Richard Roth

MY STORY....

v    In 1966 my father, not being able or willing to deal with me any longer, had me put in The Boys Republic (home for boys). I was the product of an upper middle class broken home. Soon after, I began smoking weed, then taking pills. By 1967 I was using heroin. I used heroin on a daily basis for almost twenty years. One summer evening, I found a Bible on the ground while walking home from work. After a few weeks I began to read the Bible inspite of all the negative experiences with religions I had in the past. My mother was Episcopalian, my cousins were Roman Catholic, my first wife was Jehovah Witness, my second wife was LDS and some of my friends were Jewish.      I finally became curious as to what the Bible itself had to say about it all. I began to read the book of Revelations. All of a sudden there was a voice in my head reading it aloud as I read it silently. I came to the part that said “Remember the height from which you have fallen and repent.” I fell to the floor crying and said “Lord I Repent.” There was no person with me and yet I felt the presence of God.      God revealed himself to me in many ways. There was no doubt in my mind, God was real. That began my journey, one of many mountains and valleys. In 1986 I attended Bible College. In 1989 graduated. I entered full time ministry in 1990. Again I struggled, became distraught and backslid for 16 and a half years. I kept crying out for God to deliver me from sin. In February 2007 I went to Billings, Montana, joined a discipleship program and still felt empty. Again I cried out for deliverance. My journey finally led me to the Salt Lake City Mission. I now have peace. I now have a healthy relationship with my daughter and brand new baby grandson. I’m so thankful that God is faithful and he never left me or forsook me. I’m free - I’m free. I now live and serve at the Salt Lake City Mission. I will graduate from their long-term discipleship program this month. I plan to continue my theological studies here at the Mission, through the Sure Foundation, where the mission is a licensed affiliate instructor. Praise God! Jesus is my all in all. Words cannot express my thankfulness! I now have the peace that surpasses all my understanding - Glory to God in the highest! — Richard Roth