I loved hearing about a father was getting caught up into anti LDS and he was just going to leave the church and he looked at his family and stepped back and took a look at what he has and immediately realized what Satan was going to do to his family so he repented immediately and now he is happier than before. David Alexander gave this message
The ' right source' is our Heavenly Father. Ive been on my own similar faith journey, even sat with a priesthood leader w/ my own questions about church history. His answers did nothing for me. Launched me into a years long dive into researching historical records and anything i could get my hands on. Truly, besides Don Bradley, not sure anyone else out there has read as much as I have. Finally, i realized that Heavenly Father is THE source of truth. I took my questions to Him. All of them. And very slowy, He gave me answers. Its not wrong to study and learn, just don't leave God out of it.
Yes! My experience studying church history isn’t as extensive as yours, but like you, I have learned you HAVE to get your answers from God, through the Holy Ghost. There is no other way. God knows the best answer for you. And like you said, answers don’t always come right away. But for His faithful and humble children who desire to improve their testimony, they come! I thank God for the answer to my difficult question; it changed my life forever!
I am grateful to hear that she is about to debut a podcast about grief. I lost my mother at an early age. I was religious but it was devastating loosing her. Later I found the Gospel and eventually married. We lost our daughter at birth and it was the most pain that I have ever felt. However, I know that I would not have survived that loss without the Gospel.
Thank you for sharing your story. Knowing now how fast a testimony can go, it can help others be watchful and stay away from sources that aren’t divinely appointed.
Hey Heather! I don’t know if you remember me, we were in the same Ward in Vegas. April S. I used to be your visiting teacher. This popped up on my feed and I really enjoyed listening to your story. I knew a lot of it already, but not all. I left the church 5 years ago and appreciate you saying that we shouldn’t look down on people who are doubting or have left. You’ve been on both sides so you know what it’s like. I’m happy for you in your second marriage and finding a place in the church! I wish you the best. 😊
Doubt your doubts!! It would be so easy to get hung up on the things we don't know. We are taught to embrace the things we do know and build on them. Testimonies are precious and need constant nourishment!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. There are many similarities that I experienced in my own faith journey. Even though it was and still is a challenging situation, I’m grateful everyday for the experience, because it was such an important part of my conversion story as a life-long member. There are many things that can be hard to understand, but I know there are answers to them all. I have found many as I have studied and learned for myself. Thanks!
I know Heather. That was my ward in Texas. I was the young Women’s president to her precious daughters. It was a very difficult time. I’m happy to see that she has come back and gained her own testimony. Unfortunately, the same thing happened to my own children. Satan is powerful. 😢 Hopefully my children will come back.
Thank you Heather, what a tender story. Thank you Ashley for bringing light and goodness into our lives with your podcast! There is so much darkness and deceit out there! ❤️☀️
Thank you Heather! The Lord strengthened you through it all. Thank you for sharing your testimony and doing what you can to make things right again...like Alma the Younger. Keep up sharing your testimony. Thanks Ashley for another great story/episode. I love hearing them.
Stories like this make me realize more and more why fear is NOT of God. So many of these stories happen because of the seed of fear being watered instead of the seed of faith. Definitely a wake up call for me.
Mountain meadows was after the expulsion and mob persecution in Missouri. The Fancher immigrants said they were going to California and bring back men to annihilate the saints. The attitude of these immigrants while the united states army was coming to destroy the saints in the salt lake valley was just too much. The saints were told to not sell grain to immigrant trains because they could need the grain in case of a siege with the US army. There was not instantaneous communication either. The perfect storm for a tragedy.
This podcast has done a much better job at explaining why people leave the church over other anti-LDS podcasts. The stereotype is that ex-members want get away with sin or they just needed to pray and study more etc. Heather and another lady (Elise?) have so simply explained that sometimes, doubts pop up, and they just stay there for awhile until they’re ready to be resolved in God’s timing.
There's really no shortcut for research. I wouldn't say we need to only read church-produced histories (although those are getting very good now with professional historians and the JS Papers project, etc..), but I like to read other scholarship too. But I think it's important to compare multiple scholar's ideas and accounts. And be aware that we are often trying to piece together bits of history and we just don't always have the complete story. Sometimes we know what happened, but not why. Sometimes the leaders made mistakes.. but does that destroy the truth of the Book of Mormon or the First Vision? Slow down, you don't have to decide right now that X is wrong and jump out of the boat. Keep reading and learning.. and use caution before making a decision. The more we learn and compare, the more we appreciate what those early saints went through. Some of them lost faith in Joseph and fell away, others knew all the details of his life, and never fell away - they were willing to give their own lives in his defense. Many of them saw angels and had heavenly visions.
Great thoughts. I think it's ludicrous when human beings like myself and others (lumping myself in here too) take ANY book or person and decide. THERE! THAT PROVES IT! ETC. I personally think The Book of Mormon and the The Bible are the BEST books out there! Amazing sources. Also President Nelson AMAZING source! Best Source! Etc. But not even those sources are 100% complete, or clear, or infallible. The ONLY way we can know TRUTH is through personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. We can get other perspectives on GOOD things from other people and books as well. I think of how much I have been benefited and taught by the brothers and sisters in my Sunday School Class. (really taught through the spirit they help bring). We shouldn't ever think we just need one source of knowledge unless we are talking about 'The Spirit' but yes The Book of Mormon is like 100% correct and of God but not like any of us can UNDERSTAND 100% of it on every reading etc or even reading it 500 times. The Bible whatever version we have is probably 99.9987% good. But same thing. Modern prophets similarly... Not every single thing they say, especially on the day to day is scripture etc. KEEP READING! KEEP LEARNING! It's GREAT ADVICE!
Joseph Smith joined the Masons a year later after he introduced temple rites, handshakes, garments, etc., so he got nothing from the Masons as the critics claim. In fact, temple garments and ancient records found in Egypt from the Roman era AD speak of sacred handshakes and temple marriage, which the ancient saints were doing. Joseph Smith didn’t know about these ancient records, which were discovered about a hundred years after his death. I forget the name of the ancient records non-LDS scholars discovered, but I’ll have to look ‘em up again. Monday wee mrn - June 24, 2024.
Besides, the masons were an all male community service organization that many of the founding fathers belonged to. And you can't say that the founders had evil designs. They brought forth the most God inspired country in the history of the world.
@@sherigraham3873 it’s possible the Masons got their handshakes from Templars centuries before Joseph Smith was born. It is said the templars during the crusades or so went underground where once stood the temple of Solomon and saw many things pertaining to the temple. Maybe that’s how they got their sacred handshakes, which explains why they are similar to ours. Nevertheless, if I remember correctly, Smith said their handshakes were corrupt and was even explaining some of the meanings to the Masons.
Yes, brother, I am watching Native American Chief from Canada Tribe. He brought information about the scrolls that he has from his ancestors. I suggest you watch his videos. The worst thing that we can do after and before joining the LDS church is open the doors to Satan! Dr. Google, and the rest of it is full of mal interpretation. I made a big mistake just watching two anti mormos stories. I spent many months with doubts and bad sentiments about the LDS church. I started to think how I found the LDS church when The Holy Ghost answered my questions. The happy moments that I live with my callings that I can not stop counting how many blessings Heavenly Father has given to me. My three children and my five grandchildren left the church, when they started listening and searching to wrong information. Sadly, I can not talk and share anything with them. I am following Jesus light, until the end.
@@leslie1788 not true. He introduced temple rites after associating with the masons. Also, archaeology proves Smith was right about temple garments and rites.
❤ Many civilizations have remnants of ancient ceremonies as well as those during the Middle Ages. My neighbor's father in CA had been a grand master of the Masonic group. She told me about his beliefs. The book The Egyptian Endowment by Nibley was mind opening. I always go back to authority. Who is pure enough to be given proper authority through the Priesthood of our Lord by proper servants of the Lord is the key. Art history is full of information through paintings and other art forms. Kings have participated in sacred rites and still do. The power of the temple is real for those who are worthy and called by the line passed down by Adam. Joseph Smith had visitations by those with proper authority and righteousness. Looking closely at many cultures we can see remnants of truth. We are so fortunate to have the fullness of the gospel through the proper channels. Nothing can stop the kingdom of God from rolling forward because of righteousness and proper power from the true source.
I also teach Gospel Doctrine. I put everyone into groups and give them questions on a handout to investigate. I am also just there to learn from them too.
I went to Arkansas on my mission that's the first time I heard about the mountain Massacre so I started finding all the information about that. My mother's family is from Arkansas 12 members of my family was killed in that Massacre. I fully understand why some people actor the way they did on that day
President Boyd K. Packer said: “A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it. Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that ‘leap of faith,’ as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and step into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.” Quoted in Oct 2000 by Joseph B Wirthlin in “Pure Testimony” from Packer’s book That All May be Edified. I love this quote. I truly believe this gives power for and opportunity to the Holy Ghost to testify the truth of things to our heart when we make a conscious choice and have the courage to articulate our thoughts and share them out loud. It is a conviction stronger than merely thinking our inner thoughts, and we are blessed when we take that leap of faith, maybe over and over again with different aspects of the gospel.
Mormon Stories always left me with a dark cloud over me, while this podcast always leaves me inspired and with a positive spirit.
Well said! Mormon Stories ironically brought me to the church…but its content in these latter-days not so inspiring.
Amen!
This podcast is so light filled & inspiring!
Mormon Stories is darkness & empty.
Amen to that! Mormon stories is an anti Mormon 😒 podcast. Very dark indeed!!
I loved hearing about a father was getting caught up into anti LDS and he was just going to leave the church and he looked at his family and stepped back and took a look at what he has and immediately realized what Satan was going to do to his family so he repented immediately and now he is happier than before. David Alexander gave this message
The ' right source' is our Heavenly Father. Ive been on my own similar faith journey, even sat with a priesthood leader w/ my own questions about church history. His answers did nothing for me. Launched me into a years long dive into researching historical records and anything i could get my hands on. Truly, besides Don Bradley, not sure anyone else out there has read as much as I have. Finally, i realized that Heavenly Father is THE source of truth. I took my questions to Him. All of them. And very slowy, He gave me answers. Its not wrong to study and learn, just don't leave God out of it.
Yes! My experience studying church history isn’t as extensive as yours, but like you, I have learned you HAVE to get your answers from God, through the Holy Ghost. There is no other way. God knows the best answer for you. And like you said, answers don’t always come right away. But for His faithful and humble children who desire to improve their testimony, they come! I thank God for the answer to my difficult question; it changed my life forever!
I am grateful to hear that she is about to debut a podcast about grief. I lost my mother at an early age. I was religious but it was devastating loosing her. Later I found the Gospel and eventually married. We lost our daughter at birth and it was the most pain that I have ever felt. However, I know that I would not have survived that loss without the Gospel.
I love her come back story, it strengthens my testimony to hear how others come back ❤
Thank you for sharing your story. Knowing now how fast a testimony can go, it can help others be watchful and stay away from sources that aren’t divinely appointed.
Hey Heather! I don’t know if you remember me, we were in the same Ward in Vegas. April S. I used to be your visiting teacher.
This popped up on my feed and I really enjoyed listening to your story. I knew a lot of it already, but not all.
I left the church 5 years ago and appreciate you saying that we shouldn’t look down on people who are doubting or have left. You’ve been on both sides so you know what it’s like.
I’m happy for you in your second marriage and finding a place in the church! I wish you the best. 😊
Ohhh I don’t even know you all and this makes me miss my visiting teachers. It’s fun that years later we are all still connected. This makes me happy.
Doubt your doubts!! It would be so easy to get hung up on the things we don't know. We are taught to embrace the things we do know and build on them. Testimonies are precious and need constant nourishment!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. There are many similarities that I experienced in my own faith journey. Even though it was and still is a challenging situation, I’m grateful everyday for the experience, because it was such an important part of my conversion story as a life-long member. There are many things that can be hard to understand, but I know there are answers to them all. I have found many as I have studied and learned for myself. Thanks!
Another heartwarming, rather surprising and inspiring story.
I know Heather. That was my ward in Texas. I was the young Women’s president to her precious daughters. It was a very difficult time. I’m happy to see that she has come back and gained her own testimony.
Unfortunately, the same thing happened to my own children. Satan is powerful. 😢 Hopefully my children will come back.
Thank you Heather, what a tender story.
Thank you Ashley for bringing light and goodness into our lives with your podcast!
There is so much darkness and deceit out there!
❤️☀️
Music can bring the Spirit strongly for me, too. 💛🎵💛
I love this podcast so much. It is uplifting and full of light and truth! ❤️
Thank you Heather! The Lord strengthened you through it all. Thank you for sharing your testimony and doing what you can to make things right again...like Alma the Younger. Keep up sharing your testimony. Thanks Ashley for another great story/episode. I love hearing them.
I’d love to hear her brother’s story if you can get him on too. Great podcast!
Great story! Thank you for sharing!
Stories like this make me realize more and more why fear is NOT of God. So many of these stories happen because of the seed of fear being watered instead of the seed of faith.
Definitely a wake up call for me.
Always excited when a new episode is posted 🌞
Amazing story, thanks so much for sharing! Beautiful ladies here!
I love this channel 🤍
So inspiring!! ✨️ ✨️ ✨️
Mountain meadows was after the expulsion and mob persecution in Missouri. The Fancher immigrants said they were going to California and bring back men to annihilate the saints. The attitude of these immigrants while the united states army was coming to destroy the saints in the salt lake valley was just too much. The saints were told to not sell grain to immigrant trains because they could need the grain in case of a siege with the US army. There was not instantaneous communication either. The perfect storm for a tragedy.
Just started listening and my jaw has already dropped
My friend’s baby died because of getting shots at 2 months old. 😭
This podcast has done a much better job at explaining why people leave the church over other anti-LDS podcasts. The stereotype is that ex-members want get away with sin or they just needed to pray and study more etc. Heather and another lady (Elise?) have so simply explained that sometimes, doubts pop up, and they just stay there for awhile until they’re ready to be resolved in God’s timing.
There's really no shortcut for research. I wouldn't say we need to only read church-produced histories (although those are getting very good now with professional historians and the JS Papers project, etc..), but I like to read other scholarship too. But I think it's important to compare multiple scholar's ideas and accounts. And be aware that we are often trying to piece together bits of history and we just don't always have the complete story. Sometimes we know what happened, but not why. Sometimes the leaders made mistakes.. but does that destroy the truth of the Book of Mormon or the First Vision? Slow down, you don't have to decide right now that X is wrong and jump out of the boat. Keep reading and learning.. and use caution before making a decision.
The more we learn and compare, the more we appreciate what those early saints went through. Some of them lost faith in Joseph and fell away, others knew all the details of his life, and never fell away - they were willing to give their own lives in his defense. Many of them saw angels and had heavenly visions.
Great thoughts. I think it's ludicrous when human beings like myself and others (lumping myself in here too) take ANY book or person and decide. THERE! THAT PROVES IT! ETC. I personally think The Book of Mormon and the The Bible are the BEST books out there! Amazing sources. Also President Nelson AMAZING source! Best Source! Etc. But not even those sources are 100% complete, or clear, or infallible. The ONLY way we can know TRUTH is through personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. We can get other perspectives on GOOD things from other people and books as well. I think of how much I have been benefited and taught by the brothers and sisters in my Sunday School Class. (really taught through the spirit they help bring). We shouldn't ever think we just need one source of knowledge unless we are talking about 'The Spirit' but yes The Book of Mormon is like 100% correct and of God but not like any of us can UNDERSTAND 100% of it on every reading etc or even reading it 500 times. The Bible whatever version we have is probably 99.9987% good. But same thing. Modern prophets similarly... Not every single thing they say, especially on the day to day is scripture etc. KEEP READING! KEEP LEARNING! It's GREAT ADVICE!
Joseph Smith joined the Masons a year later after he introduced temple rites, handshakes, garments, etc., so he got nothing from the Masons as the critics claim. In fact, temple garments and ancient records found in Egypt from the Roman era AD speak of sacred handshakes and temple marriage, which the ancient saints were doing. Joseph Smith didn’t know about these ancient records, which were discovered about a hundred years after his death. I forget the name of the ancient records non-LDS scholars discovered, but I’ll have to look ‘em up again.
Monday wee mrn - June 24, 2024.
Besides, the masons were an all male community service organization that many of the founding fathers belonged to. And you can't say that the founders had evil designs. They brought forth the most God inspired country in the history of the world.
@@sherigraham3873 it’s possible the Masons got their handshakes from Templars centuries before Joseph Smith was born. It is said the templars during the crusades or so went underground where once stood the temple of Solomon and saw many things pertaining to the temple. Maybe that’s how they got their sacred handshakes, which explains why they are similar to ours. Nevertheless, if I remember correctly, Smith said their handshakes were corrupt and was even explaining some of the meanings to the Masons.
Yes, brother, I am watching Native American Chief from Canada Tribe. He brought information about the scrolls that he has from his ancestors. I suggest you watch his videos. The worst thing that we can do after and before joining the LDS church is open the doors to Satan! Dr. Google, and the rest of it is full of mal interpretation. I made a big mistake just watching two anti mormos stories. I spent many months with doubts and bad sentiments about the LDS church. I started to think how I found the LDS church when The Holy Ghost answered my questions. The happy moments that I live with my callings that I can not stop counting how many blessings Heavenly Father has given to me. My three children and my five grandchildren left the church, when they started listening and searching to wrong information. Sadly, I can not talk and share anything with them. I am following Jesus light, until the end.
Is this true ? I’d really like to know if it is . I’ve read that Joseph became a Mason just months before introducing the temple rites .
@@leslie1788 not true. He introduced temple rites after associating with the masons. Also, archaeology proves Smith was right about temple garments and rites.
❤❤❤
❤
❤ Many civilizations have remnants of ancient ceremonies as well as those during the Middle Ages. My neighbor's father in CA had been a grand master of the Masonic group. She told me about his beliefs. The book The Egyptian Endowment by Nibley was mind opening. I always go back to authority. Who is pure enough to be given proper authority through the Priesthood of our Lord by proper servants of the Lord is the key. Art history is full of information through paintings and other art forms. Kings have participated in sacred rites and still do. The power of the temple is real for those who are worthy and called by the line passed down by Adam. Joseph Smith had visitations by those with proper authority and righteousness. Looking closely at many cultures we can see remnants of truth. We are so fortunate to have the fullness of the gospel through the proper channels. Nothing can stop the kingdom of God from rolling forward because of righteousness and proper power from the true source.
Thank you for this wonderful comment
Those people that write and do all those things to destroy your testimony have to face God someday!
I also teach Gospel Doctrine. I put everyone into groups and give them questions on a handout to investigate. I am also just there to learn from them too.
I went to Arkansas on my mission that's the first time I heard about the mountain Massacre so I started finding all the information about that. My mother's family is from Arkansas 12 members of my family was killed in that Massacre. I fully understand why some people actor the way they did on that day
Did the x husband come back? Curious on that.
Hi! I’m heathers daughter. He did come back too😊
Sad to have to “learn” others are good. It’s ridiculous when you think about that
I wanted to know where does the ex-husband stand as far as his faith? Is he still with the faith?
Great episode!!!!!❤
I’m curious, too.
Hi! I’m Heathers daughter. My dad (her ex husband) also came back to the church.
@@singhout-vp7ss 😃
I’m happy for you and your Dad.
President Boyd K. Packer said: “A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it. Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that ‘leap of faith,’ as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and step into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.”
Quoted in Oct 2000 by Joseph B Wirthlin in “Pure Testimony” from Packer’s book That All May be Edified.
I love this quote. I truly believe this gives power for and opportunity to the Holy Ghost to testify the truth of things to our heart when we make a conscious choice and have the courage to articulate our thoughts and share them out loud. It is a conviction stronger than merely thinking our inner thoughts, and we are blessed when we take that leap of faith, maybe over and over again with different aspects of the gospel.
Mike said if his gay son did not get into the Celestial Kingdom then it would not be Paradise to Mike.
Who is Mike?