Stan Winchester's Personal Testimony
Stan Winchester
03/16/2006
Ward/Branch: Fanno Creek Ward
Stake/Mission: Tualatin Oregon
State/Country: Oregon, U.S.A.
It has been a while since I have done anything with this site. I am now in the process of updating the site with a new interface and moving all the content including the testimonies listed here. As I have gone through the various testimonies I have once again been touched by the Spirit and felt I should share my testimony again here on the site.
When I first started this site I was called as a stake missionary. I had been sick for about 4-years and felt this web site might help spread the word of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. I now have been sick for over 11-years and I still feel grateful I am able to share the words of testimony with anyone who will read it. Being sick and going through difficult trials of health, and the financial trials can be very tiring. If it were not for my testimony, of the Lord and His church I do not know how I would get through. Just knowing God is there and He loves me is all I need to keep going.
I know from experience when times get hard and we do not think we can go on anymore, if we will humbly call on our Heavenly Father, He will help us. Sometimes the help comes in the form of miracles that help us overcome trials, and sometimes the help comes through the whispering of the Holy Ghost letting us know we are not alone. No matter the help, I am grateful my Father has not forgotten me, nor forsaken me. I have learned to trust that even though I may not understand why we have to go through such difficult times, I have learned to trust Him who sees the big picture. I believe with all my heart that God uses trials to help shape us into the people He knows we can become.
I cannot tell you how much I have learned because of my experiences over these past eleven years I've been sick. My testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ and His most incredible attonement has truly become alive for me. I have come the point where I don't just believe Jesus is the Christ or Messiah, but I know it! During some of my darkest hours I have felt the power of His love help me, and teach me personal lessons. I have learned why He had to suffer blead and die for me. I have learned He knows me better than I know myself. I know He walks with me every moment of every day. I know He knows my heart, so it is easy for Him to forgive me when I mess up, which I do pretty regularly. I think of the words of the hymn, "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know for me He was crucified, that for me a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died." It is truly is "wonderful to me"!
Probably my favorite chapter of scripture is Isaiah 53 /Mosiah 14. I sometimes find it hard to read that chapter without feeling a tremendous sense of gratitude for the Lord, Jesus Christ.
I know that Jesus is the Christ that He is the Son of God, and that He with our Father in heaven did visit the boy prophet Joseph Smith. I know Joseph like prophets of old sealed his testimony of the truth with his blood. I know the mouth piece of God resides on the earth today, and that mouth piece is the prophet, seer and revelator President Gordon B. Hinckley. I also know whoever should read this can know the truth of these things by accepting Moroni's challenge as found in Moroni 10: 3-5. It's true, it really is all true! Just study, ponder and pray, and you can know it too!