Dear brother or sister, please accept my apology for contacting you unsolicited. If it were not important for you to read this I would not have written. Onth 23rd October I had a severe stroke that left me totally paralysed down my left hand side. I spent 9 weeks in rehabilitation being taught how to eat and walk again. I came out on 21st December still not being able to walk on my own but I am now able to eat though I cannot hold a cup of chocolate in my hand. The event was traumatic for me and I am very vulnerable. Last week, for the first time ever, I was able to bare my testimony on the world wide members Facebook page.i had 285 reactions, all positive, and 150 comments with one indifferent. One of the comments came through messenger from a General Authority, a Seventy, that read as follows.
Thank you Brother Smart, I love your testimony, so wonderful to read it. Another example of how God makes good things come from our challenges, your testimony will reach so many more people who need to hear it because it is on social media! I am sorry about your family and friends deserting you, it’s a good reminder for me to look out for people in my ward who are struggling. I am happy you have a strong testimony and know that Jesus Christ is in charge. Yes I think Satan works extra hard on those who are stalwart and strong, he knows your potential for spreading light! Again, thank you, have a blessed Sabbath day tomorrow!. May I suggest you post this on your ward web page if only to let people know of your struggles.
When I followed the instructions from the Seventy my testimony was rejected by the Bishop and the Stake President without a reason given. That indifferent comment was found in amongst all the rest by Sister Hannah Smart who then messaged me to tell me that none of the Bridgend members like me. In my current state of health that has effected me, which is my reason for writing to you. As far as I am aware, I do not think I have done anything to bring the wrath of the entire ward to dislike me. I want to apologise to anyone who has been offended by anything I have said or done that has caused Hannah to believe that you do not like me. If you read my testimony on the main church site, because you were not allowed to see it here, you will be able to ascertain exactly who I am and see how destructive the comment that none of you like me has caused.So, please let me know what i have done to offend you so that I can begin to rectify it by repentining, making restitution, and forsaken the sin so that I can ask for forgiveness of the sin. And please, please, please do not let Hannah know if you dislike me, let me know. Hannah cannot do anything about it, but I can.
We Did Our Best 