Comments on: Line upon Line vs. Lightning Bolts http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/ Uplifting, edifying, and enriching reading by and for Latter-day Saint Women Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:29:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Stephen M (Ethesis) http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1716 Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:35:19 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1716 "<i>God told me that I knew the church was truly already, and had always known it.</i>" Reminds me of Oliver and God saying "remember the witness I gave you ... " This was a wonderful essay, thank you. “God told me that I knew the church was truly already, and had always known it.”

Reminds me of Oliver and God saying “remember the witness I gave you … ”

This was a wonderful essay, thank you.

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1689 Sat, 29 Jul 2006 15:18:02 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1689 I thought I was one of those who always knew the Church was true, but then as a teenager I fell prey to the temptation of pride, and went through what I now refer to as "my atheist phase." Even though I felt that religion was fine for those who were too weak to live a moral life without a crutch, something inside me was still drawn to the truths of the Gospel. I kept attending church, reading the Book of Mormon, and praying that if God existed, I could somehow have one of those "lightning bolt" experiences to let me know. When my testimony finally came, it was really more of a deep, peaceful, light-filled awareness that, yes, it was all true. Interestingly enough, when I was praying to know if the man I had recently met was the man I should marry, the assurance that he was came in a similar way. One day, as I began my personal morning prayer, and was launching into my supplication to know if I should marry X, I realized that I didn't need to ask that question anymore. The answer was aleady a part of me, and it was, "Yes." All my doubts and concerns about that issue had somehow been replaced in my mind and heart with a deep feeling of peace. Once again, I just knew; but that knowledge has been reinforced by the drip, drip of thousands of subsequent experiences. Over forty years later, I understand how right that marriage decision was--for both of us. Not that we "lived happily ever after" without any work or struggle on our part. We definitely had mostly fabulous ups; but we also had some so-so middles, and one serious down over the years. However, we have had a tremendous amount of fun along the way. And the Lord helped us to keep our covenants, and to overcome every challenge and trial to lead us to a place in our older years where we find great joy in our relationship. Whether our realization that we have a testimony comes as a result of gradual, or sudden experiences with God, <i>I think we can only retain that testimony if we are constantly nourishing it with actions that will keep that "drop-by-drop" process going.</i> I thought I was one of those who always knew the Church was true, but then as a teenager I fell prey to the temptation of pride, and went through what I now refer to as “my atheist phase.”

Even though I felt that religion was fine for those who were too weak to live a moral life without a crutch, something inside me was still drawn to the truths of the Gospel. I kept attending church, reading the Book of Mormon, and praying that if God existed, I could somehow have one of those “lightning bolt” experiences to let me know. When my testimony finally came, it was really more of a deep, peaceful, light-filled awareness that, yes, it was all true.

Interestingly enough, when I was praying to know if the man I had recently met was the man I should marry, the assurance that he was came in a similar way. One day, as I began my personal morning prayer, and was launching into my supplication to know if I should marry X, I realized that I didn’t need to ask that question anymore. The answer was aleady a part of me, and it was, “Yes.” All my doubts and concerns about that issue had somehow been replaced in my mind and heart with a deep feeling of peace. Once again, I just knew; but that knowledge has been reinforced by the drip, drip of thousands of subsequent experiences.

Over forty years later, I understand how right that marriage decision was–for both of us. Not that we “lived happily ever after” without any work or struggle on our part. We definitely had mostly fabulous ups; but we also had some so-so middles, and one serious down over the years. However, we have had a tremendous amount of fun along the way. And the Lord helped us to keep our covenants, and to overcome every challenge and trial to lead us to a place in our older years where we find great joy in our relationship.

Whether our realization that we have a testimony comes as a result of gradual, or sudden experiences with God, I think we can only retain that testimony if we are constantly nourishing it with actions that will keep that “drop-by-drop” process going.

]]> by: Michelle http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1674 Fri, 28 Jul 2006 04:00:11 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1674 Karen, JKS, and Eric, thanks for your comments. (Eric, your play on the word drip made me smile, although I don't think you are a drip!) Queuno, I guess I'll have to say "kick away." I LOVE President Packer. I always have. :) Karen, JKS, and Eric, thanks for your comments. (Eric, your play on the word drip made me smile, although I don’t think you are a drip!)

Queuno, I guess I’ll have to say “kick away.” I LOVE President Packer. I always have. :)

]]> by: Eric Nielson http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1669 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:19:38 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1669 This is a great lesson. And yes, BKP can be quite inspiring to many of us. I also am largly the product of a lot of little drips. So now I'm a big (or bigger) drip than I used to be. I have had two experiences that I would consider somewhat in the lightning bolt category. One had to do with repentance, one was a dream. But otherwise little by little. This is a great lesson. And yes, BKP can be quite inspiring to many of us.

I also am largly the product of a lot of little drips. So now I’m a big (or bigger) drip than I used to be. I have had two experiences that I would consider somewhat in the lightning bolt category. One had to do with repentance, one was a dream. But otherwise little by little.

]]> by: queuno http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1667 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:55:01 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1667 Shhhhhh! Don't let people know that Elder Packer has worthwhile, apostolic guidance to give, or they'll kick you out of the Bloggernacle! Shhhhhh! Don’t let people know that Elder Packer has worthwhile, apostolic guidance to give, or they’ll kick you out of the Bloggernacle!

]]> by: JKS http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1666 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:17:29 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1666 My dad was a convert and my mother had had a spiritual experience that converted her as a teenager. So, I grew up expecting to get my own lightning bolt someday (after lots praying and reading scriptures and a big dose of angst, you know what I mean). I didn't want to be one of those people who was just borrowing their parent's testimony. At age 17 I guess I did get my tiny lightning bolt. God told me that I knew the church was truly already, and had always known it. The gift had already been given but I had failed to realize it, since it had always been a part of me. My dad was a convert and my mother had had a spiritual experience that converted her as a teenager. So, I grew up expecting to get my own lightning bolt someday (after lots praying and reading scriptures and a big dose of angst, you know what I mean). I didn’t want to be one of those people who was just borrowing their parent’s testimony.
At age 17 I guess I did get my tiny lightning bolt. God told me that I knew the church was truly already, and had always known it.
The gift had already been given but I had failed to realize it, since it had always been a part of me.

]]> by: Karen http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1664 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:09:32 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/07/27/line-upon-line-vs-lightning-bolts/#comment-1664 My testimony has also been filled drop by drop, no lightning bolts for me. I find comfort in knowing that I am not the only one who gains a testimony this way. As a youth I think I would have appreciated being taught this. When my husband and I got married I had great anxieties because I could not get a "lightning bolt" answer. I realized (with someone's very good counsel) that not everyone will get a lightning bolt, and that I knew because of feelings that had witnessed to me over time, and that Heavenly Father would allow me to decide and then make it work. My testimony has also been filled drop by drop, no lightning bolts for me. I find comfort in knowing that I am not the only one who gains a testimony this way. As a youth I think I would have appreciated being taught this. When my husband and I got married I had great anxieties because I could not get a “lightning bolt” answer. I realized (with someone’s very good counsel) that not everyone will get a lightning bolt, and that I knew because of feelings that had witnessed to me over time, and that Heavenly Father would allow me to decide and then make it work.

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