How to Be a Member Missionary

This is a sweet conversion story, as well as comforting advice for parents of missionaries. It is shared by Deana Ross, who currently has a son serving a mission in Portland, Oregon. Here are her words:

My husband is a convert. He joined the Church while he was in Guam, serving in the Navy. This was over 32 years ago. How grateful I am for parents who teach their young men and young women to stand for the truthfulness of the Gospel.

Steve is the first of his family to join the Church. His sister and his parents still live in Kansas City and Windsor, Missouri. Over the years they have come to see the church in a different light than that taught in their own church.

Whether your children serve full-time missions or serve their country, they have such great influence on others. It was difficult to send our oldest son on his mission, but also a "relief". Now someone else could keep their eye on him.

He served well and did a lot of growing up. He and his dad kind of had power struggles and I was beginning to think the reason the Lord called missionaries at age 19 is so their mothers don't kill them (I don't look good in vertical stripes.) He served in the Adelaide Australia Mission and when you are half a world away and out in the "bush", it gives you time to think. The people he served were very poor, humble people, who appreciated everything the Lord blessed them with and he fell in love with the people and the culture. When Jeff returned he was a humbled young man, who had worked hard and there was no longer the power struggle with his dad.

That was ten years ago. He is now married and has two children and still serves faithfully. It wasn't as difficult sending our second son to the Auckland New Zealand Mission. Chris was always a hard worker and everybody's friend. He too fell in love with the people and the culture.

Now, we have sent our youngest son, Will, to the Portland Oregon Mission. This was very difficult! He was our companion, our "to do" list, our social life. I told my husband we need a jar titled "conversation starters" so we have something to talk about. Before it was always about what Will was doing or where he was or something.

Between these boys, we had two daughters. They are married with families of their own. So my husband and I are officially "empty-nesters." I can hardly wait to get home from work on Thursday's to read Will's email. I can only say, I am thankful for each experience each of our sons brought to us through serving their missions; and for our daughters and their eternal companions (husbands.)

For those of you with sons and daughters on missions, hang in there. This time will not only be sweet to you, but glorious to those who find the church through our missionaries. I was born and raised in the church and often took it for granted. When I married Steve, and listened to his conversion story (which I never, ever get tired of hearing, even after 30 years of marriage) and realized how dramatically his life was changed, I too became "converted."

The church is true. What comfort this knowledge brings to my heart. How humbled I am at the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. No matter were our sons and daughters serve, they take the teachings of our homes with them: our "traditions", our family home evenings, our counsels, our prayers, our love.

These experiences change people's lives, even if it's half way around the world or as close as Portland Oregon.

~ Deanna Ross

Today's conversion story is from Maggie Steward. She says her family calls it the "Cub Scout Story", and groans when she starts to tell it. Enjoy!

SHORT STORY : One Cub Scout asks another to attend scouts at church with him. People are converted who later serve missions in Montreal, Peru, Italy, Brazil (3), Texas, and Indiana. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir gets a general manager. I get an eternal companion and four children.

LONG STORY : When I was in my early teens and living in La Habra California, my younger brother was a Cub Scout, attending the school's pack. He had a best friend there. One day this friend told him that he would not be a part of that pack any more as his mom wanted him to attend the "church pack" (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormons) instead.

My brother came home and asked if he could attend the church pack with his friend. He started attending and then, shortly before he turned twelve, he came home and said "The other guys get the priesthood when they turn twelve, but I don't 'cuz I'm not a member, so I want to join the Church." My parents wanted to investigate what he wanted to join, and had the missionaries come and teach the lessons to the whole family. My brother joined shortly thereafter and served a mission in Montreal in time.

I did not join then, but was convinced to sign up for early-morning seminary for my second year of high school. After attending seminary all year, I gained a testimony and told my parents that I wanted to join the Church also. So, once again, the whole family took the lessons and I was baptized.

The following year my sister went through the same process. The whole family took the lessons again and joined the Church. My parents never joined, but have been very supportive. My mother died fifteen years ago. My Dad attends Church almost every Sunday with us and is considered a part of the ward, although he is adamant about not joining. Who knows why.

But that is only part of the story.

When I was a senior in high school we moved to Santa Barbara, California. The following year I went to BYU. When I came home on my first break my brother was in the backyard studying with a very beautiful young girl. I asked my mother who she was. Apparently, my brother met her in his math class. The two struck up a friendship and he told her about the Church. She and her family were taking the missionary lessons at our house.

Karen joined the Church shortly thereafter (her parents were not interested.)

My brother dated Karen for a while, but the two decided that they were just friends. Karen started dating a non-member from high school, told him about the Church, he took the lessons and joined the Church. Scott is now the general manager of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and served a very successful mission to Italy. His two oldest children served missions in Brazil, and his youngest child is waiting for his call.

A few years later, while attending Santa Barbara City College, Karen, again in math class, was attracted to a young man who was attracted to her. Craig tried to talk to her after class, but she had to run off to Institute. He got curious, wanted to know what Institute was, started attending, gained a testimony, joined the Church, and served a mission in Peru. He came home and married Karen and had four beautiful children. Two of the children have served missions (Texas and Brazil) and one has been called to serve in Indiana.

Unfortunately, Karen fell away from the Church after about fifteen years and divorced Craig, leaving him with the four children. After a few years, he started dating again. After a few "false starts" he asked me out and we were sealed in the LA Temple on August 5, 1998. When I said "I do" I instantly became the mother of four wonderful children including the elder I took to Provo in February to Missionary Training Center to prepare for serving in the Indiana mission.

One Cub Scout invites another to Church resulting in missionaries sent to four countries and various states. Eternal families are formed AND the Choir gets a manager.

Thanks for letting me tell my story.

~ Maggie Steward

• Elder Matthew Steward - Indiana Indianapolis 2-08 thru 2-10
• Sister Kristine Steward - Texas Houston (Spanish speaking,) wife of Kevin Cook, and mother of Stellan Cook, prospective missionary in 2025
• Sister Stephanie Steward - Brazil Brasilia - marrying in the LA temple July 19, 2008

But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:20)

I just flew home from Utah, completely exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Yesterday was one of the highlights of my life - I put my first of four sons in the Missionary Training Center, heretoafter known as the MTC. I knew it was going to be both brutal and fantastic. I came prepared with a purse full of tissue and a prayer in my heart that I would be strong and not collapse in a heap of pitiful tears in front of my son and the entire MTC.

When my husband, son and I drove up to the MTC we were excited to see scores of soon-to-be-missionaries and their families pouring onto the grounds. We later learned that 256 missionaries were to enter that day. We followed the signs to the special parking area which was reserved for new missionary families. There was a palpable air of excitement.

My son said, "This seems so unreal!"

His big day had finally arrived. We had talked about it, prayed about, saved for it, and even sung about it his entire life and now it was finally happening.

We stopped at the cross-walk with a few other families and I couldn't help but ask, "Elders! Where are you going?"

We quickly met one young man going to Washington DC, another going to Switzerland, and another going to Bulgaria. At the other side of the cross-walk we played cameraman for each other next to the famous Missionary Training Center sign. Every time another missionary walked by I'd shout out the same question and get an excited "Hong Kong! Brazil! New York!" It was so exciting to watch the ranks of God's newest army file in.

It has been 23 years since I entered the MTC myself, headed for the Spain, Madrid mission. So many wonderful feelings came flooding back into my mind and I wished I could join these new missionaries and do it all over again. What a privilege it was to be a full-time missionary for the Lord.

The instant we stepped foot on MTC soil we were greeted by at least a dozen smiling volunteers, directing the way we should go. We first dropped off my son's luggage in the designated spot and took more pictures next to each landmark we deemed important and/or entertaining, such as the famous "Missionaries on Bikes" statue.

We then walked to the front doors of the MTC where signs directed the parents to enter one door and the missionaries to enter a different one. I stopped dead in my tracks, saying, "Wait! We have to say goodbye already?"

Another volunteer kindly explained the separation was only for 30 seconds so the missionaries could register and get their name tags. I was relieved and grateful I didn't have to use my year's supply of tissue hidden in my purse yet.

Once inside, my son was given his first official name tag with a big red dot on it, indicating to all within a square mile that he was a "Greenie," in other words, he was a brand new missionary! We were told that it was tradition for a loved one to put his name tag on. The thought of that significant deed was too emotional for me to handle so I let my husband do the honors while I caught the historical moment on video.

We wandered around the lobby taking pictures for a while and then finally went to the chapel just down the hall where some of those touching "Mormonad" commercials were playing...as if we weren't teary-eyed enough already! Between commercials short slides were shown that shared interesting statistics about the MTC and missions around the world.

The chattering crowd quickly quieted down as the MTC 1st Counselor greeted us and began the meeting. I was doing great until he invited us to sing the traditional missionary hymn "Called To Serve." That's when the tissues first made their appearance. I remember singing that song in Spanish in the MTC so many years ago, surrounded by a sea of enthusiastic and humble missionaries who were preparing to go forth unto every nation. Everyone always sang in their mission language, resulting in an awesome "Day of Pentecost" sensation. My heart couldn't handle the immense joy I felt to be able to bring my own son to this sacred place and have the same spiritual, life-changing experiences. What an honor it was to be there again in the midst of these fishers of men.

The MTC President, his wife, his counselor and his wife all spoke loving words of advice and comfort and then they showed us a sweet video of missionaries going all over the world to serve. The moment of separation finally arrived as the 1st Counselor suggested the wisdom of what he called "the Bandaid Technique" for saying goodbye: it's less painful to do it quickly.

Many tears were shed and loving words spoken as we hugged our wonderful missionary good-bye. A true bitter-sweet moment. I've never been so proud of him as I was that moment. He was well-prepared and anxious to serve. Thoughts raced through my mind of when my son was first placed in my arms and I fell in love with his sweet little face. What a privilege it has been to be his mother and watch his life unfold to this very moment.

The MTC President shared a scripture with us that I will keep in my heart during the next two years. It is found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:20 which says

"Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."

He assured us parents that as our missionary was leaving our arms, he was entering the arms of the Savior. There is no better place to be.

I recently heard about a fun feature on the Church's web site www.mormon.org They have an area where you can chat live online with a real missionary. I thought I'd check it out, so I clicked on the link and instantly received a greeting from a guy named Josiah. He was very polite and friendly and helped answer some questions I had about submitting referrals online. The conversation occurred in a pop-up window and it was really cool to know someone from the Church office building was sitting there typing just to little 'ole me!

If you haven't visited this website for awhile, be sure to swing by soon and take another peek. It is extremely easy to navigate and has tons of great information to share with your non-member friends. Anyone can request a visit from missionaries anywhere in the world. Visitors on the site can also request a free Bible or Book of Mormon, as well as click on a link that allows them to read the scriptures online.

If your computer has a Flash player you can watch several video clips on various gospel subjects, as well as hear testimonies from members of the Church. What a great resource this web site is for us to use as members of the Church! When you share a Pass-Along Card with a non-member they will be directed to this web site. It's so easy! I keep a bunch of those cards in my car and purse, so I'll be able to share the gospel at any time in a split second. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Twelve Apostles encouraged all members to "carry a packet of these attractive pass-along cards and give them to persons, even casual acquaintances." ("Sharing the Gospel," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 9.)

I love the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 24:12 which says "And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night." With a simple click of a mouse the gospel can be shared!

You're not Jewish? No Jewish heritage in your family or even on your neighborhood block? That's ok; you can still enjoy the rich cultural and religious history of the Passover by creating a learning experience for your family at home! It's a wonderful tradition, full of symbolism, history, and faith. This year Passover starts on April 20th and continues for 7 days. You'll probably start to see kosher items on shelves in your grocery store now.

Howard W. Hunter once said "I believe it is safe to say that Passover is without equal in the Jewish calendar of celebrations. The Passover in the Old Testament and Easter in the New Testament testify of the great gift God has given and of the sacrifice that was involved in its bestowal. Both of these great religious commemorations declaire that death would 'pass over' us and could have no permanent power upon us, and that the grave would have no victory." (Christ, Our Passover," Ensign, May 1985, 17)

The first Passover dinner I attended was at BYU, sponsored by the religion department. I was so impressed and wanted to learn everything I could about this beautiful Jewish celebration. Over the years I have attended Passover dinners with an Institute class, community center, and my local Jewish synagogue. Now I have a next door neighbor who is Jewish and I'm so excited to be able to share this tradition with our families. What a terrific day to open the door of understanding and begin a religious discussion that embraces the old and lovingly introduces the new. There is much we can learn from one another, especially when approached with kindness and understanding.

If you'd like to recreate the Passover dinner for Family Home Evening, there are some terrific web sites to help get you started. The experience can enrich your own understanding of the scriptures and gratitude for what the Lord has done for all of his children.

www.crivoice.org/seder.html
www.crosswalk.com/parenting/11570532/
www.byub.org/newtestament/episode.asp?id=30 - The Last Supper
www.byub.org/newtestament/episode.asp?id=29- Preparations for the Last Supper
www.wf-f.org/HolyThurs.html
www.markings.bc.ca/holidays/passover/index.html

1 Peter 1:25 says "But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." Today's conversion story is from Don Busenbark:

My family did not attend any church services growing up. I remember going to a few different churches, always looking for something, but not really finding anything I liked or that touched me. I lived in an out-of-the- way area in Washington state and had few friends my age. When I was about 14 years old, two young men moved into my neighborhood and we became friends. Their family was LDS, but the boys were not really excited about church. I think they went because their family went.

Anyway, I was home and a couple of missionaries came to my door. It was 1980 and I was 16 years old. I was impressed by their message, but did not have time to visit with them. I played football, basketball and track and was very busy. I told them to come see me in the spring after football, before track started up. A girl I liked at the time had just joined the church a year before and was trying to get her family converted. I went to her house one day to find the missionaries there teaching a discussion. I listened and did not think much of it at the time. I was just trying to impress the girl.

My friends, the two young men who had moved into my neighborhood, invited me to a church activity a few weeks later. They told me they were going to Hawaii. I was shocked at first and then they explained that they were not really going to Hawaii, but they had a youth activity where they were going to pretend to go to Hawaii and then eat Hawaiian food and listen to music, etc. I thought that it sounded like fun so I went with them to the activity.

The members had set the overflow area of the chapel as an airplane. They had boarding passes, stewardesses, and airplane noises. I sat there trying to figure out what was going on when I heard engine failure noises and the lights flicked off and on. Soon the lights went out and everything was quiet. A person with a flashlight appeared and claimed he was Satan. He then proceeded to tell us what would happen if we did not follow the commandments. We then proceeded out of the overflow into a dark room that represented the Telestial kingdom.

We were then instructed as to what would happen to those in this kingdom and what it would be like. We went into another room which represented the Terrestial kingdom. Again, we were given instruction. This room was lighter than the previous room. Then we were escorted into the chapel where there was a Heavenly Mother and Heavenly Father sitting in the front. The brother and sister representing Heavenly Father and Mother spoke to us about the Celestial Kingdom and what it would be like.

When they finished, the youth in the room began to stand and bear their testimonies. I remember thinking that this was so cool that the people of this church loved their youth so much that they did this for them to teach them to do what was right. I also remember thinking that if either of my friends stood up, I was going to stand up. I did not understand then, but I do know now, that the spirit was there bearing testimony to me of the truthfulness of this church.

My friends never stood up in the meeting so I never stood up, but I still remember how strong the spirit was in that meeting. After the meeting, my friends' dad asked if I liked the activity. I said that I did. Then he asked the golden question. "Would you like to
learn more?" Of course I said yes and that week I had a knock on my door from the elders. I was baptized a few weeks later in April of 1981.

Since then, the Lord has blessed me and my family. I am so grateful for that experience and for the spirit testifying to me of the truthfulness of the gospel."

Yesterday I received an email from a old high school buddy. Hmmm...maybe I should rethink that word "old." She was organizing an elementary school reunion and trying to track down friends she had lost contact with over the years. She was looking for a particular person who she remembers was Mormon and since she knows I'm Mormon she was hoping I'd know her. Kind of like asking someone from the gigantic state of Texas "Oh, if you're from Texas then you must know so and so." Well, I thought it was cute, but I was sorry to tell her I didn't know her former gal pal.

I DID know how to help find her and I thought I'd pass this information along should you ever be in a similar situation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormons, has a resource for locating members all over the world. It's a process that allows for privacy and security. You can simply call the Member and Statistical Records Division at the church office building at 801-240-3500. Request a copy of the "Membership Contact Form" and you will receive it by mail. Remember snail mail? Currently there is no electronic version of this form.

Fill out two forms, which ask for information about the person's name, age, birthplace, and other facts that might be helpful in locating the one you are trying to reach. You also have to write a brief statement about why you want to contact the person. Return both forms to the address provided at the top of the forms. One of those copies will be sent to the person you are trying to locate, who then can decide whether or not to contact you. If the Church can't find the person you will be notified.

This service is especially helpful if you're trying to find a woman who may have married and changed names. You can also write to this department, rather than call, at this address:

It's always fun to reconnect with old friends and I suspect that we'll be spending a good amount of time in eternity just hugging and catching up with dear ones. At least I hope so!

I just discovered mission.net! It is THE place to go on the net to learn about every mission ever organized in the Church since 1837! You can spend quite a bit of time exploring the site and learning about the 350 missions currently operating in 162 nations. It has helpful links to mission web sites where newly-called or returned missionaries can register and reconnect with companions and friends where they served.

You can click anywhere on the map of the world and read about the missions in that area. Most of the mission "alumni" sites include photos, reunion information, statistics, updated news, and message boards. If you've served a mission, be sure to register in the alumni database so others can find you and you can receive important notices. Last year I spent countless hours trying to track down missionaries where I served so I could invite them to a special 20th anniversary reunion. Our mission president was from France and was coming to the United States for the first time and we didn't want any of our old companions to miss it! That reunion was one of the greatest nights of my life...but I'll tell you about that another time.

Another service I really love about this site is that it offers a glossary of terms where non-members can get accurate information about what a mission or the Missionary Training Center is. It's a great site to point your non-member relatives and friends to when you or a loved one gets a mission call!

Finally, another cool feature this site offers is the "Mission of the Day." Every morning a different mission is randomly selected and featured on the home page. Today, for example, is the Swiss mission. A friend of mine served there years ago, but it looks like the boundaries have changed since he was there. Looks like they have a new stake called the St. Gallen Stake too.

It's so much fun to browse the pages and see what's happening in the Church all over the world! It just makes my heart sing to see the growth of the Church on the earth and makes me feel like even my small efforts help build the kingdom. What an honor and a privilege to live in the dispensation of the fullness of times!

Our conversion story today comes from Maria Moreno from Santa Ana, California. Her daughter is currently serving in the Italy, Milan mission! Here are her words:

My conversion has been a slow process, I believe. It began with the death of my biological father when I was 7 years old, followed by my paternal grandfather, my maternal grandfather and my maternal grandmother within a space of 2 years. Amidst the rosaries and the Hail Mary's, the Masses, candles and the incense, I discovered that the essence/spirits of my loved ones was gone; they had gone to a better place, and what was left in that coffin was an empty shell.

From then I refused to pray to the saints as is customary in the Catholic church and instead directed my prayers to God directly and looked upon Jesus Christ as my Savior and mediator with God the Father. No one taught me this. I just intuitively knew it as a child. Amidst my grief, since my mother and paternal grandmother were devastated over their loss, I was left on my own to come to my own conclusions. I believe I was comforted by the Holy Ghost and I felt a deep love for Jesus Christ. I knew He loved me so deeply and that He died for me and no one else loved me as much as He did.

At the age of nine my mother and I left Mexico and came to live in Santa Ana, California where my mother met and married the most wonderful husband and father a person could ever ask for. I was blessed with two wonderful fathers; the first one gave me life and love, and the second one gave me unconditional love and the emotional stability I needed.

I attended private Catholic Schools and would have continued with private schooling, but I missed the entrance exams for the local Catholic High School and attended Westminster High School instead, where I was surrounded by Mormons without me knowing it.

In my senior year in High School, while thinking of my options after graduation, I decided I wanted to be a missionary nun and serve in a leper colony in Africa, not an unusual thought for a good Catholic girl. I had heard missionary nuns speak to the youth while growing up and I was fascinated by them and wanted to wear the black & white habit. I went to speak with my local priest about becoming a nun and his first words to me after I related what I wished to do were "You are much too pretty to be a nun in a leper colony." He was a very wise old priest and I still remember him with fondness. His second words to me, for which I am very grateful were to "search other religions and see if Catholicism is true and come back and see me about becoming a missionary nun." As a good Catholic I took his words of advice to heart and begin praying for guidance and for God to show me the way and let me know if becoming a missionary nun was what he wanted for me.

I begin attending and studying other religions such as Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Church of God, and Jehovah Witnesses. I even looked at the Hara Krishna and checked into the occult. I joined the Christian club at school which met at lunch to study the Bible, but was not very welcomed since I was still very much Catholic.

In the meantime, my mom and I would go to the local laundry-mat to do our laundry and I was always intrigued by a little box that said "Christ in America" or something to that effect with a picture of Christ with the Nephites. It had little cards to call and ask for more information. I never did, but I did believe that Christ could have come to America, since I knew He was the Savior to all the world.

My best friend went to Utah on vacation and sent me a postcard of the Angel Moroni and said, "I thought you might like this since you are studying the Mormons right now, aren't you?" When she came home I corrected her, since I was studying the Jehovah Witnesses at the time and came very close to joining them. I admired their zest and their courage to knock on doors and put up with all that rejection. I do still admire their zealousness and their conviction, a bit off the mark, but, at the time I was very interested in them.

This whole time I was on my knees praying to know the truth and lo and behold the Spanish speaking missionaries came knocking on my door. When I saw they were wearing suits and ties I was very intrigued, since, I had seen the Angel Moroni on a post card I had assumed all Mormons wore long tunics like the Arabs did. Not only were they wearing suits & ties, but they were young, cute and "white anglos" speaking fluent Spanish, definitely out of the ordinary. So, I let them in the door. Hispanics have a creed we live by, "mi casa es su casa" which means "my house is your house" and so, my mom offered them refreshments and made them feel welcomed. They of course proceeded to teach us the discussions. My dad and I were very interested. I think my mom was just looking for eligible young men for me so that I would not become a nun.

In the 70's they had cute flannel board figure/stories and when they taught the priesthood authority I knew it was true. When they mentioned the Book of Mormon and gave us a synopsis of it, I knew it was true without even reading it. Angel Moroni coming to New York, the First Vision, all true as far as I was concerned. I had known it deep down in my soul since I was a little girl.

My dad also knew it was true and something he had been searching for as well. As a child he had gone to various other religions, but a member of none. When he married my mom he had converted to Catholicism because we were Catholic, but, when he heard the discussions, he also knew in his soul that it was true. My dad and I were baptized as soon as we were able to and my mother was baptized a few months later due to her being injured in an automobile accident.

Needless to say, I never did go back to my wise old priest who told me to search for the truth, but, to this day, I know that there are people of God in every religion, and even though they may not know, they help the gospel grow, like my wise old priest helped me to discover the truth. I pray and hope that my daughter runs into those people of God like my wise old priest helped me. I am thrilled that my daughter is going to be one of those sweet loving missionaries that brought the gospel to my family and me. I feel in a way, like my daughter is repaying the Lord my debt by serving a full-time mission. I am very grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed my daughter with this opportunity to serve in Italy.

Usually when we think of missionary work we think of sharing the gospel with non-members, but reminding less active members of important covenants and blessings is also a part of missionary work. Great sensitivity and care should be taken, all in the spirit of Christ-like love and without judgment. Elder M. Russell Ballard encouraged "You and I must do everything we can to see that every member of the Church is completely fellowshipped and enjoying all the blessings the gospel has to offer." (Ensign, Sept. 2008, pg.8)

I was talking with some friends online recently about King Saul, Soloman, and David from the Old Testament. Isn't it great to be able to talk about gospel topics with friends all over the globe?!) One of the people in the group shared a personal experience she had and compared it to how some of those Old Testament kings fell from their righteous stature.

With her permission, here are some of her reflections:

"I am sure they were pretty good men up until they started to commit a little sin. Guilt, even in slight degrees, alters a person’s personality. The guilt made them feel bad, but pride made them justify and desensitize themselves to those bad feelings as almost a form of self preservation. While they are desensitizing they are committing more sin, which catapults them into more guilt and the cycle spirals downward until the person at the bottom very little represents the person who once stood on top."

She continued,

"I had a little bit of a fall while in college. I went through a really ugly period of figuring myself out and I was mid spiral down when an old high school friend and I got together for lunch. As we were parting ways she frowned at me and said, 'Babe . . . you’ve lost your hi-pro glow.' I laughed at her and told her she was a nut-case, but she grabbed my arm and said, 'I mean it. You’re different. You’re a cold shadow of the person you used to be. Whatever’s going on in your life . . . you better put it to an end.' I laughed and pretended her words didn’t cut me to the core, but I bawled the whole way home and for hours into the night. She was right. I was different because I’d begun the spiral. It was like being in one of those water slide tubes where you almost have no way of stopping yourself. I put my hands out to stop the fall . . . and sometimes I still feel the burn marks on my hands."

As we talked about some of these Old Testament leaders who fell from grace my friend concluded

"I think these men had the same problem. They were in their own spirals, only they had a little more pride than a starving college student had to deal with. These men were kings. They were favored of God. Imagine the amount of pride they had. Imagine how far they would have to go to justify themselves in order to make themselves feel okay inside. Imagine the burn marks they’d get on their hands when they tried to stop their own fall. When I start on my spiral downward (since on a daily basis I am doing stupid stuff) I think of my friend grabbing my arm and telling me I’d lost my hi-pro glow. I’m quick to put my hands out so my falls don’t go down so far that I can’t stop. Those kings could have used a good friend to slap them upside the head."

Elder Merlin R. Lybbert of the Seventy gave an excellent talk in the May 1990 Ensign (page 81) where he shared the parable of the Good Samaritan and compared the passersby to members of the church and how we need to care for other members of the Church who may have been hurt on their journey. Said he,

"Most of us are acquainted with someone who is spiritually ill or wounded, lying on the roadside half dead, and who desperately needs the assistance of a good LDS brother or sister - that is, a Latter-day Samaritan. Our prophet has repeatedly reminded us that rescuing the less active is one of our greatest challenges of service."

I just love hearing other people's conversion stories. Here is a sweet one that was written shortly before President Hinckley's death. It was shared with me by Linda Champion:

My conversion story starts about 4 years ago. My daughter, Sister Crystal Champion, was investigating this church as well as one other, while singing at the Catholic church in town. One day she told me that she had decided to get baptized and asked me to attend the baptism. I was very supportive of her decision to join although I had not heard of any of the beliefs. Crystal took a strong interest in the Sister missionaries serving in the ward. We had them over for lunch and dinners and she drove them to appointments. We live in Upstate New York.

One day Crystal told me that she had decided to move to Logan, Utah with one of the returned missionaries who encouraged her to move there. To say the least, I was very sad but also knew that it was best for her to continue in her faith. After all she was the first to join the church in our family. Before she left for Utah she did have the sisters and elders here talk to me about the plan of salvation. Although I have a very strong faith in God, I was not ready to really accept the truth. Deep down I was scared what my family and friends would say if they knew I converted to be a Mormon.

Crystal moved to Utah in July 2004. As we said good bye, I could see the excitement in her eyes and the faith she had that everything was going to be okay. I guess that is something youth can do better than adults. Here she was with limited funds, no job and moving half way across the country! She found employment rather quickly and never once asked for money, although I did send her some once in a while. She absolutely loved Utah and had several opportunities to visit Temple Square. With each visit she would ask them to call me, which they did, and Elders were at my door to teach me. I just wasn't ready to accept the truth. I could see the changes that were taking place in my daughter's life but still was reluctant to accept the reasons.

Each time Crystal came home to visit she would spend time with the sister missionaries. She would ask me to go to church with her, which I did, but still I was not ready to be baptized. The elders continued to teach me and spend lots of time in my home. In 2006 Crystal felt that Heavenly Father wanted her to go on a mission so she began the process of completing the paperwork. She was home for a visit for Thanksgiving last year and was hopeful that she would get her call while home. (She planned it that way and asked that her call be sent to our address.) Needless to say, it did not arrive before she left. She so much wanted us to be with her when she opened the letter.

Shortly after she arrived home, she received her letter. She was at work and her roommate brought it up to her! She immediately called me because she wanted me "to be there" when she opened it. I happened to be driving home so I told her to call me back, which she did, just as I was pulling into my drive way! She read the letter and told me she was going to the Alabama Birmingham mission and she would report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on March 14, 2007. Her excitement was unbelievable! And of course I cried - she was coming to the East Coast (although I knew I couldn't visit her while she was on her mission).

I made plans to visit her in Utah for 10 days prior to her going to the MTC. We stayed with a friend and were treated especially nice. I had the opportunity/privilege of "spoiling" her before she went on her mission. I attended the church service where she gave her going away talk. There were several members that came up to me and said how nice it was that I came to be with Crystal before she went on her mission. Somehow they knew I was not a member.

The night we went to the stake to have her setting apart is a night I will never forget. The Spirit was so real to me. I knew that this is what Heavenly Father wanted for my daughter. I was being selfish thinking how could I survive without her for 18 months! After my conversion I was soon reminded that she was just on loan from Heavenly Father. Her father's friend also gave her a blessing and I cried like a baby. I started to think what a special person she was to be able to serve the Lord and how proud I was to be her mom.

We went to the MTC that Wednesday morning and it was the strangest feeling. I was crying but couldn't help but see the excitement on her face! I left there with such a warm feeling. Although I was sad I knew that Heavenly Father would take care of her. She is truly an amazing child who has faith that would move a mountain! Life was not always easy for her but she moved past that and had something very special in her life.

I returned home the following day both happy and sad. While in Utah at Temple Square I had purchased a quad (Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants bound together in the same book) and said to myself "Linda, you are going to read the Book of Mormon and understand and find the truth." The elders once again started to teach me. I was on fire and couldn't read the Book of Mormon fast enough.

I had to work on some Word of Wisdom issues and the elders called me every night to check on my progress. I was finally ready to get baptized! And yes, I was baptized on Crystal's 23rd birthday - June 23, 2007!

Since that time our family has received many blessings. People have asked if I did it for Crystal and my answer is no, I did it because of Crystal. Her faith in Heavenly Father and the spirit I felt while in Utah made me feel that there really is something to this. I am continuing to learn so much and am truly a happier person because of my choice. I have been able to understand why Crystal is on a mission. Not only is she learning to be obedient to Heavenly Father, so am I. Her emails mean so much more to me now when I can see her testimony of the truth of this church grow stronger. I can't wait to give her a great big hug and kiss and to see her face when she sees me finally as a member of the Church.

I know that this Church is the restored gospel and that Heavenly Father lives and as does my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and I am so thankful that I have joined the church. The Book of Mormon is true.

Sister Linda Champion