劉星弟兄 Brother Xin Liu 選擇 Choice

選擇

我很高興有這機會能夠分享個人的歸信經歷。我出生於中國，現在居住於美國紐約，生活平淡而樸素。由於其它因素，目前我的家人還在中國。所以，在這十幾年的時間裡，讓我有機會學會獨處。而萬籟俱靜的夜晚是我獨處的美好時光，在這超然脫俗的空間裡，我學會了反省自己，面對自己，有溫馨、安逸、喜悅，也有甘心的觸苦和嘆息，更有覺悟的欣慰，讓我確切的知道，我需要宗教生活來幫助加強靈性的修持。由於在中國時已認知的宗教，也就順然，與其對號入座。後來總認為是自己在選擇，可現在發現是自己被選擇。

因為在2011年7月時透過傳教士認識了耶穌基督後期聖徒教會──紐約中文分會。經過傳教士的邀請，參加了安息日的聚會，使我感到非常的驚訝。盡有如此健康活力，對生活和信仰都充滿昂昂信心，以及教友彼此之間關愛，讓我感到非常舒心。因為我原來環境不是這樣的，所以以後每周日及業餘時間裡都會去教會。在這期間得到傳教士幫助教導福音，使我對福音有了正確的認識，明白了什麼是救恩計畫，然後自己是誰，如何來到世上，來世又要到哪裡去，以及今生應當如何生活，如何對待考驗。《摩爾門經》以明白的方式告訴了我唯有樹立起對耶穌基督的信心，因為除他以外，別無拯救，天下間沒有賜下別的名，可以靠著得救。（摩寶亞書3：17）他說：「你們要悔改，歸向我，奉我的名受洗，對我有信心，這樣你們才能得救。（摩羅乃書7：34）」於是我用以足夠的信心將神的話種在心中，悔改並棄絕罪，準備好了自己於2011年9月4日，跟隨基督的榜樣，承受基督的名，並藉著遵照救主的話，隨他進入水中受水的洗禮及火與聖靈的洗禮。（尼腓二書31：13）而獲得重生。

我們現在是小孩，必須在恩典和真理知識中成長（教義和聖約5：40）。唯有透過運用對父與子的信心，並不斷研讀經文、祈禱，明白基督的話語，以服從的態度去生活，來接受聖靈的指導去獲得來自於神的幫助，使我們在恩典和真理中靈性有所成長。最後我見證《摩爾門經》是神的話語，教會是耶穌的教會。

Choice

I'm very excited to have this opportunity to share my personal conversion experience. I was born in China, and now reside in New York, America. Life is plain and simple. Because of some particular factors, my family is currently still in China. These past ten years have given me the chance to learn how to be alone. This wonderful time alone provided many dead, silent nights. In this time to escape from the world, I learned to evaluate and face myself. There was warmth, comfort, and joy, but there was also much bitterness and many sighs. Needing a peace of conscience helped me to know, exactly, that I needed a religious life to fortify my spirituality. I already knew about some religions in China. Naturally, I just went along with what I was given and checked them out. I always thought that I was doing the choosing, but right now I have realized that I
was the one being chosen.

In July, 2011 I came across the missionaries who introduced me to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They brought me to the New York Chinese branch. I went to the Sunday meetings by invitation of the missionaries. What I saw surprised me. Seeing the members energy and excitement, their faith in life and in their beliefs, and their love amongst each other made me feel comfortable. This wasn't the type of environment that I was used to. Later on, I went to to church every Sunday and every time that I didn't have work.During this time, the missionaries taught me about the gospel and helped me to have a correct understanding of it. They taught me about the Plan of Salvation. This helped me to know who I am, how I came to this earth, where I'm going after this life, how to live life, and how to deal with trials. The Book of Mormon clearly tells us that the one and only true way is to develop faith in Jesus Christ. It says: "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."(Mosiah 3:17) "And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved." (Moroni 7:34) I garnered enough faith to plant the seed in my heart. I repented and forsook my sins. I prepared to get baptized on September 4, 2011. I wanted to follow the example of Jesus Christ and take upon his name. According to the Savior's words to follow him into the waters of baptism, I got baptized by immersion, and then of fire by the Holy Ghost. I was born again.

Right now we are like little children, and must grow in grace and knowledge of the truth. (Doctrine and Covenants 50:40) Only by exercising faith in the Father and the Son, continuously reading the scriptures, praying, understanding the words of Christ, and living in an attitude of obedience can we receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost to be helped by God. These things will allow us to grow spiritually in faith and truth. Finally, I want to share my testimony. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. This is Jesus' church.