Throughout my life I have had opportunities to share the gospel with those who have doubts or questions about their testimony and even my own testimony. It is always hard to stand up for what you believe in, especially when you're the only one standing. I have family members who don't want to even discuss the gospel with those of us who have strong beliefs about it. And hearing that is sad, not for me but for them, because I want them to see the gospel as something they can benefit from and watching them completely forget that is hard. In the article "Stand Up, Speak Up, and Shine", sister Joy D. Jones quotes Jeffery R. Holland saying “You will one day find yourself called upon to defend your faith or perhaps even endure some personal abuse simply because you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Such moments will require both courage and courtesy on your part.” Throughout high school I had to stand up for my beliefs, and it was not easy. I one time was told that my religion was stupid because we were sexist against woman, because they don't get to receive the priesthood. And that whole conversation with that person took a toll on my testimony. I continued to wonder if our Heavenly Father thought woman were important or even of worth. I wondered if he thought I personally was of worth, so this hurt my testimony that I thought was strong. For weeks I contained to question his intent on women and finally after conflicting with myself and with prayer and the scriptures I went to the one woman that I knew was stronger than any man, my mom. As I told her what had been happening for weeks now, she furrowed her brow that whole explanation. As I was done telling her my concerns she looked me straight in the eyes and asked, "Peyton, because you have been struggling with this for weeks now shows me and our Heavenly Father that you are strong". That sat with me for a very long time. Sister Jones also stated "Recently, Sister Sharon Eubank taught: “Each of us needs to be better at articulating the reasons for our faith. How do you feel about Jesus Christ? Why do you stay in the Church? Why do you believe the Book of Mormon is scripture? Where do you get your peace? Why does it matter that the prophet has something to say [today]? How do you know he is a real prophet? Use your voice and your power to articulate what you know and feel—on social media, in quiet conversations with your friends, when you’re chatting with your grandchildren. Tell them why you believe, what it feels like, if you ever doubted, how you got through it, and what Jesus Christ means to you.” This helped me understand what my mother was saying. Questions are ways to seek the truth.
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