In The Beginning

I was raised in a divided home. Mother and her family were strong Presbyterians. Father and his family were non-practicing Catholics. I was not raised in a strong Christian atmosphere. We did not pray or read the Bible. We attended church fairly often, and I believed in God. That's about it. I was a semi active Presbyterian through college.

My best friend growing up was born into the LDS church. I met my future husband after college in 1998. He was also born into the LDS church but had been inactive for a few years. His mother was very active in the church, and as far as I know, has always been. His father was a convert and no longer attends for reasons I do not know. My soon to be hubby would not attend the Presbyterian Church with me, so I told him, "I am going to church with you." This is where the miracle happened. Because of me, he was back at church. Things were great! I knew this was my "sign" that I needed to learn more about the LDS church. I knew that God had placed these two very important people (best friend and future husband) into my life to lead me on the "right" path.

I took the missionary discussions in 2000. I had a baptism date, but my family talked me out of it. Thankfully, hubby never influenced my decision either way. We were married in the Presbyterian Church in 2002. He is the love of my life, and I am truly blessed that God gave him to me!

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (NKJV)

I took the discussions again in 2003. While taking the missionary discussions, I was told over and over to pray to know if it is true and listen to what my heart tells me. So that's what I did, and that is ultimately why I did convert. However, not one LDS member ever pointed out Jeremiah 17:9 at the time I was considering conversion.

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (NKJV)

I felt a ton of pressure to join the church. There was a sense that if I know the truth yet reject it, I will end up in Hell. Well, I certainly did not want that to happen. The LDS members in my life kept telling me it was the right thing to do and any negativity was Satan trying to keep me away from the truth. I believed and trusted them.

I had another baptism date in March 2003. I refused to tell my family because I knew they would try to talk me out of joining the one true church with the fullness of the gospel. They didn't understand that it was the best thing for me. They didn't understand that everything and everyone in this church was wonderful. All of the families were so happy and so close to each other. They all had fabulous lives, and I wanted to be a part of this amazing organization so badly. I just knew I would finally have everything I ever wanted - the perfect life!