bf845cdf1d25--journal-1-2003-2-2004-steven-roper.txt

I told her how I received my testimony. On my mission. Kind of sad that I didn't have a testimony even though I went on a mission. But I really didn't have my own, just thought I did.

So I explained that I was teaching this one minister about the gospel and he stop[ped] us and said he wanted to hear from me. I said I don't know if it is true. My companion was in shock. What do you mean you don't know if it is true. You better find out.

So that night I went down to the cliff and knelt down to pray. I was in Guam at the time. I first got up and thought about all the different chruches [churches] that I knew. I join[ed] the church when I wa[s] eleven. Before that we went to the Catholic church. I used to go with my best friend to church at the Presbyterian chruch [church]. So I knew a few churches.

I thought to my self which one would I choose or the one I thought was the best. I felt the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints was the best one because of Family. They are so concerned with the family. We even pray to our Heavenly Father. (Family)

So I knelt down and ask[ed] if I b[e] right that the Chruch [Church] of Jesus Christ of latter [Latter]-day saints was true and I said I would not get up until I had my answer. Chris I was in a bind. I either had to know it was true and if it was not I would be going home. So I was really desparate [desperate] to know.

I felt an evil feeling come over me to get up and leave. I thought I am alone and need to be with my companion but I stayed because I really wanted to know.

Then a wonderful feeling came over me that I will never forget. It was like a light coming towards me and I was afraid to open my eyes for I felt that the Lord Jesus Christ might be standing in front of me. But I did open my eyes and I didn't know but I had knelt two inches from of a tree.

I heard a voice that was not in words but came to my mind. It said you have always known it was true. And if you want to know if God lives just look around you and you will know that he lives.

I went back to my pad as we would call[] it and no sooner did I lay my head down on my pillow that my companion said it[s] time to get up. I sprung out of bed and I was ready before my companion [for the] first time.

My Comp[anion] noticed a change in me and I ask[ed] him to go back to this ministers house. He said no [sense] going back there but we did and I got to bear my testimony that I knew now the Gospel to be true. The Minister was silence[d] where as before he was loud and rude.

Since that time Chirs [Chris] I can never deny what I felt or heard. I want you to know that I know Jesus Christ lives and the gospel has been restored on this earth. The point I want to make was that we all can know if we will just do the time. To read, Ponder and Pray.

I told her how I received my testimony on my mission. Kind of sad that I didn't have a testimony even though I went on a mission. I really didn't have my own, just thought I did.

I was teaching this one minister about the gospel and he stopped us and said he wanted to hear from me.

I said, "I don't know if it is true."

My companion was in shock. "What do you mean you don't know if it is true? You better find out."

So that night I went down to the cliff and knelt down to pray. I was in Guam at the time.

I first got up and thought about all the different churches that I knew. I joined the church when I was eleven. Before that we went to the Catholic church. I used to go with my best friend to the Presbyterian church.

I thought to myself which one I would choose, or the one I thought was the best. I felt the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the best one because of family. They are so concerned with the family. We even pray to our Heavenly Father.

So I knelt down and asked if I was right that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true, and I said I would not get up until I had my answer.

I was in a bind. I either had to know it was true, and if it was not I would be going home. So I was really desperate to know.

I felt an evil feeling come over me to get up and leave. I thought, I am alone and need to be with my companion, but I stayed because I really wanted to know.

Then a wonderful feeling came over me that I will never forget.

It was like a light coming toward me, and I was afraid to open my eyes. I felt that the Lord Jesus Christ might be standing in front of me.

I opened my eyes and found that I had knelt about two inches in front of a tree.

I heard a voice that was not in words but came to my mind. It said, "You have always known it was true. And if you want to know if God lives, just look around you and you will know that he lives."

I went back to the pad, and no sooner had I laid my head down on my pillow than my companion said it was time to get up.

I sprang out of bed, and I was ready before my companion for the first time.

My companion noticed a change in me, and I asked him to go back to this minister's house.

He said there was no sense going back there, but we did, and I got to bear my testimony that I knew now the gospel was true. The minister was silenced, whereas before he was loud and rude.

Since that time I can never deny what I felt or heard.

I want you to know that I know Jesus Christ lives and the gospel has been restored on this earth.

I am a result of a prayer of a mother or friend to get me a chance for a better life.

I had a testimony of prayer.