Now this is not a missionary story, I was born with a family who were members of the church. Although I am not a convert, I still recognize the growing of my testimony as a conversion story because I am my own person and could never rely on another's beliefs. From the day I was born to the day I was baptized I was taught of Jesus and his atoning sacrifice. I was taught that I had an older brother who loved me so much that he died so that I might live. I was taught that my sins may be washed away through the great power of the atonement. I was baptized at the age of eight and I remember my thoughts during the process. I remember not exactly understanding sin. I remember thinking I had not sinned very much and that there was no point in making me clean. I remember thinking if I got baptized later in life, (after I made more mistakes) it would be more worthwhile for me. I was obviously missing some very key elements about the atonement. As a child, I did not realize that every week during the sacrament I renewed my covenants and my sins were washed away. I did not realize the positivity of God's Plan. (Parents out there I beg you to teach your children this one element of the Gospel!) I remember finally learning that the sacrament was to renew my baptismal covenant and I was so happy and overcome.
I always had a testimony of Jesus Christ, the power of the priesthood and the power of prayer. My testimony of everything else leaned on my mother's testimony and I had faith in her that she knew what was right. However Brigham Young once said that he fears those who follow blindly. As I matured I did not follow blindly, I followed with a steadfast yearning to learn. It was not until a significant moment in my life that I truly knew the church was true. I had always hoped it was true and wished it was beforehand but I never knew for sure. When my father died, I finally understood the atonement and the healing powers it beholds. While my father was sick, I was a brat and I was neglecting church a bit and not holding on to the iron rod. The irony here is in this moment I needed the gospel the most. Heavenly Father had made it known to me my father was going to die, long before he actually did. I did not give up hope, though I knew the truth deep down in my heart. Having that revelation helped me get through it immensely, because it made it hurt less. I feel sorry for those who were taken by surprise by his death because I know how much harder it must have been. During this time the spirit world was very close to earth and felt open to me. Heavenly Father was reminding me of my purpose here on earth and he reminded me that I saw this coming before I was born and that the pain will pass. Heavenly Father reminded me of all these truths while breaking the news that my father will die. The mourning process for me was much earlier than everyone else. After my father's death, I truly knew that Heavenly Father knew me personally because he gave me that revelation knowing it would protect my heart. This allowed me not to fall in the category that many mourning people do, those that are angry at God. Instead of being upset, I clung to Him and allowed myself to be healed. I did all I could to serve Him and learn of Him. Throughout this time I gained a great testimony of the church as I read the scriptures, studied conference talks and went to do baptisms for the dead. I was on fire and everyone pleasantly wondered "why?" And "how?". I can say it was because I owed it to God to learn of his teaching. I owed it to God to serve his children and be a light to those who maybe only saw darkness. I owed everything to Him because he carried me in my time of trial and even gave me knowledge of the future. I know that He knows if I had not received that knowledge I would have fallen down a path of unrighteousness and it would have taken me a long time to get out. In my life now I look at where I am, and I look where I have been and I am so thankful that I went through such a trial and came out so positively. It shows me that no matter the place we are, we can overcome anything through Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. I encourage all to put there trust in Him and nothing worldly will hurt you. You can be unstoppable through Jesus Christ, this truth Heavenly Father has made known to us over and over again. Studying the scriptures, serving others, praying and learning about the great promises of the temple help our testimonies to grow and become larger and larger and larger. I am so thankful for my experiences thus far and so very thankful for the hand of the Lord in my life. Because I have had the Lord so close and clear to me, there's no doubt in my mind he came to a young boy to finish his work and bring forth the Book of Mormon. There is no doubt in my mind the Lord is near and He will do anything to bring forth his great work. I am forever thankful to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am thankful for our prophets and apostles. I am thankful for the temple. I am so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is my "conversion" story, what's yours? Comment what you think and please no negativity.
