Heaven Can Heal

              

After church today we were listening to the Worth of Souls album. It's soo good, if you need some uplifting background music for your Sundays, this is it. This particular song really spoke to me today. The line "earth has no sorrow heaven can't heal" hit me hard. I've heard it before, but today it stuck. We're all going through something. Every single one of us. Each of our "sorrows" will look a little bit different. Each of those sorrows are also completely valid. I remember talking to a friend about the struggles she was going through and the sorrows she was feeling because of it. At the end of telling me all about her feelings she said "but I know that others have it way worse than me so I really shouldn't be complaining. I'm sorry for dumping all of that on you." You guys. I don't care if you're sad because your milkshake fell on the floor... you should never discredit the way you are feeling! Feeling is living. Feeling means you're human. Feeling helps you learn and experience. The problem lies when you dwell on those feelings and let them define you, your worth, your happiness, and your well being. One of my hardest emotional years was the year after Oaklyn was born because I was dealing with PPD. I remember feeling so insanely guilty for feeling sorrow when I had this beautiful baby in my arms. I felt so lame for wishing for a different life when mine was one others are praying for. But there lies the first problem. I chose to discredit my feelings. I chose to not give myself a chance to immerse myself in all I was feeling, I instead chose to bottle it all up and erupt when I couldn't keep it all in anymore. I chose not to remember that all the sorrow I was feeling, can and will be healed. There will be a day when we no longer feel this despair, weakness, and loneliness. That thought alone brings so much comfort and joy into my heart. That being said, I'm human. I know that the comfort lasts only long enough to get you through one emotional breakdown or obstacle... but the next one may not be far off. Thankfully, God has given us the strength to fight through the pain and sorrow we feel on this earth. In the scriptures we are told to be "strong and courageous" to not be afraid or discouraged... because the Lord is on our side. So how do we apply that to our daily lives? I have found that heaven feels close when my prayers are humble and I let Heavenly Father know that I cannot do this on my own. "Earth has no sorry that Heaven can't heal." I find so much comfort in knowing that Heaven is so much bigger than all of us. That there is a plan greater than us. That there is a Savior inviting us. Life hasn't exactly been easy for us these past few years. We've dealt with my post-partum emotional state, we've had a death that rocked our worlds, we've lived in numerous homes, struggled financially, felt discouraged, felt unappreciated and neglected, and several times we've felt completely knocked down. But we have always found comfort in knowing there will be a day when there will be trouble no more. 

All my love,

Aleigh Joy 

0

God Gave Us Families

When we moved into this little apartment, I had the itch to just start from scratch in the home decor department.

The walls here are white, like I've always wanted, and I felt like it gave me a clean slate to decorate how I've always wanted to.

It has been so fun working on different DIY projects and getting rid of decor that never really was my style, but fit with where we were living. 

I'll be sharing a few of those projects here and there as I finish them, but today I'm so beyond excited to share my personal favorite piece of new decor.

We had two open walls that I didn't have anything for. 

I stared at them for about a month just trying to figure out what I wanted to do.

One thing that kept coming to mind for the front room wall was an oversized print of The Family: A Proclamation To The World. 

I kept coming back to that idea so I began searching for prints on Etsy.

My search took me to Sincerely Us Shop where I literally fell in love with everything I saw. 

Seriously you guys, I want every single thing in their shop!

When I came across their canvas prints of The Proclamation, The Living Christ, and The Articles of Faith I about died because I loved them so much!

It was exactly what my front wall was missing.

I was blown away by the quality and just how gorgeous they are in person.

I mean that grey washed wood, the twine to hang them, and the cutest fonts... yeah they're amazing!

I can't wait to have a place with even bigger walls soon enough because I can only imagine how amazing they'll look!

On top of the fact that these signs are gorgeous and every single one of you needs them... I also absolutely love the reminder they give to my family each day.

Today Hunter said "I love those signs, every day it reminds me that family is the most important thing in life."
I couldn't agree more.

They are the first thing I see when I come in the door, the last thing I see when I walk out, and everything I want to teach Oaklyn and baby C.

The Proclamation gives so much guidance in such a short message. 

Family helps us to progress and develop and each family member is placed together for a reason.

It makes me think of the primary song and the line "God gave us families, to help us become what he wants us to be."

I couldn't agree more.

I know that my family is shaping me into everything I need to be.

The Proclamation is just a simple reminder of how God designed families and how following the design He has for families can bless our lives.

I'm so thankful for my own family and that I have these three pieces hanging on my wall as constant reminders of what we believe, love, and cherish.

So seriously guys, your wall is totally missing these... just trust me ;)

Click here to purchase them for yourself!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

0

Where Our Family Became Forever

Hunter and I were married on March 1, 12014 in the San Diego California LDS temple after 6 years of being lovers.

We met each other when I was 14 years old and he was 15 and were head over heels from the very beginning. 

Our relationship in high school was filled with lots of text messages, hugs, pictures, football games, letters, and dreaming of being married one day. 

At only 14 years old, I was sure he was the one for me and about a year later, he finally let me know he was sure as well.

We would sit in the car together after football games planning out our future, "Our house one day will have a white picket fence and a pool, we'll have lots of kids running around, oh and we'll always have fresh cookies on the counter!"

In our minds, life together would be nothing short of perfect.

Before I was LDS, I often wondered what would happen after our days on this earth were done.

I loved Hunter with every ounce of my being, I didn't want to say "til death do us part" I wanted to be with him forever.

I hated saying goodbye in high school, I cried like never before when we said "see ya later" for two years while Hunter served his mission, and being apart during our engagement was torture... How was I supposed to be okay with "parting" with my husband once our lives came to a close?

Hunter felt the same as I did, and that is why we chose to be sealed together forever in the temple.

Temples are a very sacred place for Mormons. 

It is a place where gospel ordinances are performed, covenants are made, and peace and comfort are felt.

It is also a place where sealings (or marriages) are performed. 

Hunter and I made the choice to be sealed together, forever, in the temple.

I remember it as if it were yesterday, and I still feel the same joy now as I did when our marriage took place.

I was filled with such peace and happiness and knew that what we were doing, is all that really matters. 

Because Hunter and I made that choice, our family is now eternal as well!

Our sweet Oaklyn, and any other future children we have, will be with us forever and that brings me more joy than I can possibly say!

This is why Mormons decide to be married inside a temple, because we want a forever family.

The words said during a temple marriage are different than a civil marriage, and the ceremony is performed differently as well. 

The bride and the groom wear all white and kneel across an alter in a gorgeous room inside the temple. 

The actual marriage takes no longer than 10 or 15 minutes and the room fits around 50 people, other rooms fit less. 

It is sacred and simple and our sealing is a day I will never ever forget.

Not only are sealings for a bride and groom, but whole families can go to the temple to be sealed as well!

If you would like to learn more about the temple and sealings, click here.

I was so excited when I received this beautiful artwork from Lauren because a flood of emotions came back to me. 

She gave us a hand drawn image of the San Diego Temple, where our family became forever.

It instantly took me back to the day I was a bride and a rush of happiness came over me.

Then, my little baby walked up to me and said "mama mama mama" pointing at the temple and I couldn't help but tear up.

I showed her the temple and she smiled big when I told her that because of the temple, our family  gets to be together forever. 

I am SO excited to display this beautiful art in our home and constantly be reminded of that special day.

If you would like one of these beautiful temple images of your own, head over to Artwork by Lauren and use code: ALEIGH at checkout for 20% off all prints in her shop!! (excluding customs)

You will not be disappointed and will love the sweet spirit it will bring into your home :)

If you have any questions at all about temples let me know!

And if you were sealed in the temple, which one was it??

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

1

Easter Thoughts + Egg Hunt

I love spring!
I love the warmer weather (well, usually... come on Utah!), the flowers, the sunshine, the overall happiness, the excitement for Summer, and I love Easter most of all.
I feel like Easter, can actually be somewhat of an overlooked holiday.
Especially if you aren't religious.
I have always loved Easter traditions.
The baskets, Cadbury eggs, Easter dresses, the food, and the egg hunts...
However, over the past few years I have really thought deeper about why we celebrate Easter and I have come to understand better why I feel so much happiness on this holiday.

 Easter is a celebration of the wonderful promise we have of eternal life through Our Savior, Jesus Christ. 
Because of him, and his great sacrifice, we are promised that there is no end.
What a powerful promise!
He died, so that we may be free from our sins and live forever.
I get teary eyed just thinking about it, and how much He loves each of us.

Today is something people call "Good Friday"
We don't necessarily "celebrate" this holiday in my church, but I always recognize it and reflect on it and all it means.
It is, more or less, a day to think of all the Good that Jesus had done, and all the happiness he brings us still today.
 A day to think about the atoning sacrifice he made, and to remember that he truly does love each of us more than we can comprehend. 

About 2000 years ago, on a Thursday, Jesus sat down for his last meal with who he thought to be his closest friends. One turned his back on him that night. Another claimed he would die alongside Jesus, only to deny that he even knew him in the next few hours. That Thursday night and into Friday morning, Jesus was betrayed, arrested, denied, endured trials, and sentenced to death. Friday he was mocked, tortured, and crucified. Matthew 27:50 tells us that he “gave up His Spirit” for every flawed person who would ever walk the earth. Yes, you. His atoning sacrifice was for me, and you... all of you.

I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifice our Savior made for us, and for the suffering he endured.
More importantly however, I am thankful that He has risen. 
I am so happy that He lives today!
Our Savior is the one who unlocks our passageway through death, to eternal life.
I know that the atonement and resurrection we essential to fulfilling the glorious plan that Heavenly Father has laid out for us.
I know that They knew this had to be, and that they made a sacrifice I can't ever imagine going through, because They love us that much.
I am so thankful that because of Him, I get to be with my sweet little family forever and ever. 

A few friends and I had a fun little Easter egg hunt today!
It was so fun being all together and watching our littles interract together.
I love this bunch of friends and I am so grateful I met each of them.
Obviously most of them were little babies, so we basically threw all the eggs and watched as they sucked on them and shook them unsure of what else to do haha.
One friend stuffed her eggs with cheerios and every baby loved those eggs!
We also brought picnic lunches and laid some blankets out to talk and eat.
Other than the wind, it was such a fun day!

So, Happy Easter my friends!

I hope you have a great day with friends and family and are reminded of Jesus Christ's love for you :)

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

ps. take a few minutes to watch this video. It's my favorite of all time along with this hymn. Ahh chills!

0

A Yearning For Home

This afternoon Hunter was out home teaching, and I was inside playing with my Oaklyn girl.

We were in the family room on the floor, toys scattered all around, and church music playing. There was an especially happy feeling in the room. A warm spirit I can't quite explain, but I knew we both felt. Oaklyn was hiding behind my leg playing peek-a-boo, a game she has recently learned. She got bored of that particular game and made her way up to my tummy, jumping up and down and giggling with every silly face I made. My phone was on a shelf and switched to a new song, she crawled over to reach for it leaving me observing her every move on the ground. I watched as her chunky legs and hips moved together to help her crawl over to the shelf. I then watched her chubby hands grab a hold of the shelf to pull the rest of her body up. She looked back at me to make sure I was still there. I smiled at her letting her know I wasn't going anywhere, and she smiled turning back to the shelf to continue on. I watched her and felt the tender love a mother feels for her child so intense. I grabbed her and brought her to my chest. She grabbed a blankie and we "snuggle snuggled" for 10 minutes with several giggles in between. I got thirsty and got up to get a drink of water. The second Oaklyn caught sight of me walking away, the tears and sobs came with her saying "ma-ma-ma-ma" betwwen sobs. I grabbed my water and quickly returned to her. I picked her up and almost instantaneously the crying stopped. 

Oaklyn is going through a separation anxiety phase right now. I'm basically never aloud to leave her sight, or even walk a few steps away. It easily gets annoying, and exhausting throughout the busy day, but it got me thinking and feeling something a little differently on this calm Sunday afternoon.

I'm thankful my daughter wants and needs me.

I'm thankful she thinks of me as the one that nurtures her.

I'm thankful that when I leave, she wants me to come back and be with her.

I'm thankful that when I come back, she's so excited to see me. No matter how long I was gone.

I'm thankful that she feels an attachment to me, that she knows I am her mother.

I'm thankful that I'm able to be home with her, all day long, and she notices when I'm not.

I'm thankful she feels comfortable in our home and in the presence of her parents. 

I'm thankful for the fun and loving spirit she adds to our home, and I'm thankful we all feel it.

I'm thankful she loves being in her parent's presence.

And, I'm thankful we will have these happy little memories forever.

I love my family.

I love them with a love I just didn't know existed until I got married and later had a baby.

It's interesting, that when you have a little family of your own, nothing else really matters.

I want my family to always know I feel that way.

That nothing else, really, matters to me but them.

I want them to want to be home and want to have me and Hunter around. Always. Maybe a little less intense than how Oaklyn feels right now, but the same idea ha.

Oklyn's clingy stage led me to reading this talk by Marvin J. Ashton. 

It reminded me, that the home is more important than many are observing it to be today.

I want my little Oaklyn, and the rest of our future kiddos, to enjoy being home and around their parents.

It is my goal, and will be in my best efforts, always, to make sure that our home is "an anchor, a port in the storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and where we can love."

Thank you for hitting the nail on the head Elder Ashton, and for providing me with an uplifting and inspiring Sunday Message.

How do you create your home to be a "Heaven on Earth" and a place that your kids yearn to be?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

"There is a certain kind of yearning for home we should never want to lose. Home should be an anchor, a port in a storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and where we can love. Home should be where life’s greatest lessons are taught and learned. Home and family can be the center of one’s earthly faith, where love and mutual responsibility are appropriately blended. Thinking of home with its pleasant and happy memories can make us stronger during our present and future days here upon the earth."

- Marvin J. Ashton

2

#LDSConf

General Conference happens twice a year in my church.

It's a time when we are able to hear from the general authorities and leaders of our church.

They give us inspired guidance and council and it is broadcasted all over the world.

So, we get to have church in our pajamas twice a year ;)

 

I look forward to this time every year.

Somehow, it always comes right when I need it most.

And somehow, there is at least one talk that really hits home for me.

This year it was hands down Elder Holland's talk on mothers.

No matter what religion you may be... I truly believe that every single mother would benefit from listening to or reading this talk.

 

General conference takes place in downtown Salt Lake City.

Across the street from the beautiful Salt Lake Temple is the conference center.

This conference center holds 21,000 people! It's huge.

It is the best feeling being inside that building, if you ever get the chance to go, GO!

You don't have to be Mormon to do so :)

 

This weekend left me feeling uplifted and inspired, and it was so good to be surrounded by family the whole time

I already can't wait to read over and listen to each of the talks and study them more in depth.

Guess what!?

You can too!

Just follow this link and you can listen to every single talk given in general conference :)

I already can't wait until April!

 

I made a some prints of a few of my favorite quotes.

I can't wait to hang them up around our home :)

Prints found here, here, here, and here

 

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

 

0

Conference Weekend

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

^ I loved that talk. I just loved it so much!

This entire conference hit home for me.

I really enjoy conference usually, but this time, it couldn't have come at a better time.

And though I'm sure I'll be saying that for the rest of my life, I am so so grateful for every word spoken at this year's general conference.

I was able to attend every session this year.

A total of eight hours over the span of two days sitting in the conference center.

It was amazing. 

Being in the conference center with thousands of other Latter Day Saints was an incredibly spiritual experience.

I couldn't help but just look around as we were singing each congregational hymn.

I love being Mormon. 

And, I am proud of it :)

The weekend consisted of hearing amazing inspired words from the general authorities of the church and seeing (and meeting!) lots of great friends.

Remember sweet Morgan??

Well, I almost peed my pants as we were running towards each other meeting for the first time!

We both had plans to go to conference and that being said, we got to actually meet each other!

Like I said, conference could not have come at a better time!

She is a darling girl with such a sweet spirit about her.

We were able to attend the Salt Lake Temple (uhm gorgeous!) together with Emily and her family as well to do baptisms. 

Amazing. 

I could not have asked for a better weekend, truly.

(other than dropping my purse in the water at city creek and the maid throwing away my keys at the hotel... but hey, why waste my breath right?)

I already can't wait for the next conference.

Oh, and by then... my sweet Hunter will be home!!

The perfect bonus :)

Here's some pictures!

Because, I wouldn't be me without snapping hundreds. 

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

1

On Point.

It's another Happy Sunday!

The sun is shining and my heart feels happy :)

First off, I'm sorry I haven't answered questions in a few days! 

I've taken a look at them but I haven't been able to sit down and answer all of them.

I'm working on it!

Second, I came across a  video the other day and decided I would share it today.

My church means the world to me, I love it so so much.

Therefore, it is hard for me to grasp that others don't.

I went to the temple on Thursday this week.

I met a darling Mexican family inside.

They were performing baptisms in Spanish.

My heart was melted, it truly brought a tear to my eyes.

I took 2 years of Spanish in high school, but I still couldn't understand a word they were saying.

It didn't matter though. They were performing the Lord's work and that made me feel so warm.

The Lord's church is the same no matter where you are in the world, no matter what language you speak, no matter what culture you grew up with.

That, is incredible.

I know this church is the one true church on earth today.

I want all of you to feel that same way.

I thought this video was a great explanation of all we stand for.

It answers a lot of questions and portrays all that Mormons are. 

Take a look :) 

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

0

It's A Beautiful World I See

Happy Sunday!

Truly though, don't you just love Sundays?

I always look forward to this day :)

This is what third hour looked like for me today:

Haha I loveee my sunbeams :)

So remember the video I posted of the temple in honor of my lovely Friday?

I also took some shots of the beautiful La Jolla cove!

This morning as I was debating whether or not to wake up, I decided I would turn those clips into a video.

La Jolla is one of the most beautiful places. I am convinced.

If you ever get the chance, make sure to stop by the cove and wander the cliffs overlooking the crystal blue water. 

You will be amazed :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

1

I'm Going There Someday

"As a result of the sacred ordinances performed in the holy house of God, no light need be permanently extinguished, no voice permanently stilled, no place in our heart permanently left vacant."

—Thomas S. Monson

Sometimes life gets to be a little more than we can take on.

Sometimes stress and change create uneasiness.

The Lord has promised us that he will bear all of our burdens.

We can't always do it alone, we need to allow him to help us along. 

I feel so close to my Savior as I enter the temple.

I know I am doing the Lord's work. 

I had the most fabulous Friday.

It started off by doing baptisms. It was so peaceful going by myself.
August has been an interesting month I guess you could say... but the second I walked into the temple I had the most comforting feeling.
 I felt at home.
When I walked in to 2 men and one woman dressed in all white I seriously thought I was going to start crying. The temple is heaven on earth.
 Then I spoke with the missionaries, and then I remembered a request to make a video of the San Diego Temple grounds.

So, I did just that :)

I love the temple and I love the peace and joy it brings me.
I felt so incredibly happy all day long on Friday.
I really love my church :)

By the way, this video explains that all Latter Day Saints feel the same way :)

0

A Seriously Happy Friday!

I have a very special story to share with all of you today!

Meet Morgan Rupp: 

(aka my long lost twin, soul sister, best friend)

So once upon a time Elder Hunter Miles Moore wrote an email that said something along the lines of this: "Morgan is doing really well! She is 18 and her friend Emily is in our ward. She has come to church twice and she is doing awesome. She has a preach my gospel and she has been studying it. Hopefully she gets baptized :)"

So, I pray for every single one of Hunter's investigator's, and especially 18 year old girls because I was once that 18 year old girl that was being talked about in a missionary's email home haha. But, I never knew how much this sweet girl would end up meaning to me.

Now, not too long after this email was sent (and Morgan, I actually haven't even told you this part yet so this is for you too!) I was feeling slightly stuck in life and needed some inspiration. That tends to happen when life gets repetitive I've noticed. I learned something in the past: when this happens, trust in the Lord and seek direction through him. So, I read my patriarchal blessing. I love those pieces of paper. My goodness, they have helped me through thick and thin. As I was reading I came across a paragraph that has stuck out to me before, a paragraph that has both scared me half to death into thinking I need to go on a mission, and a paragraph that has lead me to where this story really begins. 

Without going into too much detail, I read it and felt the spirit witness to me that I would need to be prepared to talk about the gospel whenever necessary but in all reality very soon. 

I got pumped and prayed for missionary experiences every day after that and for ways that I could share my happiness that I have found in my church. 

I truly believe that I have been through several trials to become a member of this church so that I can share my story with others. 

In those few days I had a coworker ask me about modesty, I had a friend ask me about the temple, and I had more questions on my Q&A section of this blog about my faith.

Those ya see, were just the build up though because then on Sunday August 4th I received a call from Cincinnati, Ohio.

That call was from the sweetest, strongest, most precious girl. 

That girl was Morgan Rupp :)

Between the tears we were both able to share our stories, and talking to her was as if I had known her my entire life.

Morgan had been meeting with Elder Moore and he noticed some similarities in our conversions. He felt prompted to give Morgan my phone number when everyone around her was tearing her down. And let me tell you, they were tearing her down. 

The entire time we spoke, the spirit was with us both. We clicked instantly, I still can't believe that we only "met" less than a week ago. I loved her instantly.

It truly is crazy how much love I developed for this precious girl. I wanted her to be baptized more than anything in the entire world. I wanted her to have a lifetime of the happiness she truly deserves. I want that for everybody, but for Morgan, it was different.

She has a testimony like you wouldn't believe. Her faith shines so incredibly bright. The light of Christ shines from within her and her sweet spirit can fill anybody with happiness. 

Sunday to Friday felt like an eternity as each day I prayed my heart out to Heavenly Father in hopes that she would be comforted through the week. I went on temple grounds one night and prayed in the parking lot in hopes that she would send me a picture of her in white. 

And today, she did :)

Today our Father in Heaven looked down at one of his precious and beautiful daughters being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I have no doubt that he is smiling and so pleased with her decision. 

Morgan, you are amazing. The Lord has wonderful things in store for your life. You have joined the Lord's army and you will be so greatly blessed for it. You have helped increase my testimony and you have helped me discover a yearning to share the gospel with all who will listen. I can't wait to see the wonderful woman you turn out to be as you follow God's plan for you. I love you Morgan! Best Friends For Eternity!

Ya'll this church is true, my favorite book is blue, and I love being Mormon. 

Amen.

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

P.S. Read all about her beautiful story right here! She is such an amazing girl!

3

Sunday 'Spiration

I realize I left the "in" in inspiration off, but it flows better ya know?

As I was getting ready for church this morning I decided to search youtube for an inspirational video to listen to.

Technology is a really cool thing people.

Lately I have been struggling with explaining how important the temple is to me.

I can't stress how thankful I am for temples all over, but it is so hard to tell others that who can't even walk inside. 

I've tried so hard to find the perfect answer to helping others understand just how special temples really are in our faith, but no words ever seemed to completely express that.

Therefore, I decided I needed to watch something on temples.

I found the most amazing video.

I teared up at how perfect he explains everything. 

Watch it for yourselves.

And hopefully, just maybe, some of you may better understand how sacred temples truly are.

I love the temple.

I love the sweet spirit I am filled with as I get to participate in the wonderful work we do inside. 

I know that temples are part of God's plan for us and I know that as long as I keep myself worthy to enter the temple I will receive numerous blessings.

I know that I can be sealed to my sweetheart for time and all eternity in the temple and that we will be able to create an eternal family because of it.

I cannot wait for that day :)

I know that the work we do inside is incredibly important.

I love the temple, and I love being Mormon.

Happy Sabbath my friends!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

1

Happy Anniversary Aleigh!

Today is June 14, 2013.

...and although I'm sure you already knew that, what you might not know is that as of today I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for an entire year.

And I have never, ever, ever been happier. 

I could easily ramble on and on about what a crazy year this past year has been.

I could probably type a novel about how much I have learned and experienced.

I could also retype my conversion story and explain more in depth all that occurred.

I could also reflect on the trials and struggles that have helped me get to this point.

But...

I would rather leave you with my testimony.

Because...

That is what truly matters. It has kept me going, through it all. 

I testify that the True church, Christ's church, has been restored on earth today. I know without a doubt that our loving Heavenly Father and his beloved son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred grove on that lovely Spring day in 1820 to calm all fears and help him begin the restoration. I was like Joseph, confused and needing guidance from my Father in Heaven above. He knew this, and helped me gain a testimony of the true church after much prayer. I absolutely know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that if you read it with an open heart and sincerely ask if the words within are true, you will receive a confirmation that it is in fact all true. I know that the Bible is also the word of God and that both it and the Book of Mormon can be used as tools to help guide us spiritually through our journey on earth. I know that my Father in Heaven loves me and cares for me. I know that he wants me to return to him and I will do everything I can to stay on the path that turns to him. I am assured that he has a plan for me and will guide me and help me as long as I ask. I know that our Savior loves us so much that He died on the cross for each of us so that we may gain eternal life. More importantly, I know that He lives and overcame the chains of death. I know that we have a living prophet on earth today, Thomas S. Monson, and that he has been called of God to lead this church. I know that families can be together forever and just typing that sentence fills my eyes with tears. The temple is the House of the Lord and the spirit dwells withing those walls. The work inside is so very sacred and special and because of it we can live with our families for time and all eternity. I absolutely know that I made the right choice to be baptized a year ago. I am positive that I will be blessed for my decision. I know without a doubt that I am a member of the one true church and I will always be proud to represent it. I am a child of God, I am a daughter of a God, I am a Mormon. I absolutely know it, I will always live it, and I most definitely love it.

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Ps. Feel free to ask me any sort of questions.

or you can meet with the missionaries and even chat with Mormons online!

We would be more than happy to give you a Book of Mormon as well :)

Also, this video is amazing.

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