What Does the Privilege of Prayer Mean to Me?

First, let me say that I know that God answers prayers. I have seen it many times, both answers to my own prayers, and answers to the prayers of others.

I have received comfort, healing, guidance by inspiration, confirmation of choices and decisions, and many other blessings through prayer.

Prayer is our loving Heavenly Father's way of allowing us to stay in touch with Him as we are away from Him on our mortal mission.

I can tell him my inner-most feelings and fears and desires. Like any good Father, He wants us to tell him about our lives, our problems, and our successes.

His answers are always the right ones. Often they are not what we want, but they are what is best for us.

I am very grateful for prayer. Through it I learned that the Book of Mormon is true and gained my testimony. Through it I have received peace and comfort when my mom passed away and during my daughter's long illness. Through it I have received inspiration on how to carry out my church assignments, on what advice I should give to my children, and on career choices.

I testify that I know in whom I trust. That my Father is completely reliable and loving, and always answers every prayer, though many times in ways and times that we don't recognize or understand.

I testify that prayer is an important and valuable part of my relationship with God, and that I have received many blessings through it.

What Does Being in the Ward Choir Mean to Me?

Today is a good day to write about this, since we just performed in our Easter Sacrament Meeting program this morning. It was not only fun, but also lifted my spirits.

Music is a wonderful way to worship. It invites the spirit of the Lord, not only for the singers but also for all who hear it. Each week at choir practice I get a spiritual boost that helps me throughout the rest of the week. I miss it on weeks where there is no practice or I miss it.

I thank the Lord for the gift of good music. Both for the small talent I have in that area, and also for the wonderful music that is available in the world. It adds to my life in so many ways, and through sharing it I can perhaps contribute something positive to the lives of others.

What Does Attendance at Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, and Priesthood Meeting Mean to Me?

Of these, Sacrament Meeting is the most important to me. It gives me the opportunity to renew my covenants by partaking of the sacrament. In addition, the music and talks bring the spirit into my life, and I learn more about the gospel. My spiritual understanding is deepened.

The spirit is also in other church meetings. Each Sunday is a reminder of who I am and what my covenants are. It s an opportunity to learn and grow. It is a boost to my strength which helps me through the week.

What Does the Sacrament Mean to Me?

The sacrament prayers themselves explain the nature of the covenants involved. When we partake of the sacrament, we pledge that we are willing to take the name of Christ upon us, and always remember Him, and keep his commandments. In return, the Lord promises that as we keep our part, we will always have his spirit to be with us.

Doing this each Sunday gives us a chance to re-dedicate ourselves, to consider our actions with a view to improving our performance in keeping the commandments. We are also given a chance to remember the atonement and its place in our lives.

This is a chance for gradual and constant improvement in our lives, by which we can slowly become more and more like our Heavenly Father. We can receive forgiveness of our sins through this covenant, and the promise of his spirit can help us to be successful in our attempts to obey and improve. The spirit will guide us to become more like him.

To me, this is a great blessing and mercy that the Lord has provided. It's a way to renew my baptismal covenants, to get a clean slate and try again to keep all the commandments, and continue to improve. For this, and for the infinite love that is behind the gift of the sacrament, I thank the Lord.