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Question

Dear Gramps,

I am an unmarried, childless 46 year old Afro-American female, who is spiritually lost. I have always been drawn to the LDS Church but is there a place for someone like me? The words “Which Church Is Right?” are all I think about. Can you help?

Penny

 

Answer

Dear Penny,

In God’s kingdom there is always room for everyone! He loves all his children, and I have no doubt that he has a plan in his kingdom for each one of us. Further, as we are his children, he is our Father. The word “Father” is used in the scriptures as a title for God more frequently than any other term. If you look to God as your kind and loving Father, and ask him in faith for the desires of your heart, he will surely hear and answer.

There was a young man by the name of Joseph Smith who had the same questions in his mind as you have in yours. In search for an answer he came across the scripture found in James 1:5-6, which says,

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Joseph remarked of this occasion,

Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religions of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture (Joseph Smith History 1:12-13).

As a result of that inquiry the Father and the Son appeared to him in heavenly vision and called him to establish the kingdom of God again on the earth. That kingdom is known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is established now in all the world. I think that you might be amazed at what the Church and Kingdom of God has to offer a person like yourself.

Let me suggest two things-

One, look up in the phone book the address of the nearest Ward (congregation) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, begin attending the Church on Sundays and begin to meet and affiliate with the members there.

Two, ask anyone there to introduce you to the missionaries of the Church. These are normally young men or women who, for a period of two years, spend their full time teaching the fundamental principles of the gospel to those who have interest. Invite them to tell you about the Church and its teachings. I have confidence that as you do this you will receive your own revelation from the Lord telling you that indeed his kingdom has been reestablished in the earth, and as you begin to incorporate into your life the principles of the gospel as explained by the missionaries you will know that you belong, and you will find a peace and happiness that is beyond expression, and is to be found in no other place on the earth today.

Gramps

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