Knowing for Myself
I learned the gospel was true for myself, despite what my friends were saying.
Photographs by Bernard Kelly Emil
I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last year. My father and siblings were already members—I was the last to decide to get baptized.
Before I made that decision, my classmates at school told me that the Church wasn’t true. They said many negative things and tried to push me away from the gospel. At one point, I even told the missionaries I had given up on the idea of joining the Church.
Praying to God for Answers
One day, the missionaries invited me to get baptized. I said no. They asked what was wrong, and I explained what my friends were telling me.
We spoke for a long time, and the missionaries taught me the gospel again. They gave me a Book of Mormon and encouraged me to ponder the gospel and read the scriptures. They told me to pray to God for answers—something I had never done before.
As I read the Book of Mormon, I felt encouraged to continue learning about the gospel. The scriptures were my guide during that time. I found myself becoming more interested in the gospel than in what my friends were saying.
I decided not to follow my friends but to follow the scriptures and pray to God. When I prayed, I felt that I needed to get baptized, and it was as simple as that.
When I told my friends I joined the Church, they were surprised. They are still my friends, but they refuse to listen to anything about the gospel. Still, even though it’s difficult to share the gospel with them, I am doing my part.
Missionaries once invited Theodora to pray to God for answers. Now Theodora invites everyone to do the same.
You Can Pray to Know Too
As I was building my testimony, there were times it was difficult. But I read Alma 34:32, which says that this life is the time to prepare to meet God. This scripture helped me improve in many areas, especially in helping others.
When seeking your own testimony, you can do the same things I did. You shouldn’t rely only on your friends; you should become committed to the gospel for yourself. Pray and read the scriptures. As Sister Susan H. Porter, Primary General President, advised in April 2024 general conference, we should “pray to know,” “pray to grow,” and “pray to show.”
If you want to know that what I’m telling you is true, you need to go to God. Look to Him for the truth so you can know it for yourself.
Accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ has made Theodora happy, and she has noticed a change in herself and how she treats others. She now looks for opportunities to help others so she can continue to feel joy.
Loving Others
Comparing myself from before I was a member of the Church to now, I see a lot of differences. Before, when my friends made me mad, I would say things that would hurt them. But after becoming a member, I stopped doing that because I knew I was a new person. I want to be obedient to the commandment to love others and be kind.
A crying child once came to me because she had lost her transport money. I found a way to help her get home. Afterward, I felt happy because I did what the Lord expected of me, which made me feel blessed. When I got home, I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me continue helping others and to feel that same happiness again.
Over time, I believe Heavenly Father has granted me that favor, and I’ve had more opportunities to help others, even when I’m not in the best mood. Helping others brings me great joy.
The author is from the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.