Coming back... a testimony.

[Ankh]

Greetings Everyone,

Well I finally joined and became a part of this family here. I've been reading alot of posts from many of you here over the last month or so and feel as though I already know some of you. Many of you here have been a source of inspiration and strength and I have learned much more about the LDS faith than I ever knew before.

To make a long story short. I've been in a spiritual search now for over 27 years. Like many here I do have been in and out of many denominations and have taken up many other religions in search of the truth. I was first introduced to the Book of Mormon on 12/26/97 by 2 missionaries who came knocking at my door that afternoon. Always being opened to "new ideas" I listened intensely to what they had to share from the Book of Mormon. Being pleased at what I heard and most happily taking a copy of the Book of Mormon to read, we made an appointment to meet that coming Saturday morning for further discussions. In those days leading up to that meeting I gave my full attention to reading this new book of scriptures that was placed in my hands and for which years before in the Christian churches I was always warned against.

Anyway, come that Saturday morning I waited with anticipation for the 2 missionaries to arrive for I was fired up over what I was reading as the Spirit of God was just confirming things from the Book of Mormon that were in the Bible as well as things in the Bible that were confirming the Book of Mormon. When the 2 missionaries finally arrived we got into a long discussion about many things and they were just beside themselves with joy over my progress in the Book of Mormon in just a few days time. Now, the real kicker came when one of the missionaries had me turn to D&C 9:7-9 and tells me to read it out loud. So... I begin to read it and when I get to verse 8 and come across the words; "... then you must ask me if it be right, and if it be right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." WOW! As I was reading those very words I was actually experiencing that "burning in my bosom." I mean I was ready to do "spiritual cartwheels" if you know what I mean? So I received my testimony that very day to the truth of the Book of Mormon. Praise God :)

After that I began to take the lessons and I began eventually to attend a ward. Now things were happening really fast in my progress, so fast that I was now agreeing to be baptized. I was baptized that March... the following week I had hands layed on me to receive the Holy Ghost, and that very day during lessons at the ward I also had hands layed on me to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. Within a week I was going out with the missionaries testifying to the Book of Mormon... and had very interesting encounters with people and witnessed first hand the moving of the Holy Spirit on them. (I'm getting chills now just talking about it again) I remember witnessing the moving of the Holy Ghost on a woman who was at first very rebellious to what we had to share... just break down in tears and sob like a baby when the Holy Ghost came upon her. Now the interesting thing that happened just prior to her encounter with the Holy Ghost was that the 2 missionaries and myself felt the Spirit go right by us as he made his way to this woman. Being overwhelmed by what I just felt and witnessed, afterwards when we left and were sitting in my car just flaborgasted I remember the one missionary say this to me... "Now you know why we are called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." WOW... that statement just blew me away. I think I said to the effect... something like, "Yeah, I can see why now."

Well it wasn't long until after that that I came to a crisis with my new found faith. Having come from the long line of Christian churches over the years, the teachings I received in them began to interfere with what I was now being taught anew. It wasn't long before I was purchasing anti-mormon books and getting convinced that my new found faith was a lie. In early May 1998 I attented my last service at the ward and walked away from the Mormon church and the Book of Mormon and never looked back until just this February.

What happened between the time I left Mormonism until just this February is another long, long story... as well as how I came to be introduced anew to the Book of Mormon and the church. I'll save that for another time if anyone is interested.

Well anyway friends... I'm back. And I'm so excited. So many things are clicking and coming together. I have so many questions, and want to talk with many of you that I have been reading over these past weeks. Until next time... God bless you all.

Ankh

[Palerider]

Its great to read your story and welcome back

[pam]

Awesome story. Can't wait to hear more from you.

[SMG]

Welcome, brother. =)

[skalenfehl]

Welcome back! I look forward to reading more experiences. Best wishes.

[Maya]

Hi from Norway.. waiting for you to continue the lifestory... glad to hear you are back! It is sad how often the anties can mix things for many... anyway Welcome!