small and great.
The Lord will never forsake us.