From:	Marcus Martins

To:	Fielding, Mariah

Date:	1/31/00 5:22PM

Subject:	Re: Supporting a Friend

Mariah:

Thank you for your message and inquiry.

First of all, let me congratulate you and your friend for doing the right thing so far: scripture reading, talking to the Bishop, etc. Since I am not familiar with all the details of your case (and I have no authority to do so) I may not be able to accurately address the issue, but I'll try.

My impression based on what you wrote is that your friend is experiencing a trial of his faith. Now that he is treading the way back he is encountering temptations and tribulations that are designed to test his determination to stay in the strait and narrow path. We usually experience such trials when we are on the verge of receiving great blessings.

"And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:5-6)

Tell your friend to hang on, to have faith, to continue opening his heart in all honesty in personal prayers. Give him the suggestion of fasting this upcoming Saturday and humbly asking the Lord to give him a testimony that he is making the right choices.

In the meantime, pray for your friend and continue supporting him. That is all you can do for now. And if he decides to take the "easy way out," ask the Lord to comfort you through the power of the Holy Ghost. Keep in mind the covenants and blessings found in the House of the Lord--covenants and blessings that you yourself will one day enjoy, and through which you will also bless the lives of your future family.

Hang in there.

Bro. Martins

>>> Mariah Fielding <fie98001@ricks.edu> 01/31/00 03:13PM >>>

Bro. Martins-

To start I would like to thank you for being such a good teacher, I have

enjoyed your class, and been very interested in learning more about the

Gospel. I have a question that I hope you may be able to help me with, or

give me advice on where to find information and resources to help me find

an answer. I am dating a guy that hasn't been active his whole life, and

since we have been dating, he has been trying to do things different.

Lately though, he has had a lot of doubts, saying that he has to choose

between his friends, and the church, and he doesn't know if he is seeing a

lot of good results from choosing the church. I know that he has felt the

spirit, and has felt the good from it, but doesn't know what to do. He is

at a point where he is choosing the church or his friends, and I don't want

to loose him, but I feel like I am running out of time. Do you have any

advise? Is there anything that I can do for him, or say to help? We have

been reading the scriptures, and he went and talked to the bishop to take

care of all the things that he did in the past, but he is really having a

lot of doubts, I don't know what to do! Anything would be a great help.

Thank you-

Sincerely-

Mariah Fielding