Presidency Message

I've been a member of the Church for 26 years. I joined as a freshman at USC in Los Angeles, California, after spending a great deal of my life searching for the true church. My quest for truth led me to several different denominations and through many spiritual experiences that kept me searching, until one summer morning when I finally opened the Book of Mormon a missionary had given me four years prior. I knew I had found what I had believed all of my life.

I've had a few experiences with members of the Church who have gone astray. I want to tell you about one in particular—Terri. I first met her after I married Bill. She was a Mia Maid in the ward we attended. I was her Mia Maid teacher. She had a propensity towards wanting to be in charge, and quite often believed that she had the only answer. I figured she would grow up and develop that leadership potential to become a great leader in the Church. She went on a mission, but came home early because she could not get along with her companions. Terri married in the temple and eventually settled in that same ward we had all previously lived in. She became overbearing with members there, and caused a lot of problems in the ward.

A few years ago, I went back to visit family and saw Teri. She said, "I need to talk to you," so we went to a local ice-cream shop where she pulled out a cigarette and began smoking. She told me she had never felt so free and that she had discovered that the Church was not true. She began to tell me about the Adam-God anti-Mormon theory. I let her finish, and because I had researched it previously, was able to complete refute it. She continued by saying, "It's published by the church," but I knew differently, and told her it was not. I could prove it and I did.

Sisters, this is what I want you to know—every time Terri presented an anti-Mormon point, the Lord allowed me to see into her soul. Her eyes literally blackened, and every time I proved to her that what she was presenting to me was erroneous, her eyes softened and returned to normal. They then would physically blacken again when she began another anti-Mormon point.

I know the Lord allowed me to witness that physical phenomenon so that I could always testify against it. I don't have to second guess or wonder. I know from whence Terri was receiving her misguidance. I know. I know. I know who the author of anti-Mormonism is. I have witnessed it. I bear record of it.

There has been a lot of discussion on our critique line about members of the Church losing their testimonies. I'm saddened at the number of Saints who are allowing Lucifer to deceive them. Just as prophesied—in the last days—many of our elect will fall.

Alas, what can we do? Take heart, sisters, there is much we can do! We must bear our testimonies, we must study and pray, and we must use the talents Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Dear sisters, the Lord has given us talents and experiences not only for our benefit, but also for the benefit of others. He's given us, the ANWA sisters, the talent to write, the talent to record our experiences and our testimonies, so that we can strengthen and uplift others.

Sweeter word than, "You're a best seller!" are these: "Thanks. Your words have changed my life. They have helped me to get through a very difficult time."

How will your talent to write make a difference?