... and I'm a Mormon

So today in my applied research and statistics class we talked about storyboards and how we can make effective commercials with the bases of a story. One that appeals to the audience through emotions and consequences, whether good or bad. Then my teacher showed us several mormon messages and asked us how they were persuasive to us, other than the persuasiveness of the spirit. Only at a BYU would you have this kind of experience in a school classroom. Then we talked for a while about how the stories of these people's lives were what drew us in, we connected with them, they were real people with real stories. Not some actor getting paid to say good things. He told us that the most powerful promoters of our church were us, we all have a story to tell and we need to share it, whether we grew up in the church and have been members all of our lives or are converts to this gospel, everyone has their own story.
 Being a member all my life, my story isn't quite as exciting as others, however it doesn't matter how long this gospel has been a part of our lives, we all still have to be converted at some point. Our testimony's are continuously growing as we actively participate in our church activities, callings and as we read and ponder the scriptures. There may be that one specific moment in our lives that we remember, that hit us like a bag of bricks, "oh. wow. this stuff really is true." Some may have a Joseph Smith type of revelation, but the probability of that is pretty slim. A lot of us will just read our scriptures and come across the verse James 1:5, the one that Joseph read, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Pondering this verse, we would kneel in fervent prayer, and ask of God. While I did this many times growing up, having faith in Christ, I knew that these things were true. Every time I read these scriptures, with real intent, trying to get all that I can out of them, I know. These are our connection with God. These scriptures were written and translated through true men of God. Not one word in them went in without God allowing it. Being here at BYU-Idaho, and taking Book Of Mormon classes that really help you get into the meat of the meanings and helping us understand all that we can in this book has really helped me. My testimony has grown greatly as I continue to read and feast of the words of Christ. In the last chapter of the Book Of Mormon, Moroni 10:3-5 it says, "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 4And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." These three verses are very powerful. They have helped me each time as I go through and read the Book of Mormon, a real testimony builder that continues to warm my heart every single time I read them. 
Something that helps me as I read the scriptures or do anything when I'm just trying to be peaceful and calm, I listen to Hymns Without Words. It's my all time favorite CD. I think I've probably listened to it about a million times. On my itunes it is the top most played songs that I listen to. In fact, I'm listening to it now. It never gets old. It's amazing how powerful music can be. Personally, I love piano music. I think that anyone who can play for beans is amazing. I love listening to my friend, Clarissa play the piano, it gets me deep, she's one skilled woman. 
Okay, so I know that this post has been a little lengthy, but I just wanted to share a few little things and let whoever decides to read this know that I have a testimony of this gospel, Christ did come on this earth to atone for our sins, he is the Only Begotten of the Father. Joseph Smith was the true prophet of the restoration of this gospel in this dispensation. He translated the Book of Mormon with and ONLY with the guidance and love of God. We are here to fulfill all that God has prepared for us. He loves us, he knows us, each and every one of us. We are all children of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is our savior, redeemer, and our brother, and I a, so excited to go back and to live with them someday. My name is McKenna Eleanor Grotefend, and I'm a Mormon.