I don't know much, but this I do know...

40 Years Ago.

Let's set the stage a bit.  I was a freshman in college in Cedar City Utah.  I was not on the acceptable path for young men of our faith.  My second quarter's grades had just come out, and they were not up to my expectations.  I was running out of funds and my hope was running on fumes. 

   I was depressed. I felt like a failure.  I knew that something in my life was missing, but I did not know where to turn.  When I was young I had learned about prayer.  So in March 1973, I began to pray for help. At first it was just because I didn't know where else to turn.  After a few days, I realized I felt better when I prayed, so I continued.  After about a week of evening and morning prayers, I found a triple combination my grandmother had given me for High School Graduation.  In the flyleaf she had written among other things, "My this book bring answers to life's questions..." 
   Woe.. Stop the presses.  Answers to life's questions.  Isn't that what I am seeking? Okay, I have been praying for help.  Is help really to be found within the pages of The Book of Mormon?
  So I began reading.  This was (of course) not the first time I had begun, but this time, the book grabbed me by the throat and by the heart.  For the next three weeks, when I would pick up the book, I would enter a spiritual realm unlike any other (except for one sacred moment in the temple). I felt like I was within a pillar the spirit, my own personal world.  Everything else was shut out.
    Looking back, I believe I was much like Lamoni, who collapsed for 3 days while the spirit was teaching him of the goodness and mercies of our Savior.  Once, my room mate Will walked into the room.  I pointed at the book, and with tears and a broken voice, said, "This is truly the most correct book ever.  It is all true." 
Tangent  Will Robinson (Yes, that is his name) was 6'4" tall and rail thin. Think 'Abraham Lincoln,' except his hair was longer and his beard WAY more scraggly.  About a year later, I got a letter from Elder Robinson.  He had cleaned up and was serving in the London England Mission.
Back to the Story As I read in the Book of Mormon every day, the book took hold of my spirit. I felt my desires change. I continued to pray at night, and as I prayed for direction, I began to have a fantastic desire to share the gospel.  By the second week of March I was convinced.  By the third, I was converted.  I drove home one weekend, and Oscar Whiting pronounced my patriarchal blessing upon me.  Among other things, I was told that in the pre-mortal world, I had promised Father that if He would let me come in this dispensation, I would do anything and everything He desired. I talked to my Bishop and got some paperwork for a mission.
   In May, Bishop Johnson signed off on my paperwork and sent it to the Stake President.  A week later I met with President Anderson.  My papers went into Salt Lake about the 18-22 of May, 1973.  I went back to school for Finals, finished up and came home for the summer (I thought). 11 days after my papers were in, I received a letter from Harold B. Lee, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The letter officially extended a calling to the Germany North Mission.  I was to leave July 7, 1973, just 5 weeks later.
  Now, 40 years later, what do I know? 

• I know that Father knows who I am, and that when I ask for help, in sincerity, He will help.  He especially likes to help me when I am involved in moving His work forward.
• I know that the Book of Mormon is the Inspired word of God. I know it was written for our day by ancient prophets.  I know it was translated by the gift and power of God.  Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of the restoration. I understand through my own experiences (many more since the ones 40 years ago) that God does give answers to prayers, often times by what is written within the pages of the Book of Mormon.
• I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Father's work.  I realize that other churches have truth, but they don't have the priesthood of God. Within this Church are the ordinances of salvation and exaltation.  Within this church are the Keys to the Mysteries of Godliness. 
• I know that God, my Heavenly Father is my God.  I am His son.  His Firstborn Son, Jehovah, is my Lord and Savior. To them I owe everything. To them I have pledged all that I have and all that I am.

After 40 years, the Book of Mormon just keeps getting more applicable in my life.  The Church, though run by imperfect men, is the vessel that extends salvation to mankind.  The children sing a primary song, "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints..."  I tend to think of myself in that sense, but not so much in membership as in ownership.  God has given me everything I ever really desired and asked for.  How can I deny Him the same?

That being said, we are headed to Mesa today, for time in the Temple with Father, and then to a Ballgame for Mothers Day.