It is a privilege for me to be able to share why I believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe because I have felt it change my life. When I live by the principles taught in this church, my life is full of joy. I have never been happier. I believe because I have read the Book of Mormon and can feel a change in my heart as I read.

Before I read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time, I was told to pay attention to my moods and what happened during the days when I read versus the days when I didn’t. And, to my surprise, there was a difference. I know that I am blessed because of this church.

In the Book of Mormon it says "And when ye shall receive these things [the Book of Mormon], I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4). I do not believe in this church because anyone else told me to, or because it was what I was taught as a child. I believe because I was told to ask and find out for myself if this is the true church. I read, knelt in prayer with a sincere heart and was given an answer. I know it may sound strange, and if you think that, then I would encourage you to do the same thing. Study, pray, and ask with a sincere heart. It is something that cannot fully be understood until you experience it yourself.

I believe that I have a Father in Heaven, who is God, who cares about me personally. I believe this because I can feel him near when I kneel in prayer and I have seen miracles happen around me when I have prayerfully pleaded for his help.

I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my savior. He made the ultimate sacrifice for me and for every other individual that ever lived on this earth to return to Heaven someday. He went through pain I cannot imagine, bleeding from every pore and dying on the cross even though he did nothing to deserve it. I know he did this out of love, to give us all a chance to repent of our sins and change our ways and enjoy the happiness that living according to Gods laws brings. I know every person can return to Heaven if he/she learns to rely on Christ. I feel very strongly that I can do anything if I rely on him and I am nothing without him.