I have been thinking much about the exposure the Church has been receiving lately in the media. I know the Brethren would like us to embrace it and use it in a positive way to help advance the work of the Lord. However it rubs me raw to see my faith discussed so flippantly by outside observers who have no idea what it means to be a Latter-day Saint. The lens through which they often gaze at my faith is the same used for any other religion, lumping us into a common pile. I see articles quoting members of my faith who demonstrate an intellectual counter-point with the Church, to show how "diverse" us Mormons are. I often feel vulernable and sometimes violated by what I see. Even the subject of the  temple with its holy purposes is nearly desecrated by vain secular discussion.

All of this makes me so grateful for a silent private chamber in my soul, where only God and myself can be present. No texting, phone call, email, camera, or reporter can get in. It is in here that there is a massive library of memories, thoughts, feelings, convictions and spiritual truths that give me peace and assurances of my eternal journey. This library I call a testimony. It may be large and cavernous due to long periods of diligence or obedience and study, or in the small initial stages, or in a period of expansion. Regardless, unless you have developed one of your own and visit it often to ponder and meditate, anything said by outside parties may disorient, distract or dis-rail you. No one can truly be converted to our faith nor stay that way unless they develop a library in the soul, a sacred place wherein the great questions are studied and the Holy Ghost will be as a quiet librarian, ready to assist you upon request as you are the only patron. Those on the outside looking in may see the Church and walk away with whichever conclusion they desire. But they will never see the inside of the souls of the faithful. Even bearing our testimony does not allow the books to be checked out. We can only paraphrase.  The Librarian will do the convincing.