LDS Freedom Forum

Hi my name is Jacob Meyers. I was referred to this forum by a good friend who goes by the user name 'whisperfox'.

Oh, where to begin.... I am 28 years old, happily married, I have 7 children (9,7,5,3,18 months, 6 month twins), and have been avid about post-crisis planning and outfitting since I got home off my mission in 2003 from Costa Rica.

We are super active in the church and I just got released from the young men's presidency to become the building coordinator.

I 'awoke to [our] awful situation' the last 4 month of my mission when a mentor stepped into my life and helped me see a few things.

I went to public school in Mesa, AZ and attended college at George Wythe University.

As the years passed from my mission my wife and I found ourselves eventually home schooling, home birthing, and home doctoring.

I am an avid athlete and hand to hand combat practitioner. I love Crossfit, Kettlebells, and am starting Tacfit. I'm ceritfying with Target Focus Training to become a trainer in their violence system.

Books that opened my eyes to our perilous times were:
The Book of Mormon
The Forth Turning
Alas Babylon
The Postman
The RKY series
Everything Ezra T. Benson wrote
The Great and Abominable Church of the Devil
None Dare Call it Conspiracy
And a whole long list of classics that acquainted me with human nature

I am happy to be here and hope to meet some new friends.

Welcome, Ephraim09. You're going to be an interesting addition to the forum. You have a good background in preparedness.

Thanks! It's nice to be here, So what are your favorite preparedness books (fiction or non-fiction).

Fiction...Patriots, Surviving the Coming Crash and One Second After. Alas, Babylon is a good oldie. I like Christopher Stewarts'..The Great and Terrible-especially what to do if there is an EMP attack on the country. I tend more to Last Days fiction than preparedness, per se, but they have some plausible scenarios that make you think about possibilities. I like The Gathering Series, and Wendie L. Edwards' series. I've read handbooks and such over the years.

I've read a number of "conspiracy" books that are pretty good. Hiding in Plain Sight is excellent. I read None Dare Call it Conspiracy many years ago. I've read some of Keith Marrs books. Dr. Mary's Monkey is very good, but it's not an easy read, either. I've read many of RKY's books but a lot of it is his own opinion or comes from sources that maybe aren't the best. I've just finished a very interesting book by Dr. David B. Cohen The Adamic Code. It's not an easy read but it's very, very interesting. I think the most profound book I've read recently is The Second Comforterby Denver Snuffer. Of course, I've read just about every LDS book on the signs of the times.

HI, Jacob! a hearty welcome to this forum.

(PS -- I know and love Jacob and his family... "Watch Zion grow!")

good on you mate

best wishes

DrJones wrote:HI, Jacob! a hearty welcome to this forum.

(PS -- I know and love Jacob and his family... "Watch Zion grow!")

HA,HA! That's 'cause you've already seen how many kids I have. Shoot Rachael and I may make it to 10 kids before I am 30 (gulp).

Lundbaek asked me how I 'awoke to our awful situation'. I shared with him part of my story. He suggested it would be a good idea if I shared it with all of you. So, as per his request, here goes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went to Mt. View High school, graduated in 2001. I grew up in the Mesa Central Stake when Pres. Andersan (H. Verlan's youngest son) was stake president. A great man by the way.

How were my eyes opened? Wow, that's a great question. It had a lot to do with the Book of Mormon, the Holy Ghost, and serving a mission. Also, bear in mind that this is a deeply personal experience you are asking me to share. It's as special to me as the day I was baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost. Just so you know this may turn into a long letter, so be warned that you did ask for it.

My eyes were opened because of the first law of heaven, obedience, that qualified my for the companionship of the Spirit. Next my mission was tough, and it humbled me, I was open to having my paradigm shifted. Now that I think about it there was a series of event over a period of time that prepared me to look at the world differently. "Great change has deep roots". It was a culmination of events since my childhood, rooted in the message of the restored gospel, that "opened my eyes".

Six weeks into my mission, from a little bus depot in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle, I watched on an ancient color tv the events of 9/11 unfold. I, like every other American, was changed that day. I saw the world differently. I thought I was going to be called home for the draft. My mission president spent the next 18 months in zone conferences comforting his missionaries via the Book of Mormon. We'd spend 3-4 hours in study together. All of our minds were tuned to searching out, and seeing the secret combinations in the scriptures. Of course, my president supported the whole official story of our government and reinforced it (he was just doing his best). During one of these conferences, a year into my mission, we arrived to Ether 8: 18-26. As we read these verses my life changed forever. Verse 24 clinched it;

"when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you...."

The Holy Ghost poured into me like fire, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, with a witness that my life was to be spent seeking to un-root these combinations. I was crying such that tears blurred my eyes, and I couldn't see. I had been given my life's mission. I knew it, and I knew the Lord knew I knew it.

This experience was pivotal. I carefully continued to study the BofM and do my best to serve with all my heart. It wasn't for another 6 months that my mentor showed up. I was the ZL out in one of the most remote parts of the mission when this whole family of gringos showed up. The father of the family ended up doing splits with me once a week for 5 months. He was a wealth of knowledge. It was baptism by fire, he unloaded on me the first night together. I was, by this time, a 'golden contact'. Even still our first visit left me physically sick, as he expounded to me the extent of the combination. The Spirit bore witness and it was a big bite to swallow. The only reason I didn't reject what he taught me outright was of the miracles I saw occur as we worked together. The work in that section of the country began to open up, whereas before it was at a stand still. I worked my tail off all week, but the miracles occurred, and hearts were touched the night Br. (name withheld) was with me. The scripture in 3N 8:1 came to mind often:

"for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity."

I saw the sick healed, evil spirits cast out, a miracle similar to the feeding of the 5000, the gift of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, prophesy, revelation, visions and dreams. These just didn't just originate from him, but I started to experience them as well. Above all, I felt peace, the one gift of the Spirit Satan cannot duplicate.

Lucky for me Br. (name withheld) had a great memory, and could give me book titles, authors, give me quotes from the Journal of Discourse, the scriptures, and our modern priesthood leaders. I carefully wrote down all the references, and when I went home I began crosschecking his stories. The deeper I dug, the more I 'awoke'. I used as my guide and filter the modern prophets and apostles from Joseph Smith to Gordon B. Hinkley. I was like following a trail of breadcrumbs. My family thoughts I was nuts.

From there a whole new world opened up. That's how I ended up at George Wythe University. I knew I'd need a real education, that would be especially applicable in our world today, and the world of tomorrow. Above all I grew closer to my God, and came to truly appreciate the great gift of modern apostle and prophets today. General Conference became especially important to me and the development of Christlike attributes (still working on that). Funny as it sounds learning about the combination and waking up helped me better appreciate and treasure the message of the restored gospel. I know I certainly look at the temple differently and with deeper reverence.

Thank you for sharing that experience with us.

kathyn wrote:Thank you for sharing that experience with us.

Thanks Kathyn, I havn't really posted that experience before, so I am testing the waters here to see if it may or may not be appropriate to share other places.

Ephraim09 wrote:

kathyn wrote:Thank you for sharing that experience with us.

Thanks Kathyn, I havn't really posted that experience before, so I am testing the waters here to see if it may or may not be appropriate to share other places.

Appreciated!!!

really nice story there bro

just a thought- i'm assuming your wife had existing children here....I'm just trying to work out how you otherwise conceived while on a mission..??

AussieOi wrote:really nice story there bro

just a thought- i'm assuming your wife had existing children here....I'm just trying to work out how you otherwise conceived while on a mission..??

When I married her she had two. The older one was almost three and the younger was barely 18 months old. I'd been home off my mission for 6 months.

That mentor I mention in the story is now my father in-law. I ended up married to the oldest daughter. Funny I only saw her twice on the mission. Once at church and once for 5 minutes after doing splits. She served a mission with my older sister in Brazil, and they knew each other. So when I got home she wrote to my sister and I ended up answering.

great............would that we could all have such experiences..welcome from you Ephraim neighbor..stan smith

Ephraim09 wrote:Lundbaek asked me how I 'awoke to our awful situation'. I shared with him part of my story. He suggested it would be a good idea if I shared it with all of you. So, as per his request, here goes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went to Mt. View High school, graduated in 2001. I grew up in the Mesa Central Stake when Pres. Andersan (H. Verlan's youngest son) was stake president. A great man by the way.

How were my eyes opened? Wow, that's a great question. It had a lot to do with the Book of Mormon, the Holy Ghost, and serving a mission. Also, bear in mind that this is a deeply personal experience you are asking me to share. It's as special to me as the day I was baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost. Just so you know this may turn into a long letter, so be warned that you did ask for it.

My eyes were opened because of the first law of heaven, obedience, that qualified my for the companionship of the Spirit. Next my mission was tough, and it humbled me, I was open to having my paradigm shifted. Now that I think about it there was a series of event over a period of time that prepared me to look at the world differently. "Great change has deep roots". It was a culmination of events since my childhood, rooted in the message of the restored gospel, that "opened my eyes".

Six weeks into my mission, from a little bus depot in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle, I watched on an ancient color tv the events of 9/11 unfold. I, like every other American, was changed that day. I saw the world differently. I thought I was going to be called home for the draft. My mission president spent the next 18 months in zone conferences comforting his missionaries via the Book of Mormon. We'd spend 3-4 hours in study together. All of our minds were tuned to searching out, and seeing the secret combinations in the scriptures. Of course, my president supported the whole official story of our government and reinforced it (he was just doing his best). During one of these conferences, a year into my mission, we arrived to Ether 8: 18-26. As we read these verses my life changed forever. Verse 24 clinched it;

"when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you...."

The Holy Ghost poured into me like fire, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, with a witness that my life was to be spent seeking to un-root these combinations. I was crying such that tears blurred my eyes, and I couldn't see. I had been given my life's mission. I knew it, and I knew the Lord knew I knew it.

This experience was pivotal. I carefully continued to study the BofM and do my best to serve with all my heart. It wasn't for another 6 months that my mentor showed up. I was the ZL out in one of the most remote parts of the mission when this whole family of gringos showed up. The father of the family ended up doing splits with me once a week for 5 months. He was a wealth of knowledge. It was baptism by fire, he unloaded on me the first night together. I was, by this time, a 'golden contact'. Even still our first visit left me physically sick, as he expounded to me the extent of the combination. The Spirit bore witness and it was a big bite to swallow. The only reason I didn't reject what he taught me outright was of the miracles I saw occur as we worked together. The work in that section of the country began to open up, whereas before it was at a stand still. I worked my tail off all week, but the miracles occurred, and hearts were touched the night Br. (name withheld) was with me. The scripture in 3N 8:1 came to mind often:

"for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity."

I saw the sick healed, evil spirits cast out, a miracle similar to the feeding of the 5000, the gift of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, prophesy, revelation, visions and dreams. These just didn't just originate from him, but I started to experience them as well. Above all, I felt peace, the one gift of the Spirit Satan cannot duplicate.

Lucky for me Br. (name withheld) had a great memory, and could give me book titles, authors, give me quotes from the Journal of Discourse, the scriptures, and our modern priesthood leaders. I carefully wrote down all the references, and when I went home I began crosschecking his stories. The deeper I dug, the more I 'awoke'. I used as my guide and filter the modern prophets and apostles from Joseph Smith to Gordon B. Hinkley. I was like following a trail of breadcrumbs. My family thoughts I was nuts.

From there a whole new world opened up. That's how I ended up at George Wythe University. I knew I'd need a real education, that would be especially applicable in our world today, and the world of tomorrow. Above all I grew closer to my God, and came to truly appreciate the great gift of modern apostle and prophets today. General Conference became especially important to me and the development of Christlike attributes (still working on that). Funny as it sounds learning about the combination and waking up helped me better appreciate and treasure the message of the restored gospel. I know I certainly look at the temple differently and with deeper reverence.

Thank you for this wonderful testimony, Jacob... I felt the Spirit as I read it. Would like to meet your Father-in-Law. Did he talk to you specifically about 9/11? just curious.
And I'm seeing why you are such a great influence in our Spring City neighborhood! Rachel is such a great gal.

PS-- I've just learned that the Jack Monett is also moving to Spring City. Let's roll! (Bro. Monett has served in a Stake Presidency and is a wonderful fellow, full of testimony. You all may have heard of his book, "Awakening to our Awful Situation" and its sequel.)

Welcome!

I enjoyed hearing about your awakening.

I have read some of the books mentioned above. Another one that is very good is "The Naked Capitalist," by Cleon Skousen.

If you like last days fiction, another one I would recommend is "Ere His Floods of Anger Flow,"by John Harmer.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from you.


Believer

Believer,

If you like last days fiction, another one I would recommend is "Ere His Floods of Anger Flow,"by John Harmer.

, I enjoyed that novel, also. I would highly recommend two series....The Great and Terrible by Chris Stewart (maybe the best of the genre) and The Seventh Seal series by Jessica and Richard Draper. They both follow the scriptures and doctrine and are intelligent reads. The Gathering series is fun, especially if you believe in a "call out". I love reading these kinds of books. There are also quite a few apocalyptic novels, such as "One Second After" and "The Patriot" that are interesting and have a more secular viewpoint.

Kathyn,

Yes, I have read all of those. My favorite is the Great and Terrible series. I like to read novels as well. It is interesting to see all the different view points of how things might turn out. This new one "Hanging by the Thread," sounds interesting. I enjoyed the first three chapters.

Believer

DrJones wrote: Thank you for this wonderful testimony, Jacob... I felt the Spirit as I read it. Would like to meet your Father-in-Law. Did he talk to you specifically about 9/11? just curious.
And I'm seeing why you are such a great influence in our Spring City neighborhood! Rachel is such a great gal.

PS-- I've just learned that the Jack Monett is also moving to Spring City. Let's roll! (Bro. Monett has served in a Stake Presidency and is a wonderful fellow, full of testimony. You all may have heard of his book, "Awakening to our Awful Situation" and its sequel.)

I think you would get along real well with my father in law. Yes one of the subjects we covered while I was on my mission was 9/11. He was in the Philippines when it all happened and he ended up meeting one of his friends from his days in the CIA. The guy was running a death squad down there, and had to check his hit list for my father in-laws name before they could talk. Anyway my father in-law was telling him that America would never believe the official story, that they were not that stupid. His friend just laughed and laughed and said of course they would. After all they are program from childhood in public school that here is the answer and now here is the question.

Jack is moving to Spring City....hmmm I guess I'd better finally read his book. Hope he moves into the first ward. Sunday School could get to be a lot of fun with you, Lamont, and Jack in there.

kathyn wrote:Believer,

If you like last days fiction, another one I would recommend is "Ere His Floods of Anger Flow,"by John Harmer.

, I enjoyed that novel, also. I would highly recommend two series....The Great and Terrible by Chris Stewart (maybe the best of the genre) and The Seventh Seal series by Jessica and Richard Draper. They both follow the scriptures and doctrine and are intelligent reads. The Gathering series is fun, especially if you believe in a "call out". I love reading these kinds of books. There are also quite a few apocalyptic novels, such as "One Second After" and "The Patriot" that are interesting and have a more secular viewpoint.

I have read both of those series, and I loved them. I also really liked the CBS series "Jericho". Not so much for its preparedness tips but more as a visual study of potential responses diffrent people could have to a disaster of that scope.

On you guys recommendation of have a inter-library loan for "One Second After".

Yes, it is interesting to see diffrent ideas on how people think it will all go down in the end. Don't know if I believe in the call-out idea. Do not get me wrong, a call out would be way preferable than staying, it's just seems to coincide a bit to much with protestant christianity belief in a rapture. I think God just might let us live for awhile in the mess we have created.

I have ordered "The Cleansing of America," by Cleon Skousen. I can't wait to get it.


Believer

DrJones wrote:(PS -- I know and love Jacob and his family... "Watch Zion grow!")

That says a lot. Welcome Jacob.

Cowell wrote:

DrJones wrote:(PS -- I know and love Jacob and his family... "Watch Zion grow!")

That says a lot. Welcome Jacob.

I am blushing Thanks!

Loved your wake up story. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum. It would be nice if I had in-laws who had such an understanding of our awful situation. Heck, I'd even take my husband taking the whole thing a little more seriously rather than thinking I am a little too extreme. (Don't get me wrong, my husband and in-laws are absolutely wonderful and I love them very much, but it would be nice to have someone in the family to relate to more).

Ephraim09 wrote:Funny as it sounds learning about the combination and waking up helped me better appreciate and treasure the message of the restored gospel. I know I certainly look at the temple differently and with deeper reverence.

I understand exactly what you stated here (quoted above). I feel the same way. My testimony grew by leaps and bounds after learning this.

chicafoom wrote:Loved your wake up story. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum. It would be nice if I had in-laws who had such an understanding of our awful situation. Heck, I'd even take my husband taking the whole thing a little more seriously rather than thinking I am a little too extreme. (Don't get me wrong, my husband and in-laws are absolutely wonderful and I love them very much, but it would be nice to have someone in the family to relate to more).

Ephraim09 wrote:Funny as it sounds learning about the combination and waking up helped me better appreciate and treasure the message of the restored gospel. I know I certainly look at the temple differently and with deeper reverence.

I understand exactly what you stated here (quoted above). I feel the same way. My testimony grew by leaps and bounds after learning this.

What really clinched the deal was marrying my mentor's daughter. I guess you could call it a 'flirt to convert' situation. Strange, but the rest of my wife's siblings really do not take their dad very seriously. Oh, one or two do, but the rest never invested the time and effort to really understand what they had been taught their whole childhoods. On the other hand there is my parents and siblings that thought I was going apostate despite my increased fervor for the Gospel and to follow the Brethren. It has been a rocky road as you are well aware.