LDS Freedom Forum

Two stories I wanted to share as a testimony of my church leaders both to strengthen my own faith and the faith of others who seek to sustain their own local leaders.

A while ago, probably a year ago, I met with a counselor in the Stake Presidency to renew my Temple Recommend. As we talked, we had a great conversation. The Spirit was present. I expressed no concern at any point, I answered everything with complete honestly. After answering affirmative to all questions, there was a long pause.

He then said , "I feel like something needs to be said, but I'm not sure what.".
I asked, "well?".
After another pause, he said "You tell me".

I then felt the love of God enter my heart, and I explained to him that there was something. I explained that there were undoubtedly things I saw in church that I was upset about, I believed that certain doctrines were taught incorrectly or not at all. I told him I had certainly read material of parties who opposed the church. I told him I think those parties make many good points, but I do not sustain or uphold them. I explained that he had nothing to worry about with me, I did not feel shaken. I explained that I honestly answered his questions and sustain my church leaders. I apologized for being vague, and explained that he would probably worry more than necessary if I gave him specifics on what I had studied. Although I was fully prepared to discuss in detail whatever he wanted, he paused for a few moments, and then signed my recommend and handed it to me. I thanked him and told him I believe he is an inspired leader and that I am grateful that he listened to the spirit.

I honestly don't remember his name, I think he's in a another stake now, but I believe that he was an inspired leader who heeded the Spirit, even in a situation where I believe many or most church leaders would have pursued more information. I'm grateful that God called that Counselor.

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My second story was more recent.

The Stake Presidency gave a lesson and the President recounted the time that he was called as Stake President for a newly formed Stake that grew out of the Stake he was recently released from. He explained that he had already prayed and chosen his counselors because he knew via revelation he would be called to be Stake President for the new stake. Sure enough , he was called. Him and his wife were instructed to go into a room and pray in regards to who will be his counselors. After praying together for a few minutes, he and his wife realized he was wrong!

He went and prayed again. Eventually he did receive an answer, and as he chose the new men to be his counselors, he described an experience that he had, confirming his choice. He explained that he felt the power of God fill his whole body, confirming that he had chosen the correct men to serve our stake, and that it was one of the few most powerful experiences he has ever had in his life.

I know that he is inspired of God, and I am grateful that he recognized his err and sought the answer to his prayer until the Spirit wrought upon him with power.

Afterwards, he answered a question. The question was How do you prepare a 16 year old for a mission?The summarized version of his answer is that teens need to have Spiritual Experiences with God.
This hit me, and again I felt the love of God. Recently I realized the key to bringing people unto Christ is helping them have spiritual experiences, akin to the experience he had just described earlier. This is what teens need, this is what "Less actives" need, this is what non members need, ex members etc.

I love my Stake President, I sustain him wholeheartedly because I know that he earnestly seeks to do Heavenly Fathers will.

Thanks for sharing those experiences! I agree, having spiritual experiences with God is what strengthens a testimony and faith.

I think having daily spiritual experiences also helps us know that we are in a place where the spirit can dwell with us on a daily basis. If I'm receiving revelation and having spiritual experiences I know I'm doing well, when I don't feel the spirit much or feel spiritually distant, then I know it's time to make some changes to get that back in my life.

I wanted to share this testimony once more ^^

Stahura wrote: ↑April 8th, 2019, 11:53 pm I wanted to share this testimony once more ^^

Thank you for doing so. We've just had a change in our Stake Presidency and I've been struggling with it because of some prior experiences I've had with the new president. This is a good reminder that these men are called of God.

You know what? AWESOME.

I'm so grateful that you shared these experiences. I'm similar to you in that I can see that "the church" and it's leaders have made mistakes but that like even with scriptural leaders this is to be expected.

I had an experience regarding stake leaders that I treasure, like you do yours.

As a medical student, I was in a student ward in a large city. I served as the ward mission leader so I had keys to the church and found myself there in the relief society room many nights studying because it was so quiet. One night around 10 p.m. I packed up to go home after studying for several hours and as I was leaving, I noticed a counselor in the stake presidency locking up his office, apparently preparing to leave the building as well. I paused and waved at him. He returned the wave and a smile and we both left. As I watched him exit, I felt the quiet but powerful influence of the Holy Ghost fill me and knew that he would be the next stake president.

I said nothing. About 6 months later during stake conference he was named the next stake president and I couldn't help but cry a little as I watched him receive his new calling. Months later in a temple recommend interview, I told him of my experience but let him know that I didn't want to inform him of the inspiration fearing that this would make him uncomfortable. He thanked me, explaining that several members of the stake had received the same revelation prior to his calling but were quite open about letting him know and that it was very uncomfortable.

About 4 years ago, while serving as a counselor in the bishopric, I knew about 6 weeks in advance by the spirit that the bishop whom I was serving would be the next stake president and that I would replace him as bishop. Interestingly, he knew as well...so we both knew, but we never said anything to each other about it. It was at times awkward because when I found myself alone with him, I would ask him questions such as "How do you counsel people who approach you with ____ concern?" He would explain his approach and then we'd look at each other in silence, sometimes smiling, but never stating the obvious. LOL!

I just find it interesting that the Holy Ghost sometimes reveals the future to us plebeians! The spirit of prophecy is a real thing! I feel sorry for family and friends who have difficulty believing in even the existence of God when experiences such as these make it undeniable to me.

Anyway. Stahura. Thanks for sharing!