Branch President and Relief Society President couple share their
Testimony of Faith at the Los Angeles Fireside
On Sunday, March 13, 2005, the Southern California Public Affairs Council and the African-American Affairs Council presented their bi-monthly fireside at the Westwood Chapel which is behind the Los Angeles Temple and adjacent to the Visitors Center. The invited speakers were Sister Lynnette and President Steve Allen of the Southwest Los Angeles Branch of the Inglewood California Stake. Sister Allen is the Relief Society President and her husband President Allen was recently called as Branch President.
Sister Allen began by sharing her testimony of how she met President Allen and what led them to the church. She was born in New Orleans and was raised a Baptist; he was born in St. Louis and was raised a Catholic. Both their families eventually moved to Los Angeles where they met as teenagers, dated and ultimately married. After being married for a short while, Sister Allen realized that she felt a spiritual void in her life and that of her small family and set out in search of a church that would fulfill her needs. Her most profound need from the beginning was to locate a church that had living Prophets. Through her research of the scriptures she had began to question the lack of prophets on the earth today and had a growing concern about how ministers of many churches received their authority or priesthood.
She sought out various churches to find the one that fed her spirit by asking any and everyone which church they attended and what they believed. She finally met a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at her work that had the missionaries call her. While Sister Allen was hesitant to have any discussions with them, after hearing the Articles of Faith especially the 6th Article, “ We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.” She knew that this was the Church for her.
President Allen who joined his wife in taking the lessons was prompted to be baptized before the discussions were even completed. After their baptism, he was edified greatly by the spirit, by the church, the emphasis on family and how he could be a missionary at work by giving away the Book of Mormon and sharing his testimony. Both President and Sister Allen recall opposition and adversity when they first became members. Out of concern the Allens were counseled and warned by “well-meaning” family and friends about church history and what the church beliefs are. Fortunately, they both exhorted a great deal of faith in their agency to join despite the unsolicited doubts of “caring” individuals.
In her talk, Sister Allen shares that while her family was unsupportive of her decision to join this church, she realized that after receiving a witness of who Joseph Smith was, she could not turn her back on the church. At that time, she would always go to God when she had questions and clarity came. In some cases she admits to still not having the answers to her questions, but she is confident and faithful that He will answer her. She acknowledged that the kingdom we strive to obtain is an organized kingdom and it is an organized God that showed her that the priesthood is restored and that the church is true.
President Allen, who was called to the presidency of his branch in 1999 as a Counselor, did not really know much about what his calling would require of him or what to expect. He believes that converts are fairly strong in their faith, until they go out into the world. Then Satan bombards them with false doctrine and tempts them to abandon their newfound beliefs. However, he shares, from Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently see him.” Therefore, we must have faith in order to be healed, in order to witness miracles, in order to defeat Satan.
He says, “People come to the Church at the right time as it states in Ecclesiastes. Yes, there was a time when blacks did not hold the priesthood, but we must have great faith that God has a reason and he (President Allen) will continue to honor his covenants and the commandments to the end. We’ve heard many hurtful things as blacks in this church, but hold up your head, God will reveal what we need to know in due time. Do not slack in your stride, be an example, stand tall, and stand firm!”
President and Sister Allen’s testimonies were very well received and all who attended are prayerful that the love in the Southwest Los Angeles Branch will cross all barriers and bring forth many Saints.
The next Fireside will be held Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 7 p.m. at the Westwood Chapel and will feature Betty Stevenson from Oakland, CA. Sister Stevenson will share her fascinating story transformation from drug dealer to Relief Society President.