I got baptized while studying theology! | with Louisa
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- Louisa was baptized while earning her Masters in Theology from Boston University. For as long as she can remember, she has dealt with severe mental health challenges. After joining the church and studying more about church history, she learned that Prophet George Albert Smith suffered significant mental health challenges as well. In our interview with Louisa, she talks about her conversion as well as being a wounded healer, following the example of Jesus Christ.
WE LOVE YOU, LOUISA!!
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Beginning of mental health struggles
2:09 - Dating a member of the Church of Jesus Christ
3:15 - Louisa starts looking into religion for happiness and light
4:49 - Dating and religion analogy
6:05 - Attending Colgate University
7:32 - A professor that treats all religions with reverence
9:11 - Louisa shares her mental health suffering
11:10 - Louisa is sent to an intensive outpatient program for her eating disorder
12:25 - Joseph Smith being overcome with darkness
13:30 - Meeting missionaries and studying religion
15:00 - The Law of Chastity and morality
16:13 - Was there a rock bottom experience?
18:23 - Finding a life worth living
19:39 - George Albert Smith illnesses
22:10 - George Albert Smith asks God to take his life
23:55 - Your struggle is part of your testimony
25:12 - Christ appears when we go through darkness
26:30 - Louisa decides to call the missionaries
29:30 - The missionaries met Louisa where she was without an agenda
30:30 - Louisa is prompted to join the church
31:20 - Praying to meet her husband
33:20 - Challenges of being a new member
34:30 - We cannot help and heal others unless we are able and willing to bear our wounds to others
36:50 - BE A WOUNDED HEALER!
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I'm so grateful that I was lucky enough to marry this amazing woman!
If she's still interested in the academic study of religion, you might want to recommend SSSR (the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion) and or the MSSA (Mormon Social Science Association).
@@aaronchamberlain4698 Yes I am! This is a small world haha
@@scottvance74
She is still interested and will be starting her PhD in American Religious History with a focus in Mormon Studies this fall. Those seem like cool societies/associations!
Small world. Just finished the video and realized you are LDS. Used to watch your videos all the time.
She’s amazing.
Love this! I grew up Pentecostal and went to Bible college and studied world religions. Twenty years later and I converted to LDS.🙋🏻♂️ An amazing ride.
wow God is good !!!
That sounds like a really cool story!
"wounded healers" - I love that! People who are struggling with their own challenges can still be a huge strength to others and maybe even more of a strength.
So good, right?!
I agree!
Some valuable insights here.
The Book of Mormon itself came out of sorrow, calamity, horror, and lifelong loneliness.
Such a powerful thought. Thank you for sharing!
Do you mean in Joseph Smiths life as the translator? I also like that thought?
@@LouisaPackham-o6z Mostly I'm thinking of Mormon and Moroni's lives as survivors of the destruction of their civilization.
I haven't quite finished, but just have to comment. Louisa, you are so well spoken. Thanks for sharing your struggles and your testimony. I have tremendous respect for the faith of converts like you!
Diddo !!! such a great girl.
Thank you!!
Love it! I love that our church heals so many wounds…physical, emotional, spiritual…
Louisa - you are tender, courageous and articulate. LOVED THIS CONVERSATION!!!
We sure miss you on your Utube show. Hope all is well with you.💕
Thanks!!
I'm so impressed by her thoughts on bearing our pains for others to see, as Jesus did. That's exactly what she's done for us in this video. Thank you for your faith and perserverance. Life is difficult for all of us at different times, but we can see in her experience that these things can bring us to closer to God and help us to help others. Thank you.
Thanks so much!!!
Wonderful. Brilliant. Candid. A daughter of Light.
She really has so much light!
Thanks!
Louisa, I could listen to you all day. You are really good at sharing your experiences. The honesty is off the charts. The If there ever is a top 10 best... this is number one. My vote.
Thanks so much! That is so kind.
Wow, wow, wow. What wisdom comes from this young woman! We should all be “wounded healers.” I love it.
You have no idea how much I needed to hear this!!! I’m about to submit my mission papers, and I’ve been really struggling for years with my physical health, and longer with mental health, and I really felt like I should watch this video right now; and I’m so glad that I did. Thank you for your testimony, Louisa!!! Thank you for sharing how you’ve been wounded, how it brought Jesus Christ into your life, and helped you recognize and be able to appreciate God’s path to perfection for you! Thank you for sharing your light with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and w/ all those who hear your story!❤️
It is so meaningful that you shared this with me and I’m so grateful that this video helped your confidence in your missionary abilities. I want to know where you get called to serve!
Thank you for sharing your story, Louisa!
I loved this interview/conversion story. this has strengthened my testimony and feel like this will definitely change people's lives. Thank you.
Her story is both one-of-a-kind and relatable in many ways. Thanks for watching!
That is so kind!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your insights, Louisa. I have struggled with mental health issues for a long time myself. I keep moving forward as best I can, because I truly believe that Jesus is the Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His Church. The Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ. The temple really is His House on earth. And I have been born of goodly parents who have walked with me as I have tried to navigate life's challenges.
Wounded healers!!❤❤ That is beautiful!! ❤
Thank you!
Your Spirit searched, and felt the Spirit of Truth in a L.D.S
home where Christ is centered, I grew up in the Catholic church, did searched for the truth after my first confession at 9 years old, finally in my thirties got introduced to missionaries, I'm very open minded so I listen, halfway the first discussion some warm came filled my belly and my heart and whispered, " What you are hearing is the Truth" now in my sixties I can't denied what the Spirit of Truth planted in my heart, is the Truthfulness of the Lord's ever lasting GOSPLE ❤❤❤❤❤ HOLD DEAR with prayers and scripture studies solidify your TESTIMONY,,,❤
Such an uplifting episode. Thank for Sharon your story
During my baptismal interview, when the missionaries asked me if I was morally clean, I thought, well, I opposed the Vietnam War, and I was active in the civil rights movement, so…I think so? So I asked them what they meant. At that point I was married so I could answer yes!
Woah, that’s a really interesting experience and perspective!
Amazing how desire and intelligence always has the greatest rewards in everything you do!
Hi you guys, and what an episode! I love your interview style; you really know how to _listen_ and let the talent speak. And the insights!
Louisa, I feel a kinship with you. I am prescribed an antidepressant for a mental malady. I love your courageous openness. God bless you, and let’s pray for each other. The power of Christ’s atonement is ointment! Hope. George Albert Smith’s experience is painful to hear, but then hopeful for us. And you are delightful.
In getting own Religious Studies degree, I saw that it had little to do with religion; it was actually sociology, anthropology, and psychology. In a word, secularism.
You’re awesome! I will pray for you :)
Beautiful! I also suffered with bulimia for over twenty years and was freed from this obsession through therapy and medication and the power of Jesus Christ and healing through forgiveness and learning to love myself! I fell in love with the Bible and started to love learning about comparative religion and the study of various cultures and practices! It’s so refreshing to hear your testimony about healing and I pray that other women will find this video helpful as I did!
This is so kind!! It means a lot when women share that they’ve had similar experiences. Thank you for sharing!
Louisa - I am sitting here watching your story unfold and I really wanted to say how impressed I am with your testimony. The way you think and the way you speak is very relatable to me. I'm a late diagnosed autistic with an autistic daughter and though you didn't clarify this I wonder if you also might be autistic or had even considered the possibility. I've researched autism and neurodiversity like you've studied theology. Having had an eating disorder and struggles with picky eating, your strong drive to research, your analytical way of speaking, and bouts of depression points to being a female on the spectrum. I am 45 and went through my entire life not realizing that all the struggles I faced as a child, teen, and young adult were due to my undiagnosed autism. It wasn't until I my daughter was diagnosed at 7 that I put the pieces together ( she is 12 now ). Thanks for your testimony of the church and the Savior. You truly have strengthened my testimony by sharing your story ❤
This is wonderful and thank you very much for sharing, you are wonderful. All the best to you!
Great interview. Your questions are a lot better.
Louisa, you are great! I really enjoyed your insights and this conversation!
Thank you!
Thank you for all what you said, Louisa. Thank you, guys, for bringing her! Love this episode
Awesome story Louisa. Thank you for sharing.
She is so well spoken. Loved it.
Straight up fantastic story right here!
Wonderful Conversion Story Louisa! Love hearing of your struggles and they strengthen me and my testimony tremendously.
You’re the coolest, Craig.
This was very good. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. The part at the end regarding the wounded healer was especially helpful to hear. I definitely think you could develop that into a paper for publication.
Haha that’s the goal!
Amazing story, beautifully told 🥲
Great interview! I love the "wounded healer" statement - definitely need to "be a wounded healer" - we all have issues in some form or another but that is what the gospel is about is to help lift one another along our path of life :)
You’re awesome!
Loved this video! Thank you, Louisa, for sharing your story. I learned some new ways to talk about the gospel.
I’m so glad!
Glad to hear someone else relates to George Albert Smith! I struggle with panic disorder and have felt familiarity with his struggles as well. Do you guys know of any books on him?
I have extreme anxiety every single day. Meds do nothing to help. We've tried dozens, for decades. What does help is, the more I draw closer to the gospel, the easier (not easy) it gets. It's a daily struggle, and I really think those in leadership positions (bishop, etc) truly need training in how to see, understand, and help those in their wards and stakes who deal with anxiety and other mental health concerns.
Yes! Mary Jane Woodger wrote a biography on George Albert that touches a lot on his depression. That is a great resource. Silent Souls Weeping is another book about modern day Saints who suffer from depression.
Louisa, thank you so much for sharing your brilliant mind and being vulnerable and transparent. What a wonderful young woman you are! What a delight to listen to you expressing yourself so eloquently.
I have been prescribed medication to assist me with my mental health struggles for many years. God helped someone invent such medical supports and I am grateful that I am not bound to the intense anxiety and depression that brought me to several rock bottom moments myself.
Life will not be free of challenges, loss, and pain. However, the Atonement of our beloved Redeemer will give us enough grace to help us.
My deepest thanks and may you enjoy many blessings as your life progresses!
❤
(Who was called as your new relief society president?)
😊
Thank you for sharing!! The relief society President ended up being one of my closest friends, she’s doing great!
This woman is incredible and I want to get to know her better. She's got the coolest story!!! ♥️♥️♥️
That is so kind!!
Love this!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
The testimony of Christ here resonated me in its lack of abstraction. She got into the details.
Thanks! A non-abstract understanding of Christ is something I yearned for when I first joined so I’m glad that was reflected to you.
Since she studied the church academically first, it would be interesting to hear her take on some of the more controversial things in church history and how she dealt with those issues.
Ask away! My take depends on the controversial topic haha
I would love to ready that 60 page thesis on the Plan of Salvation.
Haha strategic googling might be your friend…
The part about showing our wounds to those we are helping 😭😭😭
Glad you liked it!
I am also a theologian. Joseph Smith was a theological genius. Unfortunately, he was a trickster as well.
Best bet is Oriental Orthodoxy, specifically Armenian.
Good thing is you can stay Mormon and instill oriental Orthodoxy in your ward.
Interesting
This interview reminded me so much of an interview of a Mormon missionary who converted to Islam. People definitely find the religion that works with their personality.
Lol. I bet he's a right laugh.
yes hurting
🎉🤘🤘
It irks me too when folks say that Jesus was a Middle-Eastern man, period. (It's not the most important thing to learn, I know.) But remember, in reality Jesus was only half Jewish. He was/is fully man and fully God. People who have seen him in visions and dreams and NDEs have noted that Jesus had dark auburn-brown hair, scintillating blue eyes and not a dark complexion, He is a resurrected Being now. Most ppl would guess His height to be 6' - 7' tall. Albeit, I know that Christ can appear however He pleases.
I like title for program Saints Unscripted ,thanks for funny and little blessing time ,God bless you all and everyones in this program
You’re remarkable! I’m wondering where you got the information about George Albert Smith? I would love to read it!
Mary Jane Woodger wrote a great biography on him!
Fun fact: the Bible pages on display at Trinity College in Dublin Ireland shows 12th century illustrations the monks made of Jesus as a redhead. I love that cultures around the world show Jesus looking like them-it’s a tribute to Him that everyone wants to claim Him as theirs 🥰
I love that!
2 COR12: 7-8
7 .....,...there was given to me A THORN IN THE FLESH, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME.
I studied the same thing!! And was also baptized at 22
Woah!! That’s so cool!
Amazing. And I want her to stand up so I can see that adorable jumper. 🤩
Why do we depict Jesus as white ? There was His mortal body, then His resurrected body and the latter would be white..
HEY GIRL, YOU REALLY OUGHT TO PUBLISH THESE THINGS. SERIOUSLY.
That’s the goal!
Lds nerdfighters unite!!!
Yesss
Anyone notice how this channel never once has mentioned the 'Genetically Modified Skeptic' channel?
People here can not even think at the depth of what Drew there does daily. Way out of their league.
The Book of Mormon is so hardcore.
😂😂
Welcome to Utopia.
Utopia?? Haha
I fail to see what you're saying. Is that supposed to be funny? Are you being sarcastic?
How can anyone choose to convert to the CoJCoLDS? Because they experienced a changed life? Doesn't make sense because those who follow Satan's false gospel, false spirit, false christ experience a changed life (2 Cor 11). Anyone contemplating LDS theology should closely read the words of Jesus Christ in the Bible and LDS theology falls completely apart.
It's really saddens me every time I see a comment like yours. Perhaps you're not familiar with our Articles of Faith, the 11th Article of Faith states... "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
You may disagree, but to accuse somebody of following Satan, that is beyond the boundaries of common decency. You need to go elsewhere. If you don't like what's being discussed here, maybe this is not the forum for you to be following?
I love the comment above me and almost don’t want to step on it.
There’s also the question: Do you believe Christ will save LDS members? If you believe Satan is behind the false teachings of the LDS church, what’s his plan? To get people to believe in Christ ever so slightly differently such that Christ won’t save them? Despite attempting to believe in him? That’s not a loving God. That’s a God searching for a way to damn as many people as possible.
I firmly believe we will hear something like this in heaven: “I’m sorry you were blinded by the teachings of men, but I see what you were trying to become and I accept you.” We should allow and accept all faith traditions that change us as humans. Those that change our willingness to accept truth when presented to us.
@@joncharlotteschoen I do hear you, but truth doesn't care about "the dictates of our own conscience". Our conscience can be dead wrong.
I'd like to invite you to consider 1 John 5:12 which plainly separates truth from error and echos what Jesus Christ said about eternal life again and again and again while He was here on earth. LDS theology has no answer for 1 John 5:12. "He that hath the Son 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞; and he that hath not the Son of God 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞."
@@aaronchamberlain4698 I do believe Jesus Christ can and will save (i.e. give eternal life) LDS because I am living proof of this. Satan's plan is to deceive. It's that simple, and he deceives by tricking people into believing in a christ that does not give eternal life to all who believe on Him.
If what you are saying were true, then why did the rejected of the Savior in Matthew 7 turned away? They cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. They prophesied and performed miracles all in the name of Jesus Christ. They believed in a false christ just as the Apostle Paul warned in 2 Cor 11 who did not give eternal life to anyone who believed on Him.
@@markandpamtaylor8341 I wish you well. I'm not going to argue with you.
The Nephites were as White as the Europeans according to 1 Nephi 13:15. I believe that mommy professor can be wrong, and that all the original Israelite tribes were all White. And many even at the time of Jesus.
❤. Been there. Thanks for your vulnerability and sharing your story. I needed this. I felt the spirit so strongly testify of the truthfulness of your testimony. I would love to get to know this girl. What a spiritual powerhouse. Thank you SU! #GiveThanks, #HearGim, @ReliefSocietyWorldwide