TESTIMONY

By Ben: Age 11

May 2013

I'd like to bear my testimony. I know the Church is true.
I know Thomas S Monson is our real prophet and Joseph Smith was a prophet too.
I know that Families can be together forever.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christa, Amen.
 

By Lexi: Age 5

May 2013

I asked Lexi if she would share her feelings about Jesus and this is what she said...
I know Jesus loves me with all his heart. I want to make him happy. I can color hearts for him to make him happy and also obey the prophet.  He helps me pray and I love him very much.

MOM'S TESTIMONY OF CHRIST

Jan 2013

With the new Youth Curriculum that we have implemented at church, we are to give weekly challenges to the youth so that they apply what they learn on  Sundays throughout the week.  Today, after discussing Jesus Christ and all that he as done for us, we were challenged by Sister Hymas to write down our testimony of Christ this week. I thought it inserting it here for my family and posterity to read would be a good idea :)

My Testimony of Jesus Christ

by:

Shandy Vogt

I want to take this opportunity to write down a few of my thoughts on the Savior and what I feel in heart to be true. Throughout my life, I have had many experiences where the Holy Ghost testified of what I was learning or reading (concerning Christ) to be correct and true. It is because of the Holy Ghost that I have a testimony of Jesus. I know that he was born under Divine circumstances and is the son of God. I know that he spent his life on earth preaching the gospel, performing miracles and being a perfect example to all. He wanted us all to make it back to Heaven together and so went through the pain at Gethsemane and atoned for the sins of all mankind - a matchless gift to all the world! He was crucified and the rose from the grave, making it possible for us all to be resurrected and gain Eternal Life. I know that he knows me personally and is aware of ALL things that I am going through - both good and bad. I know he wants me to me draw closer to him in all aspects of my life. I know that he only has my best interests at heart and is there to help me whenever I come unto him. I know that many of the sacred hymns that we sing each Sunday bare testimony of him and help us feel of his love. I'm so grateful for all that he has given to me personally and want to be more dedicated in this life to learning about him and his life so that I can be more like him. Finally, I want to add my testimony to the familiar hymn - I Stand All Amazed and say that I, too, am so amazed at the love he shows me, the gifts he bestowed upon me and the promises made possible through him!  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

FAMILY TESTIMONIES

Dec 2014

We are still following along with the book - 21 Days Closer to Christ. On one of the days we talked about journal keeping and also about writing down our testimonies of Christ for our posterity to read in the future. So for part of our writing assignment, we wrote down our testimonies to be included in the blog (which I explained to the kids was our family history and our family journal)...

Lexi's Testimony (age 6): I'm thankful for the church and that we can always be a forever family. I'm thankful for food, our house, beds and rooms, brothers, sister, school, mom and dad and Jesus. I know Jesus is always looking out for us. I'm thankful for tithing and friends too. He always wants us to keep our bodies clean and clear. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Aubrie's Testimony (age 6): I believe in Jesus and I know that he loves us. Whenever we ned help, he just helps us. You can always say prayer to Him if you need help. We should teach others about the gospel. You can do anything your heart says. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nathan's Testimony (age 8): I want you to know I got baptized because I wanted to be a member of the church and to follow Jesus. I feel loving inside. I have awesome friends and am a good video gamer. We need to always be nice to other people. Also, Heavenly Father and Jesus watch over us and help us have a perfect house. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ben's Testimony (age 12): I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that the power of prayer is real and that praying works. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

August's Testimony (almost 18): I've been around almost 18 years, and in those many many years, I've seen the Lord's hand in my life Numerous times. I know he loves and cares about each and every one of us and that he knows us all and he knows our situations. He inspires his apostles and prophets to help guide the members of his church, and he wants us to be happy. We, as the Vogts, have been blessed to have such a wonderful home and a Dad with a job that can provide for us. The kids are truly blessed to have such wonderful parents, and I've come to know how lucky I am that they don't fight and that they love each other very much. I guess I'd like to end this saying that I know I am a son of Heavenly Father and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one and only true church. I say these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Seth's Testimony (age 16):  My testimony can be summed up into four simple words. The gospel is true. There is so much in our lives that point out the truthfulness of the gospel, and I have prayed and it has been confirmed to me through the Holy Ghost of it's validity. It plays such an important role in my life, and everything just supports and confirms the truthfulness of the gospel. Since I know that the gospel is true, it means I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, modern day prophets, the priesthood, fasting, sacrament, and much more. I have individually prayed to gain this knowledge and have known for myself that it is true. With so much turmoil, evil, and deceit in the world, this is the one true thing that we can turn to. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ; amen.

A PURE TESTIMONY IS BORN

May 2015
(Ben was aged 13)

I was woken up extra early on Friday morning (even earlier than when I get up to make sure August and Seth are up for Seminary) to Ben standing beside my bed (which very much startled me!).  Anyway, he said that he had woken up in the middle of the night and had been up ever since because he couldn't fall back to sleep. He then said that he'd had a really neat spiritual experience that he'd been waiting all night to share with me (of course this had me up and alert in no time!).  He then went on to say that as he'd been lying in bed, he started questioning if the church was true or if the prophet was real and also felt like he should repent for some things he'd done (saying mean things, etc) and so he knelt down beside his bed and started praying. First he started off by repenting but then went on to tell Heavenly Father that he wanted to know if the church was true and he said then his heart started burning and his ears and face were burning and he felt a huge adrenaline rush. He said he felt like someone was beside him and he felt so much love and happiness. As he was sharing this experience with me, I was just so happy for him and so filled with love myself! I encouraged him to write down his experience so that he could reflect on it throughout his life - he asked if I'd write it down as he spoke (and then we both decided it'd be nice to put here in the blog for his family and posterity to read). Here is what we recorded of his (newly found) testimony that morning in his own words...


* I feel that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet
* I feel that  Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet for the world today
* I feel like the Book of Mormon is true and that I should read it with my family and also by myself
* Heavenly Father only wants the best for me
* I felt like I need to be more of a role model and to know when to be funny and when to be serious
* I should help others - even if they're mean to me
* I should love everyone - even the sinner - but that doesn't mean I have to love or support the sin
* I have a purpose and the Lord has things for me to do
* I need to help others by sharing my testimony
* I need to go on a Mission because it's what the Lord wants me to do. There's people that need to know the truth and that's why I need to be a Missionary and baptize people.
* I should encourage August to go on a Mission
* I need to repent daily. We all do stuff daily (even things we may not remember) that we need to repent of
* I need to be respectful of my parents
* This life is just a test to prove my worthiness
* I'm in the right path and I need to continue on it
* Heavenly Father wants me to be respectful
* I need to be more responsible and be nice to everyone no matter what
* I feel SO much happiness and like I just got a Thousand Dollars! No... like a Billion Dollars!
* I always want to feel such peace and happiness inside! I never want it to go away!

We talked about how that feeling was the Holy Ghost being his constant companion and as long as he didn't do anything to offend the Spirit then he would always feel that love, peace and joy. We finished up by talking about that even if he does mess up and the Spirit leaves, that he can always repent and the Holy Ghost will come back into his heart to help him throughout life. He was so excited after chatting with me about everything that we then went and woke up dad and told him everything that had happened! It was truly a priceless and precious moment that I was able to share with Ben!

JOSEPH SMITH

Dec 2016

Written by dad... I write this today on this sabbath day, from my sick bed. Benjamin and I are fighting a flu and stayed home. I decided to make the time as spiritual as possible and watched Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration. The spirit witnessed unto me the truthfulness of this restoration and gospel. I shed tears as Brother Joseph and Brother Hyrum were murdered by the mob. I am saddened and thankful that they sealed their testimonies in blood.

I just wanted to share my testimony that I know that this is our Father's true church and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, called of God, and that he did restore the fullness of the gospel.

I am so thankful that Seth is out sharing this glad message with our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua. How blessed they are to have him laboring there. The Lord's work here upon the earth is so important.

In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior - Amen. 








THE HOLY GHOST


I have a testimony of the Holy Ghost and the many functions he performs - the BIG and the small.  Today when Sacrament meeting started, Bishop Forsberg pointed out that he didn't have any assigned speakers for the day but wasn't worried about it and felt peaceful. He then called up a few of our youth to bare their testimonies and thoughts of participating in the Youth Cultural Event (he called up August as one of them). The Spirit whispered to me that I should start collecting my thoughts because I would be called up next to share my thoughts.... I'm grateful that I listened because shortly after, I was indeed called up to share my thoughts and testimony. It's just so awesome that the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion!

Lexi: Age 8

Jan 2017

Today was Fast and Testimony meeting at church. Lexi decided last night that she'd like to share her testimony today so she promptly went over to the computer and typed up her testimony (so that she could practice and be ready to share it during Sacrament meeting)... Here is a copy of what she wrote (I didn't change a thing - this is exactly how she wrote it). She was confident today during church and did a great job sharing her feelings with the congregation :)

                                                  
Lexi's Testimony    

I would like to bare my testimony. That i know the church is true. And i know the scriptures are true. And i know families can be together forever. I know we can have happiness and peace in our hearts when we read the scriptures. And i know that heavenly father answers all of our prayers.

I say these things in the name of jesus christ aman.

SETH'S TESTIMONY ON FAITH

May 2017

Seth sent his testimony on Faith while on his Mission. Here is what he shared:

There are just some things that we will never be able to know here in this life, and sometimes things just don´t really even make sense. But it´s not bad to have questions about the gospel. Even questions such as Does God even exist. Those are the questions that help build more faith. There is a difference between doubting and questioning. The scriptures say Doubt not Fear not. Doubts aren't of God. But Questions are. Some people put off everything, if they don´t understand something or a gospel principle - they won´t follow that commandment until they do understand it. But that takes away faith. If you have a question, the thing to do is: 1. Continue on in faith  2. Studying and immersing yourself in finding an answer. The thing is,  for lots of things you just have to trust on. Even here in the Mission, you just have to keep on trusting. I don´t have a knowledge of everything. I just am putting my trust in God, because in the end that is how we will all be happiest. So yeah. I've had lots of talks with other missionaries - and sometimes we pose really hard questions, just to see what the others would think or say. While for some, those questions might bring up doubts, but if you keep up in the faith, asking to know for real, it will do nothing but help you out. If you guys ever have questions, you can do the same as me - Even if I don´t know, I put my trust in the Lord, and hey it´ll all work out well in the end!

TESTIMONY MEETING

June 2017

Today something super wonderful happened! It was Fast and Testimony meeting at church today and NATHAN GOT UP AND BORE HIS TESTIMONY!! Of course getting up in front of the whole congregation is scary for anyone - BUT I know that it is especially scary and nerve wracking for Nathan. He overcame his fear and shared his feelings that he knows the church is true and that families can be together forever. When he sat back down he nuzzled into me and told me how scared he was to do that but how he felt proud of himself. John also got up and bore a beautiful testimony on families  (apparently it has been several months of he and Nathan elbowing each other and encouraging each other to get up and today Nathan said "I'm ready, dad."). They both shared such sweet words and it made church extra special for me!

RIGHT WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE

August 2017

Written by Dad... As Shandy and I attended the Temple on Saturday, I was overcome with a sense of peace and contentment. Not that I was doubting but I was just struck by a feeling from the Spirit that I was where I needed to be, doing what I was supposed to be doing. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love being a disciple. I love being Mormon. I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves us and knows each of us personally. I am thankful for the restoration and am honored to be a part of this work. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE

September 2017

Hey, it's Ben! My mom has asked me to do the Spiritually Speaking for this week- so please bare with me.

So, this past Friday during Seminary, we were talking about Nephi being transfigured up to this mountain and seeing the future of the promise land. And for this, my teachers printed out this sheet that basically explained each vision he had- such as the Revolutionary war, Columbus discovering America, the Pilgrims, etc. . . And it was right while we were reading all of this where the spirit really touched me and there was no doubt in my mind that The Book Of Mormon is completely-totally true. It's so cool knowing that, and I'd like to bare my testimony that Seminary/Institute is truly asked for by Heavenly Father, and I can't urge the importance of it. I say- or write- these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen

- Ben Vogt (15)

THE YOUTH BATTALION

June 2018

Following is from Ben (age 16)

So I had the chance to go to the Face to Face Fireside with the Prophet and his wife tonight. During which the prophet talked about starting the Youth Battalion and in order for us to join the Youth Battallion we have to do 5 things:

     1. Give up social Media for 1 week
     2. Weekly sacrfice time to the Lord
     3. Keep on the Covenant path
     4. Pray daily for all to receive blessings of the gospel
     5. Stand out. Be different. Be a light

When I heard these things, the Spirit testified that what he was saying was true and I felt like he was talking directly to me! I felt like I was about to explode, and my whole body was filled with heat. I couldn't stop smiling because I knew what he was saying was true! In fact, right in the middle of his talk (after he talked about a social media fast) I pulled out my phone and deleted all social media apps immediately (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube!) I know by doing these things I'm following the prophet and am doing my part in the Youth Battalion to bring together the Tribes of Israel. 

AN UNEXPECTED MESSAGE

September 2018

This year Ben became the class president for his Seminary class. His teacher sent me an email recently that I'd like to share. He wrote: "Just wanted to send a quick message to let you know how awesome it was to hear Ben share his testimony in class today. He has been an amazing class leader and he has a light about him that everyone just loves. Thank you for raising a wonderful son. - Brother McKee"

What better compliment could be given!? My mom heart felt overjoyed and happy that another person recognized how amazing Ben is and took the time to share his thoughts with me.  Over this past year, Ben's testimony and conviction to the gospel has grown stronger and more firm. He stands for the truth and has a solid foundation build upon Christ. I have no doubt he will continue to be a leader and one who stands for truth and righteousness!

FAST AND TESTIMONY MEETING

Jan 2017

Today is Fast Sunday and with that came Testimonies during Sacrament meeting. There were 2 testimonies that really touched me that I wanted to remember:

1. Sister Storey (from our ward) passed away 3 weeks ago. Her husband got up to bear his testimony and one thing he said was that well meaning friends had been telling him "We're so sorry for your loss" and he said that he realized he hadn't "lost" her at all! They had been sealed in the Temple and would be husband and wife for the eternities (although the physical separation right now is difficult) he was grateful that she wasn't "lost" to him at all!

2. Another testimony was about submitting our will to God - for really that is ALL that we have to give to Him! She asked us to imagine ourselves hanging onto a rope and when we look down, all we can see is a white mist - we can't see through it and we have no clue how far down the ground is. Then imagine the Lord has asked you to have FAITH and let go of the rope! He has promised that he'll catch you - but trusting in the Lord enough to actually let go is hard! In our heart, we know that he is there and that he will catch us.. but to our minds it doesn't make sense to let go! She also compared it to driving on snowy/icy roads. When you are sliding through an intersection, your mind tells you to stomp on the brakes with all your might! However, we KNOW that we're supposed to take our foot OFF of the brake and then tap the brake. It doesn't make sense to take our foot off of the brake if we want to stop - but when we do it, we're kept safe. I just really liked how she related it to these 2 scenarios! This is probably something I need to be more mindful and aware of and really try to do all that God wants me to do!

DAD SHARES HIS TESTIMONY WITH LIAM THRAILKILL

March 2017

  Over the past two weeks, we've had an overnight guest on two occasions - Liam Thrailkill. Liam is the boyfriend of Brooklyn Van Bibber, who is the daughter of our good friends - Mike and Nicole Van Bibber. It was spring break and Liam headed out to spend the week with Brooklyn in Provo. We're the halfway point between Grand Forks, ND and Provo. He's a really good kid that has his head on straight and has been dating her for a couple of years.  He is also not a member of the Church.

   As Liam and I chatted last night, eventually the subject turned to the Church and the gospel. I shared my conversion story with Liam and he remarked how familiar everything was. Liam has been taking the missionary discussions and he and 18 year old me, had very similar backgrounds.We talked pretty late into the night and he was grateful to talk to someone who had gone through many of the same things. He said that he had prayed about joining the church and felt that he had received his answer several times. He shared that he felt that our talk that night was a reaffirmation of those answers. I shared with him how about a year and a half ago, I felt impressed that at some point, I would share my history with him.  I'm glad that Heavenly Father can place us in each other's paths.