So during fast and testimony meeting today, she asked me why there were so many speakers. I explained to her what is was and why we do it. After a moment of pondering what I had said, she turned to me and said, "Mom! I know how to bear my testimony. Can I go up there and bear mine?"
"Yes, anyone can who wants to and is guided by the spirit to share."
"Ok!" She stood up and looked at the stage. "Um, maybe after that person goes."
I didn't think she would do go up there. So I turned back to focus on Carson, who was on the verge of a meltdown. After a few people, Mady's friend, who is 8, got up and gave her testimony. I kept on hearing Mady try to gain the courage to go up. But she always ended up sitting down.
There was only 5 minutes left and one last person got up to bear their testimony. And it was then, during this person's testimony, Mady got up and sat on the stage waiting her turn. I nudged Ray and nodded to Mady. He had a worried look on his face, as if trying to see if he could get Mady to come down.
Then it was her turn.
"I'd like to bear my testimony, that I know this church is true....." She then told everyone that if they need help with anything they should always ask their parents. "Because if something is lost or something, they can help you find it, because they love you. And then you will have a special experience because you asked for help. And it will be like a treasure. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
She was beaming as she came down from the stage, and I couldn't help but smile back and give her a hug and tell her how wonderful her testimony was. It wasn't till later when I found how impactful her simple, yet strong testimony was to those in our ward.
Sacrament ended and Ray and I scrambled to get the kids to their classes, and trying to round up the kids who were in our primary class. Tyson was super tired so I ended up leaving Ray to teach our class while I headed over to Gospel Doctrine to rock Ty to sleep.
The class was discussing being foreordained in this life and how the priesthood goes along with that. The teacher asked if this church was hard church to follow. Some said yes, others no. The teacher went on to say, "It is simple. If it was hard I wouldn't be a member. But it is simple enough for a child to understand it. My favorite testimony that was spoken today, was from the little girl who held the microphone at the very end. She gets it. She understands. When she said that if you need help, ask you parents. She knows. And just like us, we need to ask our Father in Heaven for help."
Then another member, commented, "You know you say that is the part that touched you the most, but its what she said after, that hit me. When she said, 'and it will be a special experience'. That is what stood out to me."
I stood listening to their comments, hearing my daughter's testimony again through a different perspective. And it hit me. She does understand. She knows that no matter what there will always be someone there to help her. She truly believes that.
When we got home, I talked to Mady about what others had said about her testimony. Her reply was, "I'm so happy I was able to touch someone with my testimony. And I know that Heavenly Father is my father who will also help me. Why do you think I pray to him?"
Such a simple statement, yet so profound. Why else would we pray to him, if not to show our love, gratitude, and ask for help. Just ask a child asks their parent.
