Hi Alec, I am a convert and did not experience Primary😢but have now served in Primary for more than 20 years. It has been the best gift of purity and abundance of the Spirit of God in all days on this earth. The songs from Primary have soothed my soul on thousands of occasions💕Hold on, Alec. Always remember the tender mercies of the Lord in your life💕
Thank you so much for what you’ve said, I struggle very much with feeling loved! That brightened up my entire day, and doubtlessly it will be something good I can remind myself of in hard times ❤ On feeling what I’m feeling, I know exactly what you mean! Many times as David has shared, I’ve felt his devotion, his pain, his optimism, and his triumph! I’ve also caught that from our leaders, especially from our prophet Russel M. Nelson.
Alec, thanks for your testimony. I was able to take a trip to New Zealand in 2015 and loved it there. I went for 4 weeks and traveled from North of the North Island and South on the North Island before taking the ferry across to the South Island. Made it across the Southern Alps and dow to Queenstown and over to Milford Sound. I hope I can go back someday. The people of New Zealand are wonderful.
Thanks Alec. My heart aches that you were bullied. So wrong. I’m so grateful that you have stayed close to our Savior. I feel a great deal of love for you. Hold on.
Alec, that is one of the most Beautiful and Sincere Stories and Testimony's I have ever experienced in my life. I know that you mean what you are saying, because the spirit has let me know that it is true. Thank you for sharing this with the World ........there are lots of People that need to feed upon your testimony. Please let your Mother - Step Mother watch Tad Callisters talk called The Blueprint of Christ's Church.........it is great and might touch her spirit and heart about this Church. All the best Alec, you are a very special Person and I'm sure that the Lord is pleased with what you've done today. All the best Brother Alec.
I think your story is amazing. Those who are severely bullied and especially from those in the church sadly can be pushed away forever. Bullying is so damaging. Your testimony will help so many that have experienced what you have and have come back. Everyone is important to God.. Thank you for your testimony!
Thank you for listening! I feel like I’ve always had a deep desire to help, even when I was outside the Church. Now I believe that I can do something to help, finally! What you’ve said is part of my goal in sharing, that when others experience similar things, I hope that what I’ve shared can help!
I am from Mexico and I am so happy to hear how you are healing. Sometimes it takes getting out of the space that hurt us so that God can reach us better and that we can hear Him better. I am happy for you and I know of the things that you are talking about.
I love being in Mexico so very much! Even when I looked out from the plane window I started to feel better, the Spirit is just in the air here! The culture and the people are so genuine and warm. I hope that the Lord will also help you heal, as one general authority said, “without a scar” the Atonement of Jesus Christ can make this possible!
Thank you Alec. And look at the light in your eyes! Full of Joy! We have 7 kids ages 22 to 7. I am grateful to have been there for each of our childrens Patriarchal blessings. As our oldest kids have gone through trials and struggles I have had the prompting and testimony to say to them " now you can Truly mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" . I have come to realize through my children that these are sacrifices that we make by being bullied to be able to understand and help those. Especially those that do not have the gospel to be able to know that everything is going to be okay and hopefully have and be able to build a relationship with God. And to know that through our weaknesses we come close to our Heavenly Father as he makes them become strengths if we seek him and follow him. We also have great Spiritual reminders in our children because 2 of the are named Faith and Grace ;)
It’s so interesting, because what you’ve said has happened in my life! When I first got here to Mexico, I became fast friends with someone, and I learned that they had been bullied all their life. We talked about what we both experienced for hours, and I’ve tried my best to stick with him, even when he’s suffered so badly that our friendship almost died multiple times. They had been trying to work up the courage to commit suicide, and couldn’t keep a job because of how convinced they were that no one loved them and no one cared. He had no hope for the future. Thankfully, I managed to convince him to hear the missionaries through our friendship, and his heart was so soft from what he’d suffered, that he recognized that the elders are true friends that really care. Later, he attended Church, felt the Spirit, and said he had trouble sleeping at night because he kept feeling that he needed to be baptized. One Sunday during Sacrament meeting, his suicidal thoughts were completely taken away as he listened to a sister speak. He said that was a “hard proof” that what we’ve told him is true. He always had trouble smiling, and was always so sad, but after he was baptized, he has the brightest smile ever. He recently attended the temple with me, and he loved it! I’m so grateful for what I’ve experienced, because as you said, through it I could mourn with someone that was mourning, and help to lead Him to the Savior to be truly comforted.
Thank you Alec for your testimony. Sorry you had to suffer from bullying. So happy you found your way back. 🙌🏼 I can relate to you. I was raised in the church but fell away at age 14 and didn’t come back until I was my mid 30’s. Jesus Christ does and can heal all our sufferings, he knows what we are going through and walks besides us. I love the Holy Ghost so much. He is our guide through all of this. What a blessing from Heavenly Father to have the Holy Ghost to guide us😊
I honestly don’t know how people outside the Church live without the Gift of the Holy Ghost! It makes me almost desperate to offer guidance and help! I’m sorry you’ve had to experience bullying also. It’s such a blessing however to be able to look back and see how we have been helped by Christ. It’s paradoxical isn’t it? I didn’t recognize His help when I was outside the Church until after.
Alec, you have such a sweet and humble spirit. I feel like you’re testimony has the potential to strengthen and lift so many people who also struggle with anxiety and belonging in the church.
Alec, I watched a couple of Saints Unscripted videos about missionaries being bullied on their missions, forcing them to come home. What a great tragedy! I'm sorry it has been one of your trials. I loved your testimony, and I'm so thrilled that you are now in a ward where you can feel the spirit immediately. I hope your dad and his wife will feel the spirit when they're near you and might be drawn to the truth through you. Thank you for your courage in sharing your experiences. Being part of this great work is such a blessing for all of us!
Alec, thank you for sharing your testimony and so much of your life with us. I am grateful for everything you said and especially your candor and sincerity. You said how the testimony of others brought the Spirit to you often since you were young. Well, your testimony here brought the Spirit to many, many people around the world and will continue to do so for a long time. Thank you for opening up so much to us! Grateful.
Alec...your testimony was amazing. I'm sure your "mission" is still having and will have an impact on many. thank you for your sincerity and strength. ❤👃🕊
WOW ALEC!! It's amazing that when the Spirit of God is with someone as they talk as you have, how it speaks and communicates so clearly through you to those listening. Your words were just beautiful and calming to me, and your eyes so bright with light. Thank you, and may you always be blessed to share. This really will help many, many people Alec. ❤
You are truly a child of light, with your simple faith to have grown 500 years of spiritual testimony, because of your very hard and difficult struggles you now are a beacon of light to even an old lady like me who has never lost her faith but needs encouraging saints. Many of my children are wandering on strange paths. You have true spiritual grit you will be a great blessing to your family. Would love to hear how your future turns out. Praying for you and sending you love
Love the testimony Brother... Most struggle with being as acceptable as we wish (and those whom all like have their own extra troubles with the pride cycle) and some fail at avoiding the pride of digging a pit for others... Glad you're back.
Glad to be back! Pride is one of my great struggles also, and accusing people of wanting to hurt me. I keep trying to remember a quote that “love sees the best in others” or something similar to that!
Love...believes the best about others...in every situation. The Accuser..ALWAYS tries to get us to believe the worst about others and their intentions towards us...and also, to get us to believe the worst about ourselves...to "build a case" against others and even against ourselves, and even against God and His True Church. "building a case' is one of the fingerprints of Satan's touch...
Dear Alec, Make yourself a copy of your Patriarchal Blessing and read through it. Highlight each important message it gives you in different colors. Write your feelings about each one and ask the Lord if you need understanding. Read your blessing often and as you do it will continually guide you, remind you of who you are, and also give you comfort as you follow what you were told and use the gifts you have been given by your Father in Heaven.
Hi Alec, thank you for sharing your testimony. I,m so glad you had the courage to overcome your challenges and move forward. You are special in the sight of the Lord.
Alec, You are so full of light! Don't stop being you because you have a unique sensitivity in expressing the depths of your heart. Don't believe the negative things that a few may say about you, because it's obvious that those things aren't true. Focus just on the good and let the negative stuff outside of you go. Don't believe in the negative because what we choose to focus on expands. So, put your attention on your actual goodness--which is so obvious to those of us who have listened to your story--and focus on your exciting potential as a literal, marvelous son of God and your joy will bloom and grow and grow! I feel you are a kindred soul. Thank you, Alec, for your courage in sharing your inner self and your journey, a journey that definitely touches each of our journeys. God bless you.
Thank you for Sharing Alec! This brought tears to my eyes. You have a wonderful testimony. Thank the Lord you feel His love and light. Even some members of our faith can be rude and insensitive. But, The doctrine of Jesue Christ is true and will lead us back to our Heavenly home if we stay humble and be obedient. God bless you!
That’s such a fascinating scripture to reference! Recently, I felt the Spirit teach me that when we notice God acting in our lives, we see God. So many members like yourself notice Heavenly Father’s kindness and charity, so pat yourself on the back, O honest in heart!
@@FromAgonyToLight I see young brother Alec that you have changed your handle from (was it) "agony of agonies"? I hope your spirit is in a better place by now! -Hosannahs!
I appreciate you sharing so candidly. You are just a little older than my oldest child, so it was nice to hear of your experiences as someone from about the generation of my children. It shows a great deal of maturity for you to recognize that focusing in on the specifics that took you from the Spirit-- especially in a time when such sharing is encouraged as being "authentic" -- only acts as a sort of distraction from focusing on the light you were able to share by leaving those details out. I admire your willingness to work to have that connection with the Spirit again. Thank you for taking time and getting outside of yourself and sharing this with us!
I feel there’s one thing my generation all has in common: sensitivity. It was publicly condemned as a weakness, and it can be if we allow everything hurt us so deeply, but it seems to also work as a lens on spiritual things. It’s an odd virtue indeed to focus on how others have hurt us, or to dwell or wallow in the suffering inflicted on us. It tries to paint the world as a dark and horrible place filled with inhuman monsters. The Gospel really is the answer, Christ taught us through the prophet Joseph: “anything virtuous lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” While the world teaches the opposite is better. Willingness is also a huge part of my testimony, I’ve truly tested and learned that “the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” He truly makes up the difference, and nothing we have is our own.
I love your story! It is more common than you might believe. Many of us experiment upon the word! Thank you for sharing your experiences of Primary! I spent many years on and off as a Primary Teacher of all ages, I put my heart and soul into the lessons i taught, wanting to share what the Spirit directed, not my own words. I also tried to make it fun and enjoyable so the children would want to come back each week! I have cherished memories and lots of sweet little faces as part of my life. Once in awhile i get an update on one of them. What a joy! You are and always will be loved! Wonderful testimony! Carry on!
As the verse says “love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind, and strength” might and strength are closely related, and I know Jesus is our strength.
Alec, I LOVE the sincerity of your testimony! You are a good man! You are handsome, especially when you smile! You are very articulate and you have every right to draw your confidence from our Savior, Jesus Christ. If God be for you, who can be against you!!! I pray that you will continue to be faithful and confident through the Lord! Thank you for your persistence in bearing your testimony. I know that it took great courage!! Ultrafocus on your true identity as a magnificent son of God!!!
Hi Alec, thank you for your testimony and your courage! Sorry for the bullying you have experienced in your life, but from your testimony I can see how the Savior was wanting to be there for you during those hard things! He has been there for me through those hard things too! I also took that for granted sometimes!! I felt your sincere strong spirit and so glad you have come back!! May you continue to feel His love and the love of those trying to stay on the covenant path with you!!
There’s so much I could say! One thing I’ll mention is that even when New Zealanders are annoyed, they’ll smile sarcastically. Which, when you’re knocking on doors with people not happy to see you, it’s quite humorous haha There are so many people from the islands of Samoa, Kiribati, Fiji, Tonga, etc. and their culture is just entirely charity! I’ve never felt so immediately loved. Also, going from the wasteland of Utah to a verdant island paradise was so incredible. It was so green that the first night I remember staring blanky, unable to sleep! The native Maori are all about family, and friendship. Even if they don’t want to hear the Gospel, they’ll invite just about anyone outside to eat and laugh with them! Before, I thought literal “loud laughter” was offensive to the Spirit, but I can testify that the Spirit rejoices with their loud and loving laughter hehe😂 Later, I learned that loud laughter refers to “tavern humor” or inappropriate humor. If you’ve watched Moana, that’s so much like what I’ve experienced! Seeing that movie for the first time, I just missed my New Zealand family so much!
I appreciate you for empathizing! If I could describe it, it would be like a broken rollercoaster with no safety features-but the Gospel is what keeps us safe!
Alec. Great testimony!. I'm glad you stuck with it and shared your touching testimony. I've never understood bullying and can't conceive of it happening on your mission. I'm so thankful you didn’t give up and came back, relying on our Redeemer who will never give up on you or me if we try. He knows us and all our burdens and trials and afflictions. He is willing to take all that upon himself and if we will take his yoke upon us our burdens will be light. (Matt 11:18-20). You have a bright future and you are a wonderful young man and brother in the Gospel. Thanks again for sharing.
Alex, Haven't read other comments but imagine others have already said it...the Spirit is yours, forever. He will return to you immediately, joyfully if you ask, even in the slightest way. The Spirit is a rich part of Christ, who is a beloved part of Father, each individual but in perfect sinc with righteousness..He loves you...loves in an incomprehensible way. Love that we can't conceive of. He loves your very essence, he knows your tender heart, He loves you. Rejoice! Rejoice!! You are a beloved son of God. Rejoice!❤❤❤
❤ Thank you for sharing your sweet witness of Grace of Christ, Love from God, and Comfort from The Holy Spirit. Your experiences and your efforts have been blessed and it shows through your ollife story; the fruits of God. It took time and it took willingness. I am oftentimes impatient to wait for God in His due time. So I thank you for sharing your witness and your testimony. It has been very edifying to me.
I love your testimony youn man! It is so awesome that when we stumble and lose our way in the mist of darkness as human beings, Heavenly Father will keep calling us back. Sometimes I think that we have to go through the refiners fire to gain a strong testimony and change our lives. Testimony is a living thing! We cannot cover it up to save it in a safe. We cannot put it in the bank like money to be needed later. We are walking testimonies for Christ! Testimony cannot be saved. It has to be used for good.
@@lafrancehannele6884 That’s a real eye-opener, especially as you tied it to the Savior’s parable of the talents! The parables truly do have so much information, and your understanding is inspired without a doubt. What I forgot to mention in this video is that when I was in and out of the ER, a piece of a verse from the Doctrine and Covenants kept coming to my mind: “if thou endure it well” I was praying for it all to go away, and so little was changing; however, when I prayed to “endure it well” EVERYTHING changed! We need refining to be strengthened!
@@FromAgonyToLightI could understand and hear you just fine. Thank you for posting your testimony. You put so succinctly what I've thought and felt about how there's no way Joseph could have made up the Book of Mormon. I loved all the examples of evidence you expertly relayed.
There are thousands of good RUclips videos with the same audio as this. I just put in earbuds and turn it up. Between RUclips and the cellphone makers, that's all that can be done.
You are a modern-day warrior! Way to go Alec! Thank you for sharing your amazing, powerful testimony!!
Hi Alec, I am a convert and did not experience Primary😢but have now served in Primary for more than 20 years. It has been the best gift of purity and abundance of the Spirit of God in all days on this earth. The songs from Primary have soothed my soul on thousands of occasions💕Hold on, Alec. Always remember the tender mercies of the Lord in your life💕
THANK YOU ALEC for ....EVERY WORD of ur SPECIAL & VERY SWEET TESTIMONY!!🥰☺️
I’m so happy to share, and if any of my words are sweet, it is truly because of the sweetness of the Savior❤
7 minutes into the testimony I cried, I felt what he was feeling. I also know that our Heavenly Father loves him so much.
Thank you so much for what you’ve said, I struggle very much with feeling loved! That brightened up my entire day, and doubtlessly it will be something good I can remind myself of in hard times ❤
On feeling what I’m feeling, I know exactly what you mean! Many times as David has shared, I’ve felt his devotion, his pain, his optimism, and his triumph!
I’ve also caught that from our leaders, especially from our prophet Russel M. Nelson.
What a handsome young man! You will find your eternal companion someday.
Alec, thanks for your testimony. I was able to take a trip to New Zealand in 2015 and loved it there. I went for 4 weeks and traveled from North of the North Island and South on the North Island before taking the ferry across to the South Island. Made it across the Southern Alps and dow to Queenstown and over to Milford Sound. I hope I can go back someday. The people of New Zealand are wonderful.
Wonderful testimony! It's true, trials make you grow stronger and more humble and grateful. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Thanks Alec. My heart aches that you were bullied. So wrong. I’m so grateful that you have stayed close to our Savior. I feel a great deal of love for you. Hold on.
Alec, that is one of the most Beautiful and Sincere Stories and Testimony's I have ever experienced in my life. I know that you mean what you are saying, because the spirit has let me know that it is true. Thank you for sharing this with the World ........there are lots of People that need to feed upon your testimony. Please let your Mother - Step Mother watch Tad Callisters talk called The Blueprint of Christ's Church.........it is great and might touch her spirit and heart about this Church. All the best Alec, you are a very special Person and I'm sure that the Lord is pleased with what you've done today. All the best Brother Alec.
I think your story is amazing. Those who are severely bullied and especially from those in the church sadly can be pushed away forever. Bullying is so damaging. Your testimony will help so many that have experienced what you have and have come back. Everyone is important to God.. Thank you for your testimony!
Thank you for listening! I feel like I’ve always had a deep desire to help, even when I was outside the Church.
Now I believe that I can do something to help, finally! What you’ve said is part of my goal in sharing, that when others experience similar things, I hope that what I’ve shared can help!
I am from Mexico and I am so happy to hear how you are healing. Sometimes it takes getting out of the space that hurt us so that God can reach us better and that we can hear Him better. I am happy for you and I know of the things that you are talking about.
I love being in Mexico so very much! Even when I looked out from the plane window I started to feel better, the Spirit is just in the air here!
The culture and the people are so genuine and warm. I hope that the Lord will also help you heal, as one general authority said, “without a scar” the Atonement of Jesus Christ can make this possible!
Thank you Alec. And look at the light in your eyes! Full of Joy! We have 7 kids ages 22 to 7. I am grateful to have been there for each of our childrens Patriarchal blessings. As our oldest kids have gone through trials and struggles I have had the prompting and testimony to say to them " now you can Truly mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" . I have come to realize through my children that these are sacrifices that we make by being bullied to be able to understand and help those. Especially those that do not have the gospel to be able to know that everything is going to be okay and hopefully have and be able to build a relationship with God. And to know that through our weaknesses we come close to our Heavenly Father as he makes them become strengths if we seek him and follow him. We also have great Spiritual reminders in our children because 2 of the are named Faith and Grace ;)
It’s so interesting, because what you’ve said has happened in my life! When I first got here to Mexico, I became fast friends with someone, and I learned that they had been bullied all their life. We talked about what we both experienced for hours, and I’ve tried my best to stick with him, even when he’s suffered so badly that our friendship almost died multiple times.
They had been trying to work up the courage to commit suicide, and couldn’t keep a job because of how convinced they were that no one loved them and no one cared. He had no hope for the future.
Thankfully, I managed to convince him to hear the missionaries through our friendship, and his heart was so soft from what he’d suffered, that he recognized that the elders are true friends that really care.
Later, he attended Church, felt the Spirit, and said he had trouble sleeping at night because he kept feeling that he needed to be baptized.
One Sunday during Sacrament meeting, his suicidal thoughts were completely taken away as he listened to a sister speak. He said that was a “hard proof” that what we’ve told him is true.
He always had trouble smiling, and was always so sad, but after he was baptized, he has the brightest smile ever. He recently attended the temple with me, and he loved it! I’m so grateful for what I’ve experienced, because as you said, through it I could mourn with someone that was mourning, and help to lead Him to the Savior to be truly comforted.
Thank you Alec for your testimony. Sorry you had to suffer from bullying. So happy you found your way back. 🙌🏼 I can relate to you. I was raised in the church but fell away at age 14 and didn’t come back until I was my mid 30’s.
Jesus Christ does and can heal all our sufferings, he knows what we are going through and walks besides us.
I love the Holy Ghost so much. He is our guide through all of this. What a blessing from Heavenly Father to have the Holy Ghost to guide us😊
I honestly don’t know how people outside the Church live without the Gift of the Holy Ghost! It makes me almost desperate to offer guidance and help!
I’m sorry you’ve had to experience bullying also. It’s such a blessing however to be able to look back and see how we have been helped by Christ.
It’s paradoxical isn’t it? I didn’t recognize His help when I was outside the Church until after.
Alec, you have such a sweet and humble spirit. I feel like you’re testimony has the potential to strengthen and lift so many people who also struggle with anxiety and belonging in the church.
Alec, I watched a couple of Saints Unscripted videos about missionaries being bullied on their missions, forcing them to come home. What a great tragedy! I'm sorry it has been one of your trials. I loved your testimony, and I'm so thrilled that you are now in a ward where you can feel the spirit immediately. I hope your dad and his wife will feel the spirit when they're near you and might be drawn to the truth through you. Thank you for your courage in sharing your experiences. Being part of this great work is such a blessing for all of us!
Alec, thank you for sharing your testimony and so much of your life with us. I am grateful for everything you said and especially your candor and sincerity.
You said how the testimony of others brought the Spirit to you often since you were young. Well, your testimony here brought the Spirit to many, many people around the world and will continue to do so for a long time.
Thank you for opening up so much to us! Grateful.
Thank you for sharing your life story please don’t ever give up l pray that God be with you all ways 😊👏
Alec...your testimony was amazing. I'm sure your "mission" is still having and will have an impact on many. thank you for your sincerity and strength. ❤👃🕊
WOW ALEC!! It's amazing that when the Spirit of God is with someone as they talk as you have, how it speaks and communicates so clearly through you to those listening. Your words were just beautiful and calming to me, and your eyes so bright with light. Thank you, and may you always be blessed to share. This really will help many, many people Alec. ❤
Love your testimony Alec.
Thank you for listening! I’m so glad!
You are truly a child of light, with your simple faith to have grown 500 years of spiritual testimony, because of your very hard and difficult struggles you now are a beacon of light to even an old lady like me who has never lost her faith but needs encouraging saints. Many of my children are wandering on strange paths. You have true spiritual grit you will be a great blessing to your family. Would love to hear how your future turns out. Praying for you and sending you love
Love the testimony Brother... Most struggle with being as acceptable as we wish (and those whom all like have their own extra troubles with the pride cycle) and some fail at avoiding the pride of digging a pit for others... Glad you're back.
Glad to be back!
Pride is one of my great struggles also, and accusing people of wanting to hurt me.
I keep trying to remember a quote that “love sees the best in others” or something similar to that!
Love...believes the best about others...in every situation. The Accuser..ALWAYS tries to get us to believe the worst about others and their intentions towards us...and also, to get us to believe the worst about ourselves...to "build a case" against others and even against ourselves, and even against God and His True Church. "building a case' is one of the fingerprints of Satan's touch...
Dear Alec, Make yourself a copy of your Patriarchal Blessing and read through it. Highlight each important message it gives you in different colors. Write your feelings about each one and ask the Lord if you need understanding. Read your blessing often and as you do it will continually guide you, remind you of who you are, and also give you comfort as you follow what you were told and use the gifts you have been given by your Father in Heaven.
Hi Alec, thank you for sharing your testimony. I,m so glad you had the courage to overcome your challenges and move forward. You are special in the sight of the Lord.
Alec, You are so full of light! Don't stop being you because you have a unique sensitivity in expressing the depths of your heart. Don't believe the negative things that a few may say about you, because it's obvious that those things aren't true. Focus just on the good and let the negative stuff outside of you go. Don't believe in the negative because what we choose to focus on expands. So, put your attention on your actual goodness--which is so obvious to those of us who have listened to your story--and focus on your exciting potential as a literal, marvelous son of God and your joy will bloom and grow and grow! I feel you are a kindred soul. Thank you, Alec, for your courage in sharing your inner self and your journey, a journey that definitely touches each of our journeys. God bless you.
Thank you for Sharing Alec! This brought tears to my eyes. You have a wonderful testimony. Thank the Lord you feel His love and light. Even some members of our faith can be rude and insensitive. But, The doctrine of Jesue Christ is true and will lead us back to our Heavenly home if we stay humble and be obedient. God bless you!
Dear Alec, I rejoice to meet a truly pure in heart brother like the Savior tells about in Matthew 5:8. You are a beautiful and excellent soul !!
That’s such a fascinating scripture to reference! Recently, I felt the Spirit teach me that when we notice God acting in our lives, we see God.
So many members like yourself notice Heavenly Father’s kindness and charity, so pat yourself on the back, O honest in heart!
@@FromAgonyToLight I see young brother Alec that you have changed your handle from (was it) "agony of agonies"? I hope your spirit is in a better place by now!
-Hosannahs!
I appreciate you sharing so candidly. You are just a little older than my oldest child, so it was nice to hear of your experiences as someone from about the generation of my children. It shows a great deal of maturity for you to recognize that focusing in on the specifics that took you from the Spirit-- especially in a time when such sharing is encouraged as being "authentic" -- only acts as a sort of distraction from focusing on the light you were able to share by leaving those details out. I admire your willingness to work to have that connection with the Spirit again. Thank you for taking time and getting outside of yourself and sharing this with us!
I feel there’s one thing my generation all has in common: sensitivity. It was publicly condemned as a weakness, and it can be if we allow everything hurt us so deeply, but it seems to also work as a lens on spiritual things.
It’s an odd virtue indeed to focus on how others have hurt us, or to dwell or wallow in the suffering inflicted on us. It tries to paint the world as a dark and horrible place filled with inhuman monsters.
The Gospel really is the answer, Christ taught us through the prophet Joseph: “anything virtuous lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” While the world teaches the opposite is better.
Willingness is also a huge part of my testimony, I’ve truly tested and learned that “the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” He truly makes up the difference, and nothing we have is our own.
AND...you have a great smile!!
Thank you brother for sharing your testimony.
You’re welcome! I’m happy with the result. Usually it’s very difficult for me to remain calm, but the Spirit helped me here also!
I love your story! It is more common than you might believe. Many of us experiment upon the word! Thank you for sharing your experiences of Primary! I spent many years on and off as a Primary Teacher of all ages, I put my heart and soul into the lessons i taught, wanting to share what the Spirit directed, not my own words. I also tried to make it fun and enjoyable so the children would want to come back each week! I have cherished memories and lots of sweet little faces as part of my life. Once in awhile i get an update on one of them. What a joy! You are and always will be loved! Wonderful testimony! Carry on!
Powerful testimony. Thank you for sharing.
As the verse says “love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind, and strength” might and strength are closely related, and I know Jesus is our strength.
Thank you for going through with the trials and difficulties and sharing your testimony. Could feel you be strengthened as you carried on.
Alec, I LOVE the sincerity of your testimony! You are a good man! You are handsome, especially when you smile! You are very articulate and you have every right to draw your confidence from our Savior, Jesus Christ. If God be for you, who can be against you!!! I pray that you will continue to be faithful and confident through the Lord! Thank you for your persistence in bearing your testimony. I know that it took great courage!! Ultrafocus on your true identity as a magnificent son of God!!!
Thank you, Alec for sharing your wonderful testimony.
Hi Alec, thank you for your testimony and your courage! Sorry for the bullying you have experienced in your life, but from your testimony I can see how the Savior was wanting to be there for you during those hard things! He has been there for me through those hard things too! I also took that for granted sometimes!! I felt your sincere strong spirit and so glad you have come back!! May you continue to feel His love and the love of those trying to stay on the covenant path with you!!
I saw your face light up when you mentioned your mission. It would be lovely to hear more about your mission. 😊
There’s so much I could say!
One thing I’ll mention is that even when New Zealanders are annoyed, they’ll smile sarcastically. Which, when you’re knocking on doors with people not happy to see you, it’s quite humorous haha
There are so many people from the islands of Samoa, Kiribati, Fiji, Tonga, etc. and their culture is just entirely charity! I’ve never felt so immediately loved.
Also, going from the wasteland of Utah to a verdant island paradise was so incredible. It was so green that the first night I remember staring blanky, unable to sleep!
The native Maori are all about family, and friendship. Even if they don’t want to hear the Gospel, they’ll invite just about anyone outside to eat and laugh with them! Before, I thought literal “loud laughter” was offensive to the Spirit, but I can testify that the Spirit rejoices with their loud and loving laughter hehe😂 Later, I learned that loud laughter refers to “tavern humor” or inappropriate humor.
If you’ve watched Moana, that’s so much like what I’ve experienced! Seeing that movie for the first time, I just missed my New Zealand family so much!
This guy has had a rocky road! Thanks for bearing your soul to us.
I appreciate you for empathizing! If I could describe it, it would be like a broken rollercoaster with no safety features-but the Gospel is what keeps us safe!
Alec. Great testimony!. I'm glad you stuck with it and shared your touching testimony. I've never understood bullying and can't conceive of it happening on your mission. I'm so thankful you didn’t give up and came back, relying on our Redeemer who will never give up on you or me if we try. He knows us and all our burdens and trials and afflictions. He is willing to take all that upon himself and if we will take his yoke upon us our burdens will be light. (Matt 11:18-20).
You have a bright future and you are a wonderful young man and brother in the Gospel. Thanks again for sharing.
Alex, Haven't read other comments but imagine others have already said it...the Spirit is yours, forever. He will return to you immediately, joyfully if you ask, even in the slightest way. The Spirit is a rich part of Christ, who is a beloved part of Father, each individual but in perfect sinc with righteousness..He loves you...loves in an incomprehensible way. Love that we can't conceive of. He loves your very essence, he knows your tender heart, He loves you. Rejoice! Rejoice!! You are a beloved son of God. Rejoice!❤❤❤
❤ Thank you for sharing your sweet witness of Grace of Christ, Love from God, and Comfort from The Holy Spirit. Your experiences and your efforts have been blessed and it shows through your ollife story; the fruits of God. It took time and it took willingness. I am oftentimes impatient to wait for God in His due time. So I thank you for sharing your witness and your testimony. It has been very edifying to me.
I’m so glad! The best thing I could hope for from sending this to David is to edify the Saints! Thank you for helping me fulfill my purpose ❤
Thank you so much Alec for sharing your experiences and testimony. It means a lot to me💕
Loved your testimony so much! ♡
I loved your song! I have it on my Church music playlist, and listen to it often! I’m so happy we can share 😊
Oh thank you I appreciate it. But I really enjoyed your story and glad you shared it with us!
Amen!
tremendous testimony, and so honest, but the sound is not good, too low.
Brother David, is there any way to increase the sound volume?
Sorry, I do mumble. I’m a fairly awkward and nervous person, especially on camera 😅
@@FromAgonyToLight You were very brave to do this at all. Thank you, Brother Alec!! Would be nice to hear more from you soon.
I love your testimony youn man! It is so awesome that when we stumble and lose our way in the mist of darkness as human beings, Heavenly Father will keep calling us back. Sometimes I think that we have to go through the refiners fire to gain a strong testimony and change our lives. Testimony is a living thing! We cannot cover it up to save it in a safe. We cannot put it in the bank like money to be needed later. We are walking testimonies for Christ! Testimony cannot be saved. It has to be used for good.
@@lafrancehannele6884 That’s a real eye-opener, especially as you tied it to the Savior’s parable of the talents! The parables truly do have so much information, and your understanding is inspired without a doubt.
What I forgot to mention in this video is that when I was in and out of the ER, a piece of a verse from the Doctrine and Covenants kept coming to my mind: “if thou endure it well” I was praying for it all to go away, and so little was changing; however, when I prayed to “endure it well” EVERYTHING changed! We need refining to be strengthened!
@@FromAgonyToLightI could understand and hear you just fine. Thank you for posting your testimony. You put so succinctly what I've thought and felt about how there's no way Joseph could have made up the Book of Mormon. I loved all the examples of evidence you expertly relayed.
So handsome
❤
Very hard to hear what he is saying...the volume is low
There are thousands of good RUclips videos with the same audio as this. I just put in earbuds and turn it up.
Between RUclips and the cellphone makers, that's all that can be done.