CHRISTY JERDON'S PERSONAL STORY

Favorite Color: Blue - Favorite Song Click to listen -: E-Mail Christy - 478-272-5084

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

One of my favorite quotes by Dr. Seuss says: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." So here is my personal journey to the real truth.

I was born and raised in the LDS church. My great grandfather was one of the first members of the church in the middle Georgia area. So LDS roots run deep in my family. My parents instilled great values in me for which I am thankful. I always tried to do what was right and be that perfect little girl. My high school friends always referred to me as that shy Mormon girl who never did anything morally wrong. I didn't drink, smoke, use profanity, or date until I was 16 years old. Somehow deep inside I was not happy! I felt imprisoned and wanted to just break free! I always worried about what others thought of me and said about me. I was very insecure. I have very few memories of being happy while growing up in the church. There was always pressure to be good at all times, because people were watching and waiting for me to mess up! I had to live up to those strong moral standards or face public embarrassment.

I read the Book of Mormon for the first time while I attended Seminary in my youth. I was no longer living on borrowed light. I had gained my own testimony of its truthfulness. I have always wondered about the Sealed Portion and when it would be revealed to the world. Whenever the subject was brought up in church, the answer would be that the world is not ready for The Sealed Portion. Until now, it never occurred to me that everyone on earth would not be ready for it at exactly the same time. As humans we all develop at our own pace some quicker than others, which does not mean that anyone is above anyone else. We are all equal. I have come to the realization that when one is ready he/she will find the real truth, but not until he/she is personally ready. My husband found The Sealed Portion after many months of research and studying. I admit when I saw him with the book in hand I was skeptical. I would get nauseated every time I saw him reading it.

How could this be the real truth? I was taught that it could only come through a true prophet of God. As I searched and studied, I remembered reading about prophets of old who did not belong to the church whose job was to call the people to repentance. So if the Book of Mormon was written for our day, then why couldn't this be the "real" Sealed Portion. I had noticed history repeating itself in the church. I had to read this for myself. On August 16, 2008, I began reading The Sealed Portion and my life was transformed. I knew it was true and I couldn't deny it.

After several months of pondering and reading, I decided to have my name removed from the membership records of the church. I no longer needed a religion to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is very simple that even a child can understand it. The gospel consists of two simple commandments which are; "Love thy neighbor as thyself, even thy enemies." and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's that simple! Wow! I have finally been set free and am happier than I have ever been! :-) I can now truly be who I am and say what I feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

Christy Jerdon