My Testimony of God, our Eternal Father, and His son, Jesus Christ

My heart is full this morning. I have just read some very heart-wrenching comments posted on an ex-ward members blog that was basically designed for all intents and purposes to tear down my wonderful church, mock our beloved leaders, and even question those who of us who freely believe in what we believe is to be true. She even expresses and trys to justify some of those things we believe to be evil...are not.

Her comments are tearing her family apart. This I know because of their responses to her. They are hurt deeply. Even as I write this, I have tears streaming down my face. Part of that is because of the hurt she is causing to those who love her...the hurt that she is causing our Father in Heaven...the mockery that she is making out of the atoning sacrifice of our Savior....but mostly importantly...because she is lost. Lost in herself, the world, and one self proclaimed "Satan-Worshipper" that she now calls "her friend"

My dear family and friends, I feel it is important that you know exactly where I stand. I want you to know of my testimony with all of the sincerity that I can muster.

I not only know that our church is true, but I also want each of you to know that I know that it is the "only" true church on the face of the earth today. We are not Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islammic, Buddhist, Hindu, or any thing else except the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are unique. We are special. We are special becasue we know that we have living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, that lead and guide us each and every day. We know that Joseph Smith did in fact see God the Eternal Father and His son Jesus Christ in that Sacred Grove, and They did talk to him. We know that we can have personal revelation to these and other truths of the Gospel. We know that our families can be ETERNAL.

I have felt the warm feeling that may be known as the Holy Ghost in my life on many occasions. I have felt it as I rushed out the door carrying my eldest son Chris to the hospital when he had his severe concussion, pleading with God...and He answered my prayers. I felt it the night that I invited the missionaries to my home to just tell me a little about the church...only to realize at the end of the meeting that I needed to join this wonderful church for me and no one else. I felt it the night before my youngest son Jimmy was going on his mission when he was having some trouble wiht another family member, and how the Holy Ghost spoke to me to offer him some comfort and guidance. I had this presence during the entire ordeal with Debbie...ansd so did she. Neither one of us could have gotten through what we did without the Holy Ghost. I felt the same thing as I was dating Sue, knowing that it was right to date and marry her and it continues to be so.

Since I have been called as Bishop, I have been in many private meetings, some with great topics, others...not so much. BUT...I have NEVER been in a meeting where I did not feel the presence of God there..NEVER...not once. I have seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ turn lives arounds. I have NEVER seen it destroy ANYONE.

I have also seen how the adversary work...he works subtley...without warning...he skirts the line between good and evil until they are almost indistinguisable. I have even felt this presence in one meetng but I was given the power to crush his head as has been promised to us. And crush it I did. Each of us can have this same power if we do not waver.

I could go on and on. I don't thik that I thank my Father in Heaven nearly enough, even though I do it each day with my sweetheart. I think this because I don't think any of us can fathom the pain and suffering that our Savior went through "FOR US". I think that we rarely, if ever, realize the pain and suffering that our Father in Heaven went through when he allowed His son, even Jesus Christ, to suffer unmentionable pain, suffering, humiliation, and death,,,"ON OUR BEHALF". I ask all those that I love, cherish, and care for, and feel the same about me, to honestly ponder and pray about this this day with your family. To use this day as a teaching and learning experience and to discuss your testimonies with each other.

I want my family to know, and by family I mean everyone, my wife, my children, my step children, granchildren, and all other family members that "I LOVE THEM VERY MUCH"...but as much as I love them, our Father in Heaven loves them even more. Not only that but He TRULY knows each of us by name...for we are HIS children.

We are blessed to have the Church in our lives, we are blessed to have each other, we are blessed to know the REAL truths, we are blessed to have familes that love us. I pray that we all continue to be active in the Church, even in those dark hours that will surely come or even, come again. May our faith remain strong, may we all live the lives that will someday allow us to be together forever. This is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer ...Amen