Instead - Robert asked us to send him our conversion stories. I have a few, so here they are:
So when I was only 4 years old, (1970) my parents move my family to a very small town out in a dessert. The town was called Ridgecrest, CA. Since I hadn't started school yet, my mom wanted me to meet the neighbors to make friends. I made friends with this cute girl that lived just a few houses down the street from me. Her name is Stephanie. She and I played together often. One day she invited me to attend Primary (it was held during the week at that time). I went with her - I had the best time. I came home and I guess I acted differently. My parents both noticed changes in me. They saw me kneeling by my bed saying my prayers. So, my mom called Stephanie's mom and wanted to know more about the church I attended with them. From that, my parents invited the Doermans' and the missionaries over to our house to hear the discussions. Shortly after that they were baptized members. I had to wait four more years but then I was baptized too. The year I was baptized my family drove to Salt Lake City to be sealed in the temple forever.
I’m so glad I went to primary with my friend. I believe all the principles of the gospel are taught in primary and that we can be missionaries at any age!
Love
Your mom
Although I had a testimony of the church (and thank goodness I did) I was the only one in my family that did. By the time I was 14 years old my dad had stopped going to church on a regular basis. He would go from time to time but not very often. By the time I was 16 my parents had divorced (again), my dad had taken a new wife, and both of them did not attend church. I had to find my own way, calling for rides from friends. Luckily there was a family that lived about a mile from my house, and I could get rides from them. I did this every week until I could drive myself. I paid for my own gas and church was not close, but I made it a priority to go to church. I even got myself up for seminary and drove to seminary before church. I never missed church.
Well, near the end of my senior year of high school, I started dating a classmate that was not a member of our church. He was a nice guy and all but his family didn't go to church. One Sunday, they invited me to go out on the lake with them. I had turned them down before because it was Sunday, but for some reason I accepted this time. It was the first time I missed church. I felt guilty at first, but I also enjoyed the time with them, and the lake was beautiful. I am ashamed to say, but that was the start of my inactivity. One Sunday turned into two, and so on. I was inactive from church for nearly five years.
Nearly five years had gone by, and I was now 23. When I was 21, I had moved to Blacksburg VA to attend college there. I worked two jobs and barely made ends meet. Things were touch, and the budget was very tight. The only way I thought I could survive was to work Sundays so I could earn time and a half pay. I had been living this way for a while, and finally it hit me that I was not happy with the choices I had made.
One night, a night I hope to never forget, I was sitting on my bed and my thoughts wondered to how I ended up where I was. I wondered how long it would take me to get my degree at this pace? Would I ever get my degree? Would I have a future? What would it be like?
Then, my thoughts took me backwards to the turning point of "how I ended up here?" I was reminded in my mind of a time when I knew the answer to those questions. My thought was, "Everything I needed to know I learned in Primary." I was reminded of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I felt the spirit testify to me of who I was, where I needed to be and what was important to me... my eternal salvation. I contemplated what I knew was true and what would bring me true happiness.
Right then and there, my Heavenly Father spoke to me through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost that I had learn the truths, I learned them in Primary, and in my activity in Young Womens. I had learned the path to happiness at church. My head started to fill with Primary songs that testified of the Love my Heavenly Father has for me. My heart was filled with a love that is not equal to anything on Earth. I was loved by my Heavenly Father and he wanted me to find true happiness.
From that night forward my choices changed, my attitude changed. I gave up everything that was not in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. At the same time I moved back to Northern Virginia (near where I grew up). The first weekend I was back happened to be General Conference. A friend from my high school days invited me to watch General Conference with his family. I went to his house to watch General Conference. I watched, and listened, and absorbed everything that was said. I heard the counsel to repent, to seek forgiveness, to read the Book of Mormon. I was touched by the spirit over and over, as it testified to me of the truthfulness of what I heard. I felt like every word said at that conference was for my benefit. Words like: repent, forgive, hope, joy, blessings, forgiveness. I started reading the Book of Mormon every night before I went to bed. This book is such a true testament of our Heavenly Father's love for us and the love of our Savior. Reading this book changed my life. I have never looked back since.
That was my turning point - sitting on my bed pondering life reminded me of the plan of happiness, and then while I sat and listened to General Conference, the spirit testified to me that I was in the right place, making the right choices and that I could be forgiven.
From that day forward, I have not wavered from my commitment to the Lord. I stand as a witness that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He saved me - in every way. My life would have been so different had I not stopped to hear the wonderful words of Primary songs fill my head as I questioned life's purpose.
How grateful, very grateful I am that we can have personal revelation and that we have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I now strive to have the Holy Ghost as my constant companion. I am very blessed to have been able to raise my family in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am so grateful for that moment. Because of it, I was able to marry a man with the same beliefs and values. We were able to raise our family in those beliefs and values. The most valuable thing I could ever give my children, give to you Robert, is that we were able to raise you in the Gospel and teach you about our Savior, teach you the Gospel, and share the Book of Mormon and other scriptures from the Lord. One other very important blessing in my life is that I believe in the Prophet of the Lord. It was that first General Conference that testified to me that the Lord does love and know us. He is aware of our situations and he blesses us with counsel and direction. The teachings Jesus Christ and the Gospel are my foundation. It is what governs my life.
I hope you know how much I love you and how precious this gospel is!! We are so blessed to know the truth and the plan of happiness.
I love you.
