by Sister Dalby
“Hello, my name is Isamuel. Before I came to America, I had a lot of faith in Jesus Christ and in the power of prayer. I talked with God as I went through hard times. He helped me and guided me in all things. As I continued through my difficulties, I saw signs of the hand of the Lord guiding me and helping me overcome all that I was facing.”
Samuel was found when the missionaries were teaching his cousin, Cecelia, and her significant other, Fabian. He joined in on the lesson when they invited Cecelia and Fabian to be baptized, and they all said yes! Cecelia and Fabian ended up having to wait to be baptized so they could get married first, but Samuel went through with his date and is now a confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
About being found by the missionaries, he shared, “I had doubts about what church I should join, so I prayed. A few days passed, and later, out of the blue, someone knocked on the door and it was the sister missionaries and an Hermano from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I knew it was God answering my prayer as He had in the past. I then knew the truth about which church to join and now I am a member of the church.”
The growth that Samuel experienced in a relatively short amount of time is monumental. Cecelia, his cousin and close friend, mentioned to the Hermanas how proud she was of him and how much he had changed since accepting the gospel and strengthening his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Samuel himself said that he felt himself becoming more patient, having better relationships with his friends and family, and more strongly feeling God’s love for him!
One experience that left an impression on Samuel was the first time that a member came with the Hermanas to a lesson. He said that he really appreciated how the member shook his hand, listened to him, and how strong his testimony was. Throughout the teaching process, the missionaries brought many members with them to aid in teaching the lessons. Samuel formed special friendships with members in the process, including Jim Knott, the branch mission leader, Felipe Hernandez and Sergio Salazar, other members of the branch. Hermano Jim Knott performed Samuel’s baptism on April 14, 2024, and Samuel received the Aaronic Priesthood on May 19, 2024. He is currently preparing to go to the temple with Cecilia and Fabian for the first time as a family.
About going to church, he said, “The first time that I went to church, it felt nice and I felt like I was home. Compared to the church I went to before, where no one greeted you and I felt bored, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I feel peace, calmess, the Holy Ghost, I feel like I belong with the members, and I feel a connection with each of them. I feel fortunate to be a member of the church because I know that God is helping me everyday and that He is with me.
“I know that the Lord has answered each of my prayers, and I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
TAbout going to church, he said, “The first time that I went to church, it felt nice and I felt like I was home. Compared to the church I went to before, where no one greeted you and I felt bored, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I feel peace, calmess, the Holy Ghost, I feel like I belong with the members, and I feel a connection with each of them. I feel fortunate to be a member of the church because I know that God is helping me everyday and that He is with me.
“I know that the Lord has answered each of my prayers, and I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
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