I had the opportunity to sit down with author, Tristi Pinkston, and ask her about the Gospel and her feelings on the matter. What followed was a beautiful interview with a little about Tristi’s ancestors, her thoughts and feelings on the Gospel and her testimony.
Candace: You are a well-known author in the LDS Historical Fiction genre, and as such you have spoken all across the west about the power of recording life histories in journals so that others might benefit from our experiences. Can you tell us why you feel it is so important you record in journals?
Tristi: If we think for a minute about the volumes of scripture we’ve been given, what are they? In essence, they’re journals. These prophets of old experienced God’s mercy in their lives, heard God’s word, or learned through their trials, and they wrote it all down. Today, we have those words to rely on to get us through the hard times. If we, in turn, record the things we’ve learned, the times we’ve experienced mercy, and the times we’ve heard God’s word, then our descendants can look to our words for encouragement.
What if those ancient prophets said they were too busy to take the time to write in their journals? Remember what the Savior said when He came to visit the inhabitants of the Americas–He rebuked them for not keeping their records. If they can take time, with their chisels and sheets of metal, to write in their journals, surely we can pull up a Word document or get out a notebook and write in ours. Our words will have tremendous worth to our children and their children–and to us, as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been reminded of past blessings from reading old journal entries of mine from years past.
Candace: Will you tell us a little more about your ancestor Benjamin Perkins and the role he played in the Hole in The Rock?
Tristi: Benjamin Perkins was an incredible man of faith. He came to America with only the money for his passage, worked his way across the continent to join with the Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormons, in Utah, then continued to work to bring his family and his sweetheart across. After all that work, after toiling to build a home, he left it all behind when he was asked to serve a mission to colonize the southeast corner of the state of Utah. He, along with the other men on the trek, literally carved their path out of rock and wood. When they reached the sheer cliffs that comprise the bank on the west side of the Colorado River, rather than turning back or giving up, he came up with a way to create a road tacked on to the cliff face to lower the wagons to the water side. In every instance, he moved forward with faith in the Lord and didn’t question the things he was asked to do, even when the command to practice polygamy nearly tore him apart.
Candace: Why is literacy so important to the children of God?
Tristi: We need to be able to read and fully comprehend the words of the scriptures, the words of the prophets, and the words of our own patriarchal blessings. In addition, we’ve been taught that our knowledge is the only thing we’ll be able to take with us to the next life, and we’ll use that knowledge in our eternal progression. We must be literate in order to attain that knowledge. The glory of God is light and truth, is it not, and how else can we gain that light and truth for ourselves than by educating ourselves in the gospel?
Candace: You are a lifelong Latter-day Saint, can you tell us when you gained a testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Tristi: I’ve always had a testimony of the Church. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have it. However, I’ve had certain experiences that have taught me more deeply about certain aspects of the gospel. During my parents’ divorce, while seeking comfort in prayer, I gained a rock-solid assurance that our Heavenly Father listens to every single word we offer up to Him. While visiting Nauvoo as a sixteen-year-old, my testimony of Joseph Smith became unshakable. When faced with unemployment and the prospects of losing my home, I learned without question that God is in charge.
Candace: What gospel principle plays the most important role in your life and why?
Tristi: I don’t think I can pick just one. I love the principle of eternal families, knowing that I can be with my dear ones forever. I love knowing that I can turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer any time I want. I love the blessings that come from paying tithing. If I had to narrow it to one, I would say that knowing I’m a daughter of God is the most priceless to me, knowing that He loves me so much that He sent His Son to pave my way, and knowing that my Brother loves me so much that He died the most painful death imaginable for me.
Candace: You stand on a world stage now, as it were. What message do you have for those seeking Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
Tristi: We live in a time where chaos and confusion are kings. We can look to the media, to drugs, to fame, to money, to being skinny, to chanting mantras — we can look in a thousand different places for peace and happiness, but we never will find it until we have come unto Christ. And not just come unto Him, but accepted the very reality that He is the way, and if we just listen to the promptings we receive and follow the guidance we’ve been given, we will know what we should do. When everything around us is falling apart, we will know what to do.
For those who have been seeking Christ but aren’t sure where to find Him, He’s so easy to find. Just kneel down and offer up your heart, and He will be there immediately. You don’t have to struggle to find Him. You don’t have to go through a priest or a minister or any other form to ecclesiastical leader to find Him — you can approach Him directly and He will listen and He will respond immediately.
As far as seeking out a church that worships Him as He would most like to be worshiped, I know for a fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church restored to the earth. It is set up after the same pattern Christ Himself showed us while He was on the earth. The Church has His power, His authority, and His approbation to act in His name.
Candace: What is your favorite scripture and why?
Tristi: Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 — “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”
I have the tendency to fear, and this scripture keeps me grounded and reminds me that I’m not the one in charge. I don’t have to make things all better. Someone Else can do that a whole lot better than I can, and I need to just let Him.
Candace: Who is your favorite prophet and why?
Tristi: My favorite prophet is always the one we have right now. I love the fact that ours is a living church, and that we are entitled to and do receive new revelation. This revelation doesn’t contradict what we’ve learned in the past, but rather adds to it and makes it richer. I love hearing the voice of the modern prophets and learning what the Lord wants me to do in this day and age, to add to the lessons we’ve already learned from prophets of old.
Candace: When did you gain a testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer and what does He mean to you now?
Tristi: That question of “when” is hard to pin down. It’s something that I’ve always known, and yet, as I mentioned, I’ve had experiences along the path that have strengthened what I’ve always known. He has seen me through some pretty agonizing times. He has comforted me when I’ve been in despair. He has been patient and kind and loving with me, sometimes gently correcting me but never blasting me with lightning, like I’m sometimes sure He will. Knowing that He loves me so much that He suffered the greatest pains of all, for me, is the most wonderful, validating, empowering thing I can imagine.
Candace: Any last words or thoughts you wish to share?
Tristi: I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my testimony and to publicly express how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father and my Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, for my life, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for my family, and for the many ways in which They walk beside me every day.
Tristi Pinkston is the author of three published historical fiction novels and the mother of four adorable children. She writes for Families.com and works as a freelance editor. She and her husband make their home in Utah Valley, where she homeschools her children and serves as a Cub Scout leader in her ward.
