What’s Up?

“What’s Up?” New Era, Feb. 2010, 38–39

What’s Up?

Practice and Preparation

One Sunday I was asked to play my violin during sacrament meeting. I was very nervous playing, and my hands and legs were shaking. People in the congregation thought that I played very well, but I felt that I could have done better. As Doctrine and Covenants 38:30 says, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” I learned from this experience the importance of practice.

This applies not only to an instrument but to anything in life. For example, in geometry class I did not understand the material very well. When I practiced hard, it paid off in the end, and I was able to keep up with the material. It is the same with the gospel. If we practice bearing our testimonies, we will do better and not be so nervous or hesitant in sharing them. In fact, I sometimes share my gospel knowledge with my atheist friend at school.

I know that we will do better in life when we practice.

Tifare C., 15, Virginia

Photographs by Welden C. Andersen, Christina Smith, and Richard M. Romney and courtesy of Michael Giles; mola by Pumpipi Perez