“Having a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with the Savior can unchain the divinity within us.”

art by Yongsung Kim

My grandpa owned a bowling alley decades ago, right after he was baptized. He got a call in the middle of the night. Their bowling alley had been burned down. It was arson.

My grandpa had to go in to take a lie detector test to see if he was responsible (to get the insurance money).

He took the test and did great. At the end, he said “I have one more question that you forgot to ask me.”

The man was puzzled and asked, “what?” My grandpa said “If the Book of Mormon is true.”

The confused machine operator refused to ask the question. But I love that story and how my grandpa takes any chance possible to be a witness of Christ and His church. 

I also love seeing the witnesses in the Christmas story. 

The shepherds came with haste (Luke 2:16)

and returned praising and glorifying. (v. 20)

Simeon came by the spirit (Luke 2:27)

and departed in peace. (v. 29)

Anna came serving and praying (Luke 2:37)

and left giving thanks and speaking of Him. (v. 38)

Wise men came questioning and seeking (Matt 2:1-2)

and departed another way. (Matt 2:12)

They came to the Savior in different ways. 

And they all left different. Changed by their encounter with Christ.

Their unique witnesses are powerful and needed. 

So is my grandpa’s.

So is yours.

How do we gain that personal witness? Elder James E. Faust gave five ways in his talk “A personal relationship with the Savior.”

First: A daily communion involving prayer.

Second: A daily selfless service to another.

Third: A daily striving for an increased obedience and perfection in our lives.

Fourth: A daily acknowledgment of His divinity.

Fifth: A daily study of the scriptures.

What encounters have you had with Christ and how has it changed you?

I would love to hear your personal witness!