Mark Thomas Ford
Cindy Anne Cloward Ford
THE TESTIMONY OF CINDY FORD
11/15/11
Being raised in the Church, even though at times it was inconsistent, I gained some knowledge and some faith while I was young. I always believed in God and prayer and felt good when we were at church. I knew about Joseph Smith and the golden plates. I loved to sing and play the hymns. But as a youth, I recognized that the things I learned at church were not exactly the way we were living at home. I remember thinking, “It must be too hard to truly live the gospel.” So I wasn’t too worried about it when I fell in love with a cute non-member boy. After we were married, especially after Chanelle was born, I began to think about how much I loved my family and wanted to be with them forever. I tried to go to church by myself, but it was hard, especially with Chanelle as a baby and so I didn’t make it that often. I went along like that until, when I was pregnant with Heather, my water broke and I was so afraid I would lose her. We went to the hospital and they told me I had a less than five percent chance of keeping the baby. I wanted to have a blessing from the Missionaries, because I didn’t have faith that my father was worthy to heal me, but I believed they could. But my father and his home teaching companion came and blessed me. I didn’t go into labor that night so they sent me home the next day. I was in bed for 12 weeks and during that time I prayed more than I ever had in my life. I also read everything I could get my hands on from the church. I read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time in my life. As I read, I already knew it was true, but when I finished, I still prayed and asked Heavenly Father for a confirmation that the Book of Mormon was true. I was not really expecting anything to happen since I already believed it was true, but while I was praying the room suddenly got lighter and I felt a warmth and peace and a sure knowledge that this book was true. I was so grateful for this manifestation from Heavenly Father! I also realized that it was not just my father’s faith, but my faith in the power to be healed. So I also knew at that time that I was healed. When I went to the doctor a few weeks later, he confirmed that after 10 weeks of leaking I was no longer leaking any fluid. He couldn’t believe it. She was born healthy just two days before her due date and they had to break my water before she was born. I decided that now that I knew for myself that the Book of Mormon was true and that the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful miracle in my life, that I could no longer be a “half way” Mormon. As soon as I could, I started going to church and doing everything else that an active latter day saint does. I started praying for Mark to join the church, and one year later, he did. My testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel has grown constantly ever since. I know that God, our Heavenly Father lives and I see his hand in my life on a daily basis. I love him and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I trust their plan for me because I know they love me. I know that my prayers are heard and answered in the way that they know is best for me. I know Jesus atoned for our sins because of his great love for all of us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is the word of God. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we have a living prophet today. I consider my testimony to be one of the most valuable gifts that I have been given in this life. I love my family and my greatest desire is for all of them to gain and keep strong testimonies of the gospel and endure to the end so that we can be an eternal family together forever. I am so grateful for the abundant blessings, both spiritual and temporal that the Lord has bestowed on me in my life. I am grateful for the beautiful family that he has blessed me with and I love them all very much. This is my testimony and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
11/15/11
Being raised in the Church, even though at times it was inconsistent, I gained some knowledge and some faith while I was young. I always believed in God and prayer and felt good when we were at church. I knew about Joseph Smith and the golden plates. I loved to sing and play the hymns. But as a youth, I recognized that the things I learned at church were not exactly the way we were living at home. I remember thinking, “It must be too hard to truly live the gospel.” So I wasn’t too worried about it when I fell in love with a cute non-member boy. After we were married, especially after Chanelle was born, I began to think about how much I loved my family and wanted to be with them forever. I tried to go to church by myself, but it was hard, especially with Chanelle as a baby and so I didn’t make it that often. I went along like that until, when I was pregnant with Heather, my water broke and I was so afraid I would lose her. We went to the hospital and they told me I had a less than five percent chance of keeping the baby. I wanted to have a blessing from the Missionaries, because I didn’t have faith that my father was worthy to heal me, but I believed they could. But my father and his home teaching companion came and blessed me. I didn’t go into labor that night so they sent me home the next day. I was in bed for 12 weeks and during that time I prayed more than I ever had in my life. I also read everything I could get my hands on from the church. I read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time in my life. As I read, I already knew it was true, but when I finished, I still prayed and asked Heavenly Father for a confirmation that the Book of Mormon was true. I was not really expecting anything to happen since I already believed it was true, but while I was praying the room suddenly got lighter and I felt a warmth and peace and a sure knowledge that this book was true. I was so grateful for this manifestation from Heavenly Father! I also realized that it was not just my father’s faith, but my faith in the power to be healed. So I also knew at that time that I was healed. When I went to the doctor a few weeks later, he confirmed that after 10 weeks of leaking I was no longer leaking any fluid. He couldn’t believe it. She was born healthy just two days before her due date and they had to break my water before she was born. I decided that now that I knew for myself that the Book of Mormon was true and that the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful miracle in my life, that I could no longer be a “half way” Mormon. As soon as I could, I started going to church and doing everything else that an active latter day saint does. I started praying for Mark to join the church, and one year later, he did. My testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel has grown constantly ever since. I know that God, our Heavenly Father lives and I see his hand in my life on a daily basis. I love him and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I trust their plan for me because I know they love me. I know that my prayers are heard and answered in the way that they know is best for me. I know Jesus atoned for our sins because of his great love for all of us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is the word of God. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we have a living prophet today. I consider my testimony to be one of the most valuable gifts that I have been given in this life. I love my family and my greatest desire is for all of them to gain and keep strong testimonies of the gospel and endure to the end so that we can be an eternal family together forever. I am so grateful for the abundant blessings, both spiritual and temporal that the Lord has bestowed on me in my life. I am grateful for the beautiful family that he has blessed me with and I love them all very much. This is my testimony and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.