This Is Real

I was sitting in my Institute class and I was pondering the goodness of God because He has been so merciful to us. If we will just look for His goodness it will be manifested unto us. It was during that when I realized something. I realized that this is real.

Now, what is "this?" This, in short, is the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This is real because it is true. The Church is true because it is the church with the authority of the priesthood. But what makes it real? Once one has already gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and of the Church, one must gain a testimony of its reality.

The reality is that God really lives. He has a body, He feels, He sees, He knows. We are made in His image. We are His children. He loves us. Knowing this brings a whole new meaning to prayer. Because we are talking to a perfected Being who really hears and listens.

Prayer is truly one of the greatest gifts given to man. We have been given the gift of prayer so that we can speak to our Heavenly Father. We have been commanded to pray always. How incredible that is that we can truly have God listen to our thoughts, our worries, our joys, our gratitude. He wants to hear it all.

Along with this confirmation that God is real, I realized how wonderful the scriptures are. The scriptures are the His word. I can tell story after after story of when a scripture has been sent to me or to a friend that was an answer to a prayer, or that offered the comfort needed to get them through a challenge, or that has encouraged faith and patience. I have received great blessings from reading the scriptures and God has promised us all wonderful blessings. But not only are there blessings attached, in the scriptures we can find answers to our prayers. We can truly find the answers to any of life's questions.

I have learned for myself that these things are true. That's great for me, but it does nothing for anyone else. We need to pray to gain this confirmation,  pray that the Spirit will help you understand the Father and the Son, pray and ponder what you know and record what you learn.

This is real, I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.