Christopher George Card by staff
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on April 19, 2008 |
Growing up in Sin City, Las Vegas I was really not interested in the realm of religion; however I did like to argue and it was this trait that lead me to investigate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My parents were separated and my dad married into a strong Christian family, who naturally objected to my agnostic faith and loved to discredit anything and everything not their brand of religion. I just liked to debate about it, so I naturally took the defense of Mormons and Catholics alike. As a school debater and future attorney, I had hardly ever lost an argument, but when it came to the Mormon Church I hardly knew anything, so it was at this point I lost an argument. This troubled me that I could loose an argument to someone I thought of as ‘closed-minded,’ so I vowed to a re-match. This time I studied and studied, read every argument for and against the LDS Church. I figured a strong argument would be found in the Book of Mormon, seeing as that book is the apex of the religion; so I went to the church in a nice suit, and picked up a Book of Mormon. I felt different when I was in that church and I really started to enjoy going, so week after week I went, and then in about a month I finished the Book of Mormon. I was 18, and practically obsessed with the church, so I decided I would have a chat with the missionaries, so I called them up and set up a time to meet at the local chapel. The things they talked about were the same things I already knew, but I felt that same feeling that I had at church but it was way stronger with these nineteen year old kids! They explained that it was the spirit and I told them I was ready to be baptized. As a formality I went through the rest of the discussions and was baptized a few weeks later. When I joined the church, I cant really say that I had a testimony; but then I started to pray, and when I prayed to know the truth, It was confirmed to me, I knew for sure that the gospel was indeed true. I had read about these testimonies while I was investigating and felt skeptical; but when I actually felt it for myself I understood what the big deal was.
“I know with a solemn understanding that Joseph Smith was a servant of the Most High God, and his living son Jesus Christ. I testify of the validity of the Book of Mormon, and can truly give my witness that the Bible confirms the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Mormon confirms the Bible. These two sacred texts confirm to me with the spirit of revelation, that Jesus is indeed the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, and the Messiah of the New. I know that the foundation of this church is the personal rock of revelation, that the Holy Ghost is a reality. I know that prophets and apostles have been sent to us for the perfecting of saints, that these men have priesthood authority and that the same authority is of Christ and is passed down to all worthy men, even myself. I have seen the great works of the priesthood in action, I understand that the witness I have received is of greater importance to me than all other things. I bear this testimony not of my own will and accord but of the will of my father which is in heaven, and in the name of his son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Christophercurrently teaches in the primary, and is the first assistant to the Bishop of the Paradise Hills Ward, in Henderson nevada. He is also preparing to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
