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Wednesday, November 23, 2005

 

The End is Just the Beginning

It's true, I've been a negligent blog owner. I finished reading the Book of Mormon about 1 month ago, but haven't blogged since then. My hubby was visiting from out of country, it was Ramadan, then he left, I and my daughters all got the flu on the same day. I then recovered and immediately started a new job. So there's my list of excuses and I'm sticking to them. It kind of amazes me that people are still commenting on a blog that hasn't been updated for almost 3 weeks.

I really enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon. I want to continue with my reading and move on into the Doctrine and Covenants, but my sloth-monkey ways have crept back. I'm still overwhelmed by lack of energy since the flu and new job. I have a 75 minute commute in the morning and a 1 hour return commute in the afternoon, so I have to get up at 5:30 am. My job is only 25 kilometers away, but such is the daily traffic of Sharjah/Dubai. And that's on a good day. One day we spent two hours getting to work. It's a very hard adjustment for someone who hasn't had a regular fulltime job in 6 years.

Today is Thanksgiving and I'd just like to say how grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Salvation offered by my Savior, Jesus Christ and my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Every other good thing in my life stands on the foundation of these great blessings.

I want to close with my testimony of the Book of Mormon and what prompted me to read it and pray about it the first time many years ago.

At the age of 20 tender years, I was an inactive member of the LDS church, and an under-age alcoholic. While setting at a singles bar in Chicago a few days before St. Patrick's day a Catholic man and I were discussing the religious aspects of the holiday. He asked me what my faith was and I about choked on my drink. I embarrassingly admitted I was a Mormon, but not a "good" one since Mormons don't drink.

That night I went home and got out my long neglected B of M and determined to read it for the first time. I wanted to rid myself of the guilt of being a drinking Mormon. I planned to read the book to disprove it, rid myself of the church and get on with my alcohol based social life. I had even planned my future response to the question of my faith by saying I was a non-denominational Christian.

I took the book and read Moroni's promise, (Moroni 10:4-5) which was printed on the first page of the edition I had and decided to put it to the test and pray about it as I read.

I hadn't read very far, and I didn't have any "Ah ha!" kind of moment, but within the first hundred pages I was convinced that it was truly the word of God and I needed to change my life, repent and restore myself to the faith of my childhood.

It wasn't easy, but I did it with the help of kind church leaders and have never regretted the decision, now thirty years past.

Each time I reread that great book, I am deeply touched by God's love for his children.

So much labor and effort were spent to write, preserve, translate and publish this book by prophets both ancient and modern, that I know Father in Heaven loves us to provide us with this guidance and warning and a call to come unto Christ.

I hope my simple testimony will encourage you to pray about the book as you read it and have the courage to follow the prompting of your heart. Even though I've finished my current reading of the B of M, I'm looking forward to checking back on your comments.

I encourage you to read this special book, pray about it and put it to the test in your life.

May it bless your life and bring your closer to your Savior, Jesus Christ as it did me.

Comments:
Stumbled across your blog. I respect you for your courage and the strength of your beliefs. Happy Thanksgiving.
 
Carol, thanks for sharing. That was an inspiring post. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Hi Carol,
I first learned about you on Conversation.
I now stop by your own blog as well.

I appreciate your conversion story. In some ways, it reminds me a lot of mine.

I finally decided to read the Book of Mormon, as if I were an investigator -- to kind of once and for all decide I was going to be involved in the church for the rest of my life.

As I read, the whisperings of the Spirit came to me, and I knew a needed to repent. I also knew the Lord loved me, and wanted me to come unto Christ, that I might be healed.

I know he loves us all, and desires to extend his healing hand to us all.

Thanks for your thoughts and your testimony.

I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
 
Thanks for stopping in, for your encouraging comments and your Thanksgiving Day best wishes. Come again soon.

David: Your testimony is simple and from the heart. I hope others read it and decide to follow your example of reading the Book of Mormon.
 
Thanks for your comments about my talk on gratitude .

You asked: "Then I wondered when I would hear these words from the pulput, "I'd like to share part of a blog I read this week." Have you heard that yet?"

Well no. I haven't heard that from the pulpit yet. Although I have referred people to my gospel study blog (after the meeting) when they have asked for a copy of one of my talks.

Oh, and feel free to "borrow" as much of it as you would like. ;)
 
Carol,

You have been on my mind. I hope all is well. I am curious to know how Z is. Would love an update.

Thank you for sharing your testimony. It's beautiful.

Lis
 
Hey! I just found your blog from LISA.... Thank you for your words today. I really appreciate them.
We are trying to finish as a family before the end of the year...but we aren't doing so hot.
Thank you for your inspiration.
 
Thanks, I enjoyed this post.
 
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