Experiences, Thoughts, and Feelings of a Latter Day Saint (LDS)

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner bore a powerful testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith to a group of young men at Brigham Young University on April 14, 1905. Mary was born on April 9, 1818 in Lima, Livingston, New York to Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen and John D. Rollins. According to her autobiography:

When I was ten years old, we moved to Kirtland, Ohio, and lived in a house belonging to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, mother’s sister’s husband. We remained there two years, when we heard of the plates of the Book of Mormon, being found by Joseph Smith. Soon the news was confirmed by the appearance of Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, and Ziba Peterson, with the glorious news of the restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. They bore a powerful testimony, by the Holy Spirit, of the truth of the great work they were engaged in; and which they were commissioned by the Father to present to all the world.

Isaac Morley

Quite a number of the residents of Kirtland accepted baptism. Mother and myself also, in the month of October, 1830. A branch of the Church was organized, and Father Morley was ordained an elder to preside over it. He owned a large farm, about a mile from Kirtland, and some three or four families went there to live, and meetings were held there. A good spirit and one of union prevailed among the brethren for some time. After Oliver Cowdery and his brethren left there for Missouri on their mission to the Lamanites, a wrong spirit crept into our midst, and a few were led away by it. About this time, John Whitmer came and brought a Book of Mormon. There was a meeting that evening, and we learned that Brother Morley had the Book in his possession the only one in that part of the country. I went to his house just before the meeting was to commence, and asked to see the book; Brother Morley put it in my hand, as I looked at it, I felt such a desire to read it, that I could not refrain from asking him to let me take it home and read it, while he attended meeting. He said it would be too late for me to take it back after meeting, and another thing, he had hardly had time to read a chapter in it himself, and but few of the brethren had even seen it, but I pled so earnestly for it, he finally said, “Child, if you will bring this book home before breakfast tomorrow morning, you may take it.” He admonished me to be very careful, and see that no harm came to it.

If any person in this world was ever perfectly happy in the possession of any coveted treasure I was when I had permission to read that wonderful book. Uncle and Aunt were Methodists, so when I got into the house, I exclaimed, “Oh, Uncle, I have got the ‘Golden Bible’.” Well, there was consternation in the house for a few moments, and I was severely reprimanded for being so presumptuous as to ask such a favor, when Brother Morley had not read it himself. However, we all took turns reading it until very late in the night as soon as it was light enough to see, I was up and learned the first verse in the book. When I reached Brother Morley’s they had been up for only a little while. When I handed him the book, he remarked, “I guess you did not read much in it.” I showed him how far we had read. He was surprised and said, “I don’t believe you can tell me one word of it.” I then repeated the first verse, also the outlines of the history of Nephi. He gazed at me in surprise, and said, “child, take this book home and finish it, I can wait.”

Before or about the time I finished the last chapter, the Prophet Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland, and moved into a part of Newel K. Whitney’s house (Uncle Algernon’s partner in the Mercantile Business), while waiting for his goods to be put in order. Brother Whitney brought the Prophet Joseph to our house and introduced him to the older ones of the family (I was not in at the time.) In looking around he saw the Book of Mormon on the shelf, and asked how that book came to be there. He said, “I sent that book to Brother Morley.” Uncle told him how his niece had obtained it. He asked, “Where is your niece?” I was sent for; when he saw me he looked at me so earnestly, I felt almost afraid. After a moment or two he came and put his hands on my head and gave me a great blessing, the first I ever received, and made me a present of the book, and said he would give Brother Morley another. He came in time to rebuke the evil spirits, and set the church in order. We all felt that he was a man of God, for he spoke with power, and as one having authority in very deed.

Read more: Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner Testimony | Believe All Things http://www.believeallthings.com/2750/mary-elizabeth-rollins-lightner-testimony/#ixzz1kp4bmlK5

Tonight, I am watching my son Isaac play soccer. He is such cute kid with an amazing heart. Every game he hopes to fill the star position – goalie. The coach has his favorite four that he rotates into the position each game. Today was different.

Today the coach breaks from tradition by sending Isaac in to replace the keeper. Isaac’s excitement is contagious as he pulls the special jersey over his head and the padded gloves onto each hand. He gets into position with his arms spread wide and a slight bounce in his legs. The ref blows the whistle and the red team progresses the ball down the field. Isaac defends against a well placed kick from a scrappy little guy with a quick step. Isaac takes the ball runs to the edge of the goal box and kicks the ball back out to mid field where, unfortunately, the red team again takes control of the ball. Once more, Isaac successfully blocks the ball from going in the goal. He takes the ball and boots it again but this time it doesn’t make it to mid field but instead veers off of Isaac’s foot to a group of red uniforms about ten yards from the goal box. All converge on the ball while Isaac realizes the situation. He advances to the ball just as a red cleat lifts the ball into a gentle arc two feet above the head of the Green Tornadoe’s newest goalie. A backward leap is not enough to stop the ball from dribbling across the white line.

The game is now tied 1-1. Thus ends Isaac’s three and a half minutes in the most coveted position on the team. Isaac is quickly replaced by Shane. The look of disappointment is as real as the prior excitement. He pulls the gloves back off and with much chagrin transfers them to the new goalie.

The coach yells for Isaac to go to the “Forward” position. He runs to his new assignment. Although I know his discouragement, he seems to embrace the new challenge with determination. I am feeling more disappointment than I’m sure he is. I love this little guy so much I want nothing but the best for him.

The whistle blows again but this time it is our turn to take the ball out. Isaac pulls out to the outside while the ball jostles between his team mates. There it is — the perfect pass. Right to my little buddy. He is past the first defender. The rest of the red team is converging. I don’t know how but he makes it through. He kicks and…………………………………he scores. His first goal of the season.

What a blessing that he didn’t get another chance at what he thought he wanted – being goalie. How often does God put us in the right place rather than in the place we thought we should be?

How often do we think we know what is best for us only to have God put us where we are supposed to be?