A Scripture for Change

By Cherise Larsen

I have a good friend who was struggling in his spiritual life. He is a good person, but he was drifting into inactivity in the Church. His testimony was wavering. He was struggling to break his bad habit of swearing. He’d watch violent movies and spend time playing violent video games. I really wanted to help him, but I wasn’t sure how.

One Sunday during testimony meeting, a priest in our ward spoke of a scripture that had helped him in a time of doubt and confusion: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? And now, behold, you have received a witness” (D&C 6:22–24).

I thought this scripture might help my friend. So in class on Monday I wrote down the scripture and suggested he read it. The next day he thanked me, telling me he had read it and that it had helped a lot.

But he hadn’t told me half of it. A few days later, he told me just how this scripture had affected him. He told me that his mind had been continually turning to violent thoughts and that it was almost beyond his control. It was also beginning to become more difficult to control his actions. When he read the scripture I gave him, he got rid of his worst video games.

I was astonished at what my friend told me. Although he is still striving to put his life back in order, that one scripture I shared helped him a great deal at the time he needed it most. I know that if you are always a good example and you follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to help others grow closer to Heavenly Father.