The seminary teachers asked me several weeks ago to write you a letter encouraging you to attend seminary and to share some of my experiences. I have severely procrastinated their request; however I am grateful I did. Tonight I just graduated from seminary. As I reflect on its end, I am eternally grateful for the things that I have learned in seminary.
When I entered seminary as a freshman, I was reluctant to do so. None of my friends were enrolled and some even mocked me for having to take seminary. My mother required me to do so and my heart was not there. My bitter attitude prevented me from fully receiving the messages the teachers were teaching and that the Lord wanted me to hear. I immensely regret that. My first piece of advice is to always enter seminary with a prayer in your heart that the Lord will teach you what you need for that day. I know when you go with that attitude you will be blessed and receive personal revelation and be more apt to receive help to you trials.
I have had my fair share of trials. I did not always have the best of friends, by the end of my sophomore year I realized that the friends I had were going in the same direction as me. They were playing with things that were bad and I didn’t want anything to do with it. I needed to cut ties and I did. Although I went through several months of loneliness, I do not regret my decision one bit. I relied more on my Savior. My relationship with Him became extremely strong. Also, my family relationships grew stronger. Although I gained many awesome friends during my junior year, I struggled during those times but I learned the importance of having great friends. Lesson number two, chose good friends! The friends I have now I would not trade for the world. They make me stronger daily. Their examples are limitless. I know I would not be here without them!
Another thing I wish to share with you is the importance of your leaders and bishop. I have been blessed with an amazing group of young women leaders. They have helped me in too numerous of times that I have lost track. Develop your relationships with them, learn to trust them, and learn to love them. Their love for you is so much more than you would ever know.
Finally, I want to share you my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. He lived and died for me. He loves me and because of that love he suffered on the cross for my sins. It is through His grace that I can be forgiven of my sins and inherit celestial glories. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have read it, and prayed about it, and know it to be 100% true. Every verse, every sentence, every word, and every letter were given to a prophet through inspiration. I know that if you read it, you will love it. I challenge you to do so! Prayer is an awesome thing! God hears every one of my whimpers, my shouts, my frustration, and yet he still is there. I know that I am a very whinny person and for anyone to constantly listen to me, is a great thing.
The gospel is such an amazing thing and has made me the person I am today. I would be utterly lost without it. I know seminary will help you develop you own testimony. When you do cherish it, and work on it daily. Always remember: enter the seminary building with a prayer in your heart and the Lord will bless you abundantly, have amazing friends that encourage you to do right and are going in the same direction you are, and finally love you leaders, God has called them to direct you, let them into your life.
Tonight I shared my testimony at seminary graduation. I came home and felt inspire to write this.
I KNOW THE FUTURE IS AS BRIGHT AS MY FAITH!
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