builderr

There's a phrase that sticks in my mind that says... "be careful what you hope for, because you just might get it". Although I didn't know the term at the time...I was an investigator for 9 months before I joined the church, and was baptized. Ironically, I was baptized and recieved the holy spirit on the weekend that our prophet, Gordon Hinckley, passed away. But before that, I was skeptical and didn't consider a move towards joining the church because I didn't think that I had experienced the "spirit", in a way that was acceptable to the missionaries that came to my house every wednesday at 3:30 while I worked in my garden. One day , I decided to surprise them, and actually read and pray with genuine intent, just as they advised me, and prayed to know that Joseph Smith is the prophet, as well as all of the other 30 to 40 little cards with notes with BOM reading references that they gave me were true. I was smoking like a chimney, and my inability to drive past a dunkin donuts, without stopping was puzzling me. Unlike any time in my 58 years, I woke up in my office chair, startled by a serious distinct voice saying "it's time to get busy". I would have sworn that the tv was on in the other room, but the house was silent, and I was alone. I had been reading about Nephi and had progressed somewhere to the point where they were fighting on the boat, and Nephi's brothers had tied him to a mast. I know that that's not too far into the BOM to be bragging after 6 months of investigating... but, I realized that i had been, also, constantly reading an old Bible that i had purchased at a yard sale, and was trying to find some sort of parallel between the two books...I has assumed that the BOM was just another writer's attempt at fictionalizing the creation. things were synonymous.....building a boat/ noah's ark....and many others. Anyways... this voice shook me up......I had been praying to hear a soft gentle whisper....and being hard of hearing, I often prayed, and strained to hear something. Obviously the spirit knows me well enought to know that"I don't hear too good"...and since that day... he speaks up loud and clear. well, getting back to my point about "be careful what you hope for, because you just might get it". I wanted with all of my heart and soul to have the spirit come into my being and show his existence. It felt strange to speak out loud in a room, alone, like a crazy person, talking to themselves, but I have to tell you....when you start asking specific questions, and you start getting specific answers....you will believe. I was afraid that, like the little boy crying wolf, if I only asked for something when I wanted something...I wouldn't be answered, or worse..ignored. I was told...you'll get an answer, you may not like it, but you will be answered. That is so true. I speak with Jesus, my friend and brother constantly.....he is a full time companion. With me, particularly, he's a very chatty sort of fellow, and I sometimes wish he would go take a nap, and let me concentrate on work. I'm like a spoiled kid that says..."i can do it by myself', knowing that I am scared to death to stop believing, to stop praying, and growing, and sharing the gospel. Maybe, like a baby bird, in a nest, ready to fly, but afraid to try.....for now, I'm nice and secure right where I am.... sorry for rambling....I had a point, but i may have lost it. David

google has re-spoken... I googled the phrase "bare testimony mormon" and got 53,700 hits then "bear testimony mormon" 35,800 hits. Not to start a debate...in my opinion....... If you keep your testimony inside you...you are bearing it...as in bearing pain.... and when you open up and let it out, exposing it...you bare your testimony. as you bare your soul just googling David

I was told by missionaries that the reason that coffee and teas are harmful is from the tannic acid , and that in almost everything, there could be implied restrictions in regards to excessive consumption, In my heart, i believe that caffeinated soda is harmful, but I am thankful that it is allowed. I had to quit enough other things and think that soda would really be the hardest one to quit.. David