Mormons Believe

The Blessing of Service

Gale — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:57:51 +0000

The following is an email sent by Aragon, a dentist, to his parents. Aragon served in the Sydney Australia Vietnamese speaking mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and then attended University of California at San Francisco dental school. During his senior year he traveled to the Philippines to serve with “Kids International Dental Service.”

Hi family,

I just wanted to give a trip report for the past two weeks that I have been in the Philippines; apparently some of you…did not even know I was over there.

The trip was very special for me and reminded me of some of the feelings I had had when I was much younger as a missionary. As a missionary you are able to feel the peace that comes from focusing on others’ needs as opposed to just your own. It was during that time as a missionary that I knew I wanted to integrate such a lifestyle into the rest of my life.

The first summer back from my mission I spent four months in Vietnam, one day I was eating lunch at a café, and I started talking to a person that was sharing the table with me. I told him how I really wanted to help out with the poverty I saw around me but I did not know how. I remember him telling me that if I really wanted to help that I would need to go back to America to gain a skill first, then I really would have something to offer.

Over the next eight years I have been putting a lot of time into gaining that skill that I could offer others. I think during that time I have been so focused on myself and what I needed to do that I kind of forgot some of the reasons that I was doing all of this school work anyway. I was starting to think that getting a dental degree would enable me more personal attainment and thus more personal happiness. I had somewhat forgotten that a dental degree would enable me more ability to serve others, and in the focus of serving others I could once again experience the peace I had while a missionary. I hardly blame myself for forgetting; eight years of pursuing education trying to make grades, padding your transcript for recommendation letters and instructor brown-nosing will make anybody become a little self-centered.

The Lord blessed me to remember during this trip. I can remember particularly a 12 year old girl where I was overcome with godlike empathy. I had to extract most of (rotten to the gum-line) the adult teeth in a 12 year old girl. Can you imagine that? A girl not even a teenager yet who would have to go through her dating years with no front teeth and missing many of her back teeth? It was very difficult for me emotionally. Even though I was taking her out of pain my removing the rotten teeth, I felt as though I had failed her because I was not able to intervene sooner when the problem was small and I could have saved her teeth. But as difficult as it was, it was so peaceful to spend my waking moments during the day to figure out how I could set goals in life on how I could prevent this for other people.

Prayers during the trip became so much more powerful. It is one thing to pray to God to help you pass tests and such, and I am sure I have been blessed in that regard. The veil truly became thin when I was praying for God to bless my hands because I wanted so much to help these children with dental problems that I felt my skills were inadequate to treat.

I felt the power of these words in my patriarchal blessing on this trip: “You loved your spiritual brothers and sisters with all your heart and the Spirit of Charity is beginning to blossom within your soul at this time”

It is true that I do not have to go to the Philippines to focus and serve those around me, but perhaps I needed to see the shocking state of oral health over there to remind me and teach me things. I am looking forward to setting new goals in my life and I hope these memories will always be fresh with me.

Love, Aragon

Yediyd’s Testimony – A Mortal Test

Gale — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:41:50 +0000

My childhood was not pretty. I was raised in several “homes” and foster homes. Both my parents were alcoholics…in fact, they met at an AA meeting! Both of them had several failed marriages and relationships which resulted in various children. I have siblings, step-siblings and half-siblings, some of whom I’ve never met, even to this day. Others I was raised with on and off at different times and various circumstances. To say the least…it was a confusing, chaotic, and unstable childhood. Through all the chaos and confusion, there was one consistent thing in my life- that was the AV 1611 King James version of the Holy Bible.

My father, (believe it or not) was a southern Baptist preacher! He would preach about the love of Christ and the peace which passeth all understanding, but my father never knew peace, nor did he have a clue about the meaning of the word “love.” (I struggle with the meaning of it myself) As my siblings all turned to drugs, alcohol, sex or insanity as an escape from the torment of our lives, I turned to the Bible. I started memorizing it at an early age. By the time I was 16 years old, I was carrying my Bible with me to school every day and quoting whole chapters. When I was 26 years old, I quoted the first 14 chapters of Matthew on a TV show called,”The Parade Of Miracles”. It was broadcast from a church called The People’s Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.

I didn’t know Christ or His love, but I wanted to know him. I longed to know him. As I poured over my scriptures, I found reference to Christ in every chapter I could from both the Old and the New Testaments. I wrote poems, read books (many books),about Christ, New Testament times and Old Testament times. As I matured into adulthood, I started “church hopping”, checking out many different churches and religions, each one claiming to have the only truth. Each one claimed that they were the the true church, and with each new church, I came away feeling empty. Finally, after my marriage failed and I started raising my two children alone, I decided to give up on church altogether. Although I could quote scripture better than most preachers I knew, I still lacked an understanding of who Christ was. I knew about him, but I didn’t know him. My problem was 18 inches long. There are 18 inches between your head and your heart. I had Christ’s words in my head, but they had not reached my heart. If I missed Heaven…it was going to be by 18 inches!

Then, one night I happened to see a commercial for a free Book of Mormon, another Testament of Jesus Christ. Wow! It had never occurred to me that the Book of Mormon was a “Testament of Jesus Christ.” I had the Old Testament and the New Testament, what was this? A third Testament? I had never heard of such a thing! Maybe that was the missing piece! I grabbed my phone and dialed the number! When the person on the other end asked if I would like someone to visit me, as well as receive my free copy of the Book of Mormon, I said,” yes!” I had my first visit in February 2004. God bless those missionaries! I sure gave them a run for their money! I knew we were in the “last days”, and the the Bible says,”Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). I did not trust them; I knew many false prophets would arise in the last days, but I gave them my word that I would not make any decisions until I had read the Book of Mormon.

A funny thing happened as I started reading the Book of Mormon-I recognized my beloved Bible on every page! It didn’t start in First Nephi,either…it started with the introduction to the Book of Mormon and then the testimonies of the witnesses. I recognized God’s numbers, His “set” way of organization; I started pulling out God’s numbers-3,8,12-from the very first pages and I knew that this book was lining up with my Bible. As I read on, I decided that the Book of Mormon was either written by God or by Satan, but it could not have been written by any man! The wisdom was too deep. It lined up too well with the Bible, on so many levels. I knew that it was just not possible for man to have written this book. As I realized this, at first, I feared in my heart that the Book of Mormon was a counterfeit. Was this the strong delusion sent by Satan in the last days that my Bible had warned me about? Were these missionaries the false prophets that I knew would arise in the last days? I was sure in my heart that the Book of Mormon was a supernatural book, but to which end? I also knew that “ol’ smutty face” was a master of imitation and forgery. If anybody could make a “copy” of the Bible, yet twist it, he could! But the missionaries kept telling me to pray about it, and ask God if it was the truth. Satan wouldn’t advise me to ask God about anything! The Bible says in Isaiah 55:11 that God’s word will not return void and it didn’t. I had not memorized all that scripture for naught.

There was only one conclusion I could make about the Book of Mormon. My Bible came back to me and testified to me as I read each page of the Book of Mormon. The Holy Spirit was there too, and so were the missionaries…patiently putting up with my endless questions. I swam through a sea of confusion, but God knew my heart and he guided me back to him. Praise God!!! I’ve finally found the true church of Jesus Christ, and I can testify from my very soul that the Book of Mormon is the truth. It changed my life and it is the final piece to the puzzle of my life. The pieces have come together and I finally have the whole truth. I finally know Christ…REALLY know him, and I have felt his love for REAL this time. I’m home…at last!!!

I was inspired to write this poem during our Stake Conference in November of 2004. I had been reading LDS poetry from a book that I had borrowed from the church library and I had this feeling of frustration that all the LDS poetry that I had read so far kept painting this “rosy” picture of happy childhoods and “goodly” parents and how the heroin’s had to find their own testimonies. I thought to myself, why doesn’t anybody write about not being born into this church, yet finding their testimony? I was thinking these thoughts while listening to Conference when the Lord whispered into my heart…”Why don’t YOU write that poem?” I wrote it that night after Conference.

The Mortal Test

A spirit I was, a mortal to be…
The father came and spoke to me.
You’ve kept, my child, your first estate
and now it’s time to delegate…
A mother to give you mortal birth
a body and a place on Earth.
I know you’d like your mother, “kind”
but I have something else in mind.

You see, my child, it’s easy to be
in a holy family that pleases me.
What’s not so easy and takes more grit
is to be placed with parents that are unfit.
A childhood filled with fear and unrest,
you must endure and pass the test.
As you struggle through confusion and pain
Your efforts to find me again will not be in vain.

I love you and I’ll guide you back
if you will withstand Satan’s attack.
Your progression greatly will be multiplied
and I’ll be there waiting on the other side…
with rewards beyond you wildest dream
because you took the path extreme.
The Earth will be your proving ground
but Heaven is where you will be crowned.
You will receive rewards so sweet,
just toss them all at Jesus’ feet.

You will then be allowed to look upon my face
and once again receive your heavenly mother’s embrace.
I know you can do this, I have no doubt
because you’re a spirit Divine and devout.
I’ve planned this life and task to do
because I have great confidence in you.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)
I know God won’t give me anything that I can’t handle…
I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!!!!!

The Power of God at the Sacred Grove: A Sacred Mormon Church History Site

stevengodell — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:13:28 +0000

Many years ago, when I was still a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I took a trip with my eleven-year-old brother from Indiana to New York. The purpose of our journey was to witness the Hill Cumorah Pageant and visit the Sacred Grove, a site with special significance to the Latter-day Saint community as the location where Joseph Smith received the glorious First Vision of the Father and Son. (More …)

The Power in a Priesthood

stevengodell — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:26:51 +0000

In the days of Christ and his apostles it was common to see the gifts of the Spirit and of the Priesthood of God in action. In fact, it was so powerful and impressive that Simon approached the Lord’s chosen representatives in an attempt to buy their same power. The result, of course, is that he was told his money will perish with him because the power of the priesthood is not for sale at any price. (More …)

Carlomino & The Song of Redeeming Love: A Mormon Family History Trek

karenrose — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:47:07 +0000

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family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;”>Carlomino and the Song of Redeeming Love
by Karen R. Merkley

Lacking Some Key to the Universe: Searching for Truth
I still remember standing at the top of the stairs as a child wondering who I was and why I was on the earth. I hungered for that knowledge like no other, and I felt spiritually starved. I attended Catholic Church but asked what to them were unanswerable questions. I posed a few like these: “Well, who lived in heaven and took part in that war besides Jesus? (If there was a war in heaven, as taught, then there had to have been more than two people there, I reasoned.); Why do I have to confess the same sins twice?” and “How can God and Jesus be the same person?” I lived as if on a daily spiritual fare of milk and toast, not knowing there was a buffet table divinely set and beckoning me.

Questions about the purpose of life sprung up as consistently as crocuses do in spring, any time I was willing to allow them to pop through the soil of my soul. At one particular point in my life, I began to despair that I would never know my purpose or the answers to the questions of my heart. Without those answers, the desire to live waned. The world looked cold and senseless. How could I function from day to day without knowing ‘why’ I was functioning? I couldn’t tick if I didn’t know why I was ticking. (More …)

steedona: I witnessed devine interventio …

steedona — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:28:14 +0000

I witnessed devine intervention a week ago. I was at my freinds house and her step father was cutting down some trees on her steep hill above the retainer wall. I was sitting next to my 5 year old daughter and she jumped out of her chair on impulse and had to tell my freind about an boo boo she has from an earlier mishap. All of a sudden with out warning of mercy this giant 350 pound log shattered her chair into bits missing me by inches and launching forward 15 ft. I was startled and yelled at hime to watch what he is doing before he kills me. Then I realized my Daughter was in that chair 10 seconds before it was destroyed I knew she would have died no doubt about it. That log would have killed her. Now I hold her tight and give thanks to the lord for mercy and allowing her to continue her earthly journey with us. I remember this miracle everytime she tells me with her soft innocent voice ” I love you daddy”. I get tears falling from my face and I thank god and Christ for her gift every day. I think this was a miracle.

Elder Turvey: So… i am currently servi …

Elder Turvey — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:27:32 +0000

So… i am currently serving a mission in the Hamburg Germany mission. A member here told me about this site and also that i should help others by writing a short testimony…

I would like to share with you my testimony of prayer… Prayer is the greatest gift available to mankind… it was because of a humble prayer that the true church was restored to this earth. I know that our heavanly father hears and answers all prayers… often in ways we dont immidiately see or recognise… but he always answers. I have come to a profound knowledge that God answers prayers… i have seen his power in ways that i will never be able to deny… The hand of god works in all of our lives… we must but learn to see life through heavans eyes! Pray unceasingly my brothers and sisters… the lord loves you and he will not suffer your prayers to go unheard. God lives!

Oscar Blanc: remembering his Mormon mission.

Giuseppe Martinengo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:17:19 +0000

I was greatly surprised to see a big picture of a group of young men and women with the background of the Roman Forum in the beautiful and for me very special city of Rome in the September 2008 issue of the Liahona. I wish to share some thoughts but it is difficult to express in words so many memories and feelings. I just hope that they will be of inspiration to some…
In March 1971 I went to Italy as a missionary and my first assignment was to proselyte in the city of Rome, which, in time, I learned to love so much. My companion was the Branch President, certainly a very small branch since the church was still young in Italy. The Mission headquarters had been recently moved from Florence, its first location, to Rome in Via Cimone 95 where I had my first spiritual experiences of my mission.
In our preparation days (P-days), my companion and I used to go take pictures of the many historical places of Rome, real tourist postcards known all over the world. One of the photos I remember very well has me in the same place and perspective of the one picturing the youth in the Liahona…How many things to ponder, to remember and to be grateful for! Allow me to share some of those:
• I remember well my feelings of being new in the mission field and of being the Branch Clerk (also we used to call the junior companion to a missionary serving as Branch Presidents “wife”)…those were natural feelings coming from being part of such a small congregation. We used to meet in an apartment on the first floor of a building in a much unknown area (Piazza Vescovio), which even the same Romans did not know where it was. Hence, these feelings of being very small as compared to the majesty of Rome and the rest of the Roman Empire.
• I asked myself how it was for Paul and Peter to preach there. Just a few meters from the place where the picture was taken, there is the old jail that they say was the prison of Paul in Rome. I understood much of his great missionary spirit, which is the basis of the comments in the Liahona article written by Sister Maddy, who I don’t know, but whose thoughts I share.
• Can you imagine some of the feelings that I now feel after 37 years?…Because there is something glorious about this picture in the Liahona which teaches me many things and it is the reason why I am sharing my feelings. In the middle of the photo dressed in a colourful attire that distinguishes her from all other young men and young women in the picture there is Denise De Feo.
You may wonder why glorious…here it is some of the story.
After the first two months of my mission, we received the visit of Elder Thomas S. Monson who came to that small apartment that was the branch in Rome. At that time he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and had come with the assignment to announce that the Italy Mission was being divided in two missions: one in the North of Italy with headquarters in Milan and the other one in the South with headquarters still in Rome. That would take place in only two months.
I remember Elder Monson’s visit very well, his wife and daughter with him, his good spirit and his great personality, giving us encouragement to give our best in whatever mission we would end up. In the following weeks, I remember thinking: “I would like to go to the North” and as some transfers took place we knew who was staying in such a mission. And so it happened with me when in those days I received a transfer to go to the city of Taranto, deep South, and I was assigned as a senior companion to a new elder that had just arrived in the mission field and we travelled together to this town in the South. It was one more challenge in my mission. Certainly Rome was not very fruitful as of my learning of missionary work, first of all because it was a very big town for the beginning of the work in Italy, then for lack of interest to listen to our message, and, in my case, because I had to dedicate sufficient time to assist the Branch President, I being the clerk of that small branch. That’s why I also value very much the vision of a prophet, the current President of the Church Thomas Monson, his thoughts and fortitude in that small apartment of that remote Piazza Vescovio in the immense city of Rome. They were certainly more profound and positive than mine! And I mention these feelings so that it is understood that we can learn even 37 years after.
Going to Taranto brought great challenges: teaching to my new companion and starting both to preach in Italian. I had used English much in those first months and it was hard to understand the language with its different tones and to adapt to the new customs of the region. I also think that my companion seemed to have another challenge: elder Nelson was from the United States.
Both of us proceeded to labor and started to knock on doors and to offer our message in our own “unique” language. But the Lord blessed us with results. To the baptism of the De Bartolomeo’s family followed the baptisms of the Galizia family and Franco and others. Finally, we knocked on a special door where one of the most powerful experiences in my mission, which is not easy to describe in a few words, expected us and has accompanied me since 1971. I remember reading the names of the families on the nameplate on the doors of each apartment of a certain house (in Italy, the majority of people live in apartment buildings with two or three apartments on each floor and each one of them has the habit of putting the surname on the door to facilitate the task of identifying that certain family). So, we knew the names of the families before they opened the door. Then I remember reading the name at the door we knocked: De Feo. Something that in Castilian sounds singular as surname and that provokes smiling. I made a comment to my companion and he smiled when he heard what it meant in Castilian but the Lord had us something more glorious prepared that quite these anecdotal details and it is what in the Mission we called a golden contact. Two very kind and amiable children, Alberto and Massimo De Feo, together with and supported by their aunt, received the discussions very well and progressed towards the baptism. It was touching to see their conversion and acceptance of the missionary message.
I did not have the privilege to be present the day of their baptism and elder Nelson had been transferred to another town. Elder Mason had accompanied me and finished teaching the discussions and baptized them. I, on my part, was called to be Branch President of the Catania Branch, in Sicily but I received the photo of the De Feo brothers and a card from their aunt on the day of their baptism. They were both dressed in white. Their aunt decided not to be baptized, which gives more value to their conversion and also the fact that their parents always authorized their baptism. I keep those two photos with the written greetings from Alberto and Massimo like a treasure. And it is at this point that you discover why something glorious came to me when I saw Denise De Feo in the middle of the picture in the Liahona. Because Denise is the daughter of Massimo withs whom I had not had much contact but not long ago I was informed that had been called as the first Stake President of the recent created first Stake of Rome.
Perhaps you can perceive my feelings of gratitude still learning after 37 years by only comparing the thoughts of excitement and of great humility mentioned previously from the times of the small Branch of Piazza Vescovio to this fantastic article
Could I imagine that day that I visited the Roman Forum for the first time and at the same time being awed at the sight of such show of grandeur of the great Roman Empire the relation of my picture with that in the 2008 Liahona? No.I would have never imagined but one of the things I wish to share is that Someone knew. Because our Lord is at the centre of missionary work: the centre of that message that was shared with our poor Italian by my companion and me but that connected through the Spirit with Alberto and Massimo and also with their aunt Anna. That day that we read the name De Feo prior to knocking on the door, the Lord had already in store this glorious experience that has no limits.
Today, after many years, I was able to speak to Massimo (President De Feo) and he informed me that his brother Alberto, who lives in Canada is Branch President there. He told me of their aunt, of their good parents who even if they were not members allowed them both to serve as missionaries, of his achievements and of his son who just finished a mission in Spain and therefore speaks my very own language that I could not use to teach. However, at the end of this story I testify that all teachings must be from heart to heart through the medium of the Holy Ghost who is the only one who can penetrate the heart and “teach eternal truths”.
I have a feeling of gratitude for the Lord for having taught me after so many years and especially to all those mentioned in my story, from Denise to her father, from my companions to our current president and prophet Thomas S. Monson and to many others who are parts of this chain that we have formed. That is how we described it with Massimo in our beautiful phone call.
As one of my companions in my mission used to say, recalling the scripture “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”. And often the Lord has spiritual experiences prepared for us that we would never imagine to live.

Mainahin Missouri: My first introduction …

mainahinmissouri — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:34:57 +0000

My first introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came from a very unexpected source. I had attended a protestant Bible camp in Northern Maine, and began to hear anti mormon statements. I became curious and actually at one point prayed that I would have an opportunity to debate with missionaries. That opportunity came a few months later. Yet as hard as I tried to argue, I felt the warmth of the Spirit touch my heart. I knew that the church was true and could not deny it. I was what the missionaries referred to as a golden contact. I also began to question the protestant church I was attending. If this church was wrong, why all the fuss? I was baptized on 21 December 1985. Unfortunately a few months later I went inactive. It wasn’t until I enlisted in the Marines that I became active in the church again for a very short time. In 1993, I decided enough was enough, and that I needed to return to church activity. Even when I was inactive and attending other churches, I knew that this church was true, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. There was no denying it.

Brian Ouellette

Benjamin Hofmann: I grew up in the Church …

benjaminhofmann — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:34:22 +0000

I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but realized as a teenager I needed to decide for myself what I believed. I believed what my parents taught me but realized I needed my own testimony. I also realized the importance of the matter I was considering. If it was all true then my eternal welfare was at stake. I decided to study the matter and ask God as the missionaries teach those unfamiliar with our faith.

I studied the Holy Bible as well as the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I felt good and peaceful as I read the words of the prophets. I looked at the results of following what they taught and the results of going contrary to their teachings. I also remembered the times in my life as I interacted with the Church and how I felt as I obeyed the commandments. I felt peaceful and comfortable during those times. I realized this was the Holy Ghost testifying to me.

I prayed to my Heavenly Father for confirmation that He was there and that He loved me. The feeling I felt cannot adequately be described. A feeling washed over me of love, peace, goodness, and acceptance that I still feel when I pray to my Father.

I decided to go on a mission for the Church which was the best decision I could ever make. I was already in my first year of college and could easily justify finishing my schooling before continuing on with a mission. However, I knew the Lord wanted me and needed me to serve a mission.

I continued to learn and grow in my testimony and knowledge of the gospel and saw the change in people’s lives as they came to the same conclusion that I had. The conclusion I came to is that Heavenly Father does love us as individuals and is intimately involved in our lives. He has a plan for us here on earth and didn’t put us here to wander aimlessly and miserably through life. He wants to be a part of our life and loves to hear from us through prayer. He wants to bless us and to welcome us home after our life here is done.

Everyday I see His hand in my life and everyday I see blessings prepared for me personally. I don’t know how He does it and is able to be involved with us on a personal basis with all of the people and problems on the earth. All I know is that he does.

I know the Book of Mormon is true and is an excellent companion to the Holy Bible. It clarifies and supports Christ’s teachings in the Bible as well as the words of his prophets. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and was God’s instrument in restoring the true church of Jesus Christ as He set it up while he was on the earth. I know that we have apostles and a prophet today to guide us and direct us. I know that the heavens are not closed and God will give us continuing revelation and guidance individually or through His prophets.

Most of all I know that Jesus Christ lives. He died for us and paid for our sins so we can be forgiven of the many mistakes we make daily. I know he suffered for us in all of our afflictions, not only those self-inflicted. I know he was resurrected, as He said he would be, and lives today. Through Him we can know peace in this life even amid turmoil and adversity. I know as we stay worthy of the guidance of the Holy Ghost, we will return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know that our families here are earth can be eternal and are one of the only things we can take with us into the next life.

All these things I know because I’ve studied them out and then asked Heavenly Father if they are true. Something everyone can do regardless of their current knowledge and understanding of spiritual things. I can tell you with conviction that I have received answers to my pleadings and have seen the results and goodness of those who follow the commandments. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is without doubt the only true and living church on the face of the earth and has the living Jesus Christ as its head. It is the only Church authorized to act in the name of God for all everything necessary to return to live with our Father.

I paraphrase and echo the words of the recent prophet Gordon B. Hinckley when he called all people everywhere to bring their truth and understanding and goodness to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and see the truth and understanding that can be added to it.