Life

An Early Life Lession

I feel that each experience in our life from childhood brings a lesson, that once learned becomes a building block and preparation for the next. We are building a stairway to heaven, or at least we should be. There is a war going on and we as God's children are determining the out come of the battles with not only the choices we make, but the lessons we learn from them.

Early in my life when I was 16, I experienced what most probably was engineered by the advisary to weaken my testimony and scare me away from the truth. But in contrast, the Holy Spirit helped make it a learning experience and strengthening of my testimony ...

It was 1976 and I was in San Diego visiting some friends. They had arranged for me to visit with a Christian woman who had a message. It was kind of scary but so fascinating. This woman had rings in every finger, painted on eyebrows, and wore a, multi-color caftan that was popular in the 70’s. She was sweet and friendly and proceeded to tell me the story of a young man who had been raised in a Satanic Cult. He was raised to believe that it was the Christians who were the enemies, and that “Master Mahan” was the true leader of the Universe. She said that he learned truths through a Christian he had met that had helped him break out of the cult.  She played a cassette tape of this man telling his story at an evangelistic meeting.

Here is what he said:

He was from the Collins family in England. They were very high up in the Satanic Church.  And  they made a fortune from selling the rights to their family story embellished with fantasy of vampires and ghosts. This story was published as a soap opera called“Dark Shadows”.

 Well, that really got my interest because I had always been fascinated with that Soap. My mother didn’t want me watching it but any time I could sneak peek at it I would. My Grandmother watched it so I always could sneak it in when she came to visit.

He said that the family, in truth had music and record stores all over which they used to smuggle drugs and used certain rock bands to send secret messages on their records. Thus came the info about the evil messages in certain rock music. This boy was sent to the USA to work in the record store and was always warned not to get cozy with Christians because "they would rope you in with their lies and end up getting you killed”.  He met a Christian girl and against the elder’s wishes, started dating her. She ended up teaching him about Christ and the atonement. She gave him a Bible and she dared him to pray to God and ask him if what she was saying was true. He said how he struggled with his heart and all the opposite teachings he had been taught since birth. But finally be accepted Christ and was born again.  He tried to leave the family and they tried to kill him and tried to capture him and take him back to England.  The girl’s pastor helped smuggle him out, change his name and eventually start his own ministry.  

All this really had me interested in learning more.  When the tape was finished, the woman showed me different rock songs and pointed out the chants and secret messages from Satan. These were popular groups that had music I loved to sing and listen to. She told stories how the power of Satan was so strong and that it fooled people into believe the lies using drugs,  wi- gi boards, and séances, talking to the dead etc… then she claimed that along with all the people of the world that were using Satan’s powers to enslave people, she included the Mormon Missionaries with the laying on of hands. This is when I realized that something was really wrong with this whole scene and I needed to get out of there as fast as I could.  Now I’m sure she had good intentions and she felt herself to be a Good Christian. I smiled and gave her a big hug and thanked her, wished her well and quickly left. I could see that believing and fearing Satan like she did kept her from enjoying and feeling the love and healing powers from God’s Priesthood. I felt sorry for her. 

It all had me startled and a little scared. But I also knew that the power of the Priesthood was from Jesus Christ himself , I had been blessed and healed by this power through Missionaries with the laying on of hands. Even though there was probably much truth in the message she had to give me, unfortunately, when she said that Satan had all the power, I knew at once that it was that one big lie that made it all wrong; Satan’s powers may be very strong upon the earth and in the hearts of men, but only because we give Satan that power. We as children of God are born with the light of Christ in our souls. The Power of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ is much, much stronger. There really is nothing to be afraid of. Fear is what Satan and his disciples feed off of.

 I went home, thought about what I had learned, and prayed for guidance. Heavenly Father helped me put it all in perspective. Even though the show Dark Shadows still fascinates me and learning about its history is even more fascinating, The knowledge of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and the peaceful feeling I have knowing that I have a personal relationship with my Savior keeps me safe and I have nothing to fear.  I am so thankful to my Parents for raising me in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I’m in hopes that by sharing my story someone will get the desire to seek out the power of God and feel the love and safety our Savior will provide and never fear again.

~In The Name of Jesus Christ Amen