Bits & Pieces

I grew up as a Buddhist going to the temple every Sunday and living a righteous life. I never questioned it because it was something that I would never understand; the supreme powers that we pray to, whom only worthy people able to meet, but by living righteously, we can one day meet them.

As I went through my studies learning about the science of the world like the Big Bang and evolution, I got to the point where I didn’t have a spiritual side anymore. I still respected those who believe in a God, but I followed under the path of Darwinism, that religion was a comfort zone for those in need.

At this point, regardless of who the supreme power was, I was it.

As I grew up, I was told various stories, each amazing, but many forgotten. One that I remembered was my English tutor’s cousin. They are Catholics, and one day the cousin was in the church praying when she suddenly heard a voice calling her by name, telling her that He, the Lord, will be taking away her father at a certain time. After she had finished praying, she organised a family gathering for her father not long after, whom they didn’t spend much time with due to busy lives. Surely enough, as He promised, the father passed away on the date told.

I understand that God loves us all, no matter where we are, and that he will bless us all and provide for us all, but that it will enable us to spiritually grow and come to know the fullness of his Gospel.

But at that time, I didn’t take much heed to these things; but it later became a turning point in my life when I reflected a bit more on these.

A friend of mine invited me to their youth group which was an Anglican Christian group, where I was introduced to Christianity for the first time. All seemed well and the differences between Christians and Catholics didn’t have much relevance. It all meant the same conceptually.

I was later invited by my boss to visit his church, which was an Alliance Church; another Christian denomination. Now I didn’t think Anglican was a fancy name anymore, but was a little distraught between the differences of the two.

I wanted to find the truth and what helped me take off on this journey, later on though, was someone I met from work whom was spiritually uplifting. We had a lot of discussions about spirituality, the logic and how we perceive things, and really getting our head around things. He is much more advanced than I am having done his homework, unlike me, and is always an inspiration to talk to, even now when we get the chance.

A little later my friend invited me to their youth group, as I wasn’t attended the previous anymore mainly because I was busy now and just gotten lazy, but thought I’d catch up with my friend at this youth since it had been a while since I’ve talked with them; the youth group was Presbyterian.

At this point in time, I was learning from two different Christian denominations, both with similarities, differences, and misconceptions of each other.

I had later briefly learnt of the different denominations of Christianity with their own history which I haven’t reviewed. Although they held many truths, something was missing.

I still floated around thinking that there was still a common ground somewhere which will neglect the differences and make everything true.

I was in the phase of being Agnostic, believing that there was something out there, but what was it? Was it Jesus, or was it something else? But I didn’t dwell too intensively on it as I concentrated more on my daily tasks.

But one day, two Elders came up to me while I was walking to a shop to buy a drink since I missed the train and we began talking a little on Religion. They mentioned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or commonly known as Mormons, something I’ve never head about and was interested. From this point on, even through little studies, I felt like I had learnt a lot, more than I can explain, and this was the diving point straight towards what I see and believe as the truth.

I met someone who had similar feelings as I did and had been through a lot in his life. We had a lot of conversations where we helped each other understand more about the doctrines and teachings, and why they were so; uplifting one another in our growing faith and really dwelling on if this was the right church.

Our decision was that the God whom we were seeking for was God, his only begotten son Jesus Christ, his Holy Spirit, and that this church was the true church of our saviour Jesus Christ.

What really summed this experience up was a quote I had read but can’t remember exactly, but along the lines of,

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words, its best expressed in the choices we make, and they are ultimately our responsibility.”

What helped us move from the phase of philosophising, and decision to join the church and taking the responsibility of living the Gospel, was a simple promise to us given by Moroni, which we chose to accept,

“and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Our human mind cannot comprehend ultimate truth, but only what we can see in front of us, but the power of the Holy Ghost can.

When I announced my decision to my only contactable friends at this point in time in my decision, some turned their heads thinking I had gone insane, some was concerned I made the wrong decision, and a handful were happy to discuss and still uplift each other in our different faiths.

I enjoy helping others as much as I can, and this can be quite tiring, but I always give it my best. Upon receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Aaronic Priesthood, I have become much stronger in ways unexplainable they I no longer tire, but even full of energy when I normally would be weak.

So today I stand here and testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ, who is our saviour, and through the Holy Ghost, Prophet Joseph Smith translated the lost scriptures we know now as the Book of Mormon and restored the original church formed by Jesus Christ. That Thomas S Monson is our current living prophet on earth to help guide us this era of confusion.

What I leave for everyone is an understanding of God, of his justice;

If there only be Heaven and Hell, where do those that live righteously but know not of Christ go? If Heaven, then there be no need to know of Christ or religion. If Hell, is God not of just? I know the answer, the missing link, and I declare these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.