 |
| My brother and I back in the day. Yes, those muscles are real. |
I was born in Caerphilly Wales to Melody Weedon and Raymond Jenkins on February 5th 1991. My parents separated when I was four years of age. I grew up with very little knowledge of God, my mother was Filipino and so we attended the Catholic Church many times with her friends. I never did wholly believe in there being a God simply because of the many unanswered questions I had that no one could answer. I was a shy quiet boy, I played Chess for my city and country, uber nerd, and proud. At the age of twelve I began to pursue rugby heavily and played every Sunday, that was when I came out of shell. My motto in life was; "Don't knock it until you have tried it" and so, I tried a lot of things the world had to offer, you name it, I've done it. Nothing brought a complete happiness, just temporary gratification.
Growing up in a single-parent home I never had a fatherly figure and secretly, I looked up to my uncle Michael J. Teh and admired him greatly. He was an exemplary husband, a great father, and always happy. I often asked myself "What does he have that I don't?". I shrugged the thought. At the age of fourteen I remember missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came knocking on my door. I immediately turned off the television, turned off the lights and waited in silence in hope they would leave. They did. They continued to come back several times, I responded in the same manner. I thought to myself; 'These guys don't get the hint'. I figured these guys are pretty persistent I'll give them a chance.
The first night I met them they came with the Bishop. They gave me the Book of Mormon and explained what it was. I then remember my mother coming down and explaining to me that this is the Church that my uncle belonged to. I felt that I may be on to something and because of that statement alone I pursued it further.
I met with the missionaries multiple times, I nailed them with questions, every single one I could think of. They always had an answer for me. They challenged me that if I could come up with a question that could stump them that had an answer that we know of then they would pay me five pounds. I was very interested and had planned what I wanted to spend my five pounds on. My desire increased and my hunger for knowledge grew and grew. Everything I was learning rang true to me and it made so much sense.
 |
| Elder Sibley, Me, My Brother, Elder Cornia. |
I was baptized by Elder Dave Sibley, (Elder Evan Cornia was his companion, what a riot they were) it took me three times, I had a lot of cleaning to do (only kidding). I felt so relieved after being baptized and realized that it was me getting in the way of the Holy Ghost. A couple of days later, not thinking much of it I looked at my hands and to my surprise all twenty warts were gone. It was another evidence to me personally that Jesus is the Christ and that his Church has been restored to the earth. I continue to have struggles and I'm far from perfect (believe it or not). I know that the greatest peace in this life comes from following the example Jesus Christ, there is an answer to all of your questions. I know whole-heatedly that God does answer prayers and that he loves me and you regardless of who you are.