For those of you who do not know me, I am not normally on staff at Grace, but I have had the blessing to help with children’s ministry this summer. My full-time position is being the choir and guitar teacher at Newton High School. My family and I have been attending Grace for the past 7 years since we moved here for our teaching positions. You have probably seen me on stage helping to lead worship, and I am blessed to have my husband, daughter, and son on the worship teams here at Grace. I have also been on the Reach Local Committee for the past few years.
I was challenged to write a staff journal during the summer, and I have decided to share my testimony with the church. I was challenged to write out my testimony during a women’s Bible study, and it was very helpful for me to put my journey into words. I would encourage everyone to write their testimony to be able to share and defend their faith at any moment! 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
I was raised in a “mormonish” church. It was the RLDS church based in Independence, MO. The church has since changed names, but still believes in the Book of Mormon. My family had been part of the church back when Joseph Smith was in Independence, MO. We even have documents that show my great great-great-grandfather pictured next to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. I was baptised into the church when I was 8, just like every child who grew up in the church. I did believe in Jesus at a very early age and had a very strong faith in the church.
My oldest brother, Spencer, was 10 years older than me, and he had gone to college to study biology. He had become agnostic, but during his studies, he came to the realization that there had to be a creator when he looked at the complexity of creation. He also met and married my sister-in-law, Jennifer. She was a very strong Christian who helped him in his journey to find Christ. Spencer was my mentor and spent a year studying the scriptures and telling me the truth about the Mormon church. He never gave up, and he never stopped praying for me.
I remember the exact moment that my brain and heart realized that Joseph Smith was a false prophet. I now realize it was the Holy Spirit lifting the veil so I could know the truth. I was sitting on the couch with my brother, and he was showing me a prophecy Joseph Smith had made that did not come true.
My brother baptised me and I have been on the journey of sanctification ever since. He continued to disciple me as I grew in my faith, and most of my immediate family also left the “mormonish” church and became Christians. I am so thankful that God gave me a person in my life who shared the gospel and the truth and did not give up. My challenge to you is to be that person for someone else. Choose a person, and pray for them without ceasing and share your testimony with them. You may not see the fruit, but you can plant the seed.
Grace and Peace,
Amy Ives