Comments about ‘Jeff Benedict: Young men's faith, determination made me a believer’

Jeff, How do we thank you for bringing this story to light!? I wish every young person in this world could hear these amazing men speak and tell their stories!! They are courageous shining stars!! Thank God for people like you willing to make a difference and for giving them hope when all seemed hopeless!!! And thank you, Levi, Jason & Henry - for your examples of courage, resilience and perseverance. Levi, I have a friend who needs to hear your story - I will share it today. I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to your Mom, too! I can tell she is a woman of great faith! God Bless you all! You are my heroes! Lisa in South Carolina

Beautiful, just beautiful.

Thank you so very much for this wonderful story of courage and change. It teaches us all about how much God loves us and helps us. I'm grateful for it because I have not lived in this situation and truly can't understand how very hard it is to make the necessary changes. This helps me become more sensitive to those around me who need friendship, unconditional love and a hand of friendship.

This story is incredible because it is about some incredible people. This needs to be widely circulated among the youth of the church to help any and all of them recognize how they can make their way through even the most daunting experiences. Thanks to all of you for living the gospel and thanks to Jeff for writing the story. And thanks to Levi's mother for being the one who demonstrated that her son believed it because his mother taught it.

I usually don't comment, but this is the second article that has addressed the LDS Church in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission in the last couple of months. The last article was on Church growth in SE Florida and the amount of negative comments was a bit discouraging. Especially when the article highlighted people, wards, and an area that I associate with two of the most influential years of my life. In contrast to those negative comments, this story highlights the amazing things that are happening in SE Florida, Boston, and all around us. I served there from 1997-1999 and, even though I never served with Elder Antoine, I always heard great things about him and would have been honored to knock doors with him. I had a few companions that had been his companions as well and the reports were always positive. I remember hearing of the events described through the mission "grapevine," but for me this story emphasizes the Miracle of Forgiveness and the faith this great Elder has. Thanks for a great reminder of what really matters most.

Thank you, very much, for this article. Really enjoyed it, and I felt the Spirit's sweetness as I read it. Our family spent time in Florida and Massachusetts, with wonderful members and non-members alike. Beautiful people...

Great story! Thanks for sharing

The Gospel is for everyone. EVERY ONE...

Thanks to ALL involved...I've heard before that one can't successfully take the person out of the "hood". One must take the "hood" out of the person!! Through the gospel of Jesus Christ this IS possible!! Congrats to those who have persevered in/out of places and situations where they've grown up...ANY BAD situation. May the gospel(through each of us) continue to spread the Good News that we all may have a chance to change to become the best we can upon this earth and through our earthly trials...