Testimonies
Jeannie
I was raised in the Methodist church. In
fact, my parents still faithfully attend it. About the time I was a teen
in the early 70s, is about the time they were pushing the non-gender idea
of God. In fact, I remember our youth pastor hanging up a huge poster
across the sanctuary "God is a Woman" which bothered me quite a bit.
At that time of my life, I was rather naive with the scriptures and easily
influenced. However, that turned me off from the Methodist church. It
began my search for a "true" church after I graduated from High School.
I knew I would disappoint my parents, but I wasn't happy with the
Methodist church when I began my search. They had to have earned quite a
few grey hairs from me at that time! I visited all sorts of churches, even
a synagogue. I leaned heavily towards the Catholic church and the Lutheran
church because I felt that the rituals and their rules would bring me
closer to the Lord. But, it didn't.
Then, one day, I had a rather interesting discussion with my Uncle Dave.
He had joined the Mormon church a few years earlier. In fact, his twin
brother, Don, was on a mission at the time. On my Mother's side of the
fence, several of her family members had joined the LDS faith. Her parents
(my grandpa and grandma), her sister Nancy and her family (which included
5 boy cousins-who were born into the LDS church), and Mom's twin brothers
Dave and Don (who weren't married at the time of my search). By now, you
are probably putting two and two together. Yep, I was gullible, I did join
the LDS faith.
Uncle Dave gave me a curiosity about the LDS faith like no other I had
before. It raised many, many questions about why they did this
and that. Uncle Dave persuaded me to invite the LDS missionaries over to
my home. I eventually did, but with Mom and Dad's permission since I was
still living at home. But, they too had many questions they wanted to ask
the missionaries--like, why couldn't they come to the wedding of my Uncle
Don when he returns from his mission to marry his fiancé?
Well, at first, my parents were receptive to the missionaries coming to
the house. However, they were growing impatient with them, with good
reason. The missionaries never did answer their questions. They always
replied with an answer that stated they needed to "teach" them some
background information first so they would understand the answer before
they gave them a direct answer to their question. After a few visits, my
parents no longer wanted them to come. By this time, I was pulled into the
LDS with deep curiosity, I wanted to know more. Mom and Dad said I would
have to discuss my desires with the missionaries elsewhere because they
were no longer welcome in their home. They had enough of their tricks they
said.
I was stubborn enough, I made arrangements with the missionaries to meet
with them in an LDS member's home. I know that concerned my parents, but
they felt helpless at the time since I was 19 and could make my own
decisions. I took the 6 discussions but, it took twice as long for them to
get through them since I had so many questions. I eventually committed to
baptism and became a Mormon. It was stressful living at home. Eventually,
I moved out and rented a room from an LDS member's home. I know my parents
were heartsick. I remember at the time, my Uncle Don quoted Matthew
10:31-37
"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before
men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not
that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a
sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in
law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth
father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son
or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
So, I felt that I had found
the "true church" and I would stay in it no matter what. That I did. I was
very very active and serious in the LDS faith. I became the president of the youth group "Young Adults." I faithfully tithed, read the
scriptures, went to Sacrament meeting on Sundays, went to Relief Society,
accepted all the callings the Bishop gave me without murmurs, and so on. I
was totally a devout Mormon. In fact, later, I was preparing to receive my
Endowments in the temple! (They are the special underwear the LDS
Missionaries wear since they have gone through the temple) Young ladies
are encouraged to go through the
endowment ceremony when they have reached a certain age and haven't been
caught by their chosen mate--in other words, married. I was 26 at the time
I decided to work towards receiving my Endowments.
So, here I am, a very committed Mormon. I was working towards receiving my
Endowments. I made arrangements with the Bishop and he gave me his
blessing that I was now ready. I would go in the coming Summer.
By this time, I had my own apartment. I had a job working as a
nursing assistant in a nearby nursing home. It was a difficult task
to save enough money towards a trip to Washington D.C., which is
where the nearest temple was at the time. (I lived in Oconomowoc,
Wisconsin.) My parents had moved to Kansas as my Dad's job
relocated him there. But, I had my relatives not far from me,
especially my Mormon relatives. Well, nothing was going to stop me
from getting my Endowments. I was determined that it was going to
happen that summer!
One day, it was a day off for me, a man came knocking at my door. He
stated something to the effect that he ". . . was a friend of the LDS
church. . ." something like that. I thought he was a member of the
LDS faith but had never seen him before. I really wasn't alarmed,
because at the time, I was the Young Adult President, and had the
impression that this guy was seeking me out to plan a Young Adult
activity or something of that nature. I thought he may have come
from another LDS Ward. So, I invited him in.
The conversation was cordial at first. Then it slowly slipped into a
challenging one. I realized too late he was not a member of the LDS
church but somewhat a witness to me. The discussion began to center
around the LDS temple and what goes on in there. Now mind you, not
once did I mention to him that I was planning to go there to receive
my Endowments! (I had never been to the LDS temple either.) He
started to share with me the secret rituals and passwords. That I
would stand naked with just a poncho type garment on while someone
anointed every part of my body, chanting a special blessing to each
part of my body. Not once, but it would occur twice! The first time
would be with holy water the second time with holy oil! I was
appalled! At the end of our visit, he left me a booklet about what
goes on in the temple. He recommended that I contact the C.A.R.I.S.
organization if I had any more questions and that he would be happy
to continue our conversation about the temple rituals.
I contacted my Mormon relatives. My aunt and uncles would not answer
my questions about what went on in the temple. They had all gone
through it but had taken a sacred vow that they would never divulge
what went on in there to anyone since it was very sacred and only
devout Mormons could know. Finally, my grandparents did share yes
indeed, that man was correct. But it was because we must make
ourselves holy before entering a sacred place where Heavenly Father
dwells. I was totally amazed and confused. This wasn't the LDS
faith I had joined. How could this be?
I wanted to know more. So, I contacted the C.A.R.I.S. organization
and asked for the man by name who had come to my apartment. They
didn't have a man by that name. I told them about our visit and described his
appearance to them. They never heard of him. I told
them about the paraphernalia he left behind for me to research, yes,
they had that, but only give it to those who they have counselled for
a while and use it as a last resort. Besides, they visit in pairs.
They would be happy to send a couple of people to my home though. I
declined. Now I was bewildered! Who in the world visited me then?
Just out of the blue, someone who I didn't even know, came to my door
on a day I had off from my job and discussed with me the very thing I
was working towards--a trip to the temple for my Endowments. And not
many people knew I had that for a goal, even in the LDS faith! To
this day, I still wonder about that miracle--who was that guy?
Well, that certainly upset the applecart for sure! It felt as
though the rug had been pulled out from under me and I had no soft
landing to land on. Imagine what it would be like if you realized
your faith was totally untrue. The very soul of what
you believed, what you poured your heart and soul into---gone. Now
what? Could I ever trust a church again? Where is God?
This began a very troubled and terrible time for me. Not only was my
faith shattered, but I became very ill. I ended in the hospital many
times with pneumonia. The doctor bills were piling up and I wasn't
making it on my own. My dear parents came to the rescue. They
invited me to Kansas to help me get back on my feet. They were also
relieved to learn that I was troubled with the LDS faith. I got a
job right away after I moved to Kansas. In fact, I had two. I was a
nurses assistant in a nursing home and I became a paraprofessional
for a TMH classroom (mentally challenged). I really liked my para
job, which helped me decide to become a teacher later.
I can't believe how patient my parents were with me! When I
came to Kansas, my faith was in turmoil. I would go back and forth
to the LDS faith then to another faith. I church hopped again.
Couldn't find what I was looking for. I came across a Baptist church
in the town my parents lived in. Slowly, I began to feel comfortable
with it. The pastor took me under his wing and taught me the truths
of the Lord. I can't say for certain a date I was saved, but, I was
baptized in that little Baptist church. My parents even came to the
baptism! (They didn't come to my LDS baptism) I know they were
relieved to see me out of the LDS faith.
Shortly after my baptism, I began to cough up blood. They found a
tumour on my right lung--which was the cause of all the pneumonia I had
previously. That summer I had my right lung removed. But, it also
strengthened my faith with the Lord. I felt blessed that it wasn't
cancer but a nasty benign tumour that continued to grow and block the
bronchial passages.
The following fall, my parents helped me attend college in Emporia.
I would receive my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education three
years later. I also received my MRS degree. I met my husband there.
Isn't the Lord wonderful? I am just so amazed how much He has
blessed me. I am not rich in possessions. I don't want to be. But
I do have to say, He has blessed me with other riches. Praise Him. I was
a young Christian, still a little wet behind the ears. I did make
some mistakes, I won't deny that, but it made me wiser.
One day, I was walking down the hall in the student center on
campus. A blind student and his dog guide grabbed my attention as
they trekked pass me. I got this gnawing feeling inside me that is
hard to describe. I knew he would be my husband someday. It just
hit me like a ton of bricks. I can't explain it other than that.
Oh, I fought that idea right away! Oh no, I wasn't going to get
involved with someone blind. No way! So, I shrugged it off.
I kept "running" into this guy many times on campus. The thought of
him being my husband kept coming in stronger as I would pass him.
Never met the guy before, either! Every time I saw him and that
feeling came, I denied it. Then thoughts of "go introduce yourself
to him" came through loud and clear. My answer was "NO!" It was
like a nagging message. Several days had passed by and I fought to
meet him.
One day, I was eating lunch alone in the university's cafeteria.
Minding my own business. In walks the blind student and his dog.
That nagging feeling came again! I wasn't going to follow through.
Wouldn't you know it. The cafeteria ladies who where helping this
fellow get his lunch tray sat him right beside ME! Of course, they
politely asked if he could sit with me. Well, what was I going to
say, no? I try not to be a rude person, so I accepted his presence.
So, we struck up a conversation and it stayed simple. He was nice.
OK, so I talked to him! It isn't going to work I tell ya! I thought
I met my obligation. There, it is over.
Not so fast! Guess what? The very next day, I was eating lunch in
the cafeteria again, minding my own business. Who walks in? Yep.
Same scenario. Only this time, he asked if we could go for a walk
through the park later that day. Oh, now what am I getting myself
into? I couldn't turn him down. I am not that kind of a person.
So, I accepted.
Ever since that time, Todd and I never separated.
He is the most kindest, gentlest man I ever met. I fell head over heels in love with this guy. We will celebrate our 16th anniversary
this coming August. Guess you could say we met on a blind date and
have been on one ever since!
Anyway, Todd was not a Christian when I first met him. At one time
in his life, he admitted he was an atheist. When I met him, he
believed in God, but didn't do much with that. That changed over
time, though. I regularly went to church and kept inviting him. He
didn't go to church with me until after we were married. He finally
accepted the Lord and I got to witness his baptism in a Baptist
church we were attending. What a happy day that was!
Now, Todd faithfully reads the Bible every day. He is so strong in
the Lord. He is the pillar of our family. I am so very blessed to
have him as my husband. He is such a patient, kind, and gentle
father also. What an experience to watch him grow in the Lord. And
to think, at first, I didn't want to meet him. What a mistake that
would have been!
We began attending a Southern Baptist Church after a couple of years
of church hopping. That was hard not to belong to a church. It
wasn't the best one we could find, but we both felt we needed to
belong somewhere. So, we settled on this SB Church. We attended it
for many years. A couple of years ago, we became dismayed with it.
It was turning into one of those dog and pony shows to attract
people. More contemporary music was played during services than the
old gospel hymns, promotion of Promise Keepers was pushed to the men,
the youth ministry was getting out of hand also. The youth pastor
allowed the youth to run wild in the church, tearing up the place.
It wasn't uncommon to find holes in the walls because the youth got a
little out of hand during one of their meetings. Another time,
during one of the youth rummage sales, I found my daughter (who was
12 at the time) secluded in a "secret spot" in the church, sitting on
an 18 yr old boy's lap necking! That was the last straw. We began
to not show up at church services. We were depressed. It looked
like we needed to church shop again. What a rough road we had ahead
of us to find another church. We didn't attend church for a while.
During my sister's wedding, my cousin Denny approached us during the
reception. He and his wife belong to an IFB church in Wisconsin. It
was as if the Lord was there guiding our conversation. He asked us
how things were going. What church were we attending now days? We
poured our hearts out to him. He told us we needed to find a Baptist
church that preached from the KJV. He truly was a gift to us. He
helped us find the IFB church we now attend. What a difference it
was compared to the church we had been attending. To have a strong
preacher who used the KJV and taught us the truth about the Lord. We
have grown more than 10 fold in the last two years we have been
members of this church compared to the many years we belonged to that
SBC.
This church has given me the confidence I needed to face LDS members
as well. Several times now, when LDS missionaries came knocking at
our door, I have taken the chance to witness to them. My hope is to
plant a tiny seed of doubt into their hearts. To irritate them
enough to search for the truth. I try to expose the lies behind the
LDS faith to them in a gentle Christian way. My dream is to witness
to my family members who have fallen into this Mormon trap.
That is my testimony and where I am today. I know I still have a lot
to learn about the Lord. There are some issues I have to iron out
from Mormonism to this day. You all have been so kind to help me in
some of those issues. For instance, I recently asked the question
about proper attire for a lady to wear. Some things I am still gun
shy about because I was mislead. I share with many people I felt
like I was spiritually raped in Mormonism. I was brainwashed into
thinking that they were the way. I believed whole heartedly they
were the truth. Learn from my experience, READ THE WORD! The truth
is written in the Bible. If you study the Bible, then the truth is
revealed to you because the Bible is nothing but truth. Either you
believe it or don't. Not one bit of the Bible is a lie. What you
don't know, will hurt you. That is what happened to me.
Therefore, I thank all of you for your patience in teaching me the
truth. I also praise the Lord for the blessings He has given me from
the riches I gain from our pastor and church.
---Jeannie
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