Almost 30 years have passed since those wonder years of the 60 and 70's. I've only touched on a very short period of my life and experience. You might feel there are many holes in my story, and miss the intent of my book. My book Into the Greater Light, isn't so much about myself as it is about the glory of God and how he is working with the world collectively, and as individuals to bring about his Zion. I have revealed the signs, miracles, and wonders that brought me into the fullness of the gospel. It is my belief that reading and studying The Book of Mormon, and the life and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith is the key for people to get their own witness by the power of the Holy Ghost concerning the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The purpose of my book is to have people follow the Savior into the greater light. He has given the modern prophets, in these latterdays, the keys to the kingdom. I hold no high calling in the church other than the Melchizedek priesthood, which compels me to share my witness of the truth with others. I add my witness to the many others who have born witness to the world of the truthfulness of these things. I do this in hopes of magnifying the priesthood the Lord has laid upon me in hope that many will stop, look, listen, and read the things the true servants of the Lord puts before them. Mainly, all the holy scriptures, the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, and the words of the living apostles and prophets in their conference talks.
Having seen in vision, much of the future concerning the world and my own self, I seek to avoid contention and conflict. However, I have known, even from my youth, that in telling the truth, many people will still disbelieve for whatever reason they might choose. Personally, I'd rather be quiet about these things and avoid the many challenging questions people in and out of the church may pose upon my character, experience and testimony. My desires are truth and my intent honorable, but history has shown; the world has no great love for visionaries who speak about absolute truths that they (the world) themselves have not experienced.
A few movies that have come out in the last few years have dealt with this paradox. The movies, "Powder", "Phenomenon", "Field of Dreams", and "Contact", helped to break the paradigm of our close minded scientific reasoning. It seems to me that when the scientific and religious community stands together in such tight ranks of doubt, the world begins to sink back into the sea of darkness. We only have to look back to Copernicus and Galileo to see how both science and religion resisted the truth. Jesus, John the baptist, and Paul were all great Jews whom their own people rejected because their truths required faith to understand. My belief is true religion and true science are one, and when we have the faith, knowledge, and understanding of all things, the false sciences and religions will fade away. With God, all things are possible if we have the faith to dream the dream.
The Zion of God will return to earth as we have the faith, hope, and charity to receive it. We do that by building up Zion within our own hearts, by becoming pure and holy in body, mind, and deed. Then, we will be one, and the Zion on earth within us will rise up to meet and greet the Zion of God as it descends from Heaven upon us. Is this not the greater light?
Having received of that light early in my life, I am driven to share this knowledge with others. Knowing of the resistance I would receive upon publishing, I've written the last chapter, "In Defense of my Testimony." As you read, you will see it speaks for itself.
Many of my friends have read parts of my work and have suggested I bridge the gap between my baptism and when I married Beth. Many have asked, "What happened to Robin?"
Robin and I had gotten engaged around the time of my baptism, which upset her mother, Hope, greatly. We were both so young and spoke so openly of our love for one another and God and our spiritual experiences, that we tended to frighten people and turn them off. So, shortly after our engagement and my baptism, Hope and I got into an argument over my relationship with Robin. It ended with Hope sending Robin to live with her Aunt in Maryland. We wrote almost every day from July to Dec. of 1970. Then, just around New Years 1971, Robin came up to visit New York and we made arrangements to meet. It was a sad occasion. Hope's plan had worked and our love hadn't passed the test of separation. Robin had grown in different paths and found new friends and learned she could live without me. I was heart broken beyond belief. My priesthood advisor and friend, Brother Floyd Richie, shared some of his personal heartache of life and testimony with me, which greatly comforted me. Brother Jimmy Olsen, a counselor in the Bishopric, gave me a blessing, and my own mother in seeing my sorrow encouraged me to live now for my church. This heartbreaking experience set the stage for me to prepare to serve a mission for the Lord. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away according to his will and pleasure, blessed be the name of the Lord. This is the lesson I've spent my life learning over and over again as I seek to endure to the end.
Reading my story, you must realize by now that I have much more to say and do in this life, but now is neither the time nor the place. The Lord is at the head of this universe and his light flows in and through all. We each must work out our salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. Our own life story will lead us into the greater light or leave us in the dark. You have heard enough of my life story. Now go, and write your own, making sure you include the Lord.
My life is a poor example for I've been a sinful man. Yet, this is the reason I write; to show you how great and merciful the Lord is by saving even a wreck like me. When we each come to a knowledge of our own weaknesses, unworthiness, and nothingness before the Lord, a strange thing happens. We truly recognize our need for a Savior and we give up all our pride and ask Christ in all humility to forgive and save us, like the publican in the Temple who beat his breasts and cried out to God, "be merciful to me, a sinner."
Too many of us, both in and out of the church, tout our virtues, accomplishments, and deeds before God and men, thinking that our good works will save us. Only the Savior has the power to save. Remember what he said to the self-righteous religious leaders of his day. The harlots and publican will enter the Kingdom of Heaven before you. Now repent, aand come unto Christ and keep His commandments which will cause good works to naturally flow from you. Works will help to qualify you to receive the gift of salvation which God gives to all the faithful by te mercy of His Son, Jesus Christ. Boast not of your faith and works, but with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, pray unto The Father in the name of Christ for the gift of the atonement which comes by the mercy, grace, and charity of our Savior; who has the power to forgive, cleanize, and sanctify us by His eternal sacrifice. Learn the law, obey the commandments, except of the Sons of sacrifice and make the necessary sacrifices the Lord may require at your hands, Then, endure to the end being chaste and holy, giving your all to God that he may bless others and you will someday find yourself saved alive in the Celestial Kingdom of God.
Almost 30 years have passed since those wonder years of the 60 and 70's. I've only touched on a very short period of my life and experience. You might feel there are many holes in my story, and miss the intent of my book. My book Into the Greater Light, isn't so much about myself as it is about the glory of God and how he is working with the world collectively, and as individuals to bring about his Zion. I have revealed the signs, miracles, and wonders that brought me into the fullness of the gospel. It is my belief that reading and studying The Book of Mormon, and the life and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith is the key for people to get their own witness by the power of the Holy Ghost concerning the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The purpose of my book is to have people follow the Savior into the greater light. He has given the modern prophets, in these latterdays, the keys to the kingdom. I hold no high calling in the church other than the Melchizedek priesthood, which compels me to share my witness of the truth with others. I add my witness to the many others who have born witness to the world of the truthfulness of these things. I do this in hopes of magnifying the priesthood the Lord has laid upon me in hope that many will stop, look, listen, and read the things the true servants of the Lord puts before them. Mainly, all the holy scriptures, the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, and the words of the living apostles and prophets in their conference talks.