Brothers & Sisters
It has been a pleasure to be with all of you at this conference and to enjoy
the many incredible seminars. I have been to share with you my testimony my
experience through Evergreen and the possibility of change. This stems to
many things.
First, I have a testimony of God and his love for us. Almost three years ago
I was trying to decide which direction my life was going to take. I had just
moved back to Utah from San Francisco and had discovered knew feelings for a
female friend. The battle inside was raging about whether I could change the
behaviors I had inside. I prayed and asked God as sincerely as I possibly
could and the feeling I received was simply that God loved me. I knew then
at that time that whatever path I chose God was trying to get it thorough my
head that the way he directs us to lead our lives is out of love and desire
to see us grow. This was one of the major catalysts for me and I married a
month and a half later.
That brings me to my testimony of my wife and the incredible power and
strength she brings to me. We hear over and over the horror stories of
leaders who say it will go away if we find the right woman. But there is
wisdom in this. My relationship with my wife has been a key factor to my
continued growth as well as being a protection for me. I challenge all of
you who are single to not use you SSA as an excuse for not actively seeking
a partner for eternal marriage. It is hard sometimes and, no, it will not
automatically solve all of the problems associated with SSA, but it can give
you a powerful ally in battling the SSA struggle. It is God’s plan.
To the many parents in the audience of strugglers: never, never, never give
up. May God bless you for taking such an active concern for your children
and for being here with us today. I thank the Lord for my parents and for
the fact that they did not budge on their values and teachings to
accommodate my former lifestyle. I thank them for teaching me early on how
to live my life so that when I hit rock bottom I knew enough to look toward
the light to get back up. Continue to love your children and don’t give up
on them.
I have a testimony of friends and the strength and direction they give me,
as well as the support. Many are in this audience and many have been along
the path leading here. God has sent so many incredible people to my life
that have kept me safe when I have been heading to the brink of disaster.
To my brothers who struggle with SSA, I don’t need to tell you that this is
a difficult path. But I firmly believe in the power of intentions and hope
that whatever we ask for the Lord has promised us over and over again.
It is my hope and prayer that we be willing to grow that desire for change
into a permanent and effective change in our lives.
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