And that’s how I know.
Posted by Ryan on November 21st, 2006
(continued from the story I started telling in my head this morning)…After high school I spent a flippant summer alternating between duties as a camp counselor at a camp for under-privileged kids and as a lazy bum. Sometime in between these two extremely demanding callings, I managed to fill out an application to Utah Valley State College and promptly forget that I ever did such a thing.
Imagine my wonder then, when I received a letter one week before the start of the semester informing me that I was admitted to UVSC and that I would need to be at the orientation meeting one week later. In one whirlwind seven day span I managed to tie up all the loose ends associated with being a dedicated and professional lazy bum and whisked myself away to Utah to take on the worst the world had to offer… in Orem.
I was swamped with tasks the first couple of days. I made living arrangements (some family friends who provided a room for a reasonable rate), bought myself some transportation (a Huffy XTR 14-speed from Wal-Mart), Got myself a job (at the very same Wal-Mart) and signed up for all my classes. Having done most of my dirty work I finally took a breather…
It was right around dusk on a Wednesday. Classes didn’t start until Monday. Work didn’t start for a few days after that. I had done everything I needed to do and now I sat, in the front yard of the house I was living at, alone and with nothing to keep me occupied. I ran my hands through the grass which was nice and cool in contrast to the warm summer air. The Rocky Mountains towered above me to the east, peaks lit afire from the orange light of the setting sun. The neighborhood was silent, strangely devoid of both kids and cars. Even the birds seemed to have lost their song. Maybe it was just the surreal surrounding but at that moment I experienced for the first time in my life, the hollowness of feeling completely alone.
The sun finally set below the horizon - breaking the spell I was held in and I quickly shook off the unnerving feeling that would revisit me once every hour or so over the next few days while I searched for something to do. Saturday afternoon I was struck with the realization that I hadn’t brought clothes for church and I returned to trusty Wal-Mart to pick out an outfit, you know, something reeaaaal nice. Having selected what I thought was a classy looking ensemble (but what I now realize made me look like a spastic deacon) I went home, watched some TV and set my alarm.
Church, the singles ward, was uneventful and uninviting. I had not yet served my mission so I was not quite what the girls were looking for (despite my rugged good looks and rapier wit) and the guys were too busy trying to impress the girls to meet new friends. I rode my trusty steed home having introduced myself the requisite three times (Combined priesthood, Elders quorum and Sunday school) and having not actually “met” a single soul.
Back in my room I realized that no one had forced me to go to church. No one would know if I just disappeared and played around all Sunday. My activity was up to me. So I said to myself: “Self, you better decide if this is true or not otherwise you’re going to be wasting a lot of Sundays humoring some goofy cultists.”
I read the introduction of the Book of Mormon, knelt down and offered up the obligatory request for confirmation (half hoping to get no response so that I could feel validated in skipping church for the rest of the semester)…
This is my last post as a contributor on Blogger of Jared. Wade and I tried to create a web log that is faithful and supportive of the church and of the Lord’s anointed. Sometimes in harmony with the wisdom of the world and sometime in direct conflict with it. I think we have sort of succeeded. The personal nature of my testimony confirmation experience precludes me from sharing details. But, for what it might be worth to anyone who may come across this… It’s true. All of it - the Atonement, the Priesthood, the man Joseph, the temples, the Book of Mormon, the revelations, the restoration and the rest. Not only is it true but it is of great worth. It is worth supporting and defending and it is worth our faith. This I know in such ways that to deny it would be my greatest and most grievous error.
Good luck Jaredites.
Good luck indeed!
At times I wish I didn’t possess my compulsive/addictive nature, because then I could continue blogging. But alas, it is not so; and priorities have shifted (now Ryan has me addicted to running my brains/back out training for a half-marathon in two months). How dare him, he should have known better.
By the way, I didn’t know you went to UVSC Ryan; interesting.
And to all at BoJ:
I get the feeling now that the founding goofs are out of your way, the blog will take some interesting turns and become something we may have been preventing–your recent acquisitions speak to that. I’ll be watching from my raft not too far away (the barges look awesome from the outside by the way–like a dish indeed, thanks to Connor’s carpentry skills) :)!
Comment # 1 left by Wade on November 21st, 2006
It is true, and it is worth it. It is worth defending, promoting, and sharing. It is worth personally treasuring, cultivating, and studying. It is awesome!
Comment # 2 left by Connor Boyack on November 21st, 2006
Sometimes I wish you guys would go already. Every ‘goodbye’ puts a lump in my throat.
Sometimes I hope you guys keep hanging around and never actually get around to leaving.
I hope we do not stray far away from the straight and narrow….current?… you guys were on.
I wish you guys the best. I will let you know of the first annual BofJ golf outing next summer.
Comment # 3 left by Eric Nielson on November 21st, 2006
I will let you know of the first annual BofJ golf outing next summer
sounds awesome
Comment # 4 left by Ryan on November 21st, 2006
I will let you know of the first annual BofJ golf outing next summer.
I’m in!
Comment # 5 left by Wade on November 21st, 2006
Ryan,
I’m not a particularly weepy woman, but, man, that seriously brought tears to my eyes. I am not kidding. What a send-off, for you to other ventures, and for us new to the barges. Your testimony is at once unremarkable and desperately precious. I am so grateful that you thought to share it. Thank-you.
I’ll do my best to be true to it, to my own testimony, and to your vision for what this site is, should, and can be.
Comment # 6 left by Naiah Earhart on November 21st, 2006
Oh, and I don’t golf, but I’ll drive the cart.
Comment # 7 left by Naiah Earhart on November 21st, 2006
Remember me, a guy from the cupid service in Idaho Falls? Considering the “rugged good looks and rapier wit,” I will post this at the singles ward here.
Comment # 8 left by Todd Wood on November 21st, 2006
Ryan–
The more I think about religion, the more strongly I conclude that the foundation of the rest of what we talk about is what you express here:the persuasive power of personal religious experience.
The trick, though, it to convey the power of that experience through words–something you do beautifully here.
All the best to you and those you love.
Godspeed.
Comment # 9 left by tyler on November 21st, 2006
Ryan (and Wade),
I’m sad I didn’t get to know either of you. I hope down the road, after I’ve made a positive contribution to BoJ, that we’ll have a chance to meet up one way or another.
I promise to remain faithful to your original intent as best I understand it. I share your testimony: “It’s true. All of it - the Atonement, the Priesthood, the man Joseph, the temples, the Book of Mormon, the revelations, the restoration and the rest.”
Kindest regards,
David (Gospel Cougar)
Comment # 10 left by david on November 21st, 2006
Naiah
Thanks for the sentiments, but now I feel bad for making up that whole story. (I keed!)
Todd
You’re a weird dude. But everyone’s weird I guess :), thanks for taking the time to read and comment
Tyler
I learned from the best. Thanks for teaching us a thing or two about weaving with words.
David
I’ve seen your stuff. I have no doubt you’ll be a great addition to BoJ.
Comment # 11 left by Ryan on November 21st, 2006
Thanks for sharing your testimony. As someone said above, Godspeed!
Comment # 12 left by Michelle on November 22nd, 2006