52 Weeks of Blessings- week 31-- Testimony

I'd like to highlight my testimony for this weeks blessing.  Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. {The first Sunday of each month we fast --go without food or drink for a period of time, usually giving up 2 meals and pray for a specific item of need, for people who are having a rough time or for whatever might be troubling you-- and then Sunday for instead of talks, we get up and share our testimonies.  Fasting without prayer, is simply not eating.  I never really have enjoyed standing up in front of a group of people and speaking.  So, I don't normally share my testimony, unless I've been asked to give a talk.   It's not that I haven't got  a testimony, it's just that I most of the time do not feel compelled to stand and bear it.  Mostly, I hope that I live so that my testimony shows.  Sometimes, I question myself and ask, "Can people see my good works and do they glorify my Father who lives in heaven?"  "Have I done any good in the world today?"  "Do people know by my words and actions that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"  "Do my children know what I believe?"  Yes, we attend church every Sunday and they attend primary, young men and young women, we read scriptures nightly and have family prayers and we ask a blessing on our meals, but if I don't stand and share my testimony, do they know I have one?  

Why is it easier at times to answer the questions of strangers, but harder to discuss with non-member friends?  I think it's because I'm afraid of scaring them off and that is when I hope my actions speak louder than my voice and they will come to me with questions and concerns. I have given away Books of Mormon with my testimony written in the front and I have discussed the gospel with my non-member friends.  {I'm just not usually the one to bring up the subject.}

What do I believe?  I believe all of these:

THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith

And my testimony:  I know I'm a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me!  I know that Jesus came to earth, suffered for my sins in Gethsemane and died for me on the cross of Calvary.  I know that He rose from the dead on the 3rd day, making it possible for me to one day live with Him again-- if I live worthily.  I know my Savior lives!  I know He instructed Joseph Smith to restore His church to this earth.  I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book of scriptures and is a companion to the Bible.  I know we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who leads guides His church today.  I know that families are forever.  I love the primary songs, they truly teach the gospel with songs like I Am a Child of God and I Lived in Heaven.  They could easily be quoted and used as testimony.  Songs like He Sent His Son, Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby and Tell Me the Stories of Jesus teach us the gospel and grow our testimonies.  I'm thankful for the blessing of my testimony, which I leave with you in His name.