My conversion story really needs to be called OUR conversion story. My husband and I have been together for 25 years, married for twenty. We both came from very different backgrounds. He was raised a Mennonite, I was raised a Jew. While he believed in God and Jesus Christ, he often referred to himself as an ecstatic agnostic. I was raised to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a rabbi, a teacher and all round good guy, but NOT the Messiah. In fact, my father used to say “Jesus was a nice Jewish boy who should have stayed in his fathers business (carpenter)’ and he would have lived longer”. Throughout my life, I always had a niggling that perhaps Jesus really was the Messiah, however every Christian faith that I came across had one annoying thing in common. Historically, they had always wanted to kill me (read Spanish Inquisition, et al). So converting to any faith that had antisemitism at its core, was a no go.
Fast forward to November of 2007. My husband suffered a heart attack three weeks after his 45th birthday. After they took him away in the ambulance, I got down on my knees and had a talk with Heavenly Father. I didn’t ask for Him to save my husband. Instead, I said that if it was my husbands time to go home, I would accept it. I did tell Him that if he chose to leave him here with us, I would be most appreciative.
Dave survived. We had a wonderful Christmas, happy that he was still here to be with me, and to dote on our then 2 year old grandson, who he always said was his reason for living. We had many more philosophical discussions. He had flatlined, and although he did not have a near death experience, he felt a connection he hadn’t before. He also realized that he was disenchanted with the secular world and had become not just fiscally conservative, but socially as well. Dave also has two degrees, one in religion and the other in English. His go to book for Spiritual clarification and enlightenment was always T.S. Eliot’s The Four Quartets. It was in the month following his heart attack that we started to speak about spiritual things, faith in God, etc.
It must have been December 30th 2007, a Saturday afternoon, at around 5:00 pm. We had been talking about finding a common place of worship, when the doorbell rang. There stood three of the sweetest faces I have ever seen. Sisters Brown, Larson, and Blackburn. I don’t remember exactly what they said but I do remember they asked of they could stop by the following day, after church. We said, “sure”. I think they just about dropped in their tracks. They told us later that they had been tracting all day with no success, and we were the last knock on the door so to speak.
They came by, and we listened to what they had to say. They left us with some assigned reading of the Book of Mormon, and came back the following Saturday. They invited us to church for that Sunday. I remember we went and the sisters had forgotten it was Fast Sunday, so were all apologetic. They didn’t need to. It was right then and there that I knew that this was the true church. Listening to those heart felt testimonies, and being greeted by total strangers, I felt as if I had been wrapped with a warm blanket. During our investigation stage I discovered the important place that the Jews had in the church. I had found the true church of Jesus Christ indeed.
We were baptized on February 17th. I had to quit smoking, and drinking alcohol and coffee/tea. Dave had quit smoking the day of his heart attack, but still had to give up his beer (which he always used to joke as being holy), and of course coffee. It wasn’t always easy living all the principles, especially the word of wisdom. In fact it took until this past year for Dave to be completely worthy to be made an Elder, and to this past February for both of us to qualify for a full Temple Recommend. We were sealed in the TorontoTemple on February 16th of this year, and we feel as though our journey has only just begun.
We didn’t do this alone. Yes, we had the Holy Ghost with us, but we also had our ward family. They helped keep us on the strait and narrow path. We had awesome home teachers right from the get go. We were given callings that helped us grow in the gospel. I know that I am a better person for joining the church. I know that this gospel has made me fall in love with my husband all over again. That knowing that our home has a worthy priesthood holder keeping us safe, means more than any words can say.
There is so much more, but I think you get the picture. We thank God every day for those sweet sisters knocking on our door. Thank you for letting me share our conversion story.
~ Gail & Dave Martens ~
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Wonderful!!! Hugs!
What a GREAT story! I’ve always had a love for the Jewish people because of their history and background which is part of our church. Learning about the Jewish traditions and culture helps our understanding of the Savior and His teachings, so I love learning about it all!
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you. I was always fascinated by the little bits of Jewish history and culture I picked up on, growing up in Idaho. It didn’t make sense to me until I joined the church. I love how the late LeGrand Richards used to greet the Jewish people he met with, “Hello, cousin!”
Hugs to Gail and Dave! (It is so “unprofessional” to be crying over your computer on lunch break)
What a beautiful couple! Thank you for your story.
I love the idea that Jesus’ true church would welcome the Jewish people. Of course! He was Jewish; why wouldn’t His church welcome all of Israel with open arms, especially those from the Jewish faith. Great story.
What an awesome story! Thanks so much for sharing yours. (And, MMM, for sharing them all!)
What a great story! Love your humor and sincerity — thanks so much for sharing!
I LOVED your story! Thank you so much for sharing and a big eternal congratulations for your sealing. What an example! Hugs to you both.
I am descended from Sephardic Jews on my father’s side and Father Lehi on my mother’s side {so says my mother’s patriarchal blessing anyway}. The fact that the church does place high value on the Jews both historically and associatively (both groups facing persecution, etc) makes a difference. Beautiful conversion story. And congrats on your temple sealing!
What a great story. I’d love to hear what your family had to say when you told them you were being baptized.
I am so enjoying all of these great stories!
Your story encourages me to do a better job of integrating new members in to our ward. That really is the key to helping people feel they belong in the gospel. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I really appreciate your story. I have an agnostic son-in-law who also majored in religion, your conversion gives me hope for him.
This was my favorite so far.
Oh I love the happy ending to your story, Gail and Dave. Thank you for sharing!
I LOVED your story! I could definitely relate to when you said the gospel made you fall in love with your husband again. Thank you!