Wrong Roads

mormonchannel.o...
When making decisions, God expects us to pray, trust, and be believing and then not give up, panic, or ""jump ship"" when something doesn't seem to be going right. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shares a personal experience that reminds us to always trust God and the direction He gives us.
(Voice of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) There are times when the only way to get from A to C is by way of B. Having grown up in Southern Utah and enjoying all the wonders and beauties of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, I wanted to introduce my son to that, and I wanted to show him places that I had seen and enjoyed when I was his age, so his mother packed a little lunch for us and we took his grandfather's pickup truck and headed South onto what we call the Old Arizona Strip. Noting that the Sun was going down we decided we better get back. But we came back to a particular fork in the road, really the only one, that at that point was absolutely unrecognizable. I asked my son to pray about which road to take, and he felt strongly that we should go to the right, and I did as well, and we went to the right and it was a dead end. We went four or five or six hundred yards and it was an absolute dead-end, clearly the wrong road. We turned around, came back out, took the other road and clearly the road to the left was the correct road. Somewhere along the way Matt said, ""Dad, why did we feel, after praying about it, that the right road was the proper one to take, the correct one to take, and it wasn't?"" And I said, ""I think that the Lord, His wish for us there, and his answer to our prayer was to get us on the right road as quickly as possible with some reassurance, with some understanding, that we were on the right road and we didn't have to worry about it, and in this case, the easiest way to do that was to let us go 400 yards or 500 yards on the wrong road, and very quickly know, without a doubt, that it was the wrong road, and therefore with equal certainty with equal conviction that the other one was the right road."" I have absolute certain knowledge, perfect knowledge, that God loves us. He is good, He is our Father, and He expects us to pray, and trust, and be believing, and not give up, and not panic, and not retreat, and not jump ship, when something doesn't seem to be going just right. We stay in, we keep working, we keep believing, keep trusting, following that same path and we will live to fall in His arms and feel His embrace and hear Him say, ""I told you that it'd be okay, I told you it would be all right.""
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[@karivanderpool2424]

The man in this video is my husband and the young boy is my oldest son. They were chosen for this because they both looked very similar to Elder Holland at this time. Based in the 70's, you can read the son's account in the Ensign article titled, Wrong Roads and Revelation. The truck they were driving was actually Elder Hollands old truck. The producer found it the day before shooting. Everything about this video just fell into place for our family and we were so blessed to be a part of it.

[@HAJensen19987]

That’s neat!

[@shirleypost3351]

very exciting!

[@sophieclinnick95]

That’s awesome

[@gavin3598]

That's an amazing story 🙂

[@lyndonreid3521]

I don't believe you.

[@andyedmonds2841]

I had a similar experience in Disneyland! My husband had one of our children and I had the other two, we had become separated and I searched for him for nearly an hour. I had no phone and my baby needed a nappy change as he had been soaked through for over half an hour and was very unhappy as was my aching toddlers legs. I crouched down next to my toddler and we said a prayer, then walked down a dead end!! We turned around and walked back to choose a different path. This time we saw daddy and our other little one getting off a ride. Turns out it was all in the TIMING. Had we gone the right way first time we would have walked right past as that ride hadn't finished yet. So thankful for a loving heavenly father who cares about the details of our lives.

[@Kenngo1969]

I see that I'm very "late to the party," as it were, but I couldn't resist chiming in. (I hope you're still around, and that you see this!) I like the "twist" in your story: Indeed, it IS all in the timing. In the short term, at least, I don't understand God's timing or his purposes. (I've seen so many dead ends!) As John Lennon said once, "It will be alright in the end. If it's not alright, it's not the end." Warm Regards and Best Wishes from a Brother in Christ Across the Pond, ;-D -@Kenngo1969

[@jaredrodriguezvalle8563]

"I told you It would be okay, I told you it would be alright" ❤️

[@pamweinberg1212]

Thank you. I never thought of things or life’s stumbling blocks this way. I will be going to Church this Sunday after many years of not going. I thrist for where he dwells. I have felt his Devine spirit in Church and I know he loves me. As I love him. Thank you.💛😇🙏💫

[@yellowyosh470]

He sure does love you! So very much. ♥️

[@ameliasgluten-free4375]

You are always welcomed, needed, and loved! Christ loves you and understands what you are going through. ❤️

[@Sablespartan]

How are you now?

[@tupscolls776]

Just Love Elder Holland! 😍Heavenly Father respects our agency & allows us to make mistakes , however, He gives us grace to recognize the wrong path, recalibrate, and take the right path towards His blessings! 💜😇

[@davidwells9709]

I love this principle. Oftentimes when we have a belief in God we wonder why he allows us to "mess up" so much. Really it is because learning by experience is so much more meaningful to us than just being told what to do all the time.

[@TysonGodfrey]

Mormon or not this story really shows how God works in guiding us though life. He wants us to figure things our for ourselves and make our own decisions so we can learn from them, and sometimes that involves letting us find out though experience that something isn't right so we can then know for sure what is right.

[@Berumen85]

or.. we make mistakes, and we have to figure out things on our own. No divine plan. Trial and error doesn't require a maker.

[@RobertJonHopkins]

Anytime i watch a video on this channel, its like it knows, or more precisely, Heavenly Father knows i needed to see it, i needed to hear the advice, or lessons within it.. and i'm not even Mormon.. maybe that needs to change.

[@tylerbone3358]

So... did it change? Did you get baptized? 😃

[@patwinborg3150]

Elder Holland is a wonderful example of a Christ-like person. We were in the same ward with them a number of years ago, Both he and his angelic wife Pat, are exactly as they appear to be; wise, faithful and obedient. I'm thankful for the privilege of knowing these really good humble people. I always love his messages, and they help me to try harder to be what I should be.

[@tmadsam]

I dearly love Elder Holland. His talks always go straight to my heart. I am blessed with an incredible spirit when he speaks. I pray for him that he gets well. Yes, I can still go back and listen to all his old talks, but what about the wisdom he has yet to give us? Bless get well, President Holland. I care deeply for you and your wife. 3:58

[@CalledtoShare]

Elder Holland's response to his son was amazing. With such wisdom as he displayed, it's not wonder he is an apostle of the Lord.

[@CalledtoShare]

Yahwey Guy - Let's look at it this way. Prayer either works or it doesn't. If it doesn't, then everything you have said is right. If prayer does work, then I believe the moral of the story is very well laid out in the video. God wants us to be on the right path, with the assurance that we are on the right path as soon as possible. Prayer doesn't work if we don't believe it works. Faith is needed. Prayer does work if we have faith. Thanks for the dialogue, it was nice hearing from you.

[@pamweinberg1212]

Called to Share very true.

[@tmadsam]

I love Elder Holland! I can't live without him! Please, Heavenly Father, heal him! His words speak to me!

[@DivinePearl]

You know, I feel that i am currently living this situation right now. I felt so strongly to take a certain career path because I prayed about it and received confirmation. But not too long into the career, I was let go. I asked myself and God, "why would you put put me into this path, only to take me out?" Now, I'm in another path in striving to go to school for an advanced degree. I don't know everything and even now it's not certain, however I do trust in God's plan. He has made things possible and clear many times in my life, why wouldn't he do so now?

[@mrdasilver]

Divine Pearl I love that! Thank you for sharing your story! Because of your faith and trust in the Lord, I KNOW that you will find what you’re looking for and get to where you desire to be in life. 😊

[@jordanforbes2557]

Thanks for sharing. I realize this is an old comment. I hope you have found what you are looking for career wise. I am in a similar situation right now. Though I haven't been let go, but I have realized that this career isn't for me. The job I have is great, I feel very blessed and it was a definite answer to many prayers but now I think part of the reason God blessed me with this job is so I would have a better idea of what I don't want in life.

[@danalivingabroad]

I hope things turned out for the best. I trust they did.

[@tamolsonphotography]

Elder Holland is my generation’s Elder Maxwell. I hang onto his words.

[@cottoncountrytrucker2087]

It was the very last part that I really needed to hear, sir.

[@nikkilamoreaux4045]

I love Elder Holland. There are two things that I especially love about this video. The first is the fact that he asked his son to pray and ask the Lord which road would be best to take. Also, his response to his son was amazing. When his son asked why the Lord would take them down the wrong road, Elder Holland had the Spirit with him, so that he could provide a great answer, which is so applicable to so many decisions we make in life. I love the Gospel!

[@nikkilamoreaux4045]

In the movie, he talks about how going down the wrong road led them to a dead end, but by doing that, they knew with certainty that wasn't the right road, and they also knew with equal certainty, that the other road was the good one to take. I think the Lord knows we have good brains and agency. He expects us to really think and make good decisions. But what's neat is that if it's a decision that isn't good for us, the Lord will let us know - kind of like hitting a dead end. Then we'll know that another decision will be better for us. But we have to make sure that when the Lord lets us hit the dead end, that we're listening. The Holy Ghost is a still, small voice, and if we're not listening, we might not hear it telling us that we're heading down to that "dead end."

[@edwardcarr3625]

Thank you, Elder Holland. This helped me turn my life around last year.

[@thegreatitudecoach]

I have had a couple of very similar experiences. This is such a powerful principle.

[@katrinayang4]

Praise the lord, he is coming and build up your faith and relationship with God.

[@JF14Official]

INCREDIBLE STORY! I Love this Message Portrayed! The more we focus on him, the easier things will become 👆🏽❤️👑!

[@edmondsaksak5241]

THANK YOU. I was faced with situations that as a leader of a school group is just a no for me to lead because I was looking for perfection in people. I do not accept as to why and what people are facing but, all about myself. It's hard and I can see no purpose of leading because of this pandemic and what impact it has on our individual lives. So, instead of heeding the promptings I had received, after all the encouragement I had received from my peers, I called it off. canceled my group...The whole week, I was restless until a dear friend of mine sent me this video. It also reminds me of how hard sometimes it can be when we are faced with some difficult situations and all we have in mind if to give up...There is never giving up when we have already begun this journey years ago...Thank you once again for sharing this beautiful story...Yes, God is Great...He Lives and Loves us no matter what our circumstances may be or who we are...

[@onethreeify]

This message has a special place in my heart, and my life, and I will never forget it.

[@DianeCollardStarrlight]

This brought tears to my eyes, as I so needed to hear this today! I'm so grateful for apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that God loves us more than anything and wants us to be happy & successful!

[@beccab.6974]

Sometimes God wants us to use our agency to decide for ourselves. A religion professor up at BYU reminded us that agency is one of the greatest gift God gave us and he wants us to use it! So when we pray for answers, sometimes the Lord wants us to choose for ourselves, and if we choose the path that is not in His plan for us, He will not let us stray too far before He helps us onto the right path.

[@christopherpeery7436]

I just hit a fork in the road in my career. This exact thing happened. We prayed about it, felt good about option B because it had higher pay than option A. After we made our decision, we woke up in the morning and felt sick to our stomachs and didnt understand why. Option B was obviously the more logical option, but it ended in a dead end. Heavenly Father allowed us to make that soft decision to help us understand that it wasnt the right option. We decided to stick with option A and we know for sure that we're on the right path. That feeling of assurance is unbeatable!

[@churchofjesuschrist]

Hi Cristopher! Thanks for sharing your experience! We are so glad to hear that your prayers were answered.

[@EmmaPaisley269]

It's SO TRUE. Heavenly father always set a good situation to let me understand the truth. ^^

[@mararozsa3756]

AMEN.is just taking sooooooooo long time!I 've been praying,crying,weeping,grefing, fasting and for some reason I am still stuck.its like when a truck stuck in a mad or snow. It can't come out itself.We can't pull out our self.we need him

[@danite620]

I do so love Elder (President) Holland . So very wise.

[@lissd8103]

This is my favourite Mormon Message so far. When I watched it for the first time, I thought about what I would say if I was in that situation. What an inspirational response Elder Holland gave. It reminds me that our Heavenly Father loves us and will give us those moments of inspiration when we need it, especially when teaching our children.

[@justinhenrie4725]

That is something that I don't have the words to describe how much I learned. Thank you so much for that lesson.

[@MEGABUDA]

I thank my God for giving us the words of his Apostles...... They always inspire my soul to make it right through this crazy life......

[@MEGABUDA]

Yahwey Guy Talking with the same point of view..... why didn't joseph in Egypt, the one who were sold by his brothers, arrived in first place to the pharaoh palace instead of have suffered all those years in jail, couldn't God had told him "Joseph, stay at home for a few years waiting till you can save all the people in this land of dying of hunger"? Without faith and the holy ghost no one can understand the path of the eternal life and the true gospel :/

[@CandiceAndrus]

Wow. This is deeply moving to me as I reflect on the wrong roads I've been able to take that show me now when I am truly on the *right* road. What a profound thought that gives me deep gratitude.

[@JF14Official]

God helps us to choose the right path, and even if it may be wrong, it is for a reason.He helps us to see the wrong before the right giving us a reminder he is their. And for this reason, is why we are all truly grateful!!! God Is Good!!!

[@paperbullet1945]

This is a second-level lesson. It is most powerful to people who already understand basic things like faith and repentance.

[@TheLittleOsmondsFan13]

I loved it, thank you

[@jongwood]

Wow! Elder Holland is truly an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[@CalledtoShare]

What an absolutely incredible piece of wisdom!

[@GraydonsDaughter]

I've had so many experiences like this. Ones where I kept going down the road farther even though I was receiving promptings to turn around. I found that even then I could still turn around, even though it was a much harder road back. It was still possible. I'm that much more sure of Christ's ability to love, heal & forgive us. And I feel a little more able to show love to those still on the wrong road because I went there. (Love, understanding, & a helping hand should they want it.)

[@nislee8595]

I was about to go for my Chinese comedy, but I saw this new video been put up there, so I was like: Mmm,maybe I should watch this instead...Im glad I made a wise decision:) Tears in my eyes when he said: I have perfect knowledge that God loves us. Not give up, not jump ship. Keep walking, I told you to be Ok, I told you to be alright:) Thanks Elder Jerry R. Holland for this precious lesson.

[@PiratePrinceEdward]

For me... I was married once to someone who was... not the nicest person in the world to me. Before I got married, I prayed and prayed and fasted and prayed more, and I really felt like she was the right one at the time. But as it turned out, she really wasn't the right one for me. And for a long time, I kept looking back at my past, what did I do wrong? Was I sinning in making that decision, to go through so much pain? As a member of the church going through a divorce, you have to know, it was not an easy decision at all. Fact is, I clung on until there was nothing left, yet I still shouldered the burden of having made that mistake. Slowly I learned to trust in God once again. And slowly I came to appreciate all of the little things that he did for me. Maybe he willed that I go through that situation so that I appreciate the one that I am with now. Maybe it was just like Holland's admonition, to find the wrong path so that you can take the right one. I know that whatever happens, I am not alone in this pain, and that brings me so much peace in my heart. And I know, I know that I will be guided to the right path, even though for the longest time I was following the wrong one.

[@eileenwhite4800]

I've been down the same wrong road, so thanks for sharing, Mark.

[@littlemissmuffet0005]

What did you do wrong? Well...you are Mormon and not a Catholic.

[@PiratePrinceEdward]

Eileen White I feel like if I accept it as part of my life, I can help people that have to go through the same thing. It is a really hard thing to do, but at least they can know that they aren't alone.

[@PiratePrinceEdward]

littlemissmuffet000 I'm... not sure I understand what you mean. Are you implying that my marriage failed because I am not Catholic?

[@yellowyosh470]

Thank you for sharing! I can tell you God does love you for sure, and his love will heal us from all wounds and pain we expirience in this life. God bless you. Keep the faith.

[@maiahunter959]

Thank you.

[@BJRedford]

I really like the idea of receiving an answer that might take us down the wrong road so that when we are on the right road we'll know of it for sure. Great lesson. One that I will be sure to remember.

[@ashleygirvan9714]

From one of my all time favorite stories. I appreciate very much that this is now a video--thank you. There have been so many times in my life when those dead ends seemed terrifying--but in the end the Lord has helped me get to exactly where I know He wants and needs me.

[@derektilley669]

I did just what elder Holland describes. I once joined a church because I thought I had received an answer but then after following that road a while, logic and reason told me it was wrong so I quickly abandoned that path. Thanks for the advice mr H!

[@chrisripplinger]

Oh man, I needed to watch this. Shortly after returning from my mission, I got a job that required me to buy a vehicle. I spent a lot of time researching economical cars until I found an ugly beater with low miles that fit what I was looking for. I prayed about it, felt strongly it was the right car to buy, and immediately called the owner who told me he had sold it already. I have doubted my ability to hear God until this video. Now I know His answer just came differently than I was expecting.

[@fantasticthree3920]

God bless us all be good pray and live with the Father and i will pray for everyone Amen🙏

[@louiskim6212]

I know that Heavenly Father loves His children. I am very grateful that he is my father.

[@chronus1015]

its so true!! Our Father wants us to enjoy the journey, have faith in Him and His ways while He molds us through our trials into what He wants us to become>

[@makalyn1030]

I really needed to hear this tonight.... Its so awesome how Heavenly Father knows of our needs and what lessons we need to know and hear...

[@restymacalisang]

Heavenly Father allowed me to pursue a wrong course, a sinful path, an unpeaceful life, just to help me realise that all along He is the answer for peace and joy in this mortal journey.

[@AMStark77]

What a great message to start out the day.

[@jerryutah4]

Helps me understand a little better how prayer can work in our lives. Genius.

[@jcgardner5852]

I am grateful to have these to help and inspire me especially in this time.

[@BYU20101]

I know that thsi is true! Lets not doubt but trust the Lord in all things. He know the way and we need to follow him with no hesistation

[@aleina223]

Just what I needed to hear! ♥

[@MegWasHere2011]

That's incredible

[@KarlaEmmerson]

I needed this today soo much. Beyond perfect and precise ! Thank you!

[@Pugpono]

Paradigm shift. Really needed to hear this. Thanks!

[@RIMARISA]

:') I just needed to hear this...this comfort my soul.

[@DoctorSuezz]

I remember this was part if one of the General Conference talks years ago and I've shared this story numerous times! It absolutely resonates with me.

[@happylatter-daysaint3503]

🥰🤗❤️

[@Jgoncrzy]

Wow, what an amazing video. I enjoyed how much insight I received.

[@samb4678]

That's right never give up and to pray is the right thing to do

[@mortifiedwolf]

Couldn't have come at a better time for me in my life.

[@micchi70]

Great insight...our Father always wants what is best for us!

[@odelldickey1170]

This is really great video, and Elder Holland is an inspired man , what a Testimony. Thanks for making the video.

[@troymiller5739]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@ZestyCrunchy]

He said he has a perfect knowledge, how cool is that :)

[@carolbernal8985]

Love this message thank you❤

[@ruthannvallender9825]

Truly inspired message for our times. I went and read his son's account in the New Era....it is interesting to note that God will sometimes allow a little wiggle room in the wrong direction to help us know with certainty that there is a better way.

[@scissorsmith]

My Grandpa was a navy man in world war 2 and raised me like a daughter. a smooth sea never made a skillful sailor. I think of his hard, labor and emotional filled life and if you met him, none of that ever showed. he was a true expression of love and service, a man that wasn't baptized till he was a grandpa. I think of my own hard circumstances- I have a mentally ill mother and "newly" paraplegic to add to her list and I ask "why?". Nothing that happens is a surprise to god. He places us specifically in our circumstances. If it's not hard, than we can't change. My mother is a special spirit. She is here to bring about those qualities in me and for me to nourish her soul. She is here to teach me great patience and love so that I might one day become who I should be and for this I owe her my soul. How much love she must have for me to be willing to sacrifice and knowingly come to this earth in this condition. It is through my beliefs of being #Mormon that I am given peace, guidance and love. I have no doubts that this is to help me become who I am suppose to be. There is no "wrong road" when you follow the guidance of heavenly father.

[@sherrynicole1165]

That's amazing! Sounds like Heavenly Father is testifying to you that He knows what you need, and letting you know that what you need is the TRUE gospel! Talk to some missionaries :) As a convert myself, I promise that it will change your life completely.

[@RubenHernandez-yx1bk]

Amen!! 👍🏽🙏🏽🤎

[@MzDeeNee714]

just what I needed to hear

[@gavinpych5138]

Jesus loves you! God bless! Amen!

[@aden.watts_zoomdrain]

Amen

[@frankmarks5890]

Amen God is good.

[@sislau]

Why did they have to go through this? So that Elder Holland can teach us this important lesson today. Listen to the prophets. They know their stuff! Trust in the Lord, Trust He knows the way home.

[@jordanforbes2557]

I'm going through a similar situation right now. Or at least I think it is. I started a graduate job a year ago after graduating from university. A corporate job, I thought this was the job for me, I felt like I was set for life but I soon realized this is not what I want in life. I like some aspects of the job and am truly grateful for it but the more I do this the more it makes me realize this isn't for me. I have wondered at times why I got this job, it felt like an answer to a prayer and I believe it was but I think God is guiding me, helping me to find out what I do not want in life and leading me to what is best for me. I would never have known had I not been given this job. I'm truly grateful for God's help and guidance, I have noticed that every time I pay attention to the small seemingly insignificant events of the day God is often there guiding and helping me. Sometimes you really need to stop for a second and pay attention.

[@USSResolute]

I think one key here is that God didn't allow them to go too far down the wrong road before making it clear which one was correct. Our loving Father God will not allow us to spend years or many months even going down the wrong road without letting us know far in advance. Cast not away therefore thy confidence...

[@meltax4870]

Just what I needed to hear x

[@apphiakiran5922]

Loved the message communed by this video.

[@garytauber430]

love watching this video

[@niecey1376]

I sooooooo need this!

[@Dads4JusticeUK]

Thank you, I enjoyed this clip. I look forward to others from you. Feel free to contact me to discuss more

[@fredogee8108]

God is great

[@jeruselum4U]

feel right

[@RobertJaynesTube]

Great video. Loved it.

[@caleb8239]

I'm confused. If we're not supposed to jump ship, why did Holland turn around when he realized it was the wrong road? Shouldn't he have continued past the dead end down the wrong path with faith? That's what he tells us to do when even he didn't do that.

[@sobree9743]

believe it or not, those are my uncle and cousin!

[@SpecOpsDoctor]

Man, this one hit hard.

[@richc6030]

Incredible...profound.

[@DeathSta1ker19]

Awesome video

[@tallguytrav]

This is one of my favorites. Great message!

[@MOVEMooreCoaching]

Super cool message. Just saw this post on Instagram @livingprophets. Love Elder Holland.

[@mariothane8754]

The answers to our prayers shouldn’t always be taken as what we would interpret them to be because I have had a lot of times where the answer to my prayer was “you’re not asking the right question” or “I can’t give you an answer.” I find these examples of revelation to be enlightening to what we must be ready to understand if we wish to receive revelation.

[@churchofjesuschrist]

Thank you for your comment!

[@mdleavitt]

A great message.

[@mingceline1217]

i testify that what elder Holland said is true!!

[@IanBuell]

I really liked this video. Hopefully we'll be careful not to say "well, God led me to this road, so I MUST keep following it no matter what! Even if it is now clearly the wrong road..." Hope we have the wisdom to turn around when we should and be thankful for the lesson...

[@IanBuell]

I'm not certain how to answer that, other than sometimes the wrong answer IS the right answer. Here's a personal example: I had been diagnosed with "clinical" depression younger in life - clinical meaning incurable. I felt bitter that i would always have to take a pill, for the rest of my life, just to function. It kept me from being happy, because I didn't believe i was able to be happy by myself, or accomplish much of anything without a pill. After being married and going to school for a while, I felt strongly that I should join the military - specifically the Air Force. I enrolled in ROTC courses, and had completed two years of the classes. To qualify and enroll, I could not be taking anti depressants. This was a conundrum - I needed them to "function" but i felt strongly about this path. After talking with my wife and us praying about this, I gave up the meds, and trusted I would be able to complete this program. I was about one year away from finishing, when the Air Force reviewed my file again. Because I HAD been on those meds, they decided i would not qualify to receive an officers commission. I was confused!!! This was the path! I had strongly felt I should be doing this! I'd spent money and years on classes! But what I had learned during those years was that I COULD function without the meds. In fact, my grades had gotten better than they had before. I had mental clarity, and focus on a goal that I NEVER had before. I had built up some confidence through the military classes that I had not had before. I couldn't have gained these things without that program that required me to get off those medications. THAT was what I needed. I realized this just a little later, and I'm thankful for it. My personality is such that I now know I would not have been happy being a manager, because that's what an officer is. I have a job I'm good at that gives me quite a bit of time with my family - which is VERY important to me and my wife. I've accomplished other things I have been led to, like being able to build my own house with my own two hands through a mutual co-op program. All things on a road I didn't know I was on, and have no idea where it's going. Sometimes it looked like the wrong one, but I know now I'm where I should be, and more importantly have learned things I needed to learn about myself, that have made me a better person for me, and for others. I wouldn't be the husband or father I am right now if I was still on those meds. Before, I could absolve myself of responsibility from the way I acted or felt, because I was "clinically depressed" and there was nothing I could do about it. I know that it is the opposite of that, and I'm a much better person for it. I don't know what road you're on. From your response to my comment, I'm guessing there are some things going on in your life that are hard right now, and you can't understand why things are happening the way they are. I have felt your feelings of frustration, disappointment, and confusion. It may sound like a trite response, but pray. Pray like you REALLY mean it! This type of prayer hasn't happened for me very often in my life. It's born from pain you feel inside so deep and unsolvable, that you know you have no other choice. It's a prayer of last resort. I can count off the top of my head, only about four of them, for me. But they are the ones that made EVERY difference in the WORLD to me, and have COMPLETELY shaped my life! I KNOW God heard those prayers! The only thing I can say is to pray! Pray for understanding! God will not force an answer on you. I received my understanding because I asked for it. Could I still be bitter because I'm not an officer right now? Of course. Could I be bitter because I have student loans for a profession I'm not in? Maybe a tiny bit. I don't think I could have leaned it any other way. There's nothing anyone else could have told me. I'd seen the counselors. I'd gone to therapy. I needed to do it MYSELF. And I did. But the lesson I learned will be used for my WHOLE LIFE and shapes how I treat my spouse and children, which will affect them for their entire lives. It was worth it. Expensive, but worth it. I hope and pray you can find the meaning in your own life. I feel that that's the road we are on. Understanding ourselves. Overcoming challenges that are SPECIFIC to us. Then becoming strong and helping others. I will pray, RIGHT NOW, that you can find the answers that you are looking for.

[@IanBuell]

You wrote quite a lot there. I'm going to be finished with the conversation after this last post... You have come to the knitting party to tell the ladies you don't like the needles they use, or the type of rug, pattern, or color they are knitting. They don't care, because they like it that way, and find value in the rug they are weaving. You don't like the rug, and you're complaining because you say you have to sit on it (laws and policies influenced by the knitters). About 50% of Utah is LDS. Of that percent, less than 25% are active. That's a lot of people NOT actively attending an LDS church. If people like you felt so strongly about these policies you say you don't like, you would rise up and run for public office. You seem to feel strongly about this. I certainly hope you hold a position in politics to change these things you don't like. My guess is that you don't - you just enjoy trolling LDS channels in hopes someone will engage you in a debate. You can then say you are "making people think" and are doing your part in "spreading truth" without actually having to put forth any real effort in making the changes you say you desire so much. You say you don't like the "echo chamber" you live in. I'm sorry to tell you this, but religion is a very large part of a great many of people's lives. Those ideas and values that are part of that religion are part of the people who belong to it, and that shapes how they shape the world around them. You tell me and others who are religious that we're not smart for believing what we do. I've told you again and again that it's part of who I am. You have told me again and again to believe as you do, because you think it's the right way to believe. I can't separate what I believe from me. It has shaped who I am. Likewise, your non belief is part of how you identify yourself. It's who you are. It's influencing everything you do. Who you associate with. Who you vote for, etc. Here's a hard truth - since you seek truth. You're going to find much the same thing wherever you go. If you go to the South, you will find an "echo chamber" filled with southern Baptists and their ministers. It will shape their policies in much the same way as Mormons shape theirs. If you go to the Middle East, you will find an "echo chamber" full of Muslim people praying five times a day facing toward Mecca. Religion shapes their policies. If you travel to Spain or Mexico, Catholicism plays a large role in those people's lives. You're going to hear the "echo" of prayers said in Latin by a priest in an ornate robe. Policy will probably be influenced by the religion that most of the people there follow. I guess you can make it your self appointed mission to tell all these people they are wrong. You're going to waste a large portion of your life trying to do this. Since we're coming full circle - I never said, nor did Elder Holland say that you MUST follow THIS road - no matter what - even if it's wrong. He exercised his faith and asked by saying a prayer. He got the answer he felt he did, attached meaning to it, and moved on with his life. Just because he attached a meaning to an event in a way you would not doesn't make that wrong. IT IS HIS LIFE! He just made a video about an experience he had, and how it affected him. I'm really at a loss as to why this video has affected you so powerfully. I found value in what he had to say, because I had a similar experience that I related to you at the beginning of all this. THESE ARE MY FEELINGS! NOT YOURS!!! I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY FEELINGS!!! Or, other people's feeling that differ from your own. I've told you why it was important to me to have the experience i did, and why it was important for me to attach that meaning to it. I feel that i got what i needed. Why do you care how i got it? It's valuable to me, and that's all that matters. I can feel how I want to feel. And so can all the other Mormons. And so can the Catholics. And so can the Baptists. And anyone else who prays to a supreme being that science can't prove (or disprove) exists. Okay.... I'm done. I've spent hours on these posts. You cannot understand me - as I cannot understand you. I tried to "agree to disagree" but even then, you can't let it go. My only suggestion would be for you to move to a liberal, atheist state, as I said before. Or, you can stay and waste your life being upset about other people's feeling - of which you have no control. It just seems like such a waste to spend your life being upset about this. There's so many other things you could be doing other than being an internet troll. But, if that's what your choice is - I wish you no luck in that. I refuse to spend any more time on this. There are much better things I am heading off to do. 

[@DivinePearl]

+Ian Buell Wow, your story sounds almost identical to what I just recently went through. Please indulge my experience for a moment. I was not happy at my job as a correctional officer, I wanted out so bad because a number of things were driving me crazy. So I decided to change jobs, but I didn't know exactly what I wanted. I saw a job posting for police officer -will train. I got excited for a moment until I realized it was a gimmick to join the Army. I was disappointed until that idea struck me so strongly I couldn't not think it. So I asked God if he wanted me to join the military and I felt a confirmation. I decided to go enlist to the USAF. It was a long journey because I had to get waivers for a distant surgery I had. Whenever I had these setbacks I prayed for confirmation and a talk about Cast therefore Not your Confidence (by Elder Holland ironically ) , so I went forward. I made it to basic, and not long into it, I started to have these bursts of pain. I tried to endure it, but it was so intense that I went to the ER. Long story short, I was sent home for an erroneous discharge, meaning I never should have been allowed to join. Now, here I am. At home trying to get my life together. I still don't know why. But this video touched my heart and after reading your experience, it makes sense that I should pray mightily about it. I know God will reveal it to me sooner or later. I believe that God encourages us to use our agency in different ways, so that we may learn and gain understanding about ourselves and for what purpose we are here. Thank you again for your post.

[@IanBuell]

Divine Pearl I'm happy that my experience has given you hope. Best wishes to you in your journey...

[@peggybogar3059]

Beautiful ending.

[@samuelomarsalinas]

Just.... Perfect.

[@jennifermohanty5785]

I LOVE IT I LOVE IT