When I was about 7 years old there appeared in my neighborhood a large banner advertising Vacation Bible School. It was presented by the Baptist Church and my mother let me go as she herself was a Baptist though I had never known that before. I attended every Saturday morning for six weeks and was taught by a sweet young woman named Joyce. She had a flannel board and told wonderful stories of Jesus and Moses and Adam and Eve. My favorite was of Moses in the bulrushes with his sister watching him. At the end of the six weeks Joyce gave me my own bible. I have had it for years and because of that experience was awakened to the Lord and his love for us.
When my school offered a Release Time Program I went to the Episcopal Church a couple of times but it didn't give me the warm feeling I was seeking. Yes after learning about Jesus I was actually seeking Him. My neighbor Elsie Galyon, Richards Mother, suggested I go to Primary and one of my friends Cheo Stroy invited me I went and started this wonderful journey.
My home was not always the most cheerful place and there was alot of fighting so to be in this wonderful atmosphere was so soothing. I really appreciated the way the husbands and wives loved each other and said so openly in praising words. I felt the Holy Ghost though I didn't know what it was. There was even an incident where one of the non member girls got in a physical fight with one of the member girls and as they pulled them apart her mother said, I don't know why we have to have these non members here anyway. I was hurt to be lumped in with the violent girl but I loved Primary too much to quit. So I finished Primary in my home ward then moved to the ward all my school friends attended. They didn't keep records as accurately as they do now so no one knew that I wasn't a member. I participated in all the Mutual activities and loved them. My mother wouldn't let me go to seminary and I could only attend one meeting on Sunday but I still went when I could.
It had always bothered me that anyone could start a church or that some men at colleges could say who could or couldn't preach the Gospel. Who gave them the authority? Well, God gave Joseph Smith the authority and I knew it.
When I was fifteen I asked my mom if I could be baptised and she told me that I was too young to make that kind of a decision. So when I was sixteen I told her that I wanted to be baptised and if she wouldn't sign the consent that I would forge her name and do it secretly. She relented and allowed me to be baptised. I remember coming out of the water and seeing her scowl across the room but at least she was there. Later in the dressing room I vowed to be so good and never sin again. hahaha
A couple of weeks later I remembered that and felt so bad because of course I had sinned. I was really grateful to learn that every Sunday we can be forgiven of our sins and re do our baptism and be clean again That God knew we would need alot of help to continue to be worthy. I am so Grateful for the teachings of the church and the wonderful life that I have had and the love I have had in my life by living the gospel
It had always bothered me that anyone could start a church or that some men at colleges could say who could or couldn't preach the Gospel. Who gave them the authority? Well, God gave Joseph Smith the authority and I knew it.
When I was fifteen I asked my mom if I could be baptised and she told me that I was too young to make that kind of a decision. So when I was sixteen I told her that I wanted to be baptised and if she wouldn't sign the consent that I would forge her name and do it secretly. She relented and allowed me to be baptised. I remember coming out of the water and seeing her scowl across the room but at least she was there. Later in the dressing room I vowed to be so good and never sin again. hahaha
A couple of weeks later I remembered that and felt so bad because of course I had sinned. I was really grateful to learn that every Sunday we can be forgiven of our sins and re do our baptism and be clean again That God knew we would need alot of help to continue to be worthy. I am so Grateful for the teachings of the church and the wonderful life that I have had and the love I have had in my life by living the gospel
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