I bore my testimony about families on Sunday. It went something like this:
I have been thinking about families for the last couple of weeks. We talked about this topic in some of our meetings this morning, and it has been on my mind.
I wanted to bear my testimony about families. I was blessed to be raised in a great family, and to learn early in my life, the importance of family life, and that families are meant to be eternal. I finished college, and a mission; I met my RM, got married, and was ready for my happily ever after ending--but that isn't what happened for me. For me, that's when I started the biggest fight with Satan that I have ever had. At one point, my marriage and my family were hanging by a thread. I had to fight very hard to keep my family together.
I don't think that other families' experiences are so different than my own. Satan doesn't want our families to succeed. He is fighting hard to destroy them, because he knows how important and powerful they are.
I was reading from 1 Nephi today, and I read the story of how Nephi and his brothers were sent back to get the brass plates. Nephi knew these plates were essential, but though he and his brothers tried several times, and used every method available to them, they were not successful in obtaining them. Nephi's brothers were discouraged and angry. They wanted to quit, and they beat Nephi with a stick. Even after being chastised by an angel, his brothers were still grumbling; but Nephi had faith, and refused to give up. He knew that the Lord would help them accomplish that which He had commanded them to do. Finally, because of Nephi's faith and persistence, and because the Lord intervened and helped Nephi, he was ultimately able to obtain the plates.
The Lord, in a similar way, has reached down to help me in my life, to keep my family together. Despite our trials, my family is still sealed together forever. I testify that the Lord loves us, and that He will come to our aid. When we persist in faith, the Lord will show us the way. He will help us save our families. I know this is true, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
