Developing A Strong and Simple Foundation in Christ with Priscila Teodório da Silva

In the latest episode of Why We Believe, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Priscila Teodório da Silva, a talented software developer from Brazil who shares her incredible story of faith and personal growth. Born and raised in a family of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Priscila's journey is one of resilience, perseverance, and a deep love for Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Priscila shared with us details of her spiritual journey, from her early years attending church and seminary to her experiences serving a mission in Chile. Her story is a testament to the power of faith and the transformative impact of Christ's Atonement in our lives.

In this blog post, we talk about lessons and insights from Priscila's journey, exploring how small and simple acts of faith can help us develop a stronger relationship with our Savior and overcome life's challenges. Priscila's experiences can help us discover how we, too, can find strength and purpose through Christ.

The Power of Personal Commitment

Priscila's foundation in the gospel began with her parents taking her to church as a kid. As she entered her teenage years, family issues sometimes made it difficult for her to attend church with her family. Priscila took it upon herself to help get her family ready to go in the mornings and even attend church alone if need be.

Her intrinsic motivation to attend church helped build and strengthen her faith. Even when faced with challenges this played a prominent role in developing her testimony. By taking responsibility for her own spiritual growth, has helped her find her center in Christ. 

Each spiritual journey is ultimately a personal one. While the support of family and friends is invaluable, it is our own commitment to Christ that will carry us through life's trials and help us grow closer to Him.

Finding Strength in Adversity

One of the most striking aspects of Priscila's story is how she found the most meaningful spiritual experiences during the most challenging times. Priscila discovered that these moments of adversity often lead to the greatest spiritual growth.

Discipleship was not meant to be easy, but it is worth the struggle. As we face obstacles and challenges in our efforts to follow Christ, we have the opportunity to turn to Him for strength and guidance. We can build our spiritual muscles and in doing so, we not only overcome the immediate difficulty but also develop a deeper relationship with our Savior.

There are always challenges that come with living the gospel. Being humble enough to ask God for help when we need it brings us closer to him. Letting God’s grace have a chance to work in our lives brings peace and strengthens our faith.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement

Christ’s Atonement is God’s most important gift to His children. Because of Him, we are not lost to sin and death. We can progress in this life, and we can someday become perfected through His sacrifice. Anyone who chooses to turn to Christ and apply the Atonement in their lives can feel peace and healing that cannot be found or felt anywhere else.

By learning about the Atonement and applying it in her life, Priscila found the strength to continue pursuing her goals and responsibilities, even in the face of mental health struggles such as OCD and anxiety. She sought help from trusted family members, friends, and professionals, while also relying on the healing power of Christ.

A big part of the Atonement is change. And change is never “comfortable.” It shouldn’t have to be. Part of the transformative power of the Atonement comes from the opportunities we are given to make choices that help us come closer to Him. And without these numerous opportunities to make these decisions, we would only have so many chances to do that. Christ gives us every opportunity.

The Impact of Small and Simple Acts of Faith

Small but significant acts of faith have guided Prescila’s journey of faith. Throughout her life, she has experienced numerous moments where seemingly small decisions or actions have had a profound impact on her spiritual growth and the lives of others. You don’t need to move mountains to help someone come closer to Christ.

Priscilla was able to share her testimony with friends at school, which led to some of them learning more about Christ. Her mission in Santiago, Chile helped her to develop a deeper relationship with Christ. Putting aside time to work on simple things like studying the scriptures, sincere prayer, and following the Holy Spirit made a difference in her own life. Choosing to share her testimony every Fast Sunday, even when it was difficult, and learning that her words could be exactly what someone needed to hear helped her understand how God could use her for His work.

These experiences demonstrate that it is often the small, consistent choices we make that have the greatest impact on our spiritual journey. By being faithful in the little things, we open ourselves up to the blessing and guidance of the Holy Ghost, which can lead us to make a profound difference in the lives of others.

Starting a Spiritual Foundation

Priscila Teodório da Silva's story is a beautiful reminder of the power of faith and the transformative impact of Christ's Atonement. Through her experiences, we learn that personal commitment, perseverance in the face of adversity, reliance on Christ, and small acts of faith are all essential elements of a strong spiritual foundation.

As we navigate our own spiritual journeys, consider how you can apply these lessons to your life. Let us strive to be more self-motivated in our church attendance, find strength in the challenges we face, turn to Christ's Atonement for healing and guidance, and recognize the significance of small and simple things through acts of faith.

By doing so, we can develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Savior and find the purpose, hope, and joy that comes from living His gospel. Take a moment today to look for God's hand in your life, and trust that He is guiding you through the small and simple things that will lead you back to Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Priscila Teodório da Silva, a software developer from Brazil, shares her inspiring story of developing faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel from a young age.

2. Despite facing challenges such as family issues and living far from church, Priscila remained committed to attending church and seminary, even if it meant going alone.

3. Priscila found that the most meaningful spiritual experiences often occurred during the most difficult times, such as when it was raining and hard to get to church.

4. Discipleship is not easy because the Atonement of Jesus Christ was not easy for him, and as members of the Church, we must uphold the truth and face our own challenges.

5. After returning from her mission, Priscila faced challenges such as the pandemic and dealing with anxiety and OCD, but she turned to God and trusted in Christ's Atonement to overcome these difficulties.

6. Small yet significant experiences, such as feeling the Holy Spirit in the temple or during baptisms, helped build Priscila's testimony over time.

7. Serving a mission in Chile helped Priscila understand that developing a deeper relationship with Christ is based on simple things like studying scriptures, sincere prayer, and following the Holy Spirit.

8. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has positively influenced every aspect of Priscila's life, from making better choices to meeting positive influences and discovering her passion for programming and computer science.

Thanks for joining us for this episode of Why We Believe! We wish you the best as you look for the small and simple ways God has been guiding your life. 

If you would like to learn more about this podcast or see past episodes, head to WhyWeBelieve.com to find more!