California49er

I converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was in college and dating an LDS young woman. She had been a member all her life but was, frankly, trying to leave the Church while I became interested. We eventually married and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

We were active in the sense that we went to Church every Sunday and were faithful to our callings. Our 3 children were raised in the Church but left after they graduated from high school.

We only rarely did family home evening and never, or rarely, read the scriptures together let alone by ourselves. I am to blame for not leading my family as a Melchizedek Priesthood holder.

After we became empty-nesters, we stopped going to Church though we never spoke ill of the Church.

In October 2021, I became quadriplegic due to a spinal cord infection that went misdiagnosed. A year later, I returned to work as a college professor teaching online rather than in-person classes.

In March 2025, my wife informed me that she wanted a divorce because “she did not want to take care of a quadriplegic husband anymore. She wanted to live her life.” Two weeks later I learned she had been having an affair and sleeping with another man. We had been married for 36 years.

In September 2025, I became very ill and was hospitalized and/or in nursing facilities for 3 months.

My divorce with my ex-wife was also finalized in September 2025.

I eventually was discharged into a boarding home the day after Thanksgiving in November 2025.

I was forced to retire due to my health which became official on January 1, 2026.

Because we live in California, my ex-wife gets half of my pension. But because I had to retire at 60, I only get 60% of my pension. With her taking half, that means I only get 30% of my pension.

Financially, I am not anywhere near where I thought I would be. And I live in a very nice boarding home, and in a private room, which is quite small. It is very expensive, however.

But I am the happiest I have been in my life because I FINALLY felt the love of my Heavenly Father after I was in tremendous pain in October 2025. I was undergoing a medical procedure and I was awake. The procedure to replace a biliary drain (because of other medical complications) was very painful. I was crying, in enormous pain, and scared.

I said the most sincere prayer in my life: “Father, if you will remove this pain from me and calm my nerves, I will return to Church and read the scriptures.” Within seconds, I felt no pain. And my nerves were calmed down. I FINALLY felt my prayer had been heard and that I knew that Heavenly Father loved me. More importantly, I knew that I belonged to Him and He belonged to me.

I have been attending my old Ward ever since I returned to my boarding home last November 2025. I love it!

And I read my scriptures every day and have realized what I was missing all those years.

I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who loved me enough to sacrifice Himself for my sins.

I love this TRUE Church.

And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.