Shana is speaking in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday about becoming converted to the Gospel. She's asked for our stories of how we were converted. I'm not sure what she's asking for - of if the following will help her at all.
It’s not much of a story – but here goes.
After my parents divorced when I was 12, my mother became engaged to a young LDS man that had recently moved to this area from Idaho. As they talked about their marriage plans the subject of religion came up. I was raised in the Baptist church. Mother attended the same church but she never became a member (she was raised in the Methodist church and she felt more comfortable there). And after the divorce we did visit the Methodist Church but that only lasted for a little while.
After much discussion arrangements were made for missionaries to come to our house to teach us the lessons. Our missionaries were a couple of dear, sweet elderly sister missionaries from Wyoming. But I have no memory of when we were baptized or by whom or where.
After our baptism, we went from a lovely little church not too far from our house in Irving to a run-down condemned church in Grand Prairie (what an adventure that was!). And after the Grand Prairie ward was split we ended up having to drive from Irving to Oak Cliff to meet in the Stake Center After doing that for a while we rented a building from another faith to use while our chapel was being finished. And then finally we had a building of our own.
When I was baptized it was to make my mother happy. Lee and I were told that we were being baptized – no questions asked. So my conversion story doesn’t start at the beginning of my time in the Church but more in middle.
My conversion has never happened all at once. I’ve found that it’s happened over time. Like the song says, “Line upon line, precept on precept.”
I’ve never experienced any earth shattering moments when I’ve known that certain concepts were true. Instead of a “burning bosom” I’ve received a wonderful feeling of peace. After praying over something, studying my scriptures, or having a discussion with someone who knows far more than I do concerning a specific topic sometimes I’ll feel like a light has gone off over my head (light bulb!) whenever I’ve “discovered” that a certain something is true. How did I know it was true? Because of the influence of the Holy Ghost. And it makes sense to me. The Lord’s Church does make sense. Perfect sense.
I have had some extremely spiritual moments.
Kneeling across the altar and being sealed for time and all eternity to my sweetheart and his telling me that we could now “start making plans for the future.”
Or holding each of my babies in my arms for the first time and then looking into your father’s eyes while we’re both thinking that THIS is for all time and eternity.
Getting to speak at Ashley’s baptism and understanding the reason for our needing to be baptized. And the blessings that we receive when we do as the Savior has instructed us.
Watching your father giving a blessing and my being in absolute amazement at the things that he’s prompted to say because of the power of the Priesthood. And his being an honorable, worthy Priesthood holder who is acting on the Lord’s behalf.
There have been times when I’ve felt my breathe taken away because of the truth that I was experiencing at that very moment. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at a sunset, watched a leaf fall in in slow graceful movements to its final resting place on the ground, listening to a thunderstorm, watching fog roll in over a mountain, seeing a strawberry growing wild in the middle of a beautiful garden. And knowing that all life on this earth is connected because of Heavenly Father’s guidance and direction to have this world created just so. And to know that the beauty of the earth was created for me. For me! And for mine. And for all that I know and love.
I’ve heard the whispers of the Spirit as I’ve listened to hymns, testifying of the truthfulness of the Gospel. I’ve read posts on blogs that provide witness to those things that I need to understand. And I’ve had little ones in my lap who look in my eyes while we sing “I am a Child of God” and I’ll realize that I am a daughter of God – even though I’m hardly a child anymore. But I’m still His child. And will always be so.
And I've felt a guiding hand at that moment and known those little bits of the gospel to be true.
We’re told in the scriptures that we are to have joy in our lives. Heavenly Father truly wants us to be happy. And to return to Him. And I know that this feeling of joy I feel occurs when I’m converted to the Gospel. Joy. Happiness. Peace. Knowing that my Heavenly Father truly loves me. And watches over me.
I’m still discovering, connecting and being converted to the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m not a very good witness because I don’t have all the knowledge and/or understanding that others have. This is a journey that I’ll be on the rest of my life. And to be honest I think that I’ve done alright. I have a much better understanding now of my spiritual journey. I am not as impatient as I once was. It's not for me to know all things at all times. That’s not meant for me.
Baby steps. That’s what I’m taking now is baby steps.
And hopefully - before my turn on this earth is through - I’ll be able to lengthen my stride as I learn more and be able to witness more strongly and assuredly than before - that yes - I know that the Gospel is true.
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