Here is a great conversion story that was just sent in! #Hastenthework My dear brothers and sisters in the trenches: I would like to share with you my incredible journey which has led me here. My senior year in high school, I read the Book of Mormon and was impressed by how similar it was to the King James version of the Bible, which we used in the church I had attended all my life. Attracted by the beautiful liturgies, I eventually joined the Catholic Church and became active in the music program, Bible study, and prayer groups. I also became active politically, which is why I began listening to Glenn Beck about 6 years ago. As Glenn began sharing his faith with his listeners, I was touched by the depth of his love for God, the same God I so passionately loved. When people made fun of him for being a Mormon, I found myself in the unusual position of defending a religion I knew very little about. So, I did what any good Catholic would do: I bought my own copy of The Book of Mormon, as well as Mormonism for Dummies! My first encounter with Missionaries occurred in the fall of 2011 during a Congressional campaign with which I was quite involved. On my way to a Team Kristi meeting, I saw two well-dressed young men knocking on doors in my new neighborhood. Thinking they might be working with another campaign and that we might be able to combine resources for our respective candidates, I called to them from my van. They told me they were Missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I gave them my address, inviting them to come to my house for cookies some time. Several months later, on a frigid February evening, Elder Fegan and Elder (Clint) Johnson knocked on my door. Since rules prohibited them from coming into my house, we stood out on my front porch in 20-degree weather, sharing the love that we all had for the Savior. Like the sons of Mosiah, ... they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. ~Mosiah 28:3 Through various political activities, I met Mark Schauss from the Evansville Ward and Jan Stanfill from the Newburgh Ward, with whom I instantly bonded because of our mutual love for the Savior. Later, when I attended the Evansville Ward with a group from Kristis political campaign, I felt so welcome that I knew I would be back some day. In October of 2012, my sons best friend needed a place to stay, and I had the room. I offered to attend church with him for a couple of weeks, until he made some friends. Two weeks later, I stopped attending my church altogether; and the rest, as they say, is history! I was so overwhelmed by the love and acceptance of the Church members, and Elders Anderson and Murphy were so patient in answering my many questions, that I finally, at age 66, found my home! I was baptized on November 18, 2012, eleven days after Elders Murphy and Anderson began teaching me. Shortly after my baptism, Elders Murphy and Anderson talked to me about being a Member Missionary. I had no clue what they were talking about! After Elder Murphy was transferred, Elders Anderson and Beagley invited me to join them at an investigators home to bear my testimony, which I gladly did. I still had no clue what it meant to be a Member Missionary! After Elder Anderson transferred, Elders Beagley and Nielson talked with me for approximately half an hour, telling me that they would like for me to explore the possibility of becoming a Member Missionary. I just wasnt able to comprehend what they were talking about. Yes, I was STILL clueless! In April, the Hermanas (Meek and McDonald) brought a recently baptized Spanish-speaking Church member into the Family History Center. Several months later, they brought in several Spanish-speaking investigators. Shortly thereafter, they invited me to go with them to the home of an inactive member. When I spoke, they translated for him. When he spoke, they translated for me. The Hermanas continued to meet with the men who quickly had become mis amigos, my friends, in the Family History Center. I began going with the Hermanas to their homes for Scripture study and prayer. The difference in language is insignificant - They are learning English and I am slowly learning Spanish - but we all love the Savior! One of our investigators was baptized in September! I have found much joy in stretching myself beyond my comfort zone to become a Member Missionary. Like Abish, I want to run from house to house telling the good news, so that others might be converted! President Thomas S. Monson has said, Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lords vineyard to bring souls unto Him. (end quote) What you missionaries are doing is incredible! You are courageous and persistent. You are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father who pray without ceasing and who are diligent in your daily Scripture studies, both individually and with your companions. Like the Sons of Mosiah, you give yourselves to prayer and fasting; and when you teach, you teach with power and authority of God. Because of the work you do, my life is blessed beyond measure! To quote Elder D. Todd Christofferson: The work of our missionaries is a magnificent expression of the Lords Redeeming Love. (end quote) Te quiero muchisimo, mis nietos y nietas. Yo sé que este iglesia es verdadera. (I know that this Church is true.) Yo sé que José Smith fue un profeta de Dios y que Tomás S. Monson es nuestro profeta hoy. (I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today.) Jesucristo es mi Salvador. (Jesus Christ is my Savior.) Digo estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 19:23:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015