Over the past few weeks, there has been a persistent refrain from many that “I’m a convert too – We are ALL converts.” Yes, that is true. There comes a point for all of us where we have to gain our own testimony, and have the change of heart that qualifies us as a “Convert.”
That said…
I was born to parents who were strong and active in the church. I was born in the security of sacred temple covenants. I was privileged to grow up a recipient of the blessings that come with church and temple ordinances. I grew up with the priesthood in my home.
Every Wednesday after school, I walked to the church for Primary. Every Sunday I went to church. I participated in the sacrament. I sang the hymns. The Savior has been a welcome part of my entire life. is prophets and apostles have been as well.
My entire life I have been bathed in the living water of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been fed the bread of life my entire life. The scriptures have always been there for me. I have prayed since I can remember. I was raised by goodly parents. I have always been there for the church, and the church has always been there for me.
When I reached the age of eight, I was baptized by water, and by the Holy Ghost. I have had the privilege of having the Holy Ghost with me as much as I choose to in this life.
The Lord provided me with a spiritual buffet of miraculous proportions. All He has required of me is to show up and eat. I show up, and have feasted my entire life.
It was not hard. It was not dramatic. There was not a “defining moment” that I can point to. Eventually the day came that I knew, for myself, that it was all true. So, at some point, I too, became a “convert.” But to convert, I did not have to change paths. I merely needed to continue down the path I was already on, with renewed conviction and faith.
I didn’t have to change directions.
Nobody disowned me.
I didn’t have to stop smoking. Or drinking. Or doing drugs.
I lost no friends.
No one beat me up.
The missionaries never came and taught me the lessons.
My parents did not kick me out of the house.
I did not need to go anywhere to search for the truth.
I did not have to leave my former self-behind.
For me, it was easy. It was a natural progression of “becoming.” A road I still travel.
My point? I am not going to stand up and compare myself to those converts who did not have it so easy. If I were to say that my conversion merits that same level of respect as those who were willing to give up everything to follow the Savior, I would feel disrespectful and disingenuous.
That is why I drew the distinction between converts like me, and the amazing converts you’ve been reading about.
And that’s why I am giving hugs.
It kind of reminds me of a discussion we had in Seminary a loooong time ago, when I was in High School. Some of the kids were expressing the unfairness of some people getting to live their whole life “how they want to” and then getting baptized later in life and getting the same eternal blessings as those who “lived right” their whole lives. My argument was simple. Would you WANT to live without the blessings of the Gospel in your life? We are the lucky ones. We are the ones that have the better end of the bargain. I feel very blessed that I grew up bathed in the water of the Gospel. These stories have touched my heart, and these people are amazing and strong to leave what they knew for something so different, yet so miraculous in their lives. Thank you for this post… it reminded me again how very blessed I am that my ancestors found the Gospel so long ago.
It’s like being born again. You have to learn how to dress, how to talk, what to eat and drink. Some of us lose their family. Sometimes you lose all your friends and you have to find new ones.You even need to learn a new language, which I call mormonês, due to all these words only LDS people use. You meet the missionaries, they teach you, they keep you safe, but soon they leave, and you are on your own. I always tell my sons how blessed they are because they are growing up under the safety of the Restored Gospel. As you said, they won’t have to change paths. They’ll just have to continue down the path they are already on.
These conversion stories are so inspiring to me.
I think that sometimes when we grow up bathed in the light, we take it for granted. I have had some close to me, who grew up ‘in the church’ lose the faith, or never really find it. The testimonies of those who have lived lives outside of the gospel of Jesus Christ help me remember that it is a cause worth sacrificing for.
I haven’t commented on any individual account, but I have been touched by all of them. So thank you, so much, one and all.
And I agree with you, MMM — the conversion is a different one.
Amen and Amen! 🙂 I always love hearing my father’s conversion story. Much more exciting than my own who was born in the covenant. And I love all the stories we have been reading. Thank you for the 2nd Annual Hug a Convert Day! 🙂
This made me think. You did not have to go through those things, your ancestors went through all of that for you. So every family has to go through that process of sacifice for conversion. Just which generation will it be?
Shantel: Brilliant point.
This was exactly the point of my testimony which I bore today. I am so grateful for the sacrifice my ancestors made on my behalf as well as those my parents made so that I would be born in the covenant as well as raised in the gospel by goodly parents. It would appear we have more in common than our name. ;o). Shawntell
I was raised in the gospel. I had a mother who took me to church, although I dealt with anti-Mormon comments daily from my father. I was able to see first hand the difference the Gospel made in the lives of those around me. We lived in Utah. My father hated the hypocrisy he saw among the members- especially those who seemed to put themselves above others. I saw the hypocrisy he spoke of. It was real. But I knew the Gospel of Jesus Christ was true, even if those who claimed to be members of the Church did not live the teachings. There was recent talk given in General Conference which I don’t have the time to look up- but it was Oct. 2012, I believe. It spoke of the difference between having a testimony and being converted. We can have a testimony that the Gospel is true, but conversion is LIVING what we know to be true.
I admire those who seek for truth. I admire their faith and strength. I cannot imagine living my life without the Gospel knowledge. It is why I chose to serve a mission. I know my life would have been much different if I had followed the path of the world. I wanted others to know the plan Heavenly Father has. I loved watching lives change for the better. I loved the hope that people found as they accepted the Gospel.
Thank you for posting this series- it is inspirational and I give HUGS to all converts today. Thank you for your strength and example.
You and I have walked the same path, even though I haven’t always had the same experiences. I’ve always known that the Gospel would be huge in my life, to the point of walking away from a relationship that would not lead me to the temple. My EC, has not had those same blessings in his life. If not for his conversion story, my life would not be what it is today. I so appreciate everyone who has shared what is an intensely personal journey. Thank you for reminding me of what I’ve received from the Gospel, from both sides of the fence.
I find these conversion stories you have been posting to be truely inspiring. growing up in the church and being raised in a home with gospel values, I have never had to give up things that some of these brothers and sisters have had too. I wasn’t baptized knowing my family would disown me. I didn’t lose friendships over my being a member. these people are heroes.
Thank you! I think we forget the difference, because once we become converted, we all get glomped into the same happy group. There is a difference. I count the blessing daily that somewhere in early pioneer history my Dad’s side began the gospel journey. On my Mom’s side, I’m glad that my Grandma found the gospel and even though Grandpa didn’t join right away, raised 7 children that are active to this day. What a heritage!
As a missionary, one of my favorite things was watching our investigator’s eyes. They are most definitely a window to the soul. As the light within them grew, their eyes and countenances changed. I love them for their faith and the strength it took to change everything in order to follow Heavenly Father. Conversion is a beautiful thing and the heavens sing every time it happens.
Thank you for running this series. My life really has been enriched. Thank you.
Your comment about the eyes rings so true with me. I remember after my boyfriend (now EC) was baptized, looking at pictures of him before and after his conversion. The light in his eyes was undeniable. I was shocked as I had never seen anything like that before.
We will send you his story next year MMM, being pregnant with these triplets has thrown us off our game. But I sure have loved reading these stories! I am sad to see them coming to an end!
Sometimes we who have been raised in the Gospel do not realize how very blessed we are. Thanks for reminding us.
I’m with Barbara.