Thanks for the article. I was assigned to Folsom prison as a Prison minister for the LDS church for four years. It changed me. On a weekly basis I sawGods love for the men I ministered to. For those who were truly penitent, I watched how they struggled with the burden of guilt for those they hurt. . Like Alma the full weight was their hell. But then. I also watched them transform and be blessed by applying gospel principles in their lives. They got better arrangements, jobs, cell mates etc. Powerful lessons on how God knows and loves all of us. . I have many miraculous stories I could share that demonstrate Gods love for them for even the worse of the worse.
Shellie ShingletonAugust 5, 2016
"The Savior will let you feel the love He feels for those you serve."
--Elder Henry B. Eyring
Debra WoodsAugust 4, 2016
Once I had a friend who had done so many terrible things, including spending time in jail, and he even told me he killed a man he never was prosecuted for, that I was beside myself, for the first time ever, to know that even HE could be redeemed, that there was hope for a base sinner. I found this verse in 3 Nephi 30:2 - that answered my desperate search - it changed my life - "Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel." Christ reaches out to EVERYONE - and invites them to put the past behind them and come unto him, partake of the atonement and receive all the blessings he desires for his precious children.
James RawsonAugust 4, 2016
Several years ago I was asked to work with prisoners at the Utah State Prison in Draper, Utah. Most were former members of the LDS Church, now excommunicated because of the murders they had committed. I taught them name extraction and how to do genealogy research visiting the prison weekly for nearly 3 years. A missionary couple assisted. We knelt in prayer each time we met......I've never felt closer to my Heavenly Father than I did in those prayers. Some of those men will die in prison, paying for their crimes, but I felt the Spirit of the Lord so powerfully displayed every time we met. I have a copy of a genealogy history compiled by a "lifer" of 43,000 of his ancestors who has submitted their names for Temple Work. And, when he asked Elder Marvin J. Ashton if the Lord would ever forgive him, Elder Ashton's reply was; "My dear man, you are a Savior on Mount Zion for all of your Ancestors. The Lord will judge your actions and repentance." I am so humbled to have had that sacred experience. I walked among sinners, and aren't we all. They are paying a monumental price for their sins! How are we doing? I was truly blessed and hope and pray I can be as humble as those penitent men with whom I had the privilege of sharing the Lord's work!
LoriAugust 4, 2016
What a beautiful article. In some way I think I could feel His love for me, not in the same powerful way, but in a way that brought tears to my eyes.
KenAugust 4, 2016
The way I understand it a truely repentant murderer can obtain the Telestial Glory. Is that not true? Even if it is not true, which I think it is, we must forgive all people no matter the what they have done. Yes it would be hard to forgive for many types of crimes. The Lord has made it very clear that we are to forgive all.
JoyceAugust 4, 2016
Great article. We had a son in jail for 8 months for a very serious crime wherein he lost his church membership and everything, (but it was restored). He often said that he felt Christ there, that Christ's spirit can be felt among the prisoners. That's what Christ does-visits those who need him the most.
Melanie SteinAugust 4, 2016
Thank you for sharing this experience. I visited my brother steadfastly for six years while he served his sentence. I too know that God loves every one of his children. Unfortunately, my brother still cannot see that. Again, thanks for a powerful story.
Cristie GardnerAugust 4, 2016
Richard, some of the most sacred times my husband and I have experienced were when we served as teachers (chaplains) in the prison in Grafton, OH. We truly felt God's love for the men incarcerated there. The thought occurs that we all are in prisons of some kind or another; some of us are imprisoned by our fears, some by our prejudice, some by judgments or hatred or flawed perspective or abuse. The promise that "the prisoner shall go free" gives me hope and peace.
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Jeff GardenhireAugust 11, 2016
Thanks for the article. I was assigned to Folsom prison as a Prison minister for the LDS church for four years. It changed me. On a weekly basis I sawGods love for the men I ministered to. For those who were truly penitent, I watched how they struggled with the burden of guilt for those they hurt. . Like Alma the full weight was their hell. But then. I also watched them transform and be blessed by applying gospel principles in their lives. They got better arrangements, jobs, cell mates etc. Powerful lessons on how God knows and loves all of us. . I have many miraculous stories I could share that demonstrate Gods love for them for even the worse of the worse.
Shellie ShingletonAugust 5, 2016
"The Savior will let you feel the love He feels for those you serve." --Elder Henry B. Eyring
Debra WoodsAugust 4, 2016
Once I had a friend who had done so many terrible things, including spending time in jail, and he even told me he killed a man he never was prosecuted for, that I was beside myself, for the first time ever, to know that even HE could be redeemed, that there was hope for a base sinner. I found this verse in 3 Nephi 30:2 - that answered my desperate search - it changed my life - "Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel." Christ reaches out to EVERYONE - and invites them to put the past behind them and come unto him, partake of the atonement and receive all the blessings he desires for his precious children.
James RawsonAugust 4, 2016
Several years ago I was asked to work with prisoners at the Utah State Prison in Draper, Utah. Most were former members of the LDS Church, now excommunicated because of the murders they had committed. I taught them name extraction and how to do genealogy research visiting the prison weekly for nearly 3 years. A missionary couple assisted. We knelt in prayer each time we met......I've never felt closer to my Heavenly Father than I did in those prayers. Some of those men will die in prison, paying for their crimes, but I felt the Spirit of the Lord so powerfully displayed every time we met. I have a copy of a genealogy history compiled by a "lifer" of 43,000 of his ancestors who has submitted their names for Temple Work. And, when he asked Elder Marvin J. Ashton if the Lord would ever forgive him, Elder Ashton's reply was; "My dear man, you are a Savior on Mount Zion for all of your Ancestors. The Lord will judge your actions and repentance." I am so humbled to have had that sacred experience. I walked among sinners, and aren't we all. They are paying a monumental price for their sins! How are we doing? I was truly blessed and hope and pray I can be as humble as those penitent men with whom I had the privilege of sharing the Lord's work!
LoriAugust 4, 2016
What a beautiful article. In some way I think I could feel His love for me, not in the same powerful way, but in a way that brought tears to my eyes.
KenAugust 4, 2016
The way I understand it a truely repentant murderer can obtain the Telestial Glory. Is that not true? Even if it is not true, which I think it is, we must forgive all people no matter the what they have done. Yes it would be hard to forgive for many types of crimes. The Lord has made it very clear that we are to forgive all.
JoyceAugust 4, 2016
Great article. We had a son in jail for 8 months for a very serious crime wherein he lost his church membership and everything, (but it was restored). He often said that he felt Christ there, that Christ's spirit can be felt among the prisoners. That's what Christ does-visits those who need him the most.
Melanie SteinAugust 4, 2016
Thank you for sharing this experience. I visited my brother steadfastly for six years while he served his sentence. I too know that God loves every one of his children. Unfortunately, my brother still cannot see that. Again, thanks for a powerful story.
Cristie GardnerAugust 4, 2016
Richard, some of the most sacred times my husband and I have experienced were when we served as teachers (chaplains) in the prison in Grafton, OH. We truly felt God's love for the men incarcerated there. The thought occurs that we all are in prisons of some kind or another; some of us are imprisoned by our fears, some by our prejudice, some by judgments or hatred or flawed perspective or abuse. The promise that "the prisoner shall go free" gives me hope and peace.
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