The Lord is my Light, So why Should I fear?

Being a Latter-Day-Saint since birth, I feel lucky. But times like these, where you see a close friend become a member, you can't help and wonder what you would be like without the church. Some may say they could drink, or party, or even sleep around. Others might say, a mess, and that they wouldn't be able to go through there trials, and that they would have made a TON more mistakes. Personally I have seen confrence, and through reading the Book of Mormon, seminary, and finishing my Personal Progress I can proudly say I think I would be a WRECK without the church. I think being a member for my whole life I have taken many opportunities and much knowledge for granted. Seeing friends struggle and grieve, while I knew the truth, but was to shy to speak out about it. I feel like a criminal. Why is it that I am able to share my most sacred things such as my testimony to a complete stranger, yet I am to scared to tell my friend - someone I want so desperately I want to be friends with for eternity - about the gospel? Lately, I have pondered this a lot. A good friend of Mine and the family set his baptism date yesterday, for this upcoming Saturday! This individual is a very sweet young man who cares a lot for others and who Christ clearly shines through. Why can I not be like that, if I have had the gospel in my life since I was born? I think I have found my answer. Before my brother went on his mission, I remember someone telling him it didn't matter how many baptisms he got, as long as he got one conversion. I took that as in, himself. For him to have that change of heart when his life, and the gospel become one. And I understand that. The gospel isn't just a "Sunday" thing. It is a life-style. A commitment. And I realized that conversion, that change of heart, is necessary in all of us, if we want to have the light of Christ shine through us. And that change of heart, is what will bring many others unto Christ. I am so proud of my friend Andres, for having the courage to be different. To be able as a 14 year old teenage boy, to come unto Christ, and enter into His fold. It take a leap of faith, to put your trust in the Lord that you will be blessed. No matter how rough the road may be, that you made the right choice. I know he has made the right choice and I am so PROUD of him and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Shine on. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."