Sunday, July 6, 2008

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

It's been a while since I wrote something to my three readers!! LOL

I receive a daily e-mail from a website called Meridian Magazine. They publish daily articles for Latter Day Saints. Although I don't have time to read them every day, I really enjoy the articles I have read! You might want to check it out; www.meridianmagazine.com.

Anyway, a little while ago they began using some videos from You Tube as a part of their daily e-mail. The most recent one of this type was an interview of Glenn Beck. He is a talk radio guy. The video is his sharing his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is really incredible and is included in a separate post above this post.

After I watched it, I thought, "how brave"! And, then I thought, "why not me"? So, I am going to share a little bit about my conversion to and testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I have worried about being to Mormony on my little blog here. (If I lose even one reader I'll be down by 33%!! LOL) I would never hope to offend anyone. I know how it feels to be an "outsider" in a Mormon culture. But, I know that God gives us experiences to share with others to strengthen us and them. And, my intention for this blog is to share anything I can find in the books I read and the cd's I listen to that will give us hope. I will share anything uplifting that has helped me on my way. I hope this will help you on your way.

I grew up in Ogden Utah; Mormon country, basically. Almost all of my best friends growing up were Mormon. I even went to church a couple of times. But, never felt any desire to become a member. Actually, during high school I was pretty sure it was all a crock. I would tell my Mormon friends, "believe whatever you want because when you’re dead and nothing is there then it really won’t matter anyway." Dating was difficult for a non-Mormon girl and I vowed to myself as a youth that I would never marry a Mormon because even if they seem to be rebelling or stating their doubts about their religion, I knew that eventually they would always go back to it. I have now broken that vow twice.

It was during my first marriage that my conversion began. Or, I guess I should say that I began to notice it. I lived with my first husband before we were married. He had a sister who wouldn't speak to me or acknowledge that I was in the room on a count of it. What a brat!! It didn't bother me much though. I was used to this kind of treatment, sadly. I had other boyfriends whose families didn't approve and they didn't hesitate to let me know I wasn't really welcome. Well, we decided one day to get married and alope because nobody really approved anyway. So, we did. When we got back my ex-husband just sent an e-mail to his whole family telling them the news. He received an e-mail from his oldest brother, Randy. This is where it all starts for me. Randy said that he loved my ex-husband anyway and that they were just worried about losing him eternally. For some reason I can't really even explain, something switched right then. I knew right then there was something more or something I hadn't previously understood. (Even now I can't explain it!! I think this is how the Holy Ghost works sometimes.) But, it wasn't like my interest was piqued and I wanted to learn more or understand more. It was like my testimony was instantly activated.

Then later I was hanging out with one of my best friends, Susie. We were driving up the street to go back to my apartment and the missionaries were walking on the street. I don't even know what I said. I might have said, "I want to learn more about that" or something to affect. She flagged them down right then and told them I wanted to learn. She didn't hesitate. Of course, this doesn't surprise me. We didn't go to the same high school but our other friends joke about her being so good that they was even the volunteer student who would call their parents when they had sluffed seminary. She is a blast and a great friend.

The missionaries came and my learning began. My first assignment was to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon and pray to get my own answer. I read. I prayed; for the first time I can remember. And, I received my answer so quickly because it just confirmed what I already been activated reading that e-mail. I knew.

I completed the missionary discussions and was baptized three weeks later. One of my best high school friends, Lydia Alleman, was on a mission at the time. She was always a great example of living the principles of the gospel. I asked her mom, LaVonne Alleman, to speak about the Holy Ghost and my other best friend Kristi's dad, Harold Mills, to speak about baptism. (Sidenote: LaVonne is so sweet that during high school if I was ever struggling she would recommend I join the church as a form of rebellion. She is awesome!!) What a blessing it was to have grown up with such great friends that could fill these spots for me. My ex-husband's brother, Kent, baptized me.

My family wasn't there. Even though they would have supported me whether they agreed or not; that's just how they are. I didn't invite them. I remember inviting someone I considered being a good friend and she would not come because she could not support my decision. The only explanation I have for this is that sometimes when you are moving in a different direction you are afraid to include people who you think won’t support you because you're afraid they will discourage you from continuing to do something you feel so strongly about. I wish I hadn't been afraid.

My testimony of the gospel now continues to grow. I know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son in a grove of trees and the gospel was restored. I know that Christ lives and the he atoned for our sins and so much more. As I continue to learn I know that Christ is the great completer and finisher. He will fill any hole we have in our life and has already born the burden that sometimes we carry anyway not realizing that we could just give it to Him. I know God loves us. I know he gives us challenges for our good. And, I know that as we follow the gospel principles we are taught we will be happy; even in our afflictions.

If you are reading this and have never investigated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I encourage you to do so. The following is a link to the church's website: http://www.lds.org/sharefriend/1,14111,3724-1,00.html. On this page there are phone numbers and you can just submit yourself right there to get more information.

I believe that we all have whatever was activated in me that day. I believe that we come with it. It's like a microchip that leads us home.

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10:3-5

3 comments:

ClancyPants said...

Tresa...
That was beautiful. I don't know why I never knew that story. *sniffle* You are one of the strongest people I know and I am so grateful to have you as an example in my life. *tear* What an amazing and beautifully written story. Thank you for sharing it.

Lori Harris said...

Wow Tresa. That's awesome. I never knew that you were a convert. What a special and neat story you have about coming into the church. Take care.

Trent Humphreys family said...

You know after all these years of knowing you....I never knew the whole story. The one thing that has always impressed me about you is that when you believe in something, you whole-heartedly believe. Trent & I just got called to be the Ward Mission Leaders and I pray to be able to say the right thing and the right time to open someone's heart. Thanks for the inspiration.