The very next time I saw Bobby W. I told him I had quit drinking and I was ready to be baptized. He could hardly believe his ears. My pride was gone and I was willing now to listen to him. He got so excited I believe he hugged me. He told me I had to take a series of some six lessons and attend church at least once before I could get baptized. I told him no problem, set it up I'm ready to learn. I may be weak and slow at times but when I realize I'm wrong I repent very fast. I truly love the Lord and desire to stay in his good graces.
Once I had made my decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints many of my friends and relatives tried to dissuade me from doing so. They came up to me with so many strange stories and reasons why I shouldn't join the church. It just made me laugh. I could see the hand of the devil as he riled these people up against me. It mattered not what the people thought, for I was listening to the Spirit of the Lord. He was directing my path and my life.
I looked forward to my first official lesson with Bro. Bob W. and with whom he called the Mormon Elders or full-missionaries. The meeting was set for early evening on Friday June 5th . Robin and I were both invited to the home of Jim and Judy O. who were members of the local Terryville Ward (Church) for dinner and a lesson.
When we arrived at their home, we were greeted by a friendly group of people all calling each other by the name of brother, sister or Elder. It was all a little confusing at first but by the time we finished the chicken dinner, we were all friends. The group consisted of Bobby, Phyllis his wife, Jim and Judy(husband/wife) and four young(ages 19-21) full-time missionary Elders.
After dinner, they invited Robin and I to sit together on the couch while Bro. W. and one of the Elders sat in front of us on kitchen chairs. The rest of group was scattered around the living room and kitchen silently looking on.
They started the discussion with prayer and then began teaching us a lesson about the original Church of Jesus Christ and what happened to it after the death of the apostles. There were questions and answers given on such important doctrines as faith, repentance, baptism and priesthood authority. It was very interesting and logical. They taught by the spirit and use a flannel board with visual aids. They backed up everything they taught with the scriptures and personal testimony. They established the fact that we needed to be baptized by full immersion and by someone holding the proper priesthood authority.
We agreed with the first part of the lesson and they then started teaching us about the restitution of all things. I heard for the first time, the story of the boy prophet Joseph Smith Jr. I immediately knew by the power of the Holy Ghost it was true and tears came to my eyes as they related the First Vision. Here was a boy like me who saw and talked with God Almighty. My personal spiritual experiences were along a similar parallel and magnitude. I felt I was home. The Lord God of Heaven High had answered my every prayer and led me by a strong hand to his true servants. The greater secret was Robin's and mine. Who would believe my marvelous conversion into the greater light ?
I realized these saints only saw a poor young ragged hippie boy and his teenage girlfriend. They had no idea of the magnitude of my life's journey to get to this place. They just kept saying pray and think about it before you make a decision. Get the Lord to answer your prayer by the power of the Holy Ghost. I wanted to tell them that it was alright, your preaching to the choir but the Lord told me to walk the humble road in silence. He cautioned me to keep things quiet and enjoy the rest.
I inwardly rejoiced in the fact that the fullness of the gospel had already been restored to the earth. That it is one job I wouldn't have to do. Now with living apostles and prophets on the earth I realized it was their duty to carry off the Kingdom to the four quarters of the earth and not mine. You have no idea what a burden was lifted off my back that day. Now whatever that commission the Lord had put upon me could wait. For I knew that in the Lords own due time he would direct his chosen Anointed Servant to call me forth to do what he, the Lord wants me to do.
We set up my baptismal date for Saturday June 27th, at Smith Point Fire Island 6:00 am. Then the Elders taught me the simple steps of prayer. First you address your Father in Heaven, thank Him for your blessings, ask for your needs and end by closing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. After that simple lesson, they ask me to close the meeting with vocal prayer. I was still shy when it came to speaking aloud before strangers and tried to decline the offer. They all encouraged me on so I said a very short and sincere prayer thanking the Lord for leading us to the truth and teaching us about the prophet Joseph Smith, the greatest latter-day witness of Jesus Christ.
As we left, a terrible lightning and thunder storm was in progress. The wind was blowing the heavy rain in every direction. The O.'s lent us an umbrella as we escaped into our car. We journeyed to Rocky Point to spend the night with my parents. Along the road just past Mt. Sinai, a bolt of lightning crashed within a few feet of the front of the car as Robin and I spoke about Joseph Smith and us joining the church. We were startled and Robin seemed a little scared. I assured her not to worry, that we would be alright. The devil was mad because we were winning the fight. The Lord would protect us as we continued to choose the right. That lightning bolt was a sign and a witness we were driving into the greater light.
It is my solemn testimony to the whole world that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is The Kingdom of God upon the earth. This is the vehicle I promised would be revealed to lead us forth to the promised land and the promised day. Now I cry out, Awake, Awake Oh Israel to the Great God of your fathers and repent of your sins and unbelief and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This I write in all humility and meekness in the name of the Messiah who is Jesus Christ the God of Peace, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.
The very next time I saw Bobby W. I told him I had quit drinking and I was ready to be baptized. He could hardly believe his ears. My pride was gone and I was willing now to listen to him. He got so excited I believe he hugged me. He told me I had to take a series of some six lessons and attend church at least once before I could get baptized. I told him no problem, set it up I'm ready to learn. I may be weak and slow at times but when I realize I'm wrong I repent very fast. I truly love the Lord and desire to stay in his good graces.