Digital Only: Young Adults
Taking Responsibility for My Faith
The author lives in Illinois, United States.
As I’ve taken responsibility for my testimony, I’ve found greater strength with Jesus Christ.
Do you ever feel like it wouldn’t make a difference whether you lived the commandments or not?
That’s how it felt for me growing up. As one of the few members of the Church at my high school, I realized early on that growing my testimony was up to me, regardless of how my friends were living. I’ve also realized that we have to continue to choose faith. And sometimes, as a young adult, that can be difficult!
Living in a place where there aren’t many members can make it easy to question many things, including whether it’s important to keep the commandments. Sometimes I feel it would be easy to slip through the cracks and just live the same lifestyle as my nonmember friends.
But I know that I am responsible for taking charge of myself, my faith, and the relationship I want to have with Jesus Christ.
Choose Faith amid Life Decisions
As a young adult, I’m in the middle of a lot of life transitions. There are so many choices to make regarding the future!
I’ve realized just how important it is to choose to hold on to my faith. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. … The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.”
I had to figure things out for myself and find a balance between my work life, gospel life, family life, and social life. I had to make the decision that one of those priorities is staying strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like Elder Andersen said, faith is a choice.
Choose Faith amid Disappointments
I’ll be honest—life is not going great for me right now.
I recently went to the temple, prayed to Heavenly Father, and expressed my disappointment with life. I told Him that things aren’t going well, even though I’m trying my best. I asked Him if I should keep going forward in my education. I didn’t get a specific answer to that, but I did get a feeling of calmness and felt the truth that no matter what I decided to do, I would have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with me along the way.
When difficulties in life arise, it can be tempting to walk away from the covenant path. But these are the times to trust the Lord. Following the covenant path is never easy, but my experiences have shown me that it’s always worth it. Even when we don’t receive the blessings we are hoping for, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do not want us to give up.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once put it: “Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.”
My time at the temple taught me that even if I need to wait a little longer than expected, Heavenly Father will lead me to my promised blessings. I could not have had that spiritual experience if I had left the covenant path.
Staying true to Christ and His gospel has been spiritually lifesaving.
Choose to Believe in the Prophets
My bishop recently gave my ward a challenge to listen to a conference talk every day. This has been super helpful for me. Even though I’m busy, focusing on the words of the living prophets and apostles has given me strength.
One of my favorite conference talks was given by my mission president, who is now Elder Ryan K. Olsen of the Seventy. He gave this insight about finding answers to life questions: “The answer to the simplest questions and to the most complex problems is always the same. The answer is Jesus Christ. Every solution is found in Him.”
I already read my scriptures, pray, and go to church, but I have found that listening to a general conference talk each day has enhanced my relationship with God.
Choose to Keep Pressing Forward
I’m still struggling to reach my goals, but I won’t lose hope. Because I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are with me.
Like the Savior told His Apostles: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
My testimony continues to grow as I take action to strengthen my faith. I strive to recognize the moments when Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ give me peace in this busy, crazy, and sometimes flat-out confusing life.
Enduring to the end is hard, but as I have chosen to stay true to the covenant path and make time for the Lord every day, God has given me the love and strength I’ve needed to continue to trust Him.
I know He will do the same for you.