I'm Mark's brother and agree with him on each point. When I studies Psychology at BYU Freud was still in, today he's been replaced. But the Book of Mormon remains. Stay true to the faith.
Tom JohnsonMay 24, 2017
Thanks for this summary of your faith and testimony, Mark. I, too, have experienced times when I learned information that challenged my testimony, but by remaining faithful and studying to get answers those answers came. I was so grateful I didn't fall away from the Church in those periods of challenge.
Steve TheobaldMay 24, 2017
Mark, I appreciate your simple expression of faith and the inner workings of your "paradox box." In college 30 years ago, I watched you serve as a counselor in the bishopric of my student ward. I remember spending time in your home with other students. I was able to see your intellectual curiosity, your love of the gospel, and your love for each of us. Hel 5:12 has been my favorite scripture since that very year. Perhaps you planted it in me then? LOL. Recently the devil's "shafts in the whirlwind" and his "hail and his mighty storm" have been beating on me -- and I have struggled. Yet I too know that Christ is the only rock and sure foundation. So why the "falling"? I believe I have forgotten that a foundation alone is not sufficient to keep out the storm.
We need walls and a roof and windows and more. I must remember the ongoing nature of the last line: "a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." "Build" is present-tense, non-passive and ongoing activity! Sunday in sacrament meeting I heard an applicable analogy: "No matter the size of the bonfire of your testimony, it will eventually go out if you don't add more logs." Today you have given me a swift kick in the rear. It is time to inspect my foundation again and get out the hammer to continue the construction. Thank you.
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Eric StoddardMay 24, 2017
I'm Mark's brother and agree with him on each point. When I studies Psychology at BYU Freud was still in, today he's been replaced. But the Book of Mormon remains. Stay true to the faith.
Tom JohnsonMay 24, 2017
Thanks for this summary of your faith and testimony, Mark. I, too, have experienced times when I learned information that challenged my testimony, but by remaining faithful and studying to get answers those answers came. I was so grateful I didn't fall away from the Church in those periods of challenge.
Steve TheobaldMay 24, 2017
Mark, I appreciate your simple expression of faith and the inner workings of your "paradox box." In college 30 years ago, I watched you serve as a counselor in the bishopric of my student ward. I remember spending time in your home with other students. I was able to see your intellectual curiosity, your love of the gospel, and your love for each of us. Hel 5:12 has been my favorite scripture since that very year. Perhaps you planted it in me then? LOL. Recently the devil's "shafts in the whirlwind" and his "hail and his mighty storm" have been beating on me -- and I have struggled. Yet I too know that Christ is the only rock and sure foundation. So why the "falling"? I believe I have forgotten that a foundation alone is not sufficient to keep out the storm. We need walls and a roof and windows and more. I must remember the ongoing nature of the last line: "a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." "Build" is present-tense, non-passive and ongoing activity! Sunday in sacrament meeting I heard an applicable analogy: "No matter the size of the bonfire of your testimony, it will eventually go out if you don't add more logs." Today you have given me a swift kick in the rear. It is time to inspect my foundation again and get out the hammer to continue the construction. Thank you.
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