Thank you so much Latayne. I live in (place withheld) and a friend down the street from me and I were in conversation and she didn't know I was raised as a devout Mormon, was Seminary President in high school, did Baptisms for the Dead, and went to BYU. I told her for the past 12 years I haven't set foot in a Mornon church mainly because I just didn't believe in the prophet Joseph Smith's teachings and I don't believe he was a prophet. I also believe we are saved by grace and not by works. My husband (who was never raised in any faith and only goes to the non-denominational church we go to now just to be an example to our two small children) and I have been married for eight years and I've always felt that one day I probably would go back to the Mormon church just because it's what I felt was what I “knew”; and deep down I wondered –well what if it's totally true after all…what if I won't know my family after I die because I didn't get sealed to my husband or children?
I still always defended the church as being “Christian”; because that'ss what I had always been taught. That is, until last week.[My friend] told me that she knew you, so I looked you up online and found a WEALTH of information. I have to honestly tell you Latayne, I haven't had peace like I feel now. I didn't know SO MUCH…mostly what flabbergasted me was the temple rituals being so closely related to Free Masonry. I never visited the temple as an adult so what goes on was a total mystery to me. What keeps playing through my mind is how as a child and how as a Young Women's accompanist I would sing and play “I Love To See the Temple, I'm going There Someday…” and I realized it really is brainwashing!!!!!!!! I have had PEACE this week from pouring myself into the information you have online. It's not hateful at ALL…simply facts that those struggling in faith like me can use. It gives me great comfort feeling that I made a good decision. What I've realized this week is that I truly did accept Jesus Christ as my Lord & Savior years ago even when I was a practicing Mormon, but the definition has changed and I realized I need to get baptized in a CHRISTIAN Church. So this weekend I am being baptized!!! I can't even tell my own mother…it will truly CRUSH her. But I'm telling you, a woman I dont even know, because of the peace I've gained this week from your words.
Thank you from the bottom of my very grateful heart!!!
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Love it when one who has been brainwashed and manipulated "sees" and is set FREE!!!! Thanks for sharing!
from one who knows...
Nothing like this kind of freedom, right? I appreciate your comment!
If you want REAL "brain-WASHING", then there is nothing like a baptism to clean the past out! (Couldn't help that little play-on-words.) Like your reader, my life was also changed forever in the waters of baptism. May she have a rich and wonderfully-washed life ahead, growing into the fullness of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ronna, I never thought of baptism that way! But we do want a new mind along with our new life after baptism, right? Thank you for the insight.
All I can say is WOW! As one who knows so well the peace and freedom we receive from Jesus and the cleansing we receive through baptism. Thank you Latayne for sharing this beautiful story. You are a blessing to so many.
Cheryl, we all come from the pits, so to speak, don't we? But the letter writer knows how to get out of hers!
Thank you, LaTayne - you keep blessing one person at a time, with truth and wisdom from one who knows and understands. The Lord's blessings on you and Dan this day!!
You are so welcome, Janet.