ONE DOOR CLOSED- ANOTHER DOOR OPENED

by Jared Anderson, Elder

Like Nephi of old, I was born of goodly parents, who have guided me in the ways of the Lord. I thank God for all the many blessings in my life- but especially for my parents and family.

While I was growing up, sports were a major part of my life. I played baseball from January to August and then finished the year with cross-country and basketball. I was very quiet and shy; and my participation in those activities helped me to make friends, gain confidence, and take advantage of opportunities to witness to others. At the end of my 8th grade baseball season, however, the Lord reached down and began the process of turning my focus directly toward Him. During that season my lower back began to really bother me. Throughout the next year, my family and I went from doctor to doctor, trying to find out the problem. After a year of tests, doctors discovered that I had a small fracture in the fifth lumbar of my vertebrae. The day that my parents and I decided I should quit baseball was devastating to me, for it was my favorite sport.

I found some consolation, however, in the thought that I could still play basketball and run cross-country. But after struggling through basketball, I decided that it, too, must go. Again I was disappointed, but I felt I could still run. Throughout my sophomore year, though, I had problems participating in cross-country because of chronic anemia.

My junior year started well. The iron pills I was taking seemed to combat the anemia, and I was running in one of the top spots on the team. But as the year progressed, I got worse and worse. When our team did well and qualified for the state competition at Jefferson City, I had hopes of breaking out of the slump I was going through. But at the state meet I finished 162nd out of 165--a humiliating experience.

My parents met me at the finish line, and I cried on my dad's shoulder. I was frustrated and angry for not understanding what was happening to my body. On the way home I was lying on a seat in the bus, asking the Lord why this had happened. His Spirit touched me and comforted me, assuring me that my life was in His hands and that there was a plan for me. (A year later at the Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with a blood disorder that inhibited my running.)

A door was closed for me, but the Lord opened up a bigger and better one than before. Since I had been playing baseball every summer, I never had the opportunity to attend youth camps. After I quit baseball, I had wonderful experiences and made very good friends at camp.

In 1992, when I was 16, I was accepted as an intern at the Foundation for Research on Ancient America. That began a four-year period of working for FRAA during the summer and traveling to put on Book of Mormon days throughout the year. During that time I really began to learn and grow in spiritual matters--studying the Scriptures in depth and even teaching classes. As a result, I became much more dedicated to the gospel and the Lord. My parents were also a constant source of wisdom and instruction as they answered questions and guided and encouraged me. My desire to serve the Lord and teach others grew out of those many experiences.

This past year I felt the Lord prodding me to better prepare myself for the work of the priesthood. At the beginning of the summer, I felt the time of my call was drawing near. My father has been the pastor of the Colbern Road Restoration Branch for the last two years. And as he approached me one evening and said he needed to talk to me, I knew a call had come. I have read the Scriptures and know the great responsibilities that the priesthood carries. But as Dad told me that I had been called to the office of elder, I felt the tremendous weight of what that call meant and the responsibility I was being asked to take. I had been praying for a long time that when the call came, I would know without a doubt the truth of that call. For if I knew that God had called me, then I knew also that He would help and guide me in the responsibilities of my priesthood office. That night I prayed mightily that the Lord would give me a testimony. The next day as I awoke, the Spirit of God rested upon me and stayed with me all morning. It was there in such power that I could not deny it or reason that it was just my emotions or a good mood. I was also reading the Scriptures, and the Lord guided me to various passages throughout the Three Books. The verses offered assurance and peace to my soul, and they also spoke directly to some of my faults and struggles. I knew God was telling me what He wanted me to work on. Through this personal experience, as well as the testimonies of others, I know that He has called me to His holy priesthood. At times I feel insignificant and not knowledgeable enough, but I know in Whom I have trusted. I know that I can do nothing of myself, but I can do all things through Him Who loves us and died on the cross to save us.

As young people, we need to deepen our commitment to Jesus Christ. We have been told, "Let no man despise thy youth" (1 Timothy 4:12) and "Learn wisdom in thy youth" (Alma 17:68). The Lord has used many young people to accomplish His will--Enoch, Esther, David, Nephi, Alma the younger, the four sons of Mosiah, Joseph Smith, and others. Like those before us who served the Lord, each of us has a special work to do. In these last days there is much to be done in order to take this glorious gospel to the world. (That includes our friends and neighbors.) The Lord is so good and desires to bless His children. He will use us as we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts and work through us.