standing as a witness

This story and painting are symbolic of all of us. If we seek to know Jesus and are sanctified by His blood, it is as if we drink from a fountain of living water. We are taught at His feet. We desire to live and walk as He did.

Since I'm only 29, how in the world do I have 30+ year old offspring?

The blood of Jesus' Atonement makes it possible to be forgiven, His grace changes our hearts. But it's the Holy Spirit that whispers that all this is true, and we are worthy of it. 

"Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceeding great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God." Alma 13:12

Thus, sanctified we desire to do only good and abhor sin. But living in the world as we do, we begin to tolerate sin in ourselves and others. We begin to shy away from standing as a witness. We find ourselves justifying the grey and becoming jaded to foul language, immodesty, offenses to the weak, and so on. Upon examining our hearts, we can see how short we fall.

"And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." Moroni 8:26

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He lives and loves me. As His follower and witness, I know I must strive to live according to His example and laws. When I fall short, I must repent. I love Jesus and what he encourages me to become.