The Savior is by My Side in Good Times and Rough Times

I choose to believe because I see the hand of God in my life constantly. I have suffered a stroke and a hemorrhaged brain tumor over the past 4 years. As I struggled through these trials I was given Priesthood blessings to comfort and heal me. I have no residual effects from either health issue. I know My Savior has a plan for me! I am still here among the mortals. I should really not still be alive. I have the most incredible 3 sons. When their dad and I divorced I felt incredibly broken! I am the person I am because God needs me to be their mom. I was lead by my Father in Heaven to a wonderful man, Drew Matthews is my best friend and he helps me see the best in myself! When I was having my children I had a set of twin girls. They lived for only a few minutes! I was crushed beyond words. My Savior put his arms around me and carried me through some of the most painful moments in my life! I know he is by my side in good times and in rough times. I love Him, He loves me! That is all the reason I need to choose to believe!

~Tina Milewski

Video 1: I Choose to Believe

Members of our stake explain why they choose to believe as they go through challenges and trials of life. Video 1 of 2.

I Choose to Believe in God's Prophets and Restoration

Women's Conference Talk by Lynda Hansen

In December of 2011, my former husband went out to replace the brakes on my daughter's car. When he came back in, something in him had changed, and that day began the twelve-month death of our marriage. He had wanted something to listen to while he was doing his project and had searched and found a podcast that promised to "enlighten him about the Mormon church."

Our marriage had always been difficult. He was an addict, and we had spent years and thousands of dollars in counseling. Now his dive into anti-Mormon literature and podcasts became his new and favorite addiction.

He quickly became angry and disrespectful toward Heavenly Father and Christ in our home. He tried to get me to listen with him, but the negativity flowing from those podcasts immediately told me that I wanted nothing to do with them. SO MUCH ANGER. Instead of casting their burdens on the Lord and asking Him for healing, the people on the podcasts were telling the world how they had been wronged and they deserved revenge.

Despite the fact that I had told my ex-husband that I had experienced too many sacred and beautiful experiences with Heavenly Father and I would never turn my back on God, he began trying to corner me and force me to listen to his "new information." What ensued was feelings of confusion, fear, and panic. I felt like I had to hurry and find the truth about what really happened ... what did the Church say about this topic?

I Could See His Hand in My Life

"Even when my marriage was ending, I chose to believe. Some people turn and blame Heavenly Father for their misfortunes, but for me, He was the only one keeping me together. I knew He was the only one that could truly understand what I was feeling and going through. I choose to believe because I could see his hand in every aspect of going through that horrible ordeal. One being the simplest act of sending a stranger to just give me a hug. It let me know he was still there and listening. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are here and they love you." -Debbie L.

The Importance of Fathers

Photo from LDS.org.
Used by permission.

Enjoy these testimonies of the importance of fathers, by women in our stake.

I have always appreciated the emphasis my Dad has put on the value of education. Along with that, I know he always believed in me and wanted me to succeed in being able to do hard things and have great experiences.
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My dad is the best example to me of scripture reading. He never misses a day. He said it has just become a habit because he makes time for it every day. Someday I hope to be more like him.
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My old bishop stops by now and again to check on me and my kids. He always gives all of us priesthood blessings.
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My father-in-law was very honest and humble. He found a dime in a phone booth and returned it to the phone company. He also gave much to others.
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My husband did not always have a father in his home and today doesn't have a father in his life. Yet you would think that he had the greatest father because of the kind of father he is. He never wants his kids to go without and is always anxious to support them in all they do.

The Power of Women

The following are more stories from the sisters in one ward about the power of women in their lives.

I would have to say my stepmother is one of the biggest influences in my life. She married my dad when I was four and took care of us 10 kids together. She is the most patient woman I have ever met. She continues to be an example to me and my kids. Last year she lost her oldest son, and her testimony strengthened all of us to know that he is with Christ and continuing his work in Heaven. She sacrifices all day, every day for her children/stepchildren.

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I have a neighbor who is so full of love, kindness and service. She embodies charity to me. Her service isn’t forced or regular. She serves and loves genuinely whenever she feels to do so. I see her serve and love her family amidst trials and I witness her taking quiet moments for herself in her yard, gardening, or reading. She has helped me with my young children in multiple ways. She always offers hugs and smiles, sometimes books or dvds to borrow, or homemade cookies. Even small or large gifts for my kids at holidays and random days when they are least expected and so appreciated. I know she has struggles in her life, both personally and with her own kids. Despite her own trials she looks beyond herself. She magnifies her callings to the utmost, having true charity for those she is called to serve with. Despite feeling down, she has true enthusiasm for her responsibilities and for life. She finds and creates beauty wherever she goes. She is truly Christlike and lets her light shine.

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Carol Galbraith was my second mentor as a mother. I looked up to her quiet influence as she raised 10 righteous children and served all those around her with no fanfare. I saw the righteous patterns I wanted to emulate as a mother some day. She endured great hardships, served alongside her husband as the wife of a mission president, temple president, and stake president. She always treats me to this day as her dearest friend.

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When I think of heroic faith, I think of my aunt. I have always shared a special bond with her because we share the same name. But as I’ve grown up and become a mom myself, I realize that she has shown faith throughout her many trials in life. It’s helped me to know that we are not left alone on this earth, and the trials I face in my own life I can battle with the Lord and not alone.

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I'm so grateful for the nurse that attended my mother-in-law before her death. She would lovingly rub her feet and back and bring her treats and food. She made her feel like she was the most important and beautiful person in the world.

My Prayer Was Answered--by Serving

I had a great experience this week while trying to fulfill an assignment to study the talks assigned to us by our stake Relief Society presidency before our ward conference. It was a busy day like most days, so I turned on the talks on my phone while I did some yard work. I think I listened to the whole session of women’s conference while I mowed the grass and worked in the flower beds.

While I was listening to President Monson’s talk "We Never Walk Alone," I felt impressed to share his talk with a friend that I had been worried about. She didn’t talk with me ever about her trials, but I knew of them through other friends. She was possibly going to be getting a divorce from her husband and it was causing her a lot of pain and worry. She hadn’t been doing well for several months and was having a hard time reaching out for help. She isn’t a religious person and neither is her family. As far as I know, she is not one who believes in God or in Jesus Christ and does not pray for help.

As this impression came to me, I knew that it was from God and knew that I should do it, but was worried about how it would be received. How was I to share a religious talk from a prophet of God about prayer with a person who didn’t believe in prophets or prayer? I went back and forth in my head for hours on what to do and then just dismissed the thought and said to myself, "I’ll think about it again tomorrow."

The next day came, and as I was busy doing my chores in the house that day, I turned on the Book of Mormon on the Mormon Channel on my phone while I worked. I had just recently finished the Book of Mormon, so I was starting it new again that day. As I listened to these words of Nephi, I let out a sigh:

5 And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.
6 Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured.
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

"Okay!" I said to myself and to the Lord, "I’ll do it, but you have to help me know how."

We're Here to Help and Love Each Other

by Sherry Wheeler
We moved into our ward a few years ago and have six children. Only one still lives at home, and that is a big adjustment. I love being a mother and serving my children. The best sound in the world to me is the sound of my children, in the same room with each other, laughing.

I have four of my own children, and after going through a divorce and remarrying was blessed with a wonderful husband and two stepsons. As you can see from our family picture, there are only five children in it.

I had a daughter at the age of three pass away from cancer. She was my first of my children to be bothered with the disease. Her little life was cut short, but for a while I was able to be with her and learn more from her in three short years than I could have taught her in a lifetime.

My second daughter was diagnosed when she was 12 with a tumor in her breast and has undergone a double mastectomy, and my youngest was 12 when he was diagnosed with a tumor and has gone through a partial amputation of his left leg from the knee down. I was married for 17 years to my first husband and also went through a few different cancers with him, including a brain tumor.

I don't like to share my story very much. I get some very sad faces starring back at me, and sometimes it sounds too crazy to be real even to me. I have been asked how I get through all of this, and it makes me wonder myself sometimes. I figured it out one day: I just run faster than the hurt. When I start to get comfortable, I feel it catching up with me, so I just start running again. One day it will catch me, but I hope by that point the Savior will have returned, and the sting won’t hurt so much.

With Me Through My Trials

by Amanda Davis

Just a few weeks after my parents left on their first mission, my husband shocked me by informing me one night that he wanted a divorce. A couple numb days later, I found time to go to the temple, in hopes of finding some peace and inspiration.

As I pulled into a parking place in the lower level parking at the Bountiful Temple, I felt a distinct impression to check to make sure that I had my temple recommend with me. Since the light wasn’t good in the parking garage, I flipped on the cabin lights in my car, quickly found my recommend, and went into the temple to do a session.

I try to always follow the impressions I receive from the Spirit, even if it seems like there’s not much reason for it. This was an example of a time like that. My recommend was right there in the pocket of my bag, where it always is, and I forgot about the incident as I was in the temple that day.

No great impressions came to me of what I should do, or of any new way of looking at my scary and sad situation. Still, I was glad I had come to the temple and felt some reassurance from being there.

When I got back out to my car and tried to start it, I quickly found that my battery was dead, and realized that it was because I had left the cabin light on in my car after I had found my recommend. Immediately, the little complainer that sometimes perches on my shoulder said, “Seriously? Haven’t you already maxed out your quota of problems for this week? Whose big idea was this, anyway?” Fortunately, my other shoulder is frequently inhabited by a very practical, mature voice that said, “It’s just a dead battery. You can get it jumped and go on with your day. Quit complaining and get busy.”

"I’m not going to prevent bad things from happening to you. That is life...but I am going to take care of you."

As I drove away from the temple, I heard one more voice saying to me, “I’m not going to prevent bad things from happening to you. That is life, and you are going to experience it. But I am going to take care of you and give you the help you need to get through those experiences.” I knew this time that it was the Spirit of my Heavenly Father speaking to me and reassuring me of his love and care.

As I returned to my home and my family and my problems, what a great blessing and comfort it was for me to have the assurance of that experience. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and watches over us. He does not always shield us from trials, but He will always be with us through them.

"Every Trial Is Necessary for Your Salvation"

by Patty Denhalter

As I begin to share my experiences, joys, love, trials, and testimony, I am so grateful for the trust Heavenly Father has given me, as His daughter. For every joy and happiness I have experienced and the many trials I have gone through, I am thankful. Most of them have been difficult and emotional from early in my life to now, as I am growing older.

But everything is worth it for me to be able to once again live with my Heavenly Father and my eternal family, and to be with and see my sweet daughter and tender son again. What joy lies ahead as I try to be obedient to the commandments of our Heavenly Father.

I often think about Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother, and how she raised her perfect son and later watched him suffer and die. I in no way compare myself or my son Dennie to her or our Savior, but I can feel her anguish as she watched her Son in so much pain and suffering, prayed for and comforted Him, and finally watched Him die. I feel a small, small part of what she suffered and maybe felt.

I love her and admire her strength. Her example has helped me through this trial. My testimony has grown so much and in so many different ways over the years because of what Heavenly Father has let me experience. I have a stronger testimony than I have ever had because of my life and the happiness and trials I have been given. I will be forever grateful.

Testimony: Grateful for Relief Society

by Amy Moyes
My testimony of Relief Society came when I was 24 years old. I had taken my two small children to my parents’ house while I picked up a final copy of divorce papers from my lawyer. I felt like my world was falling apart. Instead of picking up my kids, I drove to my home and sat alone in my living room, afraid to open the envelope. I had been inactive in the Church for the past few years but prayed always. That afternoon I asked for help. I told my Heavenly Father I couldn’t get through this alone.