Page 38

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES
The Book of Mormon:
In my first year at Brigham Young University I knew the cocoon of my home was gone. I stopped attending church on Sunday because I was finally free to choose. I liked not going for awhile. I started back because I wanted to go for myself. I could no longer hang onto the rope of my parents’ testimony. I craved one of my own. I commenced reading the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time in my life. I prayed for a witness to know of the surety of those words printed on the page. I received a personal witness of Joseph Smiths’ divine vision. The restoration of Christ’s ancient gospel was again on the earth. I wanted to shout that I finally knew it WAS true just like all my teachers had said.

Prayer:
An assignment in a Book of Mormon class was a experiment in prayer. The professor challenged all students to spend fifteen minutes a day in sincere prayer. I came to know that prayers are heard. I knew that my Heavenly Father knew me personally. He cared about me. He worried about me just like my earthly father. It was a lifting concept to receive answers to my prayers. I learned to express gratitude for all my blessings and then ask for special needs that I had. I received help in taking tests. I received inspiration to change my major from Applied Music to Elementary Education. I had a peaceful feeling that I had made the correct decision.

Dating:
During the summer of 1971 I had been at BYU two years and due to leave in a month for my third year. My boyfriend, Frank Marchant asked me to marry him on a young adult trip to the Oregon coast. I did not give him answer since I was waiting for a missionary. I prayed and after much soul-searching received the divine answer that Frank was to be my eternal companion. I'm am so grateful for the eternal concept of prayer that enables us to reach out personally to our Father in Heaven. I know he lives and answers sincere prayers.