Testimony of Fast Offering

I would like to share my testimony of fast offering. When we first started to pay fast offering we counted the amount for the meals and increased it some. Then there came a directive asking to double our offering so we did. Though the dollar amount wasn't much, for us at the time, it was a lot and tested our faith. We have always been blessed with good health, our needs met and a lot of our wants. Dad did well in what he chose for work. We have been watched over and protected with feelings of peace and security. When we doubled our offering we never decreased it and we doubled the whole amount never a partial. Partial payment shows a lack of faith in our Lord and brings no blessings. When Dad did very well I would go to him and ask if we could increase our fast offering. He had a hard time saying yes,the amount would be great and we would need to maintain the amount. After asking him twice I would increase it instead of asking a third time. Then he would see that he was doing better and say I could do it. I would tell him I already did; that's why he was doing better. At one time Dad ask me when I was going to stop doubling the amount. The Lord always blessed us so my answer was never! However, he sold his practice and out of necessity and practicality we decrease our fast offering when we decided to go on a mission. But, we did not stop paying the fast offering. I bear this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Satan is real

I did not know this until I investigated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In fact, it never occurred to me that there was a true church. I learned this as I took the discussion lessons arming myself with information so I could explain to my husband why we did not want to join this organization. Well, to our surprise we liked what we found and never looked back.

One day my son needed a diaper changed. As was our custom be headed to the master bedroom to take care of the matter. In the hallway suddenly I had the most horrendous abusive thoughts come into my head regarding this child as he innocently toddled to the changing room. Shocked, I stopped and prayed to Heavenly Father regarding the thoughts, expressing my love for this child, and desiring the thoughts be taken from me and to never have them occur again. Immediately my head was cleared of the awful thought. I felt peace come over me. It was by far the fastest prayer I ever had answered! I wondered what kind of person I was that this should happen to me. As time passed I wasn't the only one that was affected with awful thoughts. I knew the plan of salvation and where to turn for help. The gospel of Jesus Christ had taught me well the love of our Father in Heaven for each of His children. I am filled with gratitude for his care of me and my child. There is power in sincere focused prayer.

Compassion

I have great compassion for the mother who left Daniel Scott Hadley in the car on a hot day. Years ago I was running errons with four children in my car. I stopped by our home for what I thought would be just a moment leaving my children in the car with the windows down. It was a warm day with a cooling breeze. I had run into problems with what I thought a simple phone call and soon my young sons had come in to watch cartoons leaving my infant daughter strapped in the car seat asleep. I received a prompting from the Holy Ghost to get my daughter out of the car. I brushed it aside thinking she was asleep in the car as I left her with the windows down and fine. I proceeded with what I was doing. I quickly received another prompting and brushed it aside being focused on my achievement. The promptings speeded up catching my full attention. I ran to the car and to my shock found that the children had obeyed me in rolling up the windows! They were too young to figure out the car seat straps to release their sister or to know the consequences of rolling up the windows. My only daughter was inside kicking and screaming. When I got her out she was red and soaking wet from perspiration. Heavenly Father had heard her cries and got through to me in time to save her life. I was so grateful for living worthy of such a gift that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.