SYDNEY THIEDE'S PERSONAL STORY

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ME

By Sydney Thiede

Dear Truth Seeker (at least I hope you are),

You do not know me but I really wanted to let you know some of my own experiences with this work. I hope that my experiences may be of help to you.

I was born into the LDS church to a very strong LDS family. I was raised in the "mission field" of the church so I did enjoy being a member as a youth, attending early morning seminary, etc. I attended BYU and BYU Hawaii, then served a mission to Sweden, and learned a lot about the church and myself. I got married in the temple and tried to attend as often as possible. I did my best to be a good and faithful member by attending church almost every week and serving in whatever calling I was asked. What I am trying to say is that I did my best to play the game as others told me to. I had attended church for the past few years before finding "The Sealed Portion" because I thought that maybe I could help someone else, even though I didn't feel like I got anything out of it. My problem was that I wasn't happy. I didn't like Sydney. Fact is, I didn't even know who Sydney was because she was pretty much a puppet to what others thought was right for her.

Before I found this work, I had to go through some major shake-ups in my life in order to start thinking for myself. It was finally, at this point, that I really started listening to my "Holy Ghost " (my inner guidance system). Many paradigms were blown to bits and changed by new information . I finally started thinking, as I trust you have. I say GOOD FOR YOU! You must be searching or you wouldn't be reading this story! My thinking lead me to a book called "The Sealed Portion." When I started reading that book, my insides started coming alive. The more I read, the more I understood why I had felt so out of step with others all my life. I felt like the chains that had held me bound started to drop off. It felt like the chains dropped even more every time I heard Christopher speak to us. I wished I could sit there forever and listen to him.

Through this new information the puzzle pieces of questions that I had all my life started falling into place. Don't get me wrong, it was never an easy process, it hurt like hell (or heck if it makes you feel better :-) and many days, I didn't want to go on. I was in a situation in my life that I felt way out of control of; and when I heard the truth about prayer, I felt my life was spiraling out of control with no one to help me. But the truth was, I still had all the help I needed to get me through, I just didn't trust it or feel that anyone really cared anymore.

You know where the freedom came for me? It was in knowing that I WAS, in fact, IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE! All of it! It was very scary at first, but so freeing. I don't have to listen to ANYONE other than myself to find my answers. I don't have to be who someone else says I do anymore and I don't have to tell anyone else what to be or do either.

This has caused major changes in my family and friends. Most of my family and friends, that are LDS, don't know what to do with me; but the ones that are true friends have stayed my friend. My immediate family has grown way closer. My son served a mission in Africa and it made him happy. I am very happy he served those people because it was right, FOR HIM! My marriage came back from the verge of divorce. I have discovered that my husband is really a wonderful man, even though I didn't used to think he was "spiritual" enough. He has a good heart and he helps many people. I stopped judging people as to whether they belonged to one group or another, if they swear, drink, steal, lie, etc., and love them all just as they are (granted, I don't want to be around some of them much).

But do you know what the greatest thing that has happened to me is? I have found out that I am not the bad person I thought I was. I have started to accept Sydney for who she is and even love her. I have started to allow her to be who she is and be successful. That to me is the "Pearl of Great Price" and the peace that surpasses all understanding. The MWAW has truly been right for me and I wouldn't EVER go back!

I admire my friend Christopher. He is doing what is right for him and at a great cost! I also admire that you are trying to find truth. If you feel that I can help you, feel free to call. But above all, go and do what makes you happy! Hugs!

Sincerely, Sydney Thiede