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Former Catholic Church Member
The Scales of Darkness Fell From My Mind
By Andrew Hardwick
My family has been Catholic for generations. I
first encountered the Church through an exhibit at a World's Fair. I
remember when I read Joseph Smith's testimony how skeptical I was of
the whole thing. Being curious, I went to my local library to learn
more about the LDS faith.
Basically all the written information I found told
me what a fraud Joseph Smith was or that he suffered from Dementia
Praecox. This filled me with hate for Mormonism.
I thought that everyone who subscribed to this
religion must be people of inferior intellect. After all, where were
the golden plates? Angels appearing in nineteenth century America?
Yeah right! I took my Book of Mormon and burned it.
This must be something Satanic I decided. In the
following months I tried to be a better Catholic. I prayed the
rosary daily, went to novenas, First Fridays and Saturday
devotionals to Our Lady Of Fatima.
Though I considered Mormonism false, I felt this
strange desire to learn more. Concerned I talked to my priest. He
said Mormons were good people but had some strange beliefs. He
encouraged me to keep praying. I did and invited several orders of
priests to talk with me.
I was planning on studying at the seminary but
couldn't decide which order to join. Still thoughts of Mormonism
kept entering into my mind. I decided to visit an LDS chapel to see
what kind of gullible people could believe such hokum.
Everyone at the rented building used for a chapel
treated me with kindness. I was taken aback by the Christian spirit
exhibited by these people. The missionaries invited me to take the
lessons. At first I could not believe what they were telling me but
kept praying.
As I did, the scales of darkness fell from my mind
and I began to admit that Joseph might have been a prophet. Finally
I received a testimony and was baptized several weeks later. This
was a shock to my family and provoked much anger, tears and insults.
No matter. I have never regretted my decision.
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