| Q: What
does it mean to you to 'Stand as a Witness'? |
| Jessica: Standing
as a witness means being yourself and doing what you know is right. It
is often hard for me to remember that I am different from my friends, and
that I act differently to them, and sometimes I make mistakes or do things
that I know I shouldn't have done. It means that you are your Heavenly
Father's child, and you should do what you know and feel is right.
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: Standing as a witness means
that you should not be afraid to be in the church and stand up for what
you believe in. Even if it means being one of a few who believes in that
same thing. But of course it's really hard sometimes to do that cause you're
scared that no-one will like you for it.
Silka:
Melissa: To stand as a witness you
must have a true belief in God and our Brother and Saviour Jesus Christ
and then show it to the world. This doesn't mean it has to be in obvious
ways but by being an example; for standing up for that which you know is
true, by refusing to participate in wrong I show my light to the world.
A witness to me means declaring not only that I am a Christian, but living
as a Christian cause it's the least I could do for my Saviour.
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| Q: How
has having this as a theme this year helped you? |
| Jessica: This theme has helped me
remember that I am someone special to my Heavenly Father and should do
my best and do the things that He wants me to do for him. It has made me
realise that I am one of a kind, and it doesn't matter what anyone else
thinks!!!
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: It's probably helped me get
through some bad times times at school.
Silka:
Melissa: I probably haven't thought
about it as much as I should but it helps me remember my Saviour. I actually
have a good friend who doesn't believe that Christ was the Saviour and
redeemer of the world, that his pain and death was a sacrifice for all
of us, and that hurts; to know that someone could deny Christ, who paid
such a high price. However the theme has allowed for me to remember my
Saviour, what He did for me, and express feelings of gratitude for Him.
It also reminds me of the importance of being an example.
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| Q: When
is it hardest to Stand as a Witness? |
| Jessica: I feel it is the hardest
to stand as a witness at school. Some of my friends swear alot and do things
they know they're not supposed to do. Other people I know at school bully
other people, and I feel that I can only stand around and watch! I have
told many of my peers to stop swearing a couple of times, when they do,
but since I am only one, they barely hear me.
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: When you don't have anyone
to back you up.
Silka:
Melissa: When you are low on faith
and forget the things you believe in, but if you have strong faith you
can stand up against anything and anybody and deny evil in your life. It's
hard to stand as a witness and stay strong when there are no others like
you around you to give you strength. They say there is strength in numbers.
If you're lonely it is easy to give in and forget about being a witness
to try and fit in with friends but I think it's more important to be true
to yourself and stand up for your beliefs; you never know what impressions
you'll leave on someone.
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| Q: When
is it easiest to Stand as a Witness? |
| Jessica: When I am at church or
when I am with other Latter Day Saints. I know that they have the same
standards as me and therefore don't have to worry that someone will do
the wrong thing.
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: When you have friends and
family to back you up in the Church.
Silka:
Melissa: Seeing the effect that you've
had on somebody as a witness gives you strength. I am very fortunate to
have a such a wonderful best friend, who, though she's not a Mormon, she
has similar values, which make her like me. I think we often find strength
in each other. If you try to keep in mind that you're a child of our Heavenly
Father it's easier to stand as a witness, because you know you're special
to him, and you want to do what's right and show obedience to him. You
should also keep in mind that there are people watching you, to see how
Mormons act, whether you realise it or not. We do have an influence on
people, so keep that in mind. You are an example whether or not you want
to be!
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| Q: Do
your friends know that you're a Latter-Day Saint? If so, how do they respond? |
| Jessica: A lot of my friends know
that I am a member, but I don't think they understand what it means to
be a LD!. Because I am only one, alot of my friends still swear and do
wrong things. When I tell them not to swear, they say "sorry" but then
do it again!
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: Yes! Most of them. They don't
care.
Silka:
Melissa: Yes my friends know! And
anyone else who cares to enquire about my religious views. I have no problem
declaring myself as a member of the Church to anyone. I'm pretty lucky
because I think my friends respect me for what I am. I do think they consider
me as different (which is not a bad thing), but they're not mean about
it or anything. In fact, I've noticed that by being who I am, and being
an example (like not swearing) there are a few people who do the same thing
when they are around me, which is nice.
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| Q: Is
there something that helps you to Stand as a Witness? |
| Jessica: I often have an hymn stuck
in my head, usually the one that would be played at Sunday's meetings!
If I am tempted to do something wrong, I will remember the song stuck in
my head, which makes me think of church, and then do the right thing. Also,
my CTR ring (which is almost too small now), sits on my finger, and tells
me to Choose The Right, when I am not sure what I should do in some situations.
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: A poem that I've got.
Silka:
Melissa: I have a few Afterglow CD's
and other church music with inspiring, uplifting hymns and songs that I
like to listen to. It makes me feel like I can conquer anything (I love
music!) and makes me want to go out and do something good in the world.
I love hymns and often have one rattling around in my head, no particular
one. I also have a CTR ring to remind me of the things I should be doing.
Nephi so far is my favourite Book Of Mormon character. Even though he is
younger than his brothers he stands up to them righteously and constantly
listens to the Lord. I feel like I can relate to his feelings. He is inspirational
to me.
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| Q:What
has been your best experience in the gospel up until now? |
| Jessica: It would definately have
to be my baptism. I felt so clean and close to my Heavenly Father when
I came out of the water for the third time!
Belinda:
Katrina:
Kayla: Getting baptised and receiving
the Holy Spirit.
Silka:
Melissa: Probably have to be my baptism!
It was the best thing. It was a moment of utter joy, and I felt close to
my Heavenly Father. I really felt the Spirit strongly and I couldn't stop
smiling. I remember thinking that it was the way I always wanted to feel,
clean and happy, with the knowledge that I was doing the right thing.
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