I wouldn't feel right unless I also devoted some space on my homepage to share my feelings about my Lord and Savior. I was born a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but have not always believed in the church. When I was in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah I received what I consider to be the most special gift I have ever received in my life, I received the beginnings of my testimony. It was during a large group training meeting, and the speaker was telling a story that talked directly to my soul, and I could feel the holy spirit telling me, "This is true." Here is the story.

Years ago there was a certain little one room school house in the mountains of Virginia which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers would resign.

A young, inexperienced teacher applied, and the old director scanned him and asked, "Young fellow, do you know that you are asking for an awful beating? Every teacher that we have had here for years has had to take one." "I will risk it," he replied.

Finally, the first day of school approached and the teacher appeared for duty. One big fellow, Tom, whispered, "I won't need any help with this one, I can lick him myself."

The teacher said, "Good morning, boys, we have come to conduct school!" They yelled and made fun at the top of their voices. "Now I want a good school, but I confess that I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rulles. You tell me and I will write them on the blackboard."

One fellow yelled, "No stealing!" Another yelled, "On time." Finally, ten rules appeared.

"Now, " said the teacher, "a law is no good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?"

"Beat him accross the back ten times without his coat on."

"That is pretty severe, boys. Are you sure that you are ready to stand by it?" Another yelled, I second the motion, and the teacher said, "alright, we will live by them! Class come to order!"

In a day or so, "Big Tom" found that his lunch had been stolen. Upon inquirty the thief was located - a little hungry fellow, about ten years old. "We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule - ten stripes across the back!" "Jim, come up here!" the teacher said.

The little fellow trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to his neck and pleaded, "Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please, don't make me take my coat off!"

"Take the coat off," the teacher said, "you helped to make the rules!"

"Oh, teacher don't make me!" He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher behold? The little guy had no shirt on, and revealed a bony little crippled body.

"How can I whip this child?" he thought. But I must, I must do something if I am to keep this school. Everything was quiet as death.

"How come you aren't wearing a shirt, Jim?"

He replied, "My father died any my mother is very poor. I have only one shirt to my name, and she is washing it today, and I wore my brother's big coat to keep me warm."

The teacher with rod in hand hesitated. Just then "Big Tom" jumped to his feet and said, "Teacher, if you don't object, I will take Jim's licking for him."

"Very Well. There is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?"

Off came Tom's coat, and after five hard strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands and thought, "How can I finish this awful task?" Then he heard the entire class sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. "Tom, I am sorry that I stole your lucnch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you til I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!"

After the instructor was done telling the story I could feel the warmth in my heart as the Holy Spirit testified to me that this was what Jesus did for us upon the cross. I quietly got up, signalled to my companion and we went to our room. With the lights off I got on my knees and thanked my Heavenly Father for this sweet gift that he had just given me.

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