Joseph L. Laflin's Personal Testimony
Joseph L. Laflin
08/01/1999
Ward/Branch: Bradenton First Ward
Stake/Mission: Brandon Stake
State/Country: Florida, USA
When I was a child, computers and video games were not yet part of life, so I spent a lot of my time building model airplanes. I would save up and buy the kit, which might include hundreds of pieces of small balsa wood sticks, along with various other parts and items.
There was always included in the box, a plan, which detailed how to build the plane. At first, I did not put a lot of emphasis on reading the plan, I just started putting parts together, gluing and shaping as I thought fit.
My initial planes did not turn out as I would like them, and in effect, they did not fly.
Then, I started reading and following the plan, Now, my planes began to be more aero-dynamic , more detailed, and actually could fly.
The closer I stayed to the plan, the better they got.
Later in life, when I found the Church, I related it to my experience with model airplane building. The Gospel was handed to me, containing innumerable pieces, each important and necessary, yet waiting to be put together. It was beyond understanding, until I remembered to follow the plan.
The plan of our Lord and savior is simple and uncomplicated. It teaches us to become humble, obedient, accept on faith and trust in the Lord. Once the foundation is built, the other parts come together until we have built a testimony that will 'fly.'
Such a great plan is the gospel of Jesus Christ.