Prayers Answered!

I remember the day Brian came home and told me his sister, Becky, and Brother in law, Sam were "Studying". They were on the road to joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and were going to apostatize. The first thing I said was, "She's still my sister and I'm not going to shut them out, just because of that!" Brian agreed but I could tell he was worried about them.

Later that week, I was going to drive into Salt Lake and asked Becky if she wouldn't mind watching the kids. Knocked on her door to drop the kids off. Went into her home and started to get the kids ready. I noticed a very peaceful feeling in her home. I followed her into her bedroom and sat down on her bed, almost basking in the feeling when I asked her "So, Becky, what's going on?" That question was more loaded then I realized at the time.

Becky started telling me about what she discovered in her "studying". Who the founder of the "Group" was, and other information. The spirit being what it was in her home and the peace I felt.. confused me! How could someone have such a wonderful spirit about them yet be on the road to "hell"? I had to find out!

I went home and read though some material she gave me that I asked for. I wanted to help her realized what she was doing was wrong or find out for myself if what I was doing was wrong. I didn't understand the scriptures so I couldn't turn to them. Only the material she gave me to look over. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. It was as if I had a black cloud covering my mind .. but I HAD to know! I didn't understand the writings, scriptures.. How was I going to get my answers?

I knelt down and prayed to my Father in Heaven! In my prayer I asked for peace, comfort and knowledge. I then asked him something I had never ask before... because I thought I knew how he felt about me. Disappointment, anger for my choices and disgust. The answer I received was overwhelming and unexpected!! I asked "Heavenly Father? Do you love me?" From that came a warmth I had never before felt! I felt warm arms physically wrap around me as if he himself was giving me a hug! The love that flowed though me was indescribable! I then asked, through my tears, "Am I doing the right thing? Do you approve of what I'm doing?" I then felt something touch under my chin and caused me to raise my head as if to look up. I felt so peaceful and knew I was doing what He wanted me to do! For the first time since I can remember, I KNEW Heavenly Father loved me! Knew me! Wanted me to be doing what I was doing at this very moment! The tears flowed freely and I was sobbing!

The next question I was almost hesitant to ask. I had asked it before with the same answer.. Nothing! But I had heaven opened to me right now! This very moment! Now would be the time to have it answered! "Heavenly Father, Does Owen A. Allred hold all the Keys of the priesthood!"................. The answer I received was like the last... NOTHING!! In my Frustration I reworded my question. I knew Heaven was close and was not going to give up. "Heavenly Father? Who Holds all of the Keys of the Priesthood?" This was one question I needed to know! What ever the answer was, Heavenly Father knew I would follow his will! My Mind was clear and this name came into it. Gordon Hinckley........

Who??

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Update 11-9-12
Feelings, warmth, peace, physical sensations, a name planted into my mind... all things Satan can use to deceive. All things the bible warns of without Biblical Knowledge from studying Gods Word. All things I was taught to look for to gain a spiritual testimony and know what was true through prayer. All of it DECEPTION!

 Some emotions we are told to control are:

Fear - 2 Timothy 1:7 (cf. Joshua 1:9; Revelation 2:10)
Anger - James 1:19,20 (cf. Proverbs 16:32; Matthew 5:22)
Hatred (1 John 3:15; 4:20)
Love (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Timothy 3:2-4)
Joy (1 Corinthians 13:6)
These emotions are not necessarily bad, but they can lead to serious error if we let them control us. If we cannot trust these emotions to guide us, how can we trust any emotions? How could we know which to trust and which not to trust?

The Bible specifically warns that the feelings of our hearts may lead us into error.

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it? Would God use something so unreliable to lead us to truth? [Matt. 15:18-20; Prov. 4:23]

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. How can this be harmonized with the idea that "it can't be wrong if it feels so right"?

Proverbs 28:26 - He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. Why? Because the urgings of the heart are unreliable and often lead to error! Poets may say to "follow your heart." But the Bible confirms what we all really know: trusting your feelings can lead to tragic error.

Acts 26:9 - Saul of Tarsus really thought that he ought to do many things contrary to Jesus. He felt sure he was right. But he was really the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-15).

Jeremiah 10:23 - Proper guidance in how to live is not found inside man. It comes from outside man. Clearly we cannot expect to find assurance of truth in our feelings.

Emotions are neither good nor bad of themselves, but God never intended for them to guide us or to reveal what is good or bad. We should control them, not let them control us. They are followers, not leaders. To follow them is to get the "cart before the horse."

To believe that we can know right from wrong by praying for a feeling or by following our emotions is to pervert the purpose of feelings and to expose ourselves to all sorts of false practices.
(Study also Matthew 7:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 10:18.)