I was raised Methodist. Both of my grandfathers served as
ministers for that faith in Tonga. My father also served over 20 years as a
pastor for the same church in New Zealand. At this time, the LDS church had converted
many from other Christian faiths into its faith including from my father’s
congregation. Because of this, my father developed a very strong dislike for
the Mormon faith. He would look for every opportunity to preach against the Mormon
faith.
It was at age 16 when I started to wonder if the doctrines I was
taught were the correct doctrines of the gospel of Christ. A few of the
doctrines to me stood out contradicting the teachings of the Holy Bible. Such
were the belief in Oneness, that God is one God and yet He is the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit in one being, and the ordinance of Baptism which was done
contrary to the teachings found in the Bible.
It was not until I was 18 that I had the courage to
search out for the truth and against the wish of my parents to study the
teachings of the Mormon faith. A very close friend insisted that I should meet
with the LDS missionaries. The example of an uncle who had been a good Mormon
ever since I have known him and of a very close friend were very instrumental
in guiding me towards learning more about the Mormon’s teachings. My uncle was
a prominent leader in the Church as a bishop, stake president and temple
president later.
The teachings of the LDS Church seemed to have answered
every question I had, and added much more to my understanding of what the gospel
of Christ should be. Even though at first I struggled to accept the role of
Joseph Smith in a restored gospel and a new book of scriptures, the Book of Mormon
as an addition to the Holy Bible, I overcame it once I started reading from the
Book of Mormon. I was overwhelmed by its power, a feeling I never felt from
reading from the Bible
The principle of receiving a special blessing
(Patriarchal Blessing) from an ordained patriarch as a special mouthpiece of
the Lord in revealing God’s will and personal directions for an individual had
such a strong impression on me. Why would a church be willing to offer such a
practice, which for sure would destroy a church if it pretends to have God’s
power and authority to do so? That would be very foolish indeed, unless the
church is true and has such power and authority from God, because no one or a
church can fake that. Such boldness in doctrines left a strong impression on me
about the Mormon faith.
My decision to be baptized in the Mormon faith was met
with so much resistance from my family, but I was never more sure to know that
the LDS Church has the fullness of God’s gospel. It has been 29 years since I was
baptized to the Church, and to this day, I shall ever be grateful that I made
that decision. The Gospel has blessed my life in ways I had never thought would
be possible. I testify that God lives, and that He is our loving Heavenly
Father, and this is His church with the fullness of His Gospel.
My testimony of the church developed over time. My testimony that the
church is true did not come about from one miraculous, earth shattering
experience, but came about from many spiritual experiences over my years of
membership in the church.
It was
in my mission that a big turning point occurred in my testimony. I was just a
few months into my mission when my companion decided to get into a Bible bash
with a Baptist minister. The minister brought up many anti-Mormon materials
that shook me up quite a bit. Because of the experience, I started doubting the
church. That night, I could not sleep because I cannot in good conscience
continue teaching something I did not believe in or is false. I strongly
considered going home. I knelt down and asked God for help in making my
decision. I poured out my heart and told Heavenly Father that I can’t teach
something that is false, and asked if I should go home. I asked Him to tell me
if the church is true. As I was praying, a calm, warm feeling came over and
enveloped me. I felt a feeling of peace and assurance that what I am preaching
is true. I was told to continue with I was doing and serve my mission. It was a
weird feeling because my mind still had a lot of questions but my heart knew
that the church was true. I had to rely on faith to keep me going. My testimony
continued to grow as I stayed active in the church. I had plenty of questions
about things that I did not understand about the church but the more I studied,
the stronger my testimony grew.
My
testimony continues to grow line upon line, precept on precept. My testimony
grows in little increments from my study of the scriptures, keeping the
commandments, loving and serving others, and following the Savior’s example. I
found that if I am patient and exercise my faith, I will find the answers to my
questions.
Otulea Tuikolovatu
Chula Vista 2nd Ward
While recovering from neck cancer surgery, chemo and radiation therapies in Honolulu, HI, I was cared for nearly 24/7 by my friend Tara who was a nurse and Church member. She arranged for my first ever blessing for the sick and afflicted, invited me to church, and arranged for me to take the discussions. She drove me to and from my medical appointments and essentially loved me unconditionally into becoming a church member. 