We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

I read this article of faith yesterday in Relief Society and for some reason it struck something deep within my core. I couldn't shake how important and necessary this particular article of faith is. Today I found out why.

I've been preparing for quite some time now to go to the temple. It has been a long, drawn out, and rigorous process. It took months of deep, sincere prayers and studying of multiple references and scriptures. I have a testimony of how sacred and how important the covenants made in the temple are; and I knew that I would not be able to go to the temple until I knew I was ready. A week prior from yesterday, I set my date. I met with my Bishop and we decided on a temple date. It was not a decision I came to lightly. It was a decision I made with respect and complete reverence. It was a decision that I will cherish forever.

That all being said, since I have made my decision the opposition in my life has increased ten fold (just as I knew it would). I have been struggling with things that I didn't think would be an issue. And today, today I faced the biggest one yet. Today, that article of faith became my shield and my strength.

After weeks of avoiding my old roommate and all the sadness/pain/frustration I have felt since moving out, I went to meet with her today. I did not want to go, but I went because I knew that it had to be settled. I went because I wanted to try and make it right in some sense of the word. Things were fine for the first fifteen to twenty minutes, however, things quickly took a turn. One minute we were discussing frustrations over the move-out, the next minute it flipped and we were discussing religion. Things were said that I will not repeat. Things that hurt more then I could ever express. I was told that my beloved Book of Mormon was wrong and evil; that it simply couldn't be true.

I was speechless. I couldn't string together thoughts. My blood was boiling within my body, but my spirit refused to engage. I tried to explain my faith, I tried to make it clear that I know with EVERY fiber of my being that this church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I don't need scientific proof or historical proof. Faith is not proven through logic; faith is learned through experience and through trusting the Lord. Nothing I said would get through, so I ended it and left.

And then I remembered that tender mercy of the Lord that I was granted yesterday. The one that I didn't quite understand at that very time and place. The one that makes perfect sense now: I claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of MY OWN conscience. And I allow all men/women the same privilege.

I stand firm in my decision; I am going to the temple on August 12th and it is the right decision. I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith had an answer to his prayer; that he was a prophet of God and that he restored this gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the teachings in it are important and that it, along with the Bible, testifies of Christ and his love for us. I know that the pathway to righteousness goes through the temple. I am humbled to stand on that pathway and walk his way. I know opposition is going to be strong, but I will not alter my course. I will prove myself herewith and someday kneel at my Father's feet.