My John Hancock

This evening I attended my ward's "Evening of Excellence" for the Young Women. Some of the girls were asked to speak about this year's theme which is taken from Mosiah 5:15 and is "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works." One speaker began by showing a copy of the Declaration of Independence and then relating the story of John Hancock's signature. As you may recall, when the signers of the Declaration of Independence were asked to add their signatures, many were understandably shy about doing so. To add their signature constituted treason to the King of England and meant death by execution should they not win the war. Popular myth says John Hancock believed so adamantly about what he was putting his name to that he made sure to sign his name so largely and clearly that "King George could read it without his spectacles." She related this beautifully to our theme and challenged us to sign our own "John Hancock" to the cause of the gospel. We should be so firm in our testimonies that we don't care what might happen to us; we want to make it known who we are and what we stand for. We should believe in it so fully that we aren't afraid to let it show. She said it much better than my attempts here, but I just felt so strongly that that's the way I want to live my life. I want to let my testimony show in every thing I do and say.

I'm so tired of being afraid to stand up for what is right and true. I'm so tired of worrying about others taking offense at the truth. I'm so tired of worrying about negative consequences that may or may not come from declaring my testimony. There is no greater blessing than to belong to this church and I for one am not ashamed of the gospel! It is truth and light and I will share it! And that's my John Hancock!