Written for: My Message

[Title] Believing in the Power of Belief

[Kicker] My husband doesnt know the Church is true, and thats completely fine with me.

[Highlights of the source article] word count: 475

When I first watched Elder Jeffrey R. Hollands April 2013 general conference talk, Lord, I
Believe, I loved Elder Hollands solemn assurance that I didnt have to know every Gospel
teaching all at once. I could just believe. Yet, even after that assurance, I still thought belief was
something to be slightly ashamed of, something to hide until I could get to the worthier step of
knowing. I did not yet understand the exquisite power of belief. That is, not until I began dating
PJ.

Around the summer of 2014, I attended a fast and testimony meeting with my then-boyfriend,
now-husband, PJ. Like in many meetings, most testimonies started with the confident statement,
Id like to bear my testimony that I know the Church is true.

After the sacrament meeting, PJ hearkened back to that common opening phrase and asked me,
Do you really know that the Church is true?

Of course, I replied, somewhat offended that PJ would challenge my faith.

Well, I dont know the Church is true, PJ replied. I was shocked. Here was a man who prayed
fervently with me, faithfully served a mission, and loved to discuss important gospel topics with
me. Now it seemed that he was rejecting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I was completely certain that PJ wanted to leave the Church until he said, with the absolute
power of the Spirit, I dont know the Church is true, but I believe the Church is true.

He explained to me that as he thought about his testimony, he could not honestly say that he had
an absolute knowledge of the truth of the LDS Church. He did not know beyond a shadow of a
doubt. He did not know with a surety. But he did believe. And this belief was a powerful
influence for good in every aspect of his life.

After this fervent explanation, I thought back to Hollands Lord, I Believe. During the talk,
Elder Holland tells us of a fourteen-year-old boy who hesitantly says, Brother Holland, I cant
say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is. Holland replies to the boy that he
need never apologize for only believing.

I realized that I have been like that fourteen-year-old; I have hesitated to admit that I have doubts
and that I dont know every principle of the gospel to be true. I have even apologized for not
knowing. But when PJ so confidently told me that he believed, he taught me to treasure the act of
only believing.
As I have reread this talk and seen how belief has worked in PJs life, I have finally stopped
apologizing for my beliefs that are not yet knowledge. Even though I dont know every gospel
principle to be true, I now unabashedly believe in the power of believing.

Read more

[Link to the source article] Watch or read Elder Jeffrey R. Hollands 2013 Conference Talk
Lord, I Believe here.

Source: LDS General Conference

[Byline] Katie Johnson, Mormon Insights contributor

Find more insights

Read Alma 32 to find out how to increase faith and belief.

Read or watch President Thomas S. Monsons April 2012 general conference talk, Believe,
Obey, and Endure to learn how to deal with lifes challenges through believing.

Read or watch Bonnie L. Oscarsons April 2016 general conference talk, Do I Believe? to
discover how belief and knowledge can work together.

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