I was raised by goodly parents in a strong family in the church. I was taught well about Jesus Christ and his gospel. I heard a lot from others and I really did believe their words, but there comes a time in everyone's gospel path where you need to get off your training wheels and gain your own testimony, which comes through experience with the Holy Ghost and Christ's Atonement.
While in online MTC in preparation for my missionary service our teacher challenged all of my district to Pray to their Heavenly Father and ask for a witness of His love for us, to ask How he feels and thinks of us. I took up this challenge after the session and knelt and prayed and listened. I didn't get an immediate answer or witness but I held faithful that I would in time. That night as I laid in my bed I found myself unable to sleep. I had a powerful scene playing in my head. This scene was of a man, kneeling on grass surrounded by olive trees. I saw this man in agony praying for me, that I might not suffer for my mistakes but have the opportunity to repent and Him take the punishment. I also imagined His patient suffering on the cross and in that moment I truly knew that Christ suffered and died for me. Me personally! As I laid in bed a cried tears of joy knowing that God loved me so much to send His only Son to die for me. I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God, I know he died for your and my sins, I know that he was resurrected and that because of Him we will all live again. I know that he will forgive any repentant soul. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.