Every member of my church has a conversion story when you ask about it. I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Everyone I've ever met in the church is, even if they were raised in it because at some point they too had to find out for themselves. This is how I did.
I grew up a typical non-member of the church. My parents weren't religious so I started going to a church when I was invited with my next door neighbor, who was also my best friend, when I was about 11 or 12. After a while, it became clear to the adults that the church we were attending was not so much filled with the good things it should be. So, we went around and tried to find good ones. Nothing felt right.
During this time, I began to endure my own personal apostasy (13-15). My life was hard. We just moved, there was trouble at school, and trouble at home. It came to the point where I FELT that I did not belong, I was unwanted, and most heart-breakingly, that I was utterly alone. It was at this point I decided that I needed to pray. I was taught that Jesus and Heavenly Father loved me and would answer my prayers, but how could it be so, if my life were this way? I decided to pray anyways, uncertain if anyone was even listening, or if they were, if they would take the time to answer. I had the faith of only a mustard seed.
The mustard seed of faith was all I needed to begin the change of my life. My prayers were answered- Christ came running. I AM loved, I AM wanted, I am NOT alone. This news was truly amazing grace. I went from weak and crying to strong and capable with just snap of the fingers because I chose to pray.
I went to another church for a few years while I was around 16-19, but then again, became aware something was not right. So, I stopped going to church again and I decided to get to know Christ and ask questions on a more personal level.
About a year later (20), I took a religion class for my elective in college. I was very excited to get in because it was a popular class and I wanted to learn more academically about God. These academics were just what I needed. But, I was left to join a religion that was what I believed in. I wanted to worship and fellowship, but I had no one to worship with. I almost decided to become Jewish. But they did not believe that Christ was our Savior and I did.
I came home from college early when I was 21. I needed to be out of the city. Months passed and it was nearly the new year of 2013. I was still searching for a church and so was my best friend, the one from my younger years! We made New Years resolutions (the only one I ever accomplished) to search diligently for a new church that (keyword) we belonged in. We wanted to have that part of our lives back. We went to a variety of churches. Still, not quite right.
Then something monumental happened. My friend started asking one of her other best friends questions. She is LDS and offered a Book of Mormon because that is where the answers to her questions were found. With reluctance, my friend accepted. Through our other faiths, we were always taught by other churches that Mormons were wrong. Mormons were this, that, and the other thing. So, my friend approached with caution. She met with the missionaries a few times. Then she asked me, "Do you want to come to a lesson with me? I want to make sure I am not losing my mind. I have been meeting with the missionaries and really like everything I have learned. It's nothing like we've been taught". I responded, "Well, why not? I will go. I have many friends that are Mormons. They really aren't what everyone says they are" and so I went to a lesson with the missionaries.
With every lesson I felt the spirit so strongly. Truthfully, I already believed so many of the things that were taught to me. There were my doubts though. I tested Heavenly Father. I needed him to prove things to me. However, I made promises in return for these signs. I am not one to break a promise and knowing Heavenly Father is really there, I knew I should not break one with Him. He delivered, every time. I then knew, without a shadow of a doubt, this church was Christ's church restored upon the earth again. This is where I belonged. I got baptized, confirmed, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then I was a Mormon.
My life has never and will never be the same. I like it best this way.
What is your conversion story? When did you just, know?
**While this post is about Mormon Christianity specifically, all faiths are welcome to comment when you knew that you had a Father in Heaven. My only request is that comments are polite and are not made to degrade others. As our mothers always told us, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". Freedom of religion is important and only love can unite us all.
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