Testimonies   www.writerspost.com/testify/

Paula Arnts
Michelle
Roberto Asioli
Edna Snow
Jairo Orozco
Dustin Palmer
Brother and Sister Kelley
Joann Robison Cernosek
Ron Cappelli
Gloria Peralta
Denise Marcy
Raymond Davis
Ossil V. Macavinta
Michael Weber
Janet Bennet
VERONICA COTTAM-MCCONNACHIE
Sheri Green
Sara-Jayne
Quitman ward
Neta
Grahame Leach's
Fabian Munoz

Giving your testimony is like help a blind person to cross the street

This page is dedicated to all who are in search of the truth as I was several years ago. Throughout my life I had investigated many churches and their associated doctrines. I found them all to be lacking the one thing that I was looking for --- the true Spirit of the Lord. Approximately six years ago I found that which I was seeking:

I married a beautiful young woman who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I had absolutely no intention of joining "that church" which I had heard called a cult along with many other names. I had even been told that these "Mormons" had their own Bible and believed in plural marriage, plus the "fact" that they didn't believe in Jesus Christ.

My sweet wife tolerated my continual questions about the church until one day she told me that there were two young missionaries coming to dinner and I should ask them questions instead of her. The young men arrived with their Scriptures in-hand wearing suit and ties. I thought they were a little out of place but they didn't seem to notice. After The meal was blessed by one of these "Elders," they ate hungrily, as though it might be their last meal, finishing quickly.

We all sat together in the living room, I was feeling uneasy as if something was telling me to ask questions, I couldn't! It was as if my tongue was tied. This same thing happened several more times but these "Elders" were Patient. They knew that the Spirit was touching my heart each time they came. They also knew that it was just a matter of time until I would feel this too.

Just prior to the birth of our youngest daughter I relented and opened my heart to the calling of the Spirit. I became a member two weeks later. I have never felt the burning of the Spirit as I did on the day that I gave my heart to the Lord and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I would urge all who are burdened with the weight of life on this earth to seek the Lord through this church. I know that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ as the name states. All who take upon themselves His name and live up to His standards shall be saved --- I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ --- AMEN.

Paula Arnts

I originally joined the church in 1979 just after the birth of my 2nd daughter. Unfortunately I was also newly divorced and found it very hard to spiritually grow alone with 2 babies to care for.  At that time, in my area, spiritually and gospel fellowshipping was very low and with no-one to talk to to help with my questions I began to stumble and then fell. I found myself outside after breaking sacred laws and was not strong enough nor had any encouragement to help me back in.
Finally, many years later, I remarried and moved to another state with 2 grown daughters and a new life. Finally with the love and support of many wonderful members and the greatest Bishop in the world, I ventured to come back. I had much struggle and loneliness as my husband was not a member at that time. 2 years after I was finally rebaptized, my father-in-law died and my husband began to ask many questions about after death. I immediately brought in the missionaries and an incredibly Christ-like Elders Quorum President Peter Jackson who spent many days with love, patience and true friendship to help teach my husband who was baptized a few months later.  We were sealed in the Sydney Australia Temple in November 1997 and
although there are still many struggles in life, we are devoted to the Truth and seek every opportunity to learn together, seek new ways of growing and trying to teach others. I have often said and will to the day I die, that our Prophet would leave the church before I do. Not boasting in my own strength which I know is weak and useless but in the love and strength that holds me from my beloved Lord and King.  I now fast one day per week, every week of every year to continue holding to that strength and to grow in every way I know how.  The most IMPORTANT thing I have learnt now is that we MUST, repeat
MUST help guide, strengthen and love converts so they too do NOT slip away. God has asked us to be a guide and strength and comfort to others and that is my mission today.   God bless and keep you Massimo in the wonderful work you do for His
Names sake.

Love always - your sister in the Truth
Paula Arnts

Michelle's conversion story

In the summer of 1995 I was having a hard time with life. I was just not dealing with
reality. I was on the brink of getting a divorce, drinking way too much, didn't have any friends etc.....I knew there had to be more to life than just this.  I remember my husband telling me he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he was 18. That was all he ever said about it.  I saw a commercial on TV one day and it was about family and how there is more to life..so I waited a day and called the number while Jim was at work.  I Told them to send me a copy of The Book of Mormon. Well, 3 months later a couple young guys came knocking at my door with white shirts and ties on. I
was in a bad mood that day and told Jim to answer the door, he did and they asked for me. Jim said to hold on then slammed the door in their face. I opened the door and invited them inside. Jim was know where to be found. We started chatting and Jim came out to see what was going on. He sat down and said, "Before we get started there is something I need to tell you." " I'm a member of the church but inactive and we need to do something about that."  I was impressed. We never really discussed religion before. I was raised Catholic and I didn't know much else. But I knew that I was ready for religion and I wanted something I could believe in, something that had the same values and morals that I trusted in. Well, Jim took some time off work to be with me as we invited these guys back to talk to us about our feelings about God and Jesus Christ. They shared information about the Bible and another book, The Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ and his teachings, and they asked me to read a few pages and see what I thought. To my surprise it answered quite a few questions I had. I started to really read the Bible and the Book of Mormon daily. They had a total of 6 discussions they presented me with. I was under no obligation to them in any way. They told me what they believed in, which was all found in the Bible. They told me they do not smoke, which was fine with me I never even tried smoking so that was no big deal. They told me no drinking, or coffee or tea. Coffee was no problem, I hated it anyway. Tea wasn't too hard to give up, but drinking was a problem. I was drinking hard liquor by this point and I thought it would be hard to just stop. But as soon as they told me it was wrong, I stopped that same day and I have not had a drop to drink sense. It took prayer and a sincere commitment to try to do the right thing. One of our big sayings is CTR or Choose the Right. That is all we as church members try to do. So, needless to say I was baptized into the Church within 2 weeks of meeting these wonderful missionaries who dedicate 2 years of their time to teaching the gospel to those who do not know it. I owe a lot to John Tober and Bobby Thompson. I owe a lot to all the wonderful friends I've made since I've joined the church. But most of all I am thankful for learning of Jesus Christ and knowing what I should be doing at this point in my life. I have direction now and hope for the future. We also believe families can be together forever, not just until death do you part. I am no longer wondering what happens to us when we die. I know that Jim and I will be together forever and that is all that counts. I have a strong testimony of this Church. I know that this is the true church, and that God lives and that Jesus Christ died for us. I could not ask for a better life. We may not have much money, or live in a big fancy house, or have decent cars, but we have the Gospel in our lives and we have each other, what more could one ask for.

Roberto Asioli

It couldn't be said for certain that I was looking for a religion or any other thing that could give the essential answers. It seemed that I didn't need any answers......so it seemed, at least I believed until I met Elder Ryan and Elder Bolton, two missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That evening, it seemed predestined for the meeting; they had already rang my door the day before,and I didn't open it-- who knows why...but at 8:30 p.m., which day I don't remember, of October 1981, I opened and have never benefited more in my life.
Their visit was brief, to the point, and I immediately understood the message that they had for me; it was as if someone up there or down there had pushed a button and I from that evening decided that I would become one of them.
How strange is life and how much can change when you meet the right people and I did: Jesus Christ. But not the suffering Christ, bent and wounded on the cross, an image deliberately created to falsify the truth (to me, that Christ always seemed to be a hunting trophy of Satan, like those that safari lovers stuff and hang on the wall) but a victorious and glorious Christ, full of hope.
That which truly hit me during the discussion was the message about modern day prophets and the Book of Mormon. It was wonderful to know that, today, we can have the secure guidance of God through His prophets. And to have in hand the Book of Mormon...to read and to learn so easily the truth of the Gospel. Knowing that Christ had other people in the ancient Americas that awaited him and knowing that, today, the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored with the fullness of truth, has been a great joy in my life. Everything the missionaries taught went smooth and hand in hand, always defining clearly the big picture, and finally I decided to be baptized the evening of November 17, 1981
I told it to Loretta, my wife, who had never been present during the discussions. She would always stay in the kitchen until the missionaries had gone. She took it badly, telling me that I was crazy and that my brain had been sucked out by those preachers. But I was determined to take my own road and I was baptized the evening of November 17, 1981, God is my witness. I remember the extended blessings on me during the discussions well: The two that stuck out the most were that my wife would soon accept the Gospel and that if I paid an honest tithing I would prosper. With time, both blessings became reality.
From that time, I have never doubted the inspired decision I made. I have accepted various callings in the Church: April 25, 1982, I was called, to my suprise, to lead the Rimini branch. In subsequent years I have held diverse callings and responsibilities that have confirmed and strengthened my faith and testimony and above all my love for my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.
I thank the missionaries that taught my wife and me: Elder William C. Ryan, that taught me personally and touched my heart, Elder Bolton, that had rung my door (after that first evening he was transferred to another city); Elder Mark Earl Waite, that extended me those formentioned, precious, blessings of God; Elder Gardner, that baptized me; Elder David B. Wirthlin, that taught my wife, and Elder Simonetti, that sustained me as a new member of the Church; and thanks be to many, many others....God bless them.
Of this I bear testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Roberto Asioli

EDNA SNOW

I was so touched by your conversion story that I could not contain my composure for a time. I am a 5th generation LDS and I had a very similar revelation from God proving His existence to me when I was a young girl. My family had suffered through a devastating fire that destroyed everything we owned as well as most of the town. There were a number of hardships resulting from the fire, including a serious (near fatal) lung infection to my sister, who had suffered through polio. My parents were very occupied trying to take care of all the resultant crises as well as finding us shelter to begin to piece together our lives. Each child in the family was alone emotionally and in shock.   I was 10 years old and so desperately afraid to go to sleep because of
recurrent nightmares. (The fire had begun in the middle of the night) I would pray more earnestly than I can possibly explain to my Heavenly Father and beseech him to save us from any more fire every night.  I usually would fall asleep from exhaustion kneeling in my prayer each night. During this time in my life, I really only had Jesus to rely on. He was the only One who gave me peace and calmed my heart. I learned then what it means to pray with all your heart and soul.  Three years later, I received a sure knowledge of HIS existence and I cannot convey the wonder of those moments or the sacred love that He portrayed. I can say that 39 years later, it is still the pivotal point of my life and the greatest of all my blessings combined. However, I have
never received that same sure knowledge of the truthfulness of the Church.  I have been praying for years to know with the same surety that the Church of Jesus Christ is the Church my Heavenly Father wants me to serve and worship Him in. Tonight I read your story and my heart filled with the Spirit answering my prayer - not with the Voice I heard so long ago, but my prayers were answered just as sure through the Holy Spirit showing me my heart's answer. I am so grateful to read your story and want you to know that you were an instrument of the Lord to my prayer.

Thank you, Edna Snow

Jairo Orozco

I been LDS for life, I grew up inside all the Gospel teachings, I learn to obey since I was a Sunbeam, I learn to love Jesus before I could read about him, so when people asks me about my conversion, I don’t have those amazing stories full of miracles, because miracles happened since my birth most of my blessings were received because I didn't’t question the requirements, but once I did, I put to the test everything I learned, I was not’t so sure to serve a full time mission, I had no testimony, at least not a strong one to show around every 5 minutes, I already had an University picked and a career chosen , for the first time I didn’t know what to do, so I knelt and I did it for days and nights until I found the answer. I found out that my conversion through all my life. Maybe it wasn’t that strong spiritual moment , no angels or visions came. I walked near to the Lord
All this time, and this I can refuse and even when I served in four missions and had struggled with 5 mission presidents, I found an extraordinary feeling about the true of this Church, and there is no way to ignore this, so I think and feel that my conversion stills developing day after day, and my testimony grows fairly to every test and experience I am submitted to. For all those who like me thinks that we don’t have a testimony look back to your life and see the biggest miracle, a complete life modeled in our Savior hands. We didn’t need
A vision or an angel, because sometimes we are those angels sent. I believe strongly in the love Jesus profess to all of us, I know this is His Church , I witnessed all His work in this latter days. Now I have a complete different career and new tests to confront, but I have more faith and trust in Jesus. I don’t know how to end this, because I know is not the end, but I can say this could be valid for all to say, but this is true, and is for all to see.
Jairo Orozco
Queretaro Stake
M�xico.

Dustin Palmer

I was born in the church and my family are all members and stuff like that. When growing up I would hear people bear their testimonies in church and so I would take their testimony and copy it into my mind. It wasn't my testimony! Well, the years went on and I just never was "On Fire" with the Gospel. I had done some pretty dumb things while growing up that I regret. I was in my 10th grade year in High School and it was there that I met my 2 best friends in the whole world. They were really
good influences on me from the start. Before them, I had some friends that weren't really "good" They were bad influences on me so... But my 2 friends had gone through the same things I had gone through while growing up.... doing drugs and all that other "worldly" garbage. They told me about repentance. I had heard about it before by going to church but I really didn't know what it was. They said they had repented and I could see their joy and my guilt which I still had and I wanted to have that joy. So one Sunday I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting and well, I gave it on Repentance. My bishop was jokingly saying "have you ever repented" when I told him my topic was repentance and that just made me feel... weird. It was guilt! I
thought to myself... "No I haven't!" So I gave my talk that day in Sacrament meeting and after my talk I went up to my bishop and I told him that I needed to talk to him. He asked me "all right, what do you need to talk about?" I told him "repentance" He immediately set up an appointment right there for that same night! THE SAME NIGHT!! I was scared now, usually I thought it would be a while.. but that night!?! I was actually going to tell my bishop EVERYTHING! Well, I went into his office that night and came out a brand new kid it seemed. I REPENTED!!! The joy and peace I felt was like I had never before felt in my whole life. It was GREAT! My bishop said, pointing to an erased chalk board, "do you see that, that's what your slate looks like now" And that just, WOW! Hit me! That changed my whole life right there. If I hadn't of done that on that night, I would probably not be where I am today. I later got my Patriarchal Blessing, Temple Recommend and got myself worthy and am now preparing for a mission. I have literally been "ON FIRE" with the Gospel ever since. I was also called to be the 1st assistant in the Priests Quorum soon after and that helped me so much. Well, now it was time to get my OWN testimony. I challenged myself to read the Book of Mormon and take Moroni's promise into my life. I DID IT! And the night I prayed for the truth and my testimony, I felt the spirit so strong that I could and never will deny the POWER of the Holy Ghost that I felt. I loved reading the Book of Mormon so much that I read it again... only in 1 month this time! I now know for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the ONLY true church upon this earth. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet and
translator of the Book of Mormon. I know for a surety and without a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is the prophet, seer, and revelator of today. I KNOW that God lives and that Jesus IS the Christ and that He came to earth to die for our sins. I am so thankful for these knowledges in my life, for my own testimony. I am also thankful to my 2 best friends who helped me get to where I am today. "HOLD TO THE ROD.... Hold tight, knuckle
white" I pray that whoever may read this will (if they don't already) get a testimony of their own and truly repent. I know that it is real and it will bring you the most joy in the world. I love this Gospel with every inch of my soul. I say these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Brother and Sister Kelley

Don and I were converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ almost 18 years ago. We were on our way to his mother's birthday
party when a missionary couple knocked on our back door. We asked them to come back and they did a week or so later.

I knew right away that the Gospel was true and that I needed to change some things in my life. I smoked and drank coffee as if there was no tomorrow. Don had already quit smoking before the missionaries entered our lives. After about three or four lessons, I asked them not to come back for awhile. I was having a terrible time, because I knew that what they were teaching was true and I knew I was going to have to make a commitment which I wasn't quite ready to make as of yet.

They challenged us to read the Book of Mormon and, being a prolific reader, I had it read (but not digested) in less than a week. Then I really knew I had better made a decision quick. The missionaries were invited back and Don, myself and our daughter were baptized in December 1980.

Our testimonies have been strengthened in so many ways through this living Gospel. We are committed to the Gospel in our life here on this earth and in the eternities. We have worked on Family History since 1980 and have collected over 17,000 family members, most of whom we knew nothing about. We have been busy over the past 18 years getting these dear people baptized and into the Church so they may be blessed as we have been. We look forward to meeting each of them and being with them again.

We were able to see our dear Prophet this last weekend in Chicago. He told us to, "Be not faithless, but believing." We believe that we are entitled to all the blessings which we read about in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon.

May God bless you for your tremendous efforts to reach our dear brothers and sisters who are also searching for the truth. Our love to you and your family.

Love,
Brother and Sister Kelley

Joann Robison Cernosek

Around the first part of June,1969, I was living in Dallas, Texas(I was 34 years of age at the time), with my 2nd husband, and my son and my daughter by a previous marriage, my eldest son having died at the age of 15 months on 9 Oct 1955.  My son was 12 years of age, my daughter was 9.  They were visiting their father in Temple, OK for the summer.

I had been raised a Southern Baptist by my adoptive parents.  I had always been very active in that church, and had raised my children up to that time in the same faith.  It was the nearest church I could find that fulfilled what I had been taught that a church should be, but it did not answer all my questions!!!  I asked the minister when I was a teenager to explain the divine trinity to me.  He told me to look at the electric light bulb that was burning.  He told me if I could explain that to him, then he could explain the divine trinity to me.  I was not satisfied, but did not know the answer.

It was about 9:30 or 10:00 a.m., my husband was at work, and I was just taking a break from housecleaning (in my hot pants and midriff top, smoking a cigarette and drinking a mixed drink, when the doorbell rang.  I had put the bright red throw rug out on the front porch to shake the dust out of it later.  Two young ladies, Sister Stott and Sister Stoddard, were standing on my porch.  I said, "Yes, may I help you?"  Sister Stott replied,"I am Sister Stott and this is Sister Stoddard.  We have a message for you from Jesus Christ.  Would you like to hear it?" (Normally, I did not let strangers into my home, but they seemed so sincere, I let them in.) "Yes", I told them, "come in."

They came in and told me the story of Joseph Smith and the Grove, about heavenly father and his son coming in answer to his prayers, you already know the story.  They asked me if they could come again and tell me about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints.  I felt so sorry for them, they were so sincere, and yet, I thought, so misguided!  I told them that they could come back, but I stipulated that I would have to pray about what they had told me, to find out the truthfulness or fiction of their words.  I asked them, if, after I had listened to ALL that they had to tell me, if heavenly father revealed to me that it was wrong, would they let me tell them about the Baptist Church.  They smiled at each other and accepted the challenge!!!  They did not leave me a Book of Mormon that day, so I went to the Public Library and checked out a copy!  The only time I wasn't reading it was when I was tending to my husband and children.  I would fall asleep reading it at night.  By the way, it was donated by and signed by, the First Presidency!

I listened to all their lessons, and so did my husband.  I did not tell them, but I was praying for a certain sign to know that it was true, for, more or less, this is what I had been taught to do.  When I told the Sisters what I had been doing, they were devastated.  They explained to me that it was wrong to ask for signs from heavenly father, that I would just know the truth, if I asked with a sincere heart!(By the way, Sister Stoddard's mission ended just after the first lesson, and Sister Blake finished them off with Sister Stott)

So, that night, I prayed with a sincere heart, asking heavenly father to forgive me for asking for signs.  I lay down upon my bed, my husband was asleep by the time I got there.  I was in a state, half awake and half asleep, when suddenly, I was in a room where I had never been before.  (I did not know what a Menorah candelabra looked like at the time).  There were heavy Royal Blue Velvet hangings on the very tall walls(like a huge room in a castle), the valances were draped across the top, accented with gold tassels, and tied every so often with golden plaited cords.  The only lights in the room came from two huge candelabras, one on each side of what seemed to be an altar(which was the size of a great table). There were seven candles in each candelabra, the one in the center standing taller than the others(like a Menorah candelabra), and they were burning with a bright light.  The thick carpet was deep and plush, and maroon(the color of red wine)the altar was draped in beautiful white material, with golden threads running down the sides.  The most important thing in the room, or it seemed to me, was the open book which was lying on the altar(I thought at first it was a Bible), but when I approached, I saw emblazoned across the top of   both pages, in huge, bold, black letters:

"THE WORLD'S ARGUMENTS AGAINST MORMONISM".

I can't remember anything else about what the book had written in it, but I knew immediately that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, and all those who followed as Presidents of the Church are Prophets of God, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints is the true church, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and a 2nd witness, and all the other things that I had learned at the feet of these dear Sisters are true!

About a week later, before I was baptized, my sister, Wanda, and her family, came through Dallas on their way home to Silsbee TX.  I testified to her, and her husband, about the new found truths, and her husband was really a doubting Thomas, having been forced to go to the Church of Christ as a child, and not liking to go to any church.  I knew then why heavenly father had given me the answers to the world's arguments against Mormonism, as my brother-in-law started shooting negatives at me, and I was able to counter with a positive each time, in such a way, that he took my sister and their family home, called the missionaries, and they were baptized into the church in their home town shortly after I was baptized.

I was very active for almost 10 years.  My husband & I were sealed in the Temple, having my dead son sealed to us in the Arizona Temple in 1971.  My other 2 children were also baptized.  Our marriage fell apart because of worldly things.  While it was falling apart, even though I never lost my testimony, I asked to be excommunicated, so that I could be a 'little' worldly, thinking my husband would love me enough to give up his 'vice' if I were more worldly.  It didn't work.  Of course!!!

Anyway, I moved to Houston TX.  I am married to a good man now, his first wife is dead.  He has 6 grown children.  By faith, he is Roman Catholic.  Satan had whispered to me that I had been so sinful that heavenly father could never forgive me for the things I had done.  When I told my husband that I had been sealed in the Temple for Time and all Eternity to my ex husband, he told me he wanted me to get an annulment.  I told him that a Temple Divorce was all that was possible, not an annulment.  He said to do whatever I had to, but get it.  I explained to him that the only way I could apply for it was to be a Temple Worthy member of the Church.  I prayed about it, just KNOWING that I was too dirty for heavenly father to ever forgive me!  That night, I had a dream.  I was outside somewhere away from my home.  It was pouring down rain, but the rain was not water, it was acid, and it burned and blistered everywhere it hit my skin.  I looked around for shelter.  I saw several groups of twos,  young men in dark suits, white shirts, wearing ties, holding huge black umbrellas.  I knew I had to get to
them, for they were inviting me to come and stand under their umbrellas, to be protected.  When I awoke, I knew that the two young men were missionaries, and the umbrellas they were holding represented the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints, and they were welcoming me back into the fold with open arms; I knew that I would be safe there, that the Holy Ghost would protect me as long as I obeyed the commandments to the best of my ability.

The next night after praying many times during the day, I dreamed I was in the Sacred Grove, and there was a grown man praying there, and he was in much distress, pleading with heavenly father for someone.  His hands, though folded, I could see, were cracked and bleeding, from fighting MY battles with Satan, so that I would be strong enough to come back to the Church.  I felt if I could just silently reach and touch his hands, that everything would be all right, but I felt too unclean and unworthy to even try.  He finished his prayer, but was still kneeling, he looked at me with the most beautiful, loving eyes I ever hope to see, and said, "Sister *****(calling my Temple name), ALL IS FORGIVEN!:"  (The man in the grove WAS the Prophet Joseph Smith)!!!!

I woke, the next day, I called the Bishop of our Ward, made an appointment for that evening, a year later, in June, 1990, my son rebaptized me, my son and son-in-law, confirmed me and gave me the gift of the Holy Ghost, my daughter led the music and bore her testimony, and my 6 grandchildren sang I Am A Child of God, plus my oldest granddaughter sang a special song my daughter had written, and my daughter played the piano for the baptism.  I have held a Temple Recommend ever since I could have one back, and do attend the Temple!

I send the Mizpah greeting to you,
Your Sister in Christ,

Joann Robison Cernosek

Ron Cappelli

For all of my growing up years I was raised in a God fearing home. My mother was Lutheran and that was the church I attended. When I was twelve years old I went to catechism, which is a course of instruction to teach the youth the basic beliefs of the church. Upon successful completion of that study program, we were then permitted to participate in taking communion.
My father had been raised as a Catholic. When he was dating my mother, her father would always pull this young boy aside and try to show him that the Catholics were wrong and that the Lutherans were right. Finally, one day, my father decided to prove that just the opposite was true. In violation of the rules of the Catholic church, my father started reading the Bible. To his surprise, he became convinced that the Catholics were wrong in their doctrinal beliefs. However, he also convinced himself that the Lutherans were also wrong. As a result of this endeavor to find the truth for himself, my father became an avid reader of the Bible from that time forth. Yet, because of his studies, he developed his own unique brand of religious thought that was different from any other faith, including the "Mormons"
During my growing up years I remember him loving to get into debates with ministers and other people who would engage him in religious conversation, and most especially the Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormon missionaries, who came knocking on his door asking to talk about God. Very often I sat spellbound listening to these vigorous exchanges of ideas. I also grew up watching every Billy Graham Crusade and every Oral Roberts tent meetings when they were televised.
This was my religious background when I left home to join the Air Force at age twenty. A year later I was given my first permanent duty station near Sherman, Texas, a small town just a few miles from the Oklahoma boarder. The barracks there were more like dormitories, in that they consisted of a series of small rooms with only three people living in each. This afforded us much more privacy than the open barracks with fifty or more people double bunked side by side for the whole length of the building.
One day a roommate of mine overheard me discussing God with another airman, and, when we were alone in our room, started talking to me about his faith. I remember him saying that his church had a prophet, and I remember saying to myself, "So what? Big deal. What difference does that make?" However, that's all I can remember of those conversations, except that we had quite a few of them from time to time.
Then one day he came to me and said he had a couple of friends who wanted to talk to me about his faith, and I responded by saying that I didn't mind talking to anyone about God. He then explained that these friends couldn't come on the base, so we would have to go to their place. Having no objection to doing that, we set a date and, at the appointed time, went to their home. When we arrived at the house, I was escorted down a pair of outside stone steps that led into the basement, where two young men, just barely younger than me, were waiting. They explained that this was their apartment which they were renting from the owners of the house. The area was extremely small and the ceiling was so low we could not fully stand upright. They offered me a chair to sit in while they sat on their bed.
I don't remember much of that first discussion except I came away from it totally convinced that these two kids didn't know anything at all about the Bible. They talked to me about something called the IRONIC priesthood, and I knew that wasn't in the Bible. And they told me about some other guy by the name of Mel-something or other who held a special sort of priesthood, and I was equally convinced that he wasn't in the Bible either. However, after that first meeting, they asked if we could set up another time to discuss their beliefs. I didn't have anything else to do, so I said, "Sure, why not." I was beginning to feel like my father, who enjoyed debating the Bible with whomever he could.
During the next several discussions, they had me open my Bible and showed me things in it that I never knew existed. As they explained each concept of Mormonism, and then pointed it out to me in the Bible, I was left unable to refute their claims. After each point they would ask, "What do you think about that?" or "How do you feel about that?" I was put in a position where I was forced to admit that they were right, not so much because I felt it in my heart, but because they had logically convinced me through the words in the Bible.
However, there was one point they couldn't convince me of, which was that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost were three separate and distinct people. Try as they might, they couldn't make me see their point of view. I remember my father telling me that before the Lord ascended into heaven he commanded His apostles to "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew28:19). He then pointed out that in every instance in the Bible where it talks about baptism, it states that they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. My father's argument was this: What is the name of the Father? What is the name of the Son? What is the name of the Holy Ghost? The answer: Jesus Christ, because He was all three! My father reasoned that the apostles understood this and that's why they always baptized in the name of Jesus Christ rather than "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." And that was my conviction too.
Finally, out of exasperation, the missionaries pointed out that since I believed everything else they had told me, why not go ahead and set a date for my baptism? I told them that if I was going to be a Mormon, then I had to believe everything, and until I could resolve this issue of the Trinity, I wouldn't be baptized. Next they asked if I would be willing to fast and pray about it. I agreed, and they also agree to fast and pray for me.
On the appointed day, I awoke and knelt in prayer by my bed and asked the Lord to show me the truth concerning the Trinity. I then arose and went about my normal duties for the day without giving much thought to the matter, with the exception of not eating. Late that night I found myself alone in my room, so I once again knelt in sincere prayer to ask for an answer. When I finished, I rose to my feet, but didn't have any startling revelations. However, the thought occurred to me that perhaps I should read the Bible. My father was always fond of saying, "For every Holy Ghost question, give me a Holy Ghost answer." By that he meant, since the Bible was the inspired word of God, then any question about God could best be answered by the word of God. So I sat down on my bed and used a technique he had taught me --just open the Bible anywhere and start reading. The idea behind this method is that whatever page you inadvertently turn to is exactly where the Lord wants to show you something. So I opened the Bible at
random and started reading.
Within two verses I had my answer! There it was, as plain as anything could be that the Father and Son were two totally separate and distinct people! Furthermore it was a Holy Ghost, (i.e. Biblical) answer to a Holy Ghost question.
I laid the Bible on my lap and thought to myself, "Why those two dumb missionaries. Why didn't they show me this verse in the first place, and that would have explained everything." I had my answer, and now I was satisfied. But what was I going to do with the rest of the evening? Since I had the Bible already open, I decided that I might as well read some more. I flipped several pages and started to read again. No sooner had I begun than I found myself being confronted with yet another scripture that proved the Father and Son were two different people. I was astonished. Quickly I flipped several more pages and, sure enough, there it was again. I flipped more pages and the same concept leaped up at me. Every time I turned the pages and read, I kept finding scriptural evidence that the Father and Son were two different people. The Bible was full of the doctrine. Then, suddenly, I realized that it wasn't the missionaries who were dumb, but me.
Excitedly, I ran out of the room, and down the hall to the pay phone. To say that the missionaries were overjoyed at my conversion would be an understatement. I'm sure they said many words of praise and thanks to their Heavenly Father that night for answering the prayers of three spiritually inexperienced young men.
At that time, the members were so few in number that we were just a small branch. In fact, we were so small, we didn't even have a building of our own in which to meet. As a result of those conditions, the branch leaders had made arrangements to use the facilities of the Seventh-day Adventists, who would hold church on Saturday, and let us use their building to meet on Sunday. The only problem with this was that the church we were meeting in had no baptismal font. However, the missionary elders took care of that by making arrangements with a local Baptist church who allowed them to use their font. And so, a Lutheran boy went to the Baptist church to become a member of the Mormon faith so that he could worship God in a Seventh-day Adventist building.
From that shaky beginning God has helped my testimony of His church to grow and become strong through answered prayers and personally revealed knowledge. Although I have never had the opportunity to serve as a missionary, I am reminded of the Savior's words to Peter, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32). As a result of all that God has given me, which has helped convert me from my way of thinking to a better appreciation of the true plan of salvation, I feel a duty and an obligation to share that knowledge with others to help them become stronger in their understanding of His word.

Gloria Peralta

I was raised by parents of two faiths, a Catholic Father and a Baptist Mother. Not being able to decide among themselves which church was "right" they raised me in both - Mass on Sunday mornings and Sodality meetings on Thursdays; Training Union on Sunday nights, and GA's (Girls Auxiliary) on Wednesday's. My mother liked to argue with ministers, so we went through a lot of different Southern Baptist churches, and I learned that the thing I wanted most was NOT to be a Baptist. (Too many differences between the ministers for me to understand.) Over the years, I learned quite a lot from my Father on earth - most importantly, that I had previously lived with my Heavenly Father. I tried a number of different religions, before selecting the church of my earthly Father. My attendance was more out of "duty" for I noticed that I could not feel the presence of God anywhere I went. A broken marriage and a couple of children later, I decided that God must be dead, and quit going to church. A new marriage, and a new baby on the way, I realized that I would soon be raising children without church, and "knew" that no matter how I felt personally, I could not do that to my children - so I said a half prayer and half statement to Heavenly Father: "God, you know that I can no longer be a Catholic and I do not like being a Baptist. I do not know anything about the churches my husband was raised in. I know the children will need church but I do not know which church they need. If you have a preference, please tell me." Just about dark (maybe three hours after I had my "talk" with Heavenly Father) I answered a knock at my door, and there stood two young men whose faces shone so brightly that I did not even turn on the porch light as I talked to them. I felt a "kindred" feeling and I knew instantly that I wanted whatever they were selling. They told me about the Book of Mormon, and until that moment I had never heard of the LDS Church. (I was 27 years old.) Everything they said made sense to me, and I told them that I wanted to hear everything they had to say, without interruption, my baby was due in less than a week and I asked them if they could come back in two weeks. They did. A lot of the things they told me had already been taught to me by my earthly Father! 6 weeks later both my (then) husband and I were baptized. Our children and grand-children are members, but none of my original family.

Denise Marcy

I was 12 years old, when I decided to become a member of this Great Church!! After several years of investigating the True church, and my family trying desperately to get away from the MORMONS, I finally was the first to become a member. We were considered "investigators" for around 7 years!! Yes, along time!! My mother and I were the only ones really going to this church, when I asked to become a member. My father had given up on the Lutheran Church, and was no longer going, except for the days we HAD to go, Christmas and Easter! I was just the age for young womens, and really was getting along great with the other Young Women...and the teacher were really Great, too!!

I am now 27 years old, and am again active in the Church. I strayed away for several years, thinking that I could get along fine with out going to the Lord in decisions, and throughout my life! Well, I was WRONG!! My kids are what brought me back to the church, and for them I am truly grateful~~ I would use excuses like I was working, and my ex-husband wouldn't let me go, but down deep inside my heart, I didn't want to go.

I have now been active again for 4 years. I have gone each Sunday, unless I am truly sick. I can't live without the Gospel in my life, and very soon, I will be attending the Temple.

What a JOY in my life that has brought me to this stage in my Gospel!! The joy of having the chance to have an Eternal family means the world to me!! I know that with the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I can have an Eternal family!!

I also want to Thank Massimo for this WONDERFUL page that he and his inspirations have put this page together!! The Lord is on his side, and he has been blessed with a Wonderful Spirit!!

Thanks Massimo!!

Raymond Davis

My name is Ray Davis and I and my family are converts to the church.We joined in 1980 and this is how it came about for me. I was raisedSouthern Baptist down in Texas and had never been satisfied with a lot of the beliefs in that church.I had actively searched many religions for the truth of the gospel,though found none that felt right to me.I am a amateur radio operator (ham- KB5ZX) and had met on the airwhat became a great friend, who was a member of the LDS church. He lived in the same area as me and we became really good friends. He never tried to push his beliefs on me but would answer any question I ask about the church in great detail.By the way, I had listened to the missionary lessons several times and my wife Betty had joined the church. I agreed with what I had heard but had not really become convinced.  One Saturday afternoon my "ham" friend came by and as we were setting talking I ask what he had been doing that day. He said that he had been to the Los Angeles Temple and began to talk about how much he enjoyed being there and how wondrous it was to walk down the halls and be in the same rooms that the Lord Himself had been in.  At this point a feeling of great piece and contentment came over me with a power that I have no words to explain. It filled my entire being from head to toe, and was so wondrous that I sat there rather stunned for a moment just enjoying the marvelous feeling. I knew without any doubt where this feeling was coming from, and was so surprised at how simple the answer was. I ask in my mind if what Pete had been telling me about the Temple was true. Again this wondrous feeling filled my being. I than ask if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was true. Again the marvelous feeling filled me. By this time tears were streaming down my face, and I guess I had a smile from ear to ear because my friend ask me what was the matter, and before I could answer him, he knew ! I continued to ask question after question of the Spirit and to each I received an answer. By now Pete and I were both crying and my wife came in and seeing us in that state wanted to know what was wrong ? I told her that NOTHING was wrong and that I wanted to join the church ! What an amazing experience!  I testify to you that I know, I KNOW that Christ lives and is our Lord and Savior.  I know that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one and only true church and was established by the Lord Himself through A young man named Joseph Smith.  Christ stands at the head of His Church and leads and guides us as we need guidance through the living Prophet appointed by Christ Himself !   I testify that if you will sincerely pray to our Father in heaven, asking for conformation of the truth of the Gospel and His church that you will indeed get an answer so simple and amazing that you will never again have doubt !  To this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.