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I am a 26 year old father of six- (Five of whom reside with me- one in Arizona) whom has been a member of the church since I was 10 years old. I lived well in the gospel until I was 16, when I started to lose my way. My parents underwent a brutal divorce and I swang out from living in the house when I was barely 17. I was wickedly under the influence of Sin, and Satan surely had a grip on my soul. Due to my lack of any real understanding, the best way to describe the way I was, is to read in Mosiah, Chapter 16, verses 5, 11-13. When you do you'll fully understand where I was going wrong... In EVERYTHING! I got married to my wife at the tender age of 19, so that makes past seven years now! (Yippie! Married December 22, 2001) I am so blessed she has stayed alongside me, despite before and during the whole seven years of our marriage I was heavily abusing drugs, both illegal and prescription, as well as smoking and drinking. I had a testimony of the gospel, that I never denied, but I never showed or spoke of it really. (Yep, we all know, actions speak louder than words!) I owe my miraculous means of change to two Elders (Missionaries) that made it a point to fellowship me. I won't hesitate to mention their names, (Its actually three Elders, but one transferred a few weeks after he started talking to me.) Initially, it was Elder Tripp and Elder Philpot, but now (And since early October) it has been Elder Rusk & Elder Philpot. Elder Philpot is 19 (typical for a new missionary) and Elder Rusk is a little closer to my age, 21.(He just passed a year in the field). You know, over the seven years that I have been married, I can't count the amount of missionaries that have tried to befriend and fellowship me, but like one of our ancestors,(Laman) I denied the truth (Or to live it) and continued in sin. I try to understand why now, but still can't fully understand why I didn't get slapped out sooner. Thankfully I did get slapped into my senses by the spirit and the Elders. After not taking the sacrament for... over ten years, finally in Late November (2008) I was authorized to start taking it again after months of breaking the smoking and drinking and drugs, (Thanks also to the church 12 step program). Come time for our branch conference, February 22nd 2009, I FINALLY, will be worthy and more importantly WILLING to hold the Melchezidik Priesthood and then go to the temple after and WOW! Im super stoked and excited! I may drop more information in a bit later, but want to finish getting this profile done, so until next time!
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