12 Year Old, Tears, and Public Speaking.

The very first time I ever spoke in church was around when I was 12. The topic was on the savior Jesus Christ. I was terrified to speak on a topic so important in front of 200 people.

I knew Christ was important but I didn’t know how he was important to me. I remember crying and being afraid. My dad helped direct me what to say (aka he wrote it for me.)

The day came for me to speak. We don’t have paid clergy but I knew my 12 year old words were nowhere near good enough.

Before the meeting I was shaking and crying. My Bishop and youth leader took me aside to give me encouragement. They said a prayer to help calm my nerves.

With all of that my talk was still not perfect. It was time for me to speak; I said the words on my paper with tears streaming down my face.

Yep. I cried the entire time. Not tears of love for the topic but tears of doing hard things.

Looking back now I smile at the first subject I was asked to speak on. Our Savior.

Although I didn’t fully understand (and still don’t) I do know with his name as the title of life we can do hard things. The hard things that involve Him lead to salvation and eternal life.  

Now I see. If I did everything perfect the first time I wouldn’t need him. It is only thorough Him we can do hard things. Or even want to.

Alma 32:21
"And now as I said concerning faith- faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."