Being raised in Snowflake was an easy thing, especially belonging to the family which I did. Our family fit in as well as anyone could. Our ancestral line was strong in that town, and it being full of Mormons we never had a difficult time with anyone. Our family had naturally molded themselves into the society, especially when it came to music and sports. They were highly respected for their participation in these two activities. Being the youngest of ten children, I had quite a bit to live up to.

Snowflake had become home to me. I had extremely close friends, and was well liked among my peers. I was highly involved in the sports program, and had a lot to look forward to in the future, including one of my most desired goals, to fulfill a full 2-year mission for the LDS church.

Things went well for me in Snowflake. I loved it. And I never dreamed of moving, until it was time for me to set off on my own.

In 1994, on a crisp Autumn evening, my parents arrived home from a trip to Manti, Utah. We were under the assumption that they had been visiting family, and had attended some temple services in one of the temples up there. But they had brought home a different message to us. I remember them calling all of my brothers and sisters that were living in Snowflake at the time to their home. They had some things to talk to them about. Our family met in the lower floor of our home in my parents bedroom to discuss these matters which my parents wanted to reveal to my family. Being a teenager I was not privy to hear what they said to my family that night, but I knew it was something important. I guess they didn't think I would understand, or I wasn't ready to hear what they had to say yet, but the information eventually came to my knowledge. My parents had told my brothers and sisters that they had really been to Manti, to hear a man teach the fullness of the gospel as Joseph Smith had laid out. And that they had felt a power of such peace that they had never felt before that assisted the words of this man. They called his teachings the "Models." He taught these "Models" over two days in which he revealed the fullness of the gospel to the people that came to hear this message.

My parents proceeded to teach some of my family a few of the principles that this man James Harmston taught them. Some of my family began to weep, and knew these things were true. They felt it was good and pure, and filled up any emptiness in their soul. Others believed it, they knew it was true, but were scared. They were scared for their reputation, for loosing their friends, their family, their traditional religion etc. Some of them sacrificed their carnal beliefs, and allowed the spirit of God to show them the way; none of the temporal things were important anymore, and they were more than willing to leave everything they had for this truth which they had heard, and wanted to possess. Then there were those who flat out rejected it from the very first. I recall a parable that Jesus told the people that is similar to this situation.

This new message which my parents brought home caused a great division in my family. Some members of my family began to make sporadic trips up to Manti, and eventually they were going every week. I had people criticizing my parents, and saying to me they shouldn't be up there, that they're just going to get in trouble etc. etc. I basically ignored all of these things, and kept on living my life as I had been. Finally after a while I was offered the opportunity to attend the Models, and wanted to decide for myself if what my parents were doing was right. I had always felt that they were right, but I wanted to make sure, and see for myself.

The models were an amazing thing to my mind. I was only a 14 year old boy, but my heart was full of the spirit, and I knew these things were true. I had never heard a man teach with such desire and passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not in a Baptist Preacher kind of way, but with a power of absolute peace that I had never heard before. It was amazing. And The Holy Ghost assisted every word that came from his lips. The spirit bore a strong witness to me the last night of the models that these were the people who would establish ZION.

With this witness I returned home. I returned to the same old society with a completely different perception on life. Everything began to seem so frivolous, and pitiful to me. I still had a great love for my friends though. I had grown up with a certain young man, and we were as close as any two friends could be. He had a hard time understanding this new direction I was taking in my life, and everyone believed it was by the effect of my parents, which was partially true.

The time came that my parents decided to gather with God's people, and be a part of his work upon the earth. This was the hardest thing for them. They would have to leave everything they had ever believed, and had been a part of, and lose their good name among men, their family, and new home, etc. But the spirit of God assisted them in all that they did. Acting upon that, and not their fears, they gave up all to come and partake of the glory of God. It was not a man who changed their beliefs of religion, and a new gospel, but the power of the Holy Spirit. They told me that their decision was final, and that they had plans to move when school ended. I knew this was coming, but I was not enthusiastic about leaving all that I was apart of. They told me I could stay if I wanted. It was my choice. They said they thought it best that I go with them, but I also had many people tell me to stay in Snowflake, and finish out my high school years. I had influence on both sides, but the decision was mine. Through much prayer, I finally felt I needed to go to Manti, to be a part of this work. I knew what I had to give up, but it was worth it. I was willing to give up all for the opportunity to one day meet my God.

About a month after we moved, while we were living in Indianola Utah, I began to doubt a little about my position in life. Had I done the right thing? Was this God's work? I missed my friends, I wanted to be with them, and enjoy a life with them. I became frustrated, and disturbed. I needed time on my own. I decided to go up the mountains on my own for a day or to, and assiduously petition God for relief, and another witness that I was doing the right thing. So off I went to seek for some guidance from our Father in Heaven, having faith that he would answer me. It reminded me in a way of another young 14 year old, going in to a grove of trees to petition God for guidance in his life some 170 years previous to this event in my life.

This was a profound experience in my life. I found a beautiful little meadow carpeted with orange, and red leaves with the sun shining directly in the middle of it. I destined that spot to be where I should pray. I prayed for sometime seeking for guidance, but nothing was ever received. A few hours later after hiking up the large foothill by my side, I indulged in fervent prayer again. While praying asking God certain questions I was given a pure knowledge, and a strong witness of this work here in Manti. God had blessed me again with the same witness that this gospel, this religion which I left everything for was true, and that I was on the right path. I became happy, and was so filled with a peace, and joy that I had never experienced before. All wants, and yearnings for worldly things, and worldly relationships disappeared, and I felt only the importance to serve God with all that I am.

I got up, and began to walk down a path humming a church hymn to myself when suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I immediately stopped. I sort of turned my head to see who it was, or if I was just imagining it. No one was there but I still felt this hand on my shoulder, and an overwhelming presence of someone right by my side. I had never felt this before. It was the most incredible peace, and love I had ever felt toward me to that point in my life. I felt the presence of this being, and was still for awhile, until I felt him go away.

I remembered the Lectures on Faith in my mind, particularly Lecture 6:5:.

For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor, and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also -- counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ -- requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God; but actual knowledge, realizing that, when those sufferings are ended, he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God. (Lectures on Faith 6:5)

I knew he was there to comfort me, to be with me, and support me in my decision. This was a profound experience in my life, which I will never forget. And I was willing to give up all for the kingdom of God, that I may be a partaker of the glory of God.

Since then I have grown in the ways of the Lord. I have been in the presence of God our father, Jesus Christ his holy son, the Messiah, and the Holy Ghost, even the witness testator. Many times I have felt their presence, and I bare testimony of each one of their callings, and positions.

I received my endowments, at the age of 14, by the revelation of God. He had deemed me responsible enough at this young age to take on some major responsibilities. Two weeks later, while being engaged in the True Order of Prayer in our endowment house I felt Our Father Adam, and his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost enter the room. I could not speak, for their power was so great, but the absolute love, and glory I felt in my soul at that time is beyond words. And I knew that they were there with me to show their love, support, and appreciation for me in that which I was doing. May I return that love by the fruits which I bring forth, that they may be good, and pure, and in the name of Christ.

I am now a High Priest in the church, and also a part of the Stake High Council in the first stake of Zion. I am only 18, but through the revelation of heaven I have come to fill these callings, just as Noah was ordained to the priesthood at the age of 10 years, and John the Baptist at 8 months. Through revelation Brigham Young ordained some of his sons to the priesthood, and gave them an endowment, at the age of 12, that they may begin their lives as men in righteousness, and ever learning to obtain a knowledge of the mysteries of God.

By the revelation of Heaven to my soul, and for the love that I have, I was married last month [Nov 1988] to a fascinating, and beautiful young woman. Her name is Lisa Camp, and we are serving the Lord with all of our hearts seeking again to come into his presence.

I bare testimony that the LDS church has fallen. They are among the whores of the earth. They have destroyed all that Joseph restored, and there is no hope left. Where is the hope in Christ if the principles you live are not of Christ?

All scripture points to this day. They tell us of the fall of God's people and the redemption of a small remnant who will bring to pass Zion, that this earth may be redeemed, and receive it's paradisiacal glory.

I bare testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon. It is a book of God. It is a book of the ancients, and the Fullness of the Gospel is manifested therein.

Now is the day of God's great Judgment. No man shall escape it, and all will know of his power, and might among his people. Adam is the God of this world, and he is our creator, and our KING. He has laid out a plan from the foundation of this earth, and there is only one way to follow it. There is only one iron rod, and it is only by that way that you will return again to his presence. The LDS church and (all other religions) has changed the course, therefore it is no longer the right way.

I testify that a re-restoration has taken place here, just as scripture prophecies. Here is where the truth lies, and only the elect of Israel shall fully behold it's glory, for there is no other way, but through, and by his commandments. The Lord's holy servant here on the earth.

I bare testimony of God's servant, and mouthpiece here upon the earth, even James D. Harmston. His calling is of God, and this I know only by the revelation of Heaven. His calling is divine, and so God has ordained it to be. I will never deny his position here on the earth, and I will always stand strong, even as a lion of the Lord for the truthfulness of the gospel and the defending of it. God has sent his one "mighty and strong" here upon the earth to bring to pass the glorious events of these Last Days. ( D&C 85:7 )

This is my testimony, and I bare witness of it. I have not much need to teach here at this time if you have read the pamphlets and articles on this website. But I do bare testimony of all these things, and testify that the gathering place is in Manti. Here is where God's truth doth dwell, and here is where his Servant sits, yet no man knows him. Soon all shall see the power of God, and every knee shall bow, and tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, and that Adam is our God. These words I leave you with, inviting the elect of God, to come, and partake of the glory of God, and labor in his kingdom, and be there when he comes AGAIN to his people. The true order of his holy priesthood is here. God's marvelous work, and wonder is here, and will come to pass. The truth is here, this I know, and bare testimony of in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Jared Larson