My Testimony

During the 20 years of my adult life, I never joined a church, any church, but I did a lot of research into different faiths and philosophies.  I delved into each of the religious discoveries I had found, hoping to find one that was closest to what I believed.  

Over the years I developed a love of Jesus and his teachings.  I believed in the power of prayer, and , and I felt as if my Heavenly Father was guiding me during those times I turned to Him.  In that sense, you could say I was already versed in the promptings of the Spirit.

One day I went to a Chiropractor in town and, sitting in his lobby, I noticed pictures on the walls that looked vaguely religious. When I asked about the pictures, my Chiropractor said "sit down and let me tell you about them..."  I listened and eagerly agreed to have some local missionaries come to my home and talk discuss the doctrines of this Church. 

I had for years enjoyed missionaries from the Jehovah's Witnesses in my home and I loved to talk about Jesus with anyone.  Until then my opinions of Jesus had never been changed or altered by anyone and my faith had never waned because of what others believed, so I had no fears of the missionary visit and eagerly awaited their visit.

The missionaries came and their message of a prophet of God restoring the true Church on the American continent was new to me.  They spoke of being a peculiar people with a strong devotion to our Savior Jesus Christ.  They spoke of a book that was written long ago, much like the Bible, that was translated by a prophet.  And, to my surprise, they said that if I had any doubts as to the validity of their doctrine, to pray about it and ask God to speak to me through the Holy Spirit that I might know the truth.

It was the first time in all my religious searches that anyone had ever given such common sense advise.  They quoted the scripture James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

So, I did pray and the Holy Spirit told me in an unmistakable way that it was the true Church of God.  It was a spiritual experience I will never forget.

Of course the missionaries came back again to teach me more, but as the discussions progressed, the teachings and practices became more and more familiar to me.  They were uncannily similar the truths I had already discovered in my searches.

I was quickly baptized and received the gift of the Holy Spirit and was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Years have passed since then and my life has changed so dramatically that I hardly know the person I used to be.  I know beyond a doubt that the Church is the official Church of God on this earth.  I know that Jesus is the Christ who atoned for the sins of the world. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, chosen of God to restore the keys of the Kingdom and organize the Church.  I know because the Spirit testified the truth of it to me  and I am so very grateful. I also know that the Book  of Mormon is true and is a great gift to our generation.

You too can know these things and more by simply praying to your Father in heaven who waits patiently at the door, poised to give you the same strength of conviction that these things are indeed true.  I testify of this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Anita Andrew